Top 5 Tips for Hosting Read Alouds on World Read Aloud Day

 //  Feb 9, 2017

Top 5 Tips for Hosting Read Alouds on World Read Aloud Day

Pam Allyn, Executive Director of LitWorld, joins edu@scholastic to talk about World Read Aloud Day, a day that rallies individuals and organizations to call attention to the importance of reading aloud and sharing stories with children of all ages—even those who can read on their own.

Read aloud time can be a highlight of any child’s day. Let’s make sure all children benefit from the joy of the read aloud by bringing it into our classrooms as much as possible. The latest Kids & Family Reading Report shows that reading aloud at home is on the rise; the frequency of reading aloud to young children 5–7 days a week has increased since 2014 among parents with kids ages 3–5 (55% to 62%) yet there are still significant drops in frequency after ages 5 and 8. And so it is still just as important that our classrooms remain havens for positive literacy experiences.

Join us as we celebrate the power of reading aloud on World Read Aloud Day this February 16, 2017. Follow these five tips to make the most of your read aloud at school! 

Start with the setting

Having a designated space for your read aloud makes it that much more special for your students. Create a fun, colorful and comfortable area, and don’t forget to make sure the book is visible to the entire group.

Be your silliest self

The joy of the read aloud multiplies with every funny facial expression and voice the reader makes. Get your students smiling in seconds with a great book and your own spin on each character!

Rock your reading routine

Making sure the read aloud is a regular activity—whether that is daily, twice a week or weekly—gives kids the perfect amount of structure to thrive as readers. Consistent attention to the read aloud gives kids something extra fun to look forward to (see the tip above!).

Host a virtual read aloud

Guest readers are a great way to mix up read aloud time, but it can be difficult to schedule in-person visits to your classroom. The virtual read aloud is the perfect way to take advantage of digital media and have your students experience new reading styles.

Let kids choose

Both at home and at school, choice has proven to be beneficial to kids’ reading lives. In fact, we know from the Kids & Family Reading Report that 89% of kids ages 6–17 agree that their favorite books are the ones they've picked out themselves. With your students, don’t be afraid to read and re-read classroom favorites!

As educators, we can reflect the diverse and beautiful lives and spirits of the kids in our classrooms through the shared community and shared experience of reading together. Use these tips this World Read Aloud Day and beyond to make the read aloud a key part of your students’ lives. More tips and resources are available at litworld.org/wrad

 

 

Photos via LitWorld