Why aren’t we reading aloud more to our classes?

When I talk with schools about reading aloud more in lessons, based on the findings of the Just Read research, there are several barriers.

One is that when we read aloud it is enjoyable!

We can all think of a time either when we were read to or when we were reading to a class, and sometimes the atmosphere would shift: everyone in the same ‘space’ listening and concentrating intently.

It’s what Clare Sealy calls the ‘collective cuddle’! We recognise it and it’s a great feeling.

So why is this a problem?

Well, we are inclined to think that for something to be ‘work’, it must be hard and feel heavy duty!

Yet that’s not always the case. Deep work is enjoyable, particularly if we’re listening to a great text written by a great writer.

We can see what happened when the Nene Park Academy tried the ‘Just read’ in their school and similarly in the Gloucester Road Nursery and Primary school.

I think we need to focus on what works, even if it’s enjoyable!