'Partner Reading is a cooperative learning strategy in which two students work together to read an assigned text. In partner reading, students read in pairs, usually by alternating pages. This provides extensive reading practice for students. Partner reading can be an effective way to help students with reading problems develop fluency. For the best chance of success, students should read the material alone a few times before partnered reading. This strategy avoids the angst of encountering too many unknown words or becoming frustrated. Instructors may organize students as partners in a variety of ways. Whether it be buddies, pairing a lower reader with a higher reader or two lower level readers together. Partner reading provides a model of fluent reading and helps students learn decoding skills by offering positive feedback.
Picture: A poster that displays the type of behavior which should take place during partner reading.
Video: In the video below three first grade teachers model the do's and dont's for partner reading.
Language Arts
Ask students to partner up for writing time and have them work together building their own poems using each other.
Reading
Choose the assigned reading and introduce the text to the students.
Create pairs within the classroom by identifying which children require help on specific skills and who the most appropriate children are to help other children learn those skills.
Model the procedure to ensure that students understand how to use the strategy.
Have each member of the teacher-assigned pair take turns being "Coach" and "Player." These pairs are changed regularly, and over a period of time as students work. Thus, all students have the opportunity to be "coaches" and "players." Note: It is important for teachers to monitor and support students as they work together.
Ask the stronger reader to begin this activity as the "Player" and read orally for 5 minutes. Have the "Coach" follow along and correct any mistakes when necessary.
Have the pair switch roles and ask the weaker reader to become the "Player." The "Player" rereads the same passage for the next 5 minutes and the "Coach" provides corrective feedback. One point is earned for each correct sentence read (optional).
Math
This link takes partners through computer generated word problems. Teachers can print the problems if they wish and have students read and work through them together. https://www.ixl.com/math/grade-2/addition-word-problems-one-digit
Science
Partners can take turns reading directions on how to conduct simple science experiments such as this one that helps make air "visible.
Resources: 1) Jennings, J., Caldwell, J., & Lerner, J. (2014). Vocabulary Development and Listening Comprehension. In Reading Problems: Assessment and Teaching Strategies (7th ed., p. 211). Boston, Massachusetts: Pearson