The Reading Train

The kids were paired up with a reading buddy and set their chairs up like a train.  One of the kids was the listener and the other was the reader.  When the train whistle blew the reader would read as fluently as possible while the listener paid close attention to what they were hearing.  When the train whistle blew again the listener would give the reader one grow (read a little louder or more fluently etc.) and two glows (you read with great expression, I liked your fluency, I enjoyed your tone, you made the story interesting, you make me want to hear more etc.)  The reader then reads again and tries to improve with the constructive criticism they were given.  When the train whistle blows again the team switches jobs.  The listener becomes the reader and the reader the listener.  They know what to listen for and how to project better.  This activity really helps with fluency and it is so fun to watch them really listen to each other.  These are very kind children and really want their partner to get better and better.  Everyone of these kids glow!