10 votes

Five steps to becoming a read out-loud book hero

6 comments

  1. [4]
    Seven
    Link
    I sometimes read at an Elementary school once and a while, and what I have seen is that the kids really enjoy interaction and humor. I often try to make comments on how ridiculous the situation...

    I sometimes read at an Elementary school once and a while, and what I have seen is that the kids really enjoy interaction and humor. I often try to make comments on how ridiculous the situation is, or I try to comment on something in the background, trying to keep the whole thing funny. The kids seem to really enjoy it! I also try to ask the kids questions about what is going on or how they can relate the book to their own lives or experiences. It's super fun for both me and the kids!

    5 votes
    1. [3]
      balooga
      Link Parent
      Have you come across The Book With No Pictures? This one's always a crowd-pleaser with that age group (1st grade or so).

      Have you come across The Book With No Pictures? This one's always a crowd-pleaser with that age group (1st grade or so).

      3 votes
      1. Seven
        Link Parent
        I know of it, but I have yet to read it in front of a class before. I'll try to get my hands on it next time if I can!

        I know of it, but I have yet to read it in front of a class before. I'll try to get my hands on it next time if I can!

        1 vote
      2. envy
        Link Parent
        Oh my god. Unexpectedly hilarious.

        Oh my god. Unexpectedly hilarious.

  2. kfwyre
    (edited )
    Link
    I complain a lot on here about my teaching career, but one of my great joys of the job is being able to read out loud to kids. There's something magical in seeing a room full of imaginations going...

    I complain a lot on here about my teaching career, but one of my great joys of the job is being able to read out loud to kids. There's something magical in seeing a room full of imaginations going all at once, each recreating the words of the story as images in their minds. There's something personally gratifying about knowing you made a character or poignant moment come alive for one or more of them. I also find that, as a reader, I gain a much deeper appreciation for a text when I read it out loud to a group. I inhabit the story more and feel it more deeply.

    Many parents stop reading to their kids at early ages, feeling like it's childish or detrimental to the kid's independent reading ability. Both of these are untrue! Reading out loud to your child is a wonderful way to bond with them as they grow, help them talk through and navigate the issues that literature brings up, and instill in them a life-long love of reading that pays dividends in both life satisfaction and academic performance.

    4 votes
  3. cmccabe
    Link
    6. Invest in a collection of Dr. Seuss books, the very best way to practice.

    6. Invest in a collection of Dr. Seuss books, the very best way to practice.

    1 vote