Stop Talking and Just READ!

Read Aloud the Right Way

Don’t Ruin It

The Power of Reading Aloud a Story

Reading aloud a story to my students is one of my favorite things to do as a teacher, especially when it’s a picture book. Stories are magical, wondrous, fascinating, baffling, humorous, heartwarming, heartbreaking, and the list can go on and on. In all of my experience thus far, students always love when it is time for a read aloud. The power a story has to engage each student is amazing, but what’s even more astounding is that stories hook each listener differently. I remember when I read Enemy Pie by Derek Munson to my most recent class. The discussion that came after was very mixed. Some students felt like the idea of making an “enemy” pie was a good idea by the father because it taught the boy that becoming friends with someone might take time. However, some of my other students felt like the father shouldn’t have led the boy to believe that the pie would be full of disgusting ingredients because the boy became hopeful that it would make his enemy sick. That’s the power of a story. Each child HEARS or SEES something different. It’s so important you take the time to discuss what each student heard or saw, but the question becomes when? WHEN do you take the time for the students to share their thoughts of the story?

Don’t ruin a story

During my first year of teaching, I noticed that my students’ attitude started to change when I announced that it was time for a read aloud. In the beginning of the year, they were psyched. They couldn’t wait to hear what I’d be reading that day. The energy of our read alouds slowly dwindled from there, and I just didn’t understand why. Well, come April, I sat down with my students and I asked them why they are reacting so negatively when I announce it is time for a read aloud…

Their response?

“YOU TALK TOO MUCH!”

I wasn’t hurt by that comment because they were right. We never read a story without me asking a few questions as I read it aloud.

You ever watch a television show and someone keeps pausing it to get a snack or go to the bathroom? Or, maybe, you are watching a stressful sporting event and someone keeps trying to get your attention. It’s annoying, right?

Well, that’s how the kids felt when I kept interrupting the story to talk or to ask questions.

The moral of the story

An author wrote a story for a reason…for it to be read.

Kids look forward to hearing or seeing a story, but they get frustrated when a story has to be interrupted with questions or just to state a point.

JUST WAIT.

So…

WHEN do you take the time for the students to share their thoughts of the story?

AFTER!!

Many teachers use picture books as a tool to teach a specific skill, like theme or character traits. I’m not saying that picture books can’t be used for lessons or units, but children should be given the time to enjoy the book before they are ambushed with questions. They love to read or hear stories for a very simple reason…it’s a story!! Let them enjoy it!

I attended a conference in Connecticut last year where I was able to attend Lester Laminack's workshop. He proved to me the importance of reading a story in its entirety before asking any questions or creating a discussion. You will take away the students joy to listen to a story!! 

It’s hard to capture the essence of a story when it keeps getting interrupted.