What is interactive reading?

Interactive reading is an engaging, participatory approach to reading that involves active collaboration between the reader and the text. This method encourages readers to actively think about, respond to, and question the text as they read, enhancing comprehension and critical thinking. Interactive reading is often used in educational settings to develop literacy skills and foster a deeper understanding of the material. Here are key components of interactive reading:

Questioning: Readers ask questions before, during, and after reading to clarify understanding, predict outcomes, and explore deeper meanings. Questions can be about the content, characters, events, or the author’s intentions.

Making Connections: Readers relate the text to their own experiences, other texts they have read, and the world around them. This helps to create a personal connection and makes the text more relevant and engaging.

Predicting: Readers make predictions about what will happen next in the text based on clues and prior knowledge. This keeps them actively engaged and thinking ahead.

Visualizing: Readers create mental images of the scenes, characters, and events described in the text. This helps to bring the text to life and improves comprehension.

Clarifying: Readers identify confusing parts of the text and use strategies to make sense of them. This may involve re-reading, looking up unfamiliar words, or discussing the text with others.

Summarizing: Readers periodically pause to summarize what they have read, either orally or in writing. This helps to reinforce understanding and retain important information.

Annotating: Readers make notes, highlight key points, and write comments or questions in the margins of the text. This active engagement helps to deepen comprehension and recall.

Discussing: Readers engage in discussions with others about the text. This can be done in pairs, small groups, or as a whole class. Sharing different perspectives and interpretations can enhance understanding and critical thinking.

Responding: Readers respond to the text in various ways, such as writing reflections, creating art, or performing scenes. These responses can be creative and personal, allowing readers to express their thoughts and feelings about the text.

Interactive reading promotes a dynamic and immersive reading experience. By actively engaging with the text, readers develop stronger comprehension skills, enhance their critical thinking abilities, and foster a lifelong love of reading.