nerdcampmi 2015 a year of #bookaday picture book read alouds in middle school

A Year of #bookaday Picture Book Read Alouds

in Middle SchoolWhy I did it, How it went, and Why I'll do it again

Jillian Heise@heisereads

nErDcampMI 2015

#bookaday inspirationDonalyn Miller@donalynbooks

http://bookwhisperer.com/2015/05/04/reading-is-its-own-reward-summer-reading-and-the-7th-annual-bookaday-challenge/

“A Year of #bookaday Picture Book Read Alouds” © 2015 Jillian Heise

Think back to your childhood...What picture book do you remember most?

Because of feelings or memories you associate with it?

What book will your students remember most

from your classroom?

“A Year of #bookaday Picture Book Read Alouds” © 2015 Jillian Heise

Because...

...At first I was kind of skeptical that 7th & 8th graders would gather around a teacher and read a so-called “kid book”. But after the first few weeks of school, I started to get eager for the next read aloud. (Larry)

Why picture books?

Why a Daily Picture Book Read Aloud?

What are your purposes for reading aloud picture books to a child?

“A Year of #bookaday Picture Book Read Alouds” © 2015 Jillian Heise

Because…

…it shows that not only little kids can have fun and read them. So can we. (Gio)

...The #bookaday was a great way to bring everyone in a circle and have a good conversation and also keep us in a kind of childish but happy attitude. (Nathaniel)

Why picture books?

My Rationale for a#bookaday Picture Book Read Aloud

Fluency ModelingCommunity Building

Critical Reading & Analysis of BooksBetter Understanding of Literary Themes

Opportunity to Discuss Many Complete (& Complex) TextsNumerous Chances to Use Text Evidence/Support Claims

Joy of Reading-Taking Time to Sit & Listen to a StoryAppreciation for/Thoughtfulness about Art

Common Texts to ReferenceAddresses Standards

“A Year of #bookaday Picture Book Read Alouds” © 2015 Jillian Heise

Because...

…they teach us about theme in a more simple way. (Bruce)

…it can help develop our reading and presenting skills. (Aalisiyah)

Why picture books?

Have you ever had students who feel invisible?

A new favorite... (Just ask Aalisiyah)To the Sea by Cale Atkinson, Disney-Hyperion, 6/2/2015

“A Year of #bookaday Picture Book Read Alouds” © 2015 Jillian Heise

Because…

…every time I was in a bad mood there was always a picture book to calm me down. I always learned something from them and it was always a good thing to start my day. (Nate)

Why picture books?

Picture Books Connect UsHow did you first hear about this one?

On twitter? From #nerdybookclub friends?

Books challenge us to discuss... Are you #teambear or #teamrabbit (or perhaps #TeamDeer)?

“A Year of #bookaday Picture Book Read Alouds” © 2015 Jillian Heise

Because...

…older kids may still want a piece of their childhood with them and being read to is one way to bring back childhood. Because I never get read to anymore, so it’s nice to sit and relax while hearing a story. (Skyy)

Why picture books?

Which ones are you recommending lately?

“A Year of #bookaday Picture Book Read Alouds” © 2015 Jillian Heise

Because…

…it’s a good way to start off class and to feel like a kid again. (Maddie)

…middle school kids can still have fun and read picture books. I also like that we all can read a lot, and can still be “kids”. (Asha)

Why picture books?

Logistics: Teaching RoutinesGet comfy in read aloud spot, Listen, Comment

Purpose: Enjoyment + Thoughtfulness“What did you think?”

“What is the story really about?”

Where can you find 5-10 minutes in your daily schedule?“A Year of #bookaday Picture Book Read Alouds” © 2015 Jillian Heise

Because…

…it’s fun to lay down and have her read to us and feel like a little kid again before we do all the 7th grade stuff. (Malik)

Why picture books?

Logistics: Choosing TitlesAll 180 chosen by first day of school? Not a chance!

Considerations:Enjoyment ConnectionsObserving my class School cultureThemes/Topics Student requestLesson planning New books

Current Events Second opinions

“A Year of #bookaday Picture Book Read Alouds” © 2015 Jillian Heise

Because...

…it helps us get focused on the lesson. It's an example we can look back to. (Kimani)

Why picture books?

“A Year of #bookaday Picture Book Read Alouds” © 2015 Jillian Heise, @heisereads

Hallway Display-> visual record

-> accountability-> community

Because…

…they’re fun to read and teach me lessons I need to know. (Satien)

…the thing I like about the read alouds are that they are different each time, they all have different types of pictures, themes, and messages the the author sends in the book. (Da’Nazsha)

Why picture books?

Who says assignments have to be serious? Can your students make up their own ridiculous excuse stories?

A hit with students…& a great lesson!I Didn’t Do My Homework Because... (3/4/2014) &

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to School... (3/3/2015) by Davide Cali, illustrated by Benjamin Chaud, Chronicle Books

“A Year of #bookaday Picture Book Read Alouds” © 2015 Jillian Heise

Because…

…picture books gives us hardworking kids a break from all the serious stuff. (Larry)

Why picture books?

Variety of Criteria for Choosing Titles

● Good Read Aloud Potential

● New or Loved Books

● Fun/Entertaining/Enjoyable

● Favorite Author/Illustrator

● Gather Opinions

● Mentor Texts

● Theme

● Lesson Tie-In

● Related Topic

● Connected Texts

“A Year of #bookaday Picture Book Read Alouds” © 2015 Jillian Heise

Because…

…they helped me build an imagination and rethink possibilities of actions. (Nathaniel)

…picture books inspire us as older kids. You’re never too old for a picture book. (Taysha)

Why picture books?

Can you say unreliable narrator?!Complexity isn’t only about text level, but knowledge demands & what you do with the text.

Who Says Picture Books Aren’t Complex?!The Bear Ate Your Sandwich by Julia Sarcone-Roach,

Knopf Books for Young Readers, 1/6/2015

“A Year of #bookaday Picture Book Read Alouds” © 2015 Jillian Heise

Because…

…they connect you to your childhood self and make the class more enjoyable. (Kenny)

…they give us a chance to take a break from other longer books we read. (Alex)

Why picture books?

Where to start?This year, this class, with these books, chose this top ten.

Read. A lot! Watch #bookaday & #nerdybookclub and follow

@MrSchuReads @ProfessorNana @100scopenotes“A Year of #bookaday Picture Book Read Alouds” © 2015 Jillian Heise

Because…

…thanks to #bookaday, Mrs. Heise helped me see that it’s ok to still read a picture book and enjoy it. It’s good to just be able to relax and have a good laugh. (Kimi)

Why picture books?

“A Year of #bookaday Picture Book Read Alouds” © 2015 Jillian Heise, @heisereads

If you try it, let me know!@heisereads

Jillian Heiseheisereads@gmail.com