Reading Aloud: Bringing Literature Alive for All Ages

Chapter 10

"Reading aloud is a great way to get kids into books—I

remember absolutely loving it when the teacher read aloud when I was a kid. I was

completely lost in the story."

William Sleator

Why Reading Aloud

Is Essential

"The single most important activity for

building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading is

reading aloud to children."

From Becoming a Nation of Readers, p. 23

Effective in:

• Increasing interest in reading

• Language development

• Building vocabulary

• Listening comprehension

Effective in:• Understanding sentence structure

• Language used in books

• Developing a sense of story

• Fostering awareness of the world

• Building background knowledge

Critical for Older Readers, Too

Guidelines

Choosing Books

• Know the selections.

• Include classics and high- quality samples of genres.

• Involve students.

Create author's corner.

This shelf was full prior to the read aloud!

Students have the books at their desks.

Ask students to create displays.

Tomie De Paola

Plan Ahead• Create setting.

• Model think-alouds.

• Tap into students' prior knowledge.

• Evaluate reading guides.

During the Read-Aloud

• Animate!

• Invite interaction.

• Pace yourself.

After the Read-Aloud

Discussion or other type of

response

Listening centers

Pleasure

Support curriculum

See the CD-ROM which came with this text for:• List of great read-alouds • Searchable database of children's literature• Author and illustrator profiles• Sample lesson plans incorporating comprehension strategies

Visit the COMPANION WEBSITE for:

• Publishers’ websites (many extras—check them out!)