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Re: Reading Aloud
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From: Aimee Ferris <aimeeferris_at_gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 15 Apr 2011 11:15:09 -0400
Love all these recommendations!
My favorite memories from school were of my teachers reading aloud, particularly from various Beverly Cleary books (Go Ralph!). My 8yo son and I do the chapter-a-night bedtime book routine, which I've used to share some of my favorite classics (which he now counts as his -- *The Cricket in Times Square, Mixed Up Files*, etc.).
I think it offers a way to share quality literature that might not otherwise have found a way to shout through the CaptainUnderpants/WimpyKid/HarryPotter mania -- the kids are just more receptive when it feels special, like a treat. Maybe in an often teach-to-test world, they sense that undivided attention and love of literature is being offered, outside of any sort of required teaching objectives.
If teachers, or parents, are new to reading aloud, or feel uncomfortable "performing" -- an excellent option is the Emily Jenkins "*Toys Go Out*" series. They are endearing stories, of a perfect length. They are also formatted on the page to inspire expressiveness, with pauses and emphasis creatively laid out through line breaks -- you can hear the author's words as you look at the page. Even the exclamations emanating from the "toughy" little stuffed buffalo, occasionally imperious stingray and Plastic, who takes a good few stories into the first book to figure out she's a ball, are spelled out -- it's almost a beginner's guide to reading aloud. The mild suspense and overall sweetness makes the series appropriate for even the youngest grades. *I'm reading an arc of her "*Invisible Inkling*" that comes out later this month -- a great option for the second/third/fourth grade.
Most of Kate Dicamillos's have also been well-received in our house-- *Tale of Despereaux* --and *Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane* is another good'un (if you can, you know, avoid melting into a pile of sobs in front of the kids). My son loved them so much he independently sought out her other books in the library and ended up devouring all of the Mercy Watson's within a month.
Thanks for another great discussion!
Aimee Ferris Woodstock, NY
Will Work for Prom Dress EgmontUSA/Random House 2011 Scholastic 2011 Summer Recommended Read -- Scholastic 2011 Reluctant Reader Pick "Charming tale features quirky and appealing characters, entertainingly exaggerated plot twists, and a funny first-person narration that will keep the pages turning briskly, while friendship and family issues and a touch of self-realization keep the story grounded." SLJ
Girl Overboard Penguin 2007 Bill's Best Books 2007 - ALAN "Never having read one before, I had no idea that any girl-type YA novels were this well written. I liked it! Learned stuff! Good book!" Daniel Pinkwater - NPR All Things Considered Commentator and Children's Author
Received on Fri 15 Apr 2011 11:15:09 AM CDT
Date: Fri, 15 Apr 2011 11:15:09 -0400
Love all these recommendations!
My favorite memories from school were of my teachers reading aloud, particularly from various Beverly Cleary books (Go Ralph!). My 8yo son and I do the chapter-a-night bedtime book routine, which I've used to share some of my favorite classics (which he now counts as his -- *The Cricket in Times Square, Mixed Up Files*, etc.).
I think it offers a way to share quality literature that might not otherwise have found a way to shout through the CaptainUnderpants/WimpyKid/HarryPotter mania -- the kids are just more receptive when it feels special, like a treat. Maybe in an often teach-to-test world, they sense that undivided attention and love of literature is being offered, outside of any sort of required teaching objectives.
If teachers, or parents, are new to reading aloud, or feel uncomfortable "performing" -- an excellent option is the Emily Jenkins "*Toys Go Out*" series. They are endearing stories, of a perfect length. They are also formatted on the page to inspire expressiveness, with pauses and emphasis creatively laid out through line breaks -- you can hear the author's words as you look at the page. Even the exclamations emanating from the "toughy" little stuffed buffalo, occasionally imperious stingray and Plastic, who takes a good few stories into the first book to figure out she's a ball, are spelled out -- it's almost a beginner's guide to reading aloud. The mild suspense and overall sweetness makes the series appropriate for even the youngest grades. *I'm reading an arc of her "*Invisible Inkling*" that comes out later this month -- a great option for the second/third/fourth grade.
Most of Kate Dicamillos's have also been well-received in our house-- *Tale of Despereaux* --and *Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane* is another good'un (if you can, you know, avoid melting into a pile of sobs in front of the kids). My son loved them so much he independently sought out her other books in the library and ended up devouring all of the Mercy Watson's within a month.
Thanks for another great discussion!
Aimee Ferris Woodstock, NY
Will Work for Prom Dress EgmontUSA/Random House 2011 Scholastic 2011 Summer Recommended Read -- Scholastic 2011 Reluctant Reader Pick "Charming tale features quirky and appealing characters, entertainingly exaggerated plot twists, and a funny first-person narration that will keep the pages turning briskly, while friendship and family issues and a touch of self-realization keep the story grounded." SLJ
Girl Overboard Penguin 2007 Bill's Best Books 2007 - ALAN "Never having read one before, I had no idea that any girl-type YA novels were this well written. I liked it! Learned stuff! Good book!" Daniel Pinkwater - NPR All Things Considered Commentator and Children's Author
Received on Fri 15 Apr 2011 11:15:09 AM CDT
