From: Kelley E. Wade <telliboo>
Date: Wed, 4 Aug 2004 12:26:11 -0700 (PDT)

As a young child, I remember afternoons on the couch, listening to my mother read - alas, I can't remember what! Fast forward to second grade: Two on an Island by Bradbury. I don;t know what it was about this book though maybe it was the kids listening to the cans to identify the contents - but this book has stuck out for years when thinking about read-alouds. Sadly, beyond that I can't remember a teacher doing much reading aloud, which really is a shame.

Maybe to change that, as a teacher and librarian, I have always been adamant about reading aloud. For little ones, any book they can get into the refrain of is always a joy. One day a school group came to visit and we were reading the Hungry Caterpillar - instead of complaining that they'd heard it before, this group of 4 year olds just recited along with me - what fun! I also love the Froggy books - all of the sound effects make for fun reading.

When in the classroom, (5th/6th grade), I read every day. Apparently it made an impression, because two of the highest compliments I have ever received were because of it. Last summer, a former student, now 16, came to visit, and INSISTED that I read her the new Harry Potter outloud (even though she was already reading it), having heard the first one years ago in our class. And, I confess to being an emotional reader, tearing up with the ends of Bridge to Terebithia and Walk Two Moons. I never thought much of it until a parent said to me, "Thank you for showing our daughter that books are full of emotion and that its okay to feel something because of one." Wow! And I thought I was just being sappy!

Kelley Wade Milton Calais Free Library Calais, ME

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Received on Wed 04 Aug 2004 02:26:11 PM CDT