ABSTRACT
Shared reading is the driving force of a balanced literacy program. The richness and appropriateness of resources and how effectively they are used by a responsive teacher will largely determine the extent to which children develop a self-extending system in both reading and writing. Published and teacher-made posters of songs, rhymes, raps, playground chants, and poetry can be laminated and added to the collection and can also be written on overhead transparencies. This chapter describes some of the behaviors and understandings of emergent, early, and fluent readers. It also outlines features to look for in shared texts that will support and ensure continued development. The engaging language and illustrations support a good deal of mime and dramatization as the story line unfolds, which is a great support to ESL learners.
