DRA- Directed Reading Activity

The directed reading activity (DRA) is a teaching strategy used to extend and strengthen a child's reading abilities.

Steps to be followed:

1. Motivation and development of background (activating and building schemata). Teacher can determine whether the children have the backgrounds of experience and language needed to understand the story. (can develop new concepts if needed)
2. Directed story reading (silent and oral). It is essential before reading, that the teacher provides the children with purpose questions or help them to set their own purposes to direct their reading.
3. Strategy or skill-building activities which the teacher should provide during the lesson.
4. Follow-up practice. Children would practice the stategies and skills they have already been taught.
5. Enrichment activities. For instance: creative drama, an activity that links the reading with speaking and listening.

References:
Roe, B. D. , Smith, S. H. & Burns, P. C. (2005) . Teaching Reading in Today's Elementary Schools ( 9th ed.) . New York: Houghton Mifflin Company.