Reading aloud is an indispensable instructional format. The primary purpose of a read aloud is to create a community of readers and establish a known text as a basis for related literacy activities. Reading aloud allows my students to me model fluency and expression. It also exposes them to vocabulary that is just beyond their own instructional level. It is a great opportunity to demonstrate how reading is a source of enjoyment, humor, learning, communication, and fun.
Some of the benefits of the ‘Read-Aloud’:
Improves Comprehension and Vocabulary
Increases Fluency
Builds Motivation
I read a combination of books - mostly above my students’ reading level. I try to pick a book from an author who has done a lot of books for their age (IE: The Door in the Wall) or one book from a series (The Seven Sleepers, by Gilbert Morris) to try and turn them on to the rest of the books.I also have several books that go with our curriculum.
Research has shown that teacher read aloud motivates children to read. In a recent study, third, fourth, and fifth graders were asked what motivated them to read particular books. One of the most frequent kinds of responses was, “I heard about them from my teachers… they read good books to us” (Palmer et al, 1994). Now that comment coming from my students would tickle me pink. Below is a synopsis of the present novel that we are reading now in class.
FLIGHT OF THE EAGLES
Fourteen-year-old Joshua Adams wakes from a fifty-year sleep to find that he has escaped nuclear war and that the genetically altered races of Earth now hail his awakening as the first fulfillment of an ancient prophecy. For of old it was sung that the Seven Sleepers would awaken to unite their strength with Goel and join in battle against the wicked priests of Sanhedrin. But the choice of Josh and each member of the quest is a dangerous one. He must survive not only the peril of the Sanhedrin but the doubt that threatens his faith and, ultimately, his commitment to Goel, his spiritual champion.
The novel is an allegory of the Christian walk. Charity, while in 4th grade, began to read the entire series and enjoyed it immensely. She has graciously allowed me to keep the series in the room for in-class reading.
Mrs. Walker's 4th Grade Website Hershey Christian School P.O. Box 378 Hershey, PA 17033
