Read-Aloud Program for Elementary Age Kids

Probably, my fondest memory of school was being read-aloud to by any number of teachers that I was lucky enough to have from elementary school all the way through high school.  Not only my teachers, but my parents also read aloud to all of my siblings and me.  Now, that in and of itself is somewhat of the norm, but my mom read to us every morning before we got on the bus, carpooled, or walked to school – all the way through high school.  (By the way, there were 4 of us growing up…)

The idea of offering a read-aloud program to elementary students has been wiggling around in brain for a few years now.  So many teachers only have time to teach the test, that very few have minutes to spare.  I decided to try out my idea for just 2 short sessions each 45 minutes long after school for kids in third and fourth grade.  I chose No Talking by Andrew Clements.

Our first session was this past Tuesday, and although I only had about 7 kids show up, I think it went very well.  I was a little hesitant at first wondering if the kids would actually sit and listen, but they did!  I let them have some snacks and left coloring pages and scrap paper with colored pencils and crayons at the front of the room.  We also pulled out some sit-upons and chairs for the kids.

All the kids loved the snacks and I think they really enjoyed the book.  I didn’t once have to ask anyone to be quiet and if they were interested the kids got up and colored and moved chairs and sit-upons around as necessary.  I think I had as good of a time as the kids!  I even had a couple of laugh out loud moments and 2 of the kids came to me at the end and said they really like the book.  Hopefully this is just another way to get kids to interact with books!