Remember the Read Aloud…

| By: Committee for Children

One of the first activities I do with my classroom in the beginning of the year is to brainstorm reasons of why we read. Always, the list we create is full of the great benefits of reading and the list hangs on our wall all year long as we continue to revisit WHY we read.

The list usually looks something like this…

Why do we read? We read to: learn about others, to laugh, to cry, to celebrate, to share a moment, to grow our imagination, to give us ideas as writers, to teach us how to do something, to get somewhere, to learn about the world around us, learn about favorite topics like animals and dinosaurs. Every year I do this with my students, it amazes me because it always becomes apparent that yes, we read to learn facts, but we also read to FEEL and learn social skills. We read to grow socially and emotionally,

We know the academic benefits of reading aloud. Research tells us it is the most important thing we can do as parents and educators to instill the love of reading in our children. But are we aware of the social and emotional benefits? And are we making the time? For us educators, with so much to “fit in”, often times the “storytime” or read aloud gets left out. Below are some of my favorite read alouds that CANNOT get left out, as they are treasures. I have shared these with my students and these books have given them an opportunity to hear stories, discuss good topics, work on comprehension strategies, instill a love for reading, but also to grow socially and emotionally.

Leo the Late Bloomer by Robert Krauss. This is one of my favorite picture books to read at the beginning of the year and again at the end of the year. It is a great book to read as your students begin to set goals, for if you haven’t read it yet, it is about a little lion named Leo who doesn’t know how to do much of anything. He doesn’t know how to read, draw, write, not even eat! His mom and dad give him time and then when he is ready, he finally blooms like all the other animal friends in the story. This is a great time to have students think about themselves, not what others may be able to do or “not” be able to do. This story allows the opportunity become self aware to what each student can do and what they want to be able to do by the end of the year, so at the end of the year each student in their own individual learning style and in their own developmentally appropriate time can shout “I made it!” like Leo finally does on the last page. At the end of the year, I read this again after student led conferences when we have reflected on the goals we created at the beginning of the year. We all shout “I made it” and then “We made it!” for without one another we may not have!

How Do Dinosaurs Play with Their Friends? By Jane Yolen. Often time as teachers we do not get the opportunity to witness the play that occurs on recess or outside of school. This is valuable social practice and recess is really a classroom in itself where much learning is taking place. Great learning! This is a great book to introduce positive social behaviors like inclusion and being a good friend. It is also a great book to read again and again when this chat is necessary. We all know as educators when the tattling begins again, a parent speaks to us about issues happening on recess, or when friendships start to fade. Reading a good read aloud that refocuses on positive social behaviors helps remind students the joy of playing nicely together as well as reading!

Don’t Let the Pigeon Ride the Bus by Mo Willems. Mo Willems is a gifted author, there is not doubt about it. His books are perfect for the time where maybe there is been just too much intensity going on in the classroom whether it has just been a crazy day or all are exhausted from a big project or test. Whipping out a Mo Willems book is sure to have the class get a great laugh and add a little humor to the day. His books about Elephant and Piggie are a sure win with the students as well as these two friends sort out little problems together. Social skills of what it means to be a friend once again are introduced and the fun of friends and reading are a great combination!

Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen. Sometimes it is just time in the day where as a community of learners you need to have fun and get up and move. This is a great book to integrate both! Often times this is a book (like The Gingerbread Man also) that you can use at the beginning of the year to do a school tour in order to create a safe environment. For when our children feel safe, they can learn more. Going on a school tour with these books is super fun, but also just acting this book out. It not only gets energy out but you can add noises, motions, and even give it a little tune. Any type of song and kinesthetic moves you can do between a transition or maybe after your students have been sitting along time, helps to give them a mental and emotional break. Kids need to move, they need to sing, they need to clap their hands, and a good book that allows that to happen is helping their emotional state for sure.

Remember the read aloud! A great book can set the tone for a lesson or new unit of study, teach a new topic, reteach a lesson or skill when needed, and change the whole feel of the classroom environment. Fit it in! Need a laugh? Grab a book!