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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
they laugh and giggle out loud, when they make thoughtful predictions, I know that I use "voice" when reading.
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
in the library! We even get up and dance!
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 | © 1997-2008 Carolyn Gundrum, teacher-author
