What is the main purpose of Shared Reading?

• A. To test reading comprehension
• B. To allow students to read silently
• C. To enable collaborative text interaction
• D. To review vocabulary

Answer: (C)

The main purpose of Shared Reading is to enable collaborative text interaction. This instructional approach involves a teacher or a fluent reader engaging a group of students in reading a shared text together. Through this interaction, students are provided with the opportunity to observe fluent reading behaviors, participate in discussions about the text, and express their thoughts and interpretations in a supportive environment.

Shared Reading fosters a sense of community and collaboration, as students can contribute their ideas, ask questions, and build comprehension together. This method not only increases students' engagement with the text but also allows for the modeling of reading strategies, vocabulary development, and understanding of text structure in an interactive manner.

In contrast, the other options, while important aspects of reading instruction, do not capture the collaborative nature of Shared Reading. Testing reading comprehension typically occurs after reading, silent reading focuses on individual practice, and vocabulary review is generally a separate activity rather than one that emphasizes collaborative engagement with a text.