Reading aloud to students is such an important thing for elementary teachers to take advantage of. This is a time for students to relax a little bit and to be able to just listen and enjoy a book. They may think that this is just a fun time but they are actually retaining more than they think they are. When we do read aloud’s children actually pay attention especially if we do a chapter book. When we do a chapter book it pushes the students to remember what we read the day before or several days ago.
My top 10 children read aloud books I will use in my classroom are:
- Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
- The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
- Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann
- The Christmas Humbugs by Colleen Monroe
- Pumpkin Soup by Helen Cooper
- Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
- Holes by Louis Sachar
- Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Peterson
- Diary of the Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
- The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
These books are all good books. I chose a couple younger age level books but mostly chapter books because that is the reading level of most of the kids I will be teaching.
Life as seen by Brooke 
I agree with reading aloud to students! Having that human connection is key to building a positive relationship with all your classes.
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Exactly! I think it really build a level of trust with your students
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This is a great way to get all involved. It also allows the student to process it better in their head when it is heard out loud. I know I will defiantly read out loud in the classroom.
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I think I will try in some ways but with me wanting to teach the older levels it definitely won’t be an everyday thing.
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Bridge to Terabithia is a GREAT choice. I love movies, so I’ll definitely use this book because then I can have an excuse to show the movie, or at least some of it.
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That is so incredibly smart!
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Connecting reading comprehension from one session to the next is so important and you’re right, chapter books are the way to go for this. I think Charlotte’s Web will be awesome to read out loud. There are so many good titles out there to share with our students. I’m amazed at how many books the 4th grade is working through at the elementary school I’m working in. They love to read so much and my cooperating teacher is working through the Golden Sower award nomination books so her kids can vote on their favorite book. Isn’t that a cool way to get kids involved?
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That is such a cool way to get the kids involved! She sounds like a smart lady!
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Yes, I think it helps to hear another reader and listen to their voice change. Also to listen to it fluently, some students will start to struggle on words and it might affect their comprehension.
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I think it really does affect whether a student can read fluently or not. I know for me if I have someone who stumbles through it I tend to quit paying attention.
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I love the list of books that you chose. I remember being read the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe as a student and really liked it. And you know what, I have tried to read it myself and could just not get into it. That is a perfect example of how it is important to read aloud to students. I also love the Officer Buckle and Gloria story and have read it aloud several times because there are so many fun lessons to that story.
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See that’s a prime example of why reading to kids is so important. If we didn’t read some books to them they would never read them and learn they love them!
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I love that a read aloud time is just for them to chill. It is a good thing because it just lets them enjoy the book like it is meant to be enjoyed.
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I think it should be able to be a time for them to enjoy!
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I will also be teaching younger students and I love the books you have for your top ten! I love Rainbow FIsh! Thank you for sharing! My greatest dream is to be a mother and this article helped me realize how important reading aloud to children is!
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I admire your dream so much! My biggest dream as well is to be a mom someday and have a family so I understand that completely. I hope you will take the time to read to your little ones!
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You choice in books for reading aloud is excellent! I like that you included those younger books among you chapter books. You can never start too young can you? The age I plan I teaching I don’t think I will be able to go a couple of days between reading but building up to that is important!
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Thank you so much! I just wanted a variety because I know that I personally want to teach the older ages like 5th grade but a lot of people don’t and sometimes even older kids like picture books.
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I enjoyed reading your post! I would agree with you that it’s so important for teachers to read to their students. When I was in elementary, I loved being read to! Also, I think you picked out some great books for read aloud’s in your classroom! Thank you for sharing! 🙂
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