A big push in education with the new Common Core standards has been for teachers to ask "Text-Based" questions. When reading aloud, it is important for students (even at a very young age) to understand the text both literally and figuratively. I have the utmost respect for what authors and illustrators manage to do, and I love to take a book and use it to its fullest potential! As teachers, even nuanced parts of the text, such as the illustrations can help students (even non-readers) get an idea as to what was the intended meaning or message in the book. Understanding the text, or comprehending, can be achieved in a number of ways. Engaging students in the read-aloud by asking text-based questions is one avenue to help students comprehend the text. However, it is important for teachers to read books for pleasure, as well as to carefully select texts you will use to master the standards. Every read-aloud should not be intended for a full-blown lesson. There should be a healthy mix of both reading for pleasure, and reading for a purpose. If you want students to love books, your passion and enthusiasm is the most contagious. Therefore, the books you choose to use for lessons are critical! If you love the books, and are excited to share it with your students, that will show.
Selecting a Read-Aloud
- students can actively listen without becoming "bored"
- encourage deeper thinking
- help teach students a message or a moral (you can select a message)
- model great writing
- have illustrations that convey meaning and support the text
- rich vocabulary that is supported by illustrations
Here are my Top 10 Read-Alouds
I have selected these books from a wide-range of grade levels I use them with. I recently made a lesson using text-based questions with George's Dragon. Here is a link to that activity
here. You can also email me at afterschoolpdc@gmail.com for an assessment that goes with the George's Dragon lesson.
What are some of your favorite read-alouds?
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