Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been tagged as “read aloud”
Thoughtful text features make it easier for readers to locate information in nonfiction text. They support an author’s argument and can provide additional information visually. Exposing 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students to a variety of text features will help them better navigate the media-rich world in which they are growing up. Many of the children’s nonfiction books today lack …
In the real world, we are exposed to nonfiction writing that has a clear and biased point of view. We often disagree with the conclusions of an author or question their understanding of the topic. However, this is a much rarer phenomenon in the world of nonfiction children’s picture books. We tend to expose 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students …
I’ll be creating some free resources to support my new book, What Do You Think About Ocean Animals – but I want to hear from you what sorts of resources would be most helpful! Email me at kalena.baker@teachingmadepractical.com and let me know which activities and worksheets you would like to go with this book for your classroom! Don’t have the …
Finding read-aloud books to help 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders learn to distinguish between fact and opinion can be challenging. Many nonfiction books do include both facts and opinions, but the opinions are often subtle, which can be confusing for upper elementary students. We also tend to choose books with opinions we want students to agree with—like those describing Martin …
A Letter From Your Teacher on the Last Day of School is a sweet story that helps 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade classrooms reflect on and celebrate the school year. This rhyming book from the teacher’s perspective reminds students of what all they accomplished during the school year, lets them know they will be missed, and offers encouragement for the …
If you start the school year off with the read-aloud First Day Jitters, then you need to end the year with Julie Danneberg’s Last Day Blues! At the beginning of the year, Mrs. Hartwell was nervous about teaching her class – but by the end of the year, she is sad to see her students go. 2nd, 3rd, and 4th …
Those Shoes is a compelling read aloud about a young boy who cannot afford the pair of shoes that he really wants. The themes of generosity and friendship make it a great picture book to help you set a positive classroom culture in your 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade classroom. Below, find questions and activity ideas to use in your …
Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson is a thoughtful story about excluding others and missed opportunities for kindness. The theme of kindness and acceptance makes it a great book to read for back to school, World Kindness Day, Valentine’s Day, or any time during the year that you want to encourage kindness to your 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade students. The …
Brave Irene is an interesting story of a young girl that braves a blizzard in order to make sure the duchess has her dress in time for the ball. The vocabulary and figurative language that the author William Steig uses is vivid and captivating. It lends itself to a variety of different reading activities to do along with reading the …
Snowmen at Night is a fun winter read aloud that draws out the imaginative side of kids. The text in this snowman book is not complicated, so it is often used for younger grade levels. However, the whimsy in this story appeals to readers of all ages, and the activity ideas below are geared towards 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade …