When
the Kindergarten students at my school eagerly ask their teacher if it is"Ms. Gundrum time" to read to them, I know I have a gift for reading
aloud; When
the fifth grade kids sit absolutely still for an hour, to hear a story, when In an evaluation from the students, the request is repeated over and over ...MORE READING ALOUD by me -- I love literacy! When
my wonderful assistant shelves books close to the reading corner, so she
won't miss a story...I know I am choosing exciting novels. You only need ONE great book to hook a child onto reading. Here
are my TEN TOP HINTS to make a read aloud the best experience a child
(and some adults) can have: 1.
Read the book by yourself first. If you enjoy it, so will your listeners; 2.
Scan the book. Look for clues in the pictures (if it is a picture book) or events
on which you can expand; 3.
Bring props in to make the story come alive! Small items to pass around; (I
had the top of a gold lipstick tube and a glass milk bottle for 'Holes', a piece
of paisley fabric for Harry
Potter's pjs, etc.) **4.
Change your accent. I become the Seventh Chinese Brother who sees 100
miles, Uncle Vernon, Stanley Yelnets, Daisy, India Opal, Violet Baudelaire, Kenny, Byron and Joetta in The Watsons go to Birmingham...any
character that I read, I
become! 5.
Change the tone of your voice to reflect what the characters are saying. One
little boy said "I want you to read Harry Potter to me because my dad
doesn't sound anything like him and he doesn't put on the voices or anything...he
just reads it." 6.
I set the stage. I give my listeners the setting, ask them about settings that
they are familiar with so they can relate better; 7.
Sit in a special place. We sit in a quiet corner of the library -- either on
the
story carpet or leaning against the backrest chairs that I have for the kids. 8.
Get your listeners to participate, if appropriate. We have been known to
grumble, growl, laugh hysterically, cry and make all sorts of story-related
noises 9.
I don't have kids follow along in their copies of the book when I read to them.
I believe that good listening skills are essential for learning and when kids
read
along, they often don't even hear the storyteller. 10.
End the story time leaving them yearning for more! I often hear
*NOOOOOO* when I tell them it's time to go!
Enjoy!
Home | © 1997-2011 Carolyn Gundrum, Librarian | Teacher | Author | Academic Advisor | Consultant
My
Ten Top Hints for Reading Aloud
they laugh and giggle out loud, when they make thoughtful predictions, I know that I use "voice" when reading.
in the library! We even get up and dance!
