Thursday, July 14, 2011

Back to School Read Alouds

*Okay, so I'm reposting this and adding it to Mrs. Parker's Link Party. Although, I do love Kelley's blog, too. You know there are SO many blogs these days, I can't imagine how anyone can keep track of all of the Linky Parties.


Kelley @ Mrs. Randall's Learning Library is having a 'Back to School Books' Linky Party! Yes, I know, another Linky Party... but these parties are on great topics and so much fun! I have learned so much from all of you wonderful bloggers.

Now, I am not the type of teacher who likes to have the same plans every year (and just change the date.) However, there are some lessons and books that I love too much to pass up year after year.

1. Chrysanthemum by: Kevin Henkes
Kevin Henkes writes about experiences and feelings so well. I could read all of his books at the beginning of the year and have lessons to go along with them. I chose this book to share because I love the math/class community lesson that goes along with it.

2. 50 Below Zero by: Robert Munsch
When I am learning about my kiddos and they are getting to know me, I like for them to see that I love all things silly. What better show this than to read a Robert Munsch book. Mr. Munsch has several books that crack me up but 50 Below Zero and The Paper Bag Princess are my favorites! They are so much fun to read aloud. You get to create these funny voices and sound effects for the kids.
When they laugh at me, it is magical!

3. Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle by: Betty MacDonald
This book is one of my favorites from my childhood. I remember my fourth grade teacher reading it to us and I just couldn't get enough of the stories. When I taught fourth grade, I read it to my class and they loved it, too. However, when I moved down to first grade I was nervous that my little firsties may get bored with it. I gave it a try anyway and to my surprise they loved it, too. I have to change some of the wording because it is a tad dated (my kids have NO IDEA what a moving picture is!) I'll take this read aloud slow, go through each "remedy" and have discussions about the behavior and the cure. What I love about this book is that it helps some of my kids use their imaginations.

So, that's just a few of my favorites I pull every beginning of the year. Also, I like to talk with the K teachers and find out which books and lessons they use so I don't find myself repeating something that has already been done.

This was FUN!

6 comments:

  1. Thanks for linking up! 50 Below is definitely a silly book. My boys adore it!

    Kelley
    Mrs. Randall’s Learning Library

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  2. I love Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle! I agree about some of the dated language. Nowadays NO ONE would ever allow themselves to be called "Dicky" and when I have read it aloud to classes, they often ask me what a particular word is because they've never heard it. But I still love her and her upside down house!

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  3. big Mrs. Piggle Wiggle fan myself, but when I read it aloud to my little 1st graders, I change Dicky
    Thompson to Ricky Thompson-- I just cringe when I have to say his real name over & over. I also dread if a kid knows that word for any reason! :)

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  4. Like you, I like to add variety but I do have a few standard books that I love to read. Although, this linky party has given me the opportunity to learn about lots of new books. Fortunately, my son is benefitting from our latest finds. :)

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  5. I LOVE Mrs. Piggle Wiggle. My mom used to read it to me as a child. In later years, she would read it to her kinders during nap time and I sat like a little kid listening to her read. Now they have taken the chapters and made them into picture books that I share with my kinders. Such good stories.
    http://teacherblogstalker.blogspot.com/

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