Throughout my two plus first weeks I have had the opportunity to participate in many Read Aloud! I have had the chance to do read aloud with the entire class and small read aloud within my CT's Reader's Workshop Groups. So far I have really enjoyed participating in read aloud and I love having the opportunity to read in front of the students.
During my first couple of experiences I have noticed that it is very hard sometimes to make sure that all of your students are paying attention and being appropriate while you are reading. I have had a few students think that it is okay for them to bother/touch other students while we are reading. So I just have to remind them and ask them if what they are doing is apporpriate and if they can't handle sitting on the rug during read aloud that they will be asked to be move back to their seats.
I have also found a way that works well for my when I am doing my read aloud. I like to take the book home a couple days early and read through it a couple times and find some facts or different ways to help the kids interact with me while I am reading the story. I have found it helpful to practice, practice, practice, the reading and how I plan to incorporate my students into the reading wither with repetitive words or by asking them simple question. I can't wait to have the opportunity to volunteer to do more read aloud with my class.
What are some things that you have found help with when planning for your read aloud? Are there things you like or don't like about read aloud?
I am so glad that we got the chance to practice read alouds in class before we made it out into the field. Somethings that have helped me with read alouds are my Co-teacher has themes for each week, so I can plan my books according to the theme. I have found that asking questions before and during the story really helps with keeping the students engaged. My Co-teacher also has the students make links with their fingers to show that they are making a connection to the book. I think that is really neat to see that the students are connecting to the book that I am reading.
ReplyDeleteSomething that I am still working on with read alouds are holding the book so that I can see it and so the students can see it.
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ReplyDeleteSome things that have helped me when planning for read alouds are practicing and reading through my book. A big idea that my students are learning are author and illustrator, so I like to incorporate a question about that in the beginning. I also practice my questions when I practice reading the book. I have the questions and engagement aspects all prepared and ready to go.
ReplyDeleteI have have many chances to do read alouds as well and I can feel your struggle with having to keep the students' attention. It is very difficult-- especially because they tend to be so antsy and touchy towards other students! My CT always tells the misbehaving students that if they cannot handle their rug spot, that they will be asked to go back to their desks. That usually helps with keeping their attention on the reader!
ReplyDeleteThe only thing I would recommend with planning for the read aloud is to base your book off of the week's theme. My CT supplies the books for me to read to the students to stick with the theme of the week so that the text is relatable! It seems to be working well!
I am impressed with the techniques that you are using to engage the students, and the practice that you are doing in preparation for the read alouds...both are best practice.
ReplyDeleteI'm also really thankful that we practiced read aloud in our ED classes before doing them in the field, even with the practice I still get so nervous! I also think it's pretty challenging to keep the students' attention during the reading, but I make sure to ask questions before the story begins, and tell the students to pay attention throughout and give me their answers at the end of the book. I think this technique has helped me a lot! I mostly just get nervous when my CT is watching me read, I end up reading way too fast but I hope that goes away the more I do it!
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