2015 - 2016 Read Alouds

Selecting my read alouds this year was particularly difficult.  This difficulty was in part due to the fact that I have 5 kids in my class from last year, and that I am teaching 3rd-5th grade this year.  I wanted to choose books they could all relate to and enjoy, that they hopefully hadn't heard read aloud before, and that would incite thoughtful discussions.  So here are my choices:

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

I've always been hesitant to read this book aloud because of the controversy (I've also always had Jehovah's Witnesses in my class), but this year I took the opportunity to read it.  It was THE BEST read aloud I've ever read.  The kids LOVED it and begged me to keep reading.  Many began reading the series.

Diamond Willow

Some kids loved this book while others were unsure.  Everyone could relate to the childhood issues and love of animals.  Many of the kids were excited to hear the "secret message" on every page hidden in the diamond-shaped poem.

The City of Ember
The kids were unsure about this book at first.  It reads like a roller coaster with a very long build-up.  Of course the end is very exciting and goes by fast.  About 3/4 of the way through they started begging me to keep reading.

The Hundred Dresses

This book is a classic and, regardless of the setting, the kids relate to the timeless issue of bullying.  They also enjoyed using the clues from the book to determine the timeframe in which the book takes place.

Confessions of a Former Bully

I actually read this book out loud every year, regardless of the fact that I usually have repeat students. The kids relate to the characters, understand the metaphors, and enjoy practicing and using the strategies to stop bullying.