In Read Naturally Live students work semi-independently at their own level and will progress through the program at their own pace. It is best to set up sessions at least three times per week in blocks of 30 minutes or more; five days per week is best. One direct way to increase the amount of time students spend reading is to schedule more sessions.
A student usually requires one to two 30-minute class periods to complete all the steps for one story; however, the amount of time required depends on factors such as the needs of the individual student, the length of the class period, the student-to-teacher ratio, and the level the student is working in (higher levels usually take longer).
The more students read, the faster they will improve. Schedule Read Naturally Live sessions at least 3 to 5 times per week (5 is preferred) for 30 to 45 minutes per session. Students who participate in five 30-minute sessions per week are likely to make the greatest improvements. If possible, increase the amount of time a student spends reading by scheduling more sessions each week or by lengthening the sessions. Another way to increase time spent reading is to assign the read along and practice steps as homework if the student has a computer/tablet and an internet connection at home.
Read Naturally Live: Estimated Time Per Step
| Step | Key Feature(s)/Benefit(s) |
| Select a Story | increased student motivation fostered by student choice |
| Estimated time: ≈10–30 seconds | |
| Key Words | explicit instruction in vocabulary or phonics (depending on the series) In Sequenced series levels, this step provides explicit instruction of the definitions of three to four vocabulary words. The students listen or read along as the word, definition, and often a sample sentence are read. In Phonics series levels, this step provides a short phonics lesson and modeling of words with the phonics pattern(s). |
| Estimated time: ≈1–3 minutes | |
| Prediction |
The step helps students prepare their minds to read the story by activating background knowledge, previewing a text, and setting a purpose for reading. |
| Estimated time: ≤2 minutes | |
| Cold Timing |
|
| Estimated time: ≈1.5 minutes | |
| Read Along | modeling and supported practice reading the story |
| Estimated time: ≈4–12 minutes | |
| opportunity to click on highlighted words for explicit instruction in vocabulary | |
| Estimated time: ≈7–20 seconds/word | |
| Practice |
|
| Estimated time: ≈5–10 minutes | |
| another opportunity to click on highlighted words for explicit instruction in vocabulary | |
| Estimated time: ≈7–20 seconds/word | |
| Quiz |
|
| Estimated time: ≈3–6 minutes | |
After clicking a highlighted word, the students read along as the word, definition, and often a sample sentence are read. Stories in the lowest levels have a few/several highlighted words; those in the highest levels generally have more than 20. Option also available in the read along and practice steps. | |
| Estimated time: ≈7–20 seconds/word | |
| Retell |
|
| Estimated time: ≤5 minutes | |
| Word List |
In Phonics series levels, this step provides lists of words that follow the phonics pattern taught in the lesson. Students practice until able to reach their goal. |
| Estimated time: ≈3–5 minutes | |
| Spelling |
In Phonics series levels, this step asks students to spell three words that have the phonics pattern taught. Students attempt to spell each word independently the first time and receive support for spelling the word again if they spelled it incorrectly the first time. |
| Estimated time: ≈2–4 minutes | |
| Wordtastic/ |
|
| Estimated time: <3 minutes | |
| Pass |
(A rubric is available to aid in grading and discussing the expression score.) |
| Estimated time: ≈2–3 minutes | |
| Remedial Work |
|
| Estimated time: <5 minutes |
