Read Alouds

In primary grades Miller suggests beginning the year with songs and song books. Students generally love music and singing and are motivated to learn more. Songs are easy to learn and a lot of fun for most youngsters. After your class learns a new song think about making copies and sending home the words for students to share with their families. Parents will feel connected to the classroom learning and students will love showing off what they have learned. Adding a copy of each song to each book box is also an option that students enjoy.

After learning and singing a few songs, Miller suggests reading aloud from a picture book. Right after lunch and at the end of the day are also great times to read aloud because students enjoy hearing a story and it calms them down a bit too. Chapter books tend to be popular for these times also. Both picture books and chapter books make useful teaching tools. Reading aloud is not a waste of time like some may suggest. In fact, reading aloud is quite the opposite. By taking time to read to students teachers model fluency and reading behavior. They are able to teach meaning through think alouds and spark the interest of students who may be reluctant or struggling readers. Varying read aloud genre, authors, and style are all examples of how educators can mix up the learning that occurs during a read aloud.