I always dreaded round-robin reading. Instead of paying attention to the story, I was too busy counting ahead to see which part I’d have to read. I’d keep practicing it in my head, nervous about messing up in front of everyone. By the time it was my turn, I barely understood what was happening in the story, and after I read, I completely tuned out. It felt like a performance, not real learning. I much prefer silent reading with discussion. It’s way better when students can read quietly on their own or listen to an audiobook so they can focus and understand the story without the pressure of reading out loud. Then, when everyone’s finished, the class talks about the story together, which helps us think more deeply, ask questions, and share ideas. It’s a lot less stressful and actually helps us learn.
