I love reading books out loud to my students. I love it. Of all of the times that I get to truly connect on a heart-to-heart level with first and second graders throughout my day, Read Aloud is my favorite.
How do you know when you’re having one of those connecting moments? Well, you know it when you see it…
- That urgent (and somewhat nervous) hush that eclipses the group when Moose doesn’t get picked for the letter M.
- The sighs of understanding and love that sweep through the circle when Edward begins to grow and change as a more empathetic character.
- The delighted sparkles that dance around eyes and smiles when Mr. Fookwire shakes his fist.
- The raised and excited eyebrows of discovery when Bear finds his friendship universe expanding.
- The unbelieving sounds of dismay when my father learns of the chains that shackle the baby dragon.
Writing and Laughing 
Want to read this book , Such an informative and interesting book.
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I love this post so much! I’m prepping a new course for pre-service teachers on Teaching Reading, and daily read-aloud is one of the non-negotiables I hope they will embrace. Reading aloud every day at every grade level. I teach college, but I read something aloud in all of my classes every day because it’s too important as a way to build community, connect readers, and share the magic of story. We will do #classroombookaday to share picture books, and we’re also going to participate in Global Read-Aloud. Haven’t decided which book yet though!
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Your college students are so lucky to have a teacher who reads out loud to them. How wonderful. Thanks for the classroom book a day reference – haven’t heard of that one and now I’m super intrigued! ❤️
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Here’s a link with more info: http://www.classroombookaday.com/
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Oh, thank you!
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Oh, I still remember being read to by Dr. Clay in several of my graduate courses. Her modeling set me on the right course! And you’re doing the same.
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Oh, it was the best part of my teaching day (I taught sixth graders.). My favorite read aloud was The Liberation of Gabriel King. There’s so much to love in this book – a friendship between a boy and a girl, exploration of prejudice in a community, historical events during 1976, the theme of bravery, humor, and my all-time favorite humorous scene to read aloud (when Gabriel and Frita are in the swamp to collect a spider). I love the way you captured and shared the connecting moments you’re having with your students.
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I want to go read that book right now! Thanks for such a heartfelt glimpse into that world! ❤️
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I read aloud with my 8th graders, and I’m continuously amazed by how entranced they are when they listen to a story. My favorite to read aloud is “Orbiting Jupiter” by Gary Schmidt. I cannot read the end of the book without sobbing, and I love seeing how emotional my students get, even the “tough” and too cool boys. It reminds me of why I love to read, why I love to teach, and why I believe in the power of the story inside of each and every one of us. I hope my students can feel that too.
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Oh, thank you for sharing this! I can feel your connections just by reading your words. Those powerful books and book moments are such clear statements that we’re in the right place at the right time, aren’t they? ❤️
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I love your examples! I teach high school, but my own children still hold their breath when the aliens are trying to escape Mr Wuffles (in Mr. Wuffles by David Weisner) and they laughed themselves silly when King Pig was trying to figure out why the sheep didn’t like him in Nick Bland’s King Pig. Hope you get more faves here!
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Read aloud at ANY age is a must, right?! (Richard Allington for the win! 🙌🏼) Thanks for adding your picks. Happy reading to you!
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I love all the stories you shared here! Edward must surely be The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. That book touches my heart so much! I can’t read it to my third graders anymore because the Sarah Ruth (?) parts break my heart too much. I love reading aloud to my students too- it’s my favorite part of the day. I read Save Me a Seat as our final read aloud last year and it was such a rich book. I’ve also enjoyed reading The Terrible Two, The One and Only Ivan, and The Hundred Dresses. Do you participate in the Global Read Aloud? I plan to read A Boy Called Bat with my class.
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Yes, the journey of Edward is known far and wide! ❤️ I have absolutely also been in public reading tears with that one. So powerful. Thanks for sharing your list of faves and the Global Read Aloud. We haven’t participated in that before, but I’m going to certainly check it out. ✨
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