Read-aloud time is one of those fantastic low-floor, high-ceiling times of day. As a class, we can tackle challenging text that many students wouldn't be able to decode or comprehend by themselves. It is also a chance to expose kids to books they wouldn't normally select. I am a strong believer in reading aloud even to upper grades kids, and the research supports it, as well. Check out some of my favorite read-alouds below (I've linked each picture to Amazon if you want to buy any!). Woot woot!
Current Read-Aloud: Crash by Jerry Spinelli
I was first introduced to this read-aloud when I was student-teaching back in 2003. Alas, I was finally introduced to the freakin' wonder and awesomeness of Jerry Spinelli. Having never read his books when I was younger, I never realized what I was missing! I love that many of his stories have a focus on the outcasts, because as we all know, the outcasts are the ones who are actually cool in college and forevermore after that (It gets better guys!!!). Crash is a book about bullying, and it's unusual in that it is written from the perspective of the bully, rather than the victim. It's funny, heartfelt, and completely memorable.
When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
I just read this book for the first time with my students, and they seriously LOVED it. When we finished, I asked the kids how many of them liked it and would encourage me to read it to my class next year, and their hands instantly shot up! Part mystery, part friendship story, part coming-of-age story, and ultimately, part science fiction, this is a page-turner that has it all. Plus, it's a Newbery Award winner that I don't think many kids would choose on their own. I like to expose my kiddos to high-quality literature they might otherwise never pick up, and this is the perfect example of that.
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate Dicamillo
I have a bone to pick with my grade-level team about this book. They are not fans, but this book makes me feel so many things, I just don't understand how one couldn't love it! It's about a spoiled, self-centered rabbit doll who gets separated from his family through a freak accident, and moves from family to family through the years, learning lessons about love and life. It will make you laugh and cry (I guess most people anyway!) and I absolutely ADORE IT.
The Van Gogh Cafe by Cynthia Rylant
I've used this story to help my students practice the strategy of asking questions during reading. It is about a magical cafe run by a man and his young daughter, and in each chapter something intriguing and mysterious happens. It is a sweet, beautifully written story that makes me feel all warm and gooey inside. Plus - hello- Cynthia Rylant is a superstar.
Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar
This is my favorite read-aloud to start the year with. It's about a school that has one classroom on each of 30 floors, instead of one floor of 30 classrooms ("The builder said he was very sorry."). Each chapter stars one of the teachers or kids on the 30th floor. It is absolutely ridiculous and completely hilarious. One teacher I worked with used to replace the names of the kids in the story with the kids in her class (super fun, although I could never keep all that straight!). Super awesome book to express to kids the joy that can be found in reading.
So there you have it! Five of my faves. What are the books you tend to read again and again, year after year?
:) Jenny
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