The Simply Joy of Read Alouds

I love read alouds. I like doing the voices. I enjoy sitting in my comfy chair with a picture book or novel in my hands. I especially adore the moment I hook those cynical middle school kids with my cadence and a simply wonderful book. You can literally SEE the instant you have them addicted. I was reading Chrysanthemum to my eighth grade reading lab kids last Thursday and they were just enthralled. I remember a moment last Thursday when I looked out and saw them just enraptured with their chins on their hands as they sprawled comfortably on my rugs. Every eye was on me as I turned the pages. I thought, “Wow! This is what teaching reading is supposed to be like.”


We used the book as a springboard for a discussion on characters. The kids were very successful on the characterization discussions, activities, and essay that followed. I attribute their achievement to their intense connection to the read aloud. More and more teachers are realizing that all children – even inherently suspicious middle school kids - enjoy being read to on a regular basis. The read aloud experience is pleasurable, of course. However, it can serve multi-fold purposes if teachers plan ahead (just a little) and create mini-lessons around read alouds. I have seen first-hand how the connection to a book read aloud can make all the difference. Try it!

Happy Reading!

www.delicious.com/LitTeachrSC

Good afternoon!

I enjoyed a long ride to Orangeburg on Friday with one of my most influential collegues, D.S. We spent almost four hours in the car (in mind-numbing traffic on I-26) brainstorming  numerous ideas for the upcoming school year. One brilliant plan (if I must say so myself) was to create a Delicious page so that we could share all our accumulated literacy websites with other teachers. By the way, Delicious.com is nowhere near as licentious as the name suggests. It is simply a bookmark website that operates much like your current browser's Favorites or Bookmark tabs. That is except for the fact that Delicious allows for users to share their bookmarks with anyone who has the URL. It's fabulous! 

You can subscribe to my Delicious bookmark site by RSS feed or you could simply bookmark it yourself. I would LOVE for people to add to my list of sites if they have any websites they want to share. They can be literacy-based sites or Web 2.0 tools. My Delicious page will be updated periodically. Check it out at the site below! Let me know if you create your own Delicious page so I can subscribe to it. Isn't sharing information fun?

http://www.delicious.com/LitTeachrSC

HAPPY READING!!!

Stay Tuned...

Stay tuned for upcoming posts on providing feedback, using Balanced Literacy Frameworks, and flexible grouping. Thanks to my wonderful hubby (who bought me an awesome flipcamera for my birthday) I will now be posting photos and videos as well. Look forward to new posts at least twice a month. STAY TUNED!

Happy Reading!

Reaching Readers in the Digital Age

On Thursday I went to a presentation entitled "Reaching Readers in the Digital Age." I know a teensy bit about technology, so I was a bit jaded going into this session. Usually presenters show you PhotoStory, Wordle, or PlayAways and call it "innovative." This was different. It was nothing like I expected. For one thing there were no handouts. Groundbreaking! She gave us a postcard with a Wordle on the front with her Glogster address on the back. She presented using Glogster entirely to link to the Web 2.0 sites and examples she wanted to showcase. It was too cool. I'm sharing her Glogster presentation with you so you can see it in action. Too neat!

Play around with the Glogster and tell me what you think! Become a follower of my blog to see more ideas!

http://earon.glogster.com/reaching-readers-in-the-digital-age/

Happy Reading!

HSTW Conference 2010

I'm sleepless in Louisville, Kentucky. Why? Tomorrow I get to attend yet another day of informative sessions about integrating literacy and technology. The sessions so far have been interesting and the presenters have been full of new ideas. Stay tuned for helpful hints and tutorials I have picked up during the conference.

Couldn't attend the HSTW Staff Development Conference this year? Go to the link below to download individual conference handouts and PowerPoints for all available sessions. WOW! It's like getting all the info you want without the lengthy plane/bus ride - FOR FREE!

NOTE: This service will only be available until September. HURRY!

http://data.sreb.org/hstw/summerconference/schedule/search.aspx

Happy Reading!