CH 10 Reading Aloud

During my field, my absolute favorite part of the day was when it was time for Read Alouds. They are so fun, and if you can raise your voice up and down, then you can really engage the students. I saw the picture of the class looking at their teacher doing a read aloud, page 256, and it made me remember the 1st grade class I worked with, they were so engaged. But remember there is so much more than having an uplifting voice and being able to read well, and that is why there is a Chapter about Read Alouds. While we read aloud, we can teach the kids about a bunch of different genres. I like to go to the library and pick books from all over that way it hits every body's tastes. Also another good thing I did in field, I would allow the children to stack their library books they picked out and everyday we would pick a book from the stack, that way we would read what interests them. The chapter suggests to get award winning books, these are quite easy to find because they have their own section. Before my read aloud, I would always go over the cover, the title page, ask if there were similarities or differences between the two, the spine, and the dedication page. We would talk about the illustrator and the author. During read alouds, we use props, pictures and other sources. It's best to discuss what they know about the subject, if they are familiar with it, or if they even like it at all. The book suggests to invite interaction throughout the story, which I must agree, it's great to check comprehension. Always ask a question at the end, "How did you feel about the story?" This way, they can grow from it and so can we. When we read aloud, we all know that it is a "Whole group activity," whereas we sit in a circle or on the carpet where all can see the pictures and what the book has to offer. We can read to the students for pleasure and also for curriculum as well.

"Author Study"

"Swine Divine," by Jan Carr, is about a piggy named Rosie who is taken out of her lovely mud and given a bath. Her owner takes her to a studio in which they dress her in silly clothes and want her to act like a ham. She goes wild and runs out of the studio and the book guides you on her way home. It's a cute book for a read aloud.

"The House in the Night," by Susan Marie Swanson, has, "The Caldecott Medal," which is an award winning picture book. This book was inspired by "This is the Key to the Kingdom," which is a traditional poem. This book is an easy read, but tough comprehension. I would read it for 2nd or 3rd graders.

"Make Way for Ducklings," by Robert McCloskey, is also another award winning book. This book has been a favorite since 1941. The book is about, Mr. & Mrs. Mallard, were ducks looking for a place to raise their family of ducklings. Finally they found a spot on an island where they teach them all they need to know, but then it comes time for them to move back to the city park and the book takes you on their move through busy streets and intersections in Boston.