What is the main purpose of "read aloud" sessions in a classroom?

The main purpose of "read aloud" sessions in a classroom is to model essential reading and writing strategies to the whole class. During these sessions, the teacher's voice and expression provide a model for fluent reading, while also demonstrating comprehension strategies such as predicting, questioning, and summarizing. This shared experience allows students to hear the nuances of language, recognize the structure of texts, and understand how to engage with literature actively.

Additionally, read-alouds create opportunities for discussion and interaction, where students can ask questions and make predictions, fostering a deeper comprehension of the material. This exposure helps young readers understand narrative elements, genre characteristics, and the rhythm of language, all of which are crucial skills for developing proficient reading and writing abilities.