I am probably a little dramatic when it comes to selecting the last read aloud that my fifth graders will experience during their lives as elementary students, but I don’t really care. I’m an elementary teacher: the more dramatic the better.
For decades, the read aloud has been a staple in most elementary classrooms, and it has helped so many kids fall madly in love with reading. I take the responsibility of selecting the last book they will have read aloud to them before they become middle schoolers very seriously.
As scripted curriculums spread faster than lice in a kindergarten classroom, many teachers are finding it harder and harder to find enough time to read aloud to their kids. How messed up is that?
We have read a lot of wonderful books this year. I am confident that just about everyone in our class will remember at least one of our read alouds for the rest of their lives. READ ALOUDS ARE SO FREAKING MAGICAL!
After giving this choice way too much thought…the choice was actually pretty easy. easy.
We will be reading Kate DiCamillo’s new middle grade novel Ferris. The story is magical. The characters unforgettable. And the author is one that they can read for years to come. Does one ever really outgrow a Kate DiCamillo novel? Probably not.
After a painfully long day of state testing, we ended our day with the first chapter of Ferris. It was perfect. Not the state testing, but the reading aloud.
Long live the read aloud.
I would love to know which book you have selected, or will be selecting, for the last read aloud of your school year. Let me know in the comments!
I added some books to my list of AWESOME 2024 BOOKS. Hoping that there is something on the list for you!
This summer Bookelicious is doing a three part webinar series on The Commonsense Guide to Your Classroom Library. This webinar will be hosted by my co-author Donalyn Miller. I’ll be there for at least one of the three parts, and Lynsey Burkins will also be joining the party. The cost of the series is $40. It includes a copy of our The Commonsense Guide to Your Classroom Library. For more details, click on the image below. I hope to “see you” there!
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Ahhhhh! Ferris was just what I needed when state testing commenced. Pinky was the comic relief necessary to lighten the mood. Ferris and Charisse's relationship is so solid and the anticipation of Charisse heading into the great beyond, but then it not happening for the climax, was so refreshing. The family dynamics were incredibly relatable. Our 4th graders are finishing with Ghost and hoping many of them will seek out at least one of the continuing stories of the track series for their summer reading inspiration! Enjoy your last few weeks with your 5th graders!
I am finishing my year with The Fort by Gordan Korman. I read Restart to start the year, so this seemed perfect.