Arkansas Foundations of Reading Test (FORT)

What key difference distinguishes read alouds from shared reading experiences?

1. Read alouds focus on writing down the text

2. During read alouds, students listen to the text but do not have access to it

3. During shared reading, students completely rewrite the text

4. Read alouds and shared reading are essentially the same

The correct answer is: During read alouds, students listen to the text but do not have access to it

The focus of read alouds is primarily on the teacher reading a text to the students while they listen, which means that students typically do not have direct access to the text itself. This format allows the teacher to model fluent reading, demonstrate comprehension strategies, and engage students through discussion and questioning about the text. Since the students are passive listeners in this scenario, they miss the visual context that comes with viewing the text on a page, which places the emphasis on listening and comprehension of the spoken words. In contrast, shared reading is a more interactive experience where students do have access to the text and participate actively. They may follow along, read parts of the text aloud with the teacher, or discuss elements of the text as it is read together. This approach fosters a sense of ownership of the reading material by involving students in the reading process and encouraging their participation. This distinction between the two processes highlights the roles of access and interaction with the text, making the second choice the correct identification of the key difference.