Reading aloud to kids is the one part of teaching I miss most! As a new administrator, I have yet to figure out how to get into the classrooms to read!My read aloud choices changed depending on my class, but there were a few I always, always read to my kids:
There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom by Louis Sachar taught my students empathy for Bradley and reminded me of the kind of teacher I wanted to be.
The House with a Clock in Its Walls by John Bellairs was a great first read. Despite its slow start, I promised my students an adventure if they stuck with it. What a glorious lesson! Plus it's the first in a trilogy.
The Witches by Roald Dahl because who doesn't love a great Dahl book - and how fun to read the witch's role in a heavy German accent!
Storm Runners by Roland Smith enticed even the most reluctant readers to finish the series.
There were more throughout the year depending on student recommendations, newly printed literature, and newly found classics. But those four were always part of our classroom.
Next year, we are installing a librarian in our building. We will not, however, be hiring a true librarian to fill this position. Instead we will give the job to an Instructional Assistant with the hope that she will maintain the collection. I hope to be fully involved in what that looks like for our students - and you better believe it will include lots of read alouds!
