Why Read Alouds Are One of My Non-Negotiables

As I mentioned in my post last week about fostering a love of reading in your students, I adore books and I adore reading. So, when I got my job as a teacher sixteen years ago, my very stop for purchases was the book store. I imagined hours of class read alouds and students who couldn’t wait for me to read one more chapter. This was one of the only aspects of teaching (except for the hours thing…we all know we ain’t got time for that) that actually saw fruition like I imagined it. And 16 years later, I’m still reading aloud to my kids. (Almost) every single day.

Even when I was math and science only, I found a way to sneak in a read aloud in the form of math and science chapter books, both fiction and non-fiction, because I knew the benefits of reading aloud. I promise you, if I can do it, anyone can. I will tell you how I make it happen, but first, let me explain why I’ve come to realize that reading aloud to my students is vital and it is absolutely a non-negotiable for me.

Models fluent expressive reading

Kids need to hear adults reading. Not just because it’s fun to listen to a story, but because as fluent readers, we are modeling for them not only what fluent reading sounds like, but expression in reading too.

I am absolutely that teacher that has voices for the different characters. They may not be the most elaborate, but y’all…I was a drama major in college, so you know I’m not going to let my love of theatrical be held back when given an opportunity for it to shine.

That being said, I say let out your inner actor when you read. Students will hear what being expressive sounds like and what it looks like. This is a great touchstone for reading conferences with students who really struggle with expression when they read out loud.

Helps Inspire a Love of Reading

Again, I will refer you my post from last week, but reading aloud fosters a love of reading in my students. I have seen it time and time and time again. It never fails that whatever book I am reading to the class gets searched for by at least a couple of students whenever we are in the school library. And let me tell you, man, they get excited when they find that book or books by the same author or from the same series. It’s like a mad rush to be the first to get to check it out once everyone else catches wind of it.

This year, probably more than ever, my students are book crazy. Part of that is due to how I have changed the structure of my class with Daily 5, but I know our read alouds play a big role too.

Builds Classroom Community

Last year, our first read aloud of the year was No Talking by Andrew Clements. This book essentially pits a group of fifth grade boys against a group of fifth grade girls in a quiet game of gigantic proportions. My students began to take sides with the characters, girls generally siding with the girls in the book and the boys generally siding with the boy characters.

When it came time for our annual storybook parade that year around Halloween, all three of my classes agreed on this book as the book they wanted to represent. They had so much fun working together to come up with ideas for what the girls should wear and what the boys should wear. Students also collaborated on making signs they would carry through the halls for the parade. It was awesome to see.

Helps Build Questioning and Prediction Skills

Read alouds are an excellent opportunity to have students work on their questioning and prediction skills. You can also slide some inferencing, summarizing, sequencing, story elements, etc… lessons in there as well! Really, the possibilities are endless. Anything you teach in reading, you can incorporate into read aloud time.

My students know to raise their hand when they have a question or comment or connection to share. They also know that I will call on them at the very first available opportunity. However, I do not prepare specific questions or lessons or activities for read aloud time. This time is simply time for us to read for reading’s sake. When I want a more structured read aloud, these are generally built into my lessons and focus on specific skills in reading and writing.

Introduces Students to Vocabulary

Another thing that I take the time to point out to my students is new, interesting, or current vocabulary words. If there is a word I think they likely are unfamiliar with, we discuss it. If it is a word that is on our current vocabulary list or a word we have learned earlier in the year, I point it out. However, I rarely have to point it out, because the kids will pick up on it before I do nine times out of ten!

It is FUN!

Students love read alouds. If you are a book person like me, you will love read alouds. Reading should be fun and this is one way to make it so.

How to Fit It In

Tough love: the only way to get the time is to make the time. However, here are some ways that I squeeze read alouds into my day, just about every single day of the school year. Also note that I have been both self-contained and departmentalized and paired. I have been able to do read alouds in some form every single year, no matter my assignment.

• 5-10 minutes before or after lunch
• the first 5-10 minutes of class
• the last 5-10 minutes of class, as students are packing up at the end of the day
• after recess (or right before)
• during restroom breaks – either as students come in and out of the room or even IN the hall, just making sure to use as quiet a reading voice as possible!

Some Resources

I have just launched my very first reading mini-unit on inferencing, which includes a list of some of my favorite mentor texts that double as great read aloud picture books! Stay tuned, as more reading mini-units are coming very soon!

Additionally, you can grab my FREE classroom library labels by filling out the form below!

I will see you again (virtually!) soon!

Deedee