How Does The Use of Read Alouds By Two Fourth-Grade Teachers Effect Their Students' Independent Reading Choices?

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if the use of read alouds in the classroom could introduce students to books in ways that would generate interest in an author, topic, or genre which would then enable the students to more easily find choices for independent reading books and increase their independent reading. During the course of this study, the research question, "How does the use of read alouds by two fourth-grade teachers effect their students' independent reading choices?'' was addressed. By understanding how read alouds can effect a student's independent reading choices, it will enable me, and other teachers, to develop read alouds that are engaging for the students and which will generate student interest in not only the read aloud, but in choosing books for independent reading that they might not have previously chosen.