“Audiobooks aren’t really reading!”
Ever heard that one before? Me too, and it makes me scoff every-single-time. But I think it depends on your definition of “reading”. If your answer includes the student being able to understand and decode the content of the story, meanwhile building fluency and learning new vocabulary, then yes, audiobooks are definitely reading. Not only that, but the student is following along in their book as they’re being read to by a lively, narrative voice. If that’s not reading, what is?
Now for the big question…
“WHY SHOULD I USE AUDIOBOOKS IN MY CLASSROOM?”
Because! They have the potential to change the game during literacy time. In ways you might not expect. Here are 14 reasons your students need to use audiobooks.
Laughroom Literacy 