We read aloud in my classroom.
A lot.
Like, A LOT a lot.
Picture books mostly. But also the first chapter of a novel every Friday (#FirstChapterFriday), poems, interesting articles… even threads in Twitter have taken the stage in our classroom! But picture books are our preference.
As much as secondary ELA teachers seemed surprised by this, I am equally surprised how often this doesn’t happen in middle schools and high schools.
Reading aloud with my students is one of the few times in my day when I am totally and completely content… “Zen” if you will. To think that so many teachers deny themselves (and their students) this simple pleasure makes me sad.
But, from what I am hearing, it’s often because they know they might be told by a principal or administrator that it is a “waste of time.” (Agh. How could anyone even say that out loud?!?)
Secondary teachers, I implore you: READ ALOUD TO YOUR STUDENTS. And if your principal or supervisor asks why you are “wasting time” doing this, tell them:
1. It builds community.
There is a reason why almost every single elementary school lesson begins with a book: stories catch our attention and then bring us together! Long before people could read and write, they told stories. Stories are the glue of any culture/community/religion/family. They bring us “home.” The first week of school, I spend far more time sitting on the carpet with kids reading then we do in our desks working. I can’t think of any better way to kick-start our classroom community.
And if you need a few articles to back you up, try:
and THIS!
2.) It develops background knowledge.
Did you know that the oldest person to ever learn to read was a 116? Did you know the first thesaurus was printed in 1852? Did you know the Super-Soaker water gun was invented completely by accident by a rocket scientist?
Guess what?
I knew every single one. And so would my students. And we learned it all from picture books!
Picture books are the cornerstone of my teaching. I use them all the time to teach virtually every skill covered in 7th grade ELA. We sit on the carpet (that’s just my choice… it’s not required lol!). I read aloud and show the kids the pictures. We discuss, ask questions, and Google stuff to learn more.
While I choose the books for their ability to demonstrate a particular ELA skill, I also never take for granted the information the kids learn about the world from our reading. All this information creates a healthy “background knowledge backpack” whose benefits will last a student their lifetime. It is, as ReLeah Cossett Lent calls in her book Overcoming Textbook Fatigue (2012) “the glue that makes learning stick.”
You can read more about the benefits of background knowledge…
and HERE!
3.) It brings joy.
Does this even need more explanation? Or further discussion? Well, just in case, here ya go!
and READ!
I do hope that if you are not one to read aloud to your big kids, this post has encouraged you to give it try. And, if you are challenged by admin on your rationale for doing so, you feel a bit more empowered to stick up for yourselves.
Do you read aloud to your kids? What are some of your favorite stories to share? Go find me on FB or IG and let me know 🙂
Hello Jenna,
First of all, thank you for your posts. I've barely survived my first year teaching 6th grade ELA as a career switcher. I still feel that I'm in way over my head, but I'm planning for a smooth school year in the fall. What picture books would you recommend for writing skills?
Happy Sunday and hope your week goes well!
Thank you for that! I agree with you wholeheartedly that read aloud time has so many benefits. A couple years ago, there was an admin change at my Elementary school and unfortunately the new admin was so focused on keeping to the district schedule, that all read aloud time was suddenly a no-no. When asked about it, teachers were told if they felt strongly about read aloud time, they could keep their kids in at recess to read to them. I am now in a new district and I am working hard to be a read aloud ambassador to my co-workers. And thankfully, I have a pricipal/superintendent who has picture books in her office and knows the value of reading aloud to kids!
A supportive administration is so important. I’m glad you found your happy place 🙂
I need a list of great picture book for middle school. Do you any to share??
I don’t have a list, but I am always sharing different ones that I love on my social media. Hopefully one day I’ll have the time to curate a list 🙂
So how do you pick your Friday books?
They are books that I’ve read that I know are awesome AND have an exciting first chapter that hooks kids 🙂
Hi Jenna,
Thank you for this post! I teach middle school ELA , and I have honestly never considered reading aloud to my students. All of the positives you point out make perfect sense. I am curious, do you have to set any behavior expectations with them before you start doing read alouds at the beginning of the year? Or are they so happy to be doing a read aloud that you don’t run into any issues? Your post has inspired me to try this at the beginning of my next unit.
I have never run in to issues during read aloud time. In fact, this probably the ONLY time in our class period where I can count on their behavior being great. Even my toughest kids love to be read to. I also think it’s more than just the reading. They seem to relax right into the stillness of read aloud time. No screens, no work, no expectations… just stillness.