Instructional Routine: Read Aloud

Introduction

Who is the leader in the library—the librarian or the bus driver?

Discuss students’ responses.

Watch the video, School Helpers!

Discuss some of the jobs the video mentions, such as principal and custodian. Identify school leaders in similar roles within the students’ school. Explain that schools often have these leaders. Sometimes schools have different leaders. Explain the leaders’ responsibilities if students are unfamiliar with a specific role. For example, explain that a chef is a leader at a school who helps make the lunch menu and cook food.

Before Reading

1. Introduce the topic words
2. Display the article "Who Are School Leaders?" and read the title.
   Note: The article is presented in three levels. Select the level that is appropriate for the majority of students' needs and abilities.
3. Preview the article.
   1. Point out the text structure and any text features used in the article, including headings, titles, underlined and bolded words, photos, illustrations, etc.
   2. Preview the illustrations. Have students predict what they think the article may be about. Discuss students’ responses. Point to the picture of a teacher helping students while they write.
      SAY: I see this person helping students with their writing. I know that leaders who help students learn in school are called teachers. I think this article might be about the different leaders in school and how they help students.
4. Introduce the Learning Goal
   SAY: Today, the goal is to remember a school leader and how they help at school.

During Reading

Think aloud as you model.

Model Fluent Reading

1. Read the article aloud with fluency and expression
2. Emphasize each leader by changing the tone of your voice and slowing down your reading rate when you read the repetitive phrase, "____ is a leader in school."

SAY: This is something to say to the class

Model Using Text to Comprehend

1. As you read, think aloud about how the illustrations help you understand how school leaders help at school.
   Page 1 (Advanced, Higher, Regular)
   SAY: The article is about leaders at school. The text says that leaders help people. The illustration supports this idea. I see a person giving advice to a large group of people.
   Page 2 (Advanced, Higher, Regular)
   SAY: I see a person at their desk in a school. The text says that a principal is a school leader. I wonder how they help at school? When I keep reading, it says that principals help teachers, parents and students.
2. Model using the text, illustrations and text structure to comprehend the article by thinking aloud about examples on other pages.

After Reading

1. Revisit the learning goal with students.
   SAY: Who is a school leader and how do they help at school?
   

1. Continue the discussion by talking with students about other school leaders they notice in their school. Discuss their job responsibilities and how they help students or families. (e.g., Crossing guards lead travel to and from school. They help families, students and drivers stay safe.)

Wrap Up

Writing Follow-Up

Provide students an opportunity to write about the text, using words from the article. Provide students with sentence frames, alternate pencils and other supports as needed.

This article made me think about ____.

One fact I learned from the article is ____.

What did the article make you think about? What did you learn from the article?

Extend

Play pretend! Assign students with different school leader roles. Ask them to give speeches or tell about what they would do in their pretend role. If time and space allow, have students act out their role as the other students play along. For example, if the student is assigned as being the principal, have that student pretend to be the leader and give school announcements. Have other students ask them questions. After, discuss what it felt like. Ask questions such as, “What was challenging? What was fun? What did you learn?”