Nonfiction Read Alouds?

Yes, nonfiction read alouds! I am aware that most adults prefer to read aloud a good picture book to preschoolers. Some adults even dare to read aloud chapter books to older children. But read aloud nonfiction?

I say yes, teacher-librarians should read aloud nonfiction texts for three reasons. Properly chosen, these texts will engage some of the reluctant readers. A boy who doesn't care to hear My Sister's Rusty Bike by Jim Aylesworth, may just listen to a book about bicycle tricks or bicycle safety. Nonfiction texts will also prepare students for the kinds of reading adults do regularly. Most of us have to read the instructions to assemble a piece of furniture or to install a faucet. Finally, and perhaps most pragmatically, nonfiction texts prepare students for the 40% of EOG selections that are informational. In North Carolina, and the United States as a whole, student reading proficiency as measured by standardized tests in a reality that isn't going away. Teacher-librarians can contribute even more to student academic achievement by regularly incorporating nonfiction texts into their read aloud programs.

A new kind of read aloud

Digital storytelling is a relatively new and very interesting kind of read aloud. Basically, digital storytelling involves an online PowerPoint featuring audio narration and relevant photographs. This new kind of read aloud allows individuals to reveal their own stories to the world. The stories are as varied and as involved as the people who publish them online. (As always the parent/ teacher/ librarian is urged to preview the material for age appropriateness prior to sharing it with their audience.) I believe that as the digital storytelling genre continues to grow and evolve more stories aimed at younger children will be developed. In the meanwhile check out some of the stories published at the Center for Digital Storytelling by clicking on the link below.

http://www.storycenter.org/stories/

Everybody loves read alouds

Everybody loves read alouds. Kids, love to loose themselves in a story. Teachers proclaim read alouds as a great way to encourage reluctant readers. Researchers point to the cognitive benefits for students. Librarians use read alouds to introduce quality literature. Parents use read alouds as another chance to bond with their children. It's hard to find anyone who doesn't recognize the value of a well-read story. Well, this blogger is no different. I love well executed read alouds. In fact it's about the only time I willingly and enthusiastically call attention to myself in front of other people. Future posts on this blog will explore various aspects of read alouds. In the meanwhile, click on the link below to enjoy a read aloud of a classic picture book, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst. Enjoy!

http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=ac53c3df3d8f9846b516