I love creating and maintaining classroom traditions. Tradition is a great way to create community. One tradition that we have in our classroom is selecting a favorite picture book read aloud of the school year.
How it works:
During the first two week of the school year, I read aloud the favorite picture book from the previous year. I tell the kids about last year’s class, why they picked this book as their favorite read aloud, and I explain to them that we will be doing the same thing at the end of the school year.
During the next 170+ days we read aloud a whole bunch of picture books. I’m guessing between 175 and 225.
The last week of the school year we meet on the carpet. The kids sit in a circle. Well, I call it a circle, but our rug is a rectangle, so I guess we sit in a rectangle.
The kids think of their favorite picture book read aloud. They need to have on in their head before we start sharing. Otherwise, they tend to just pick one that has already been said.
We go around the “circle” sharing our favorite picture book read aloud. Kids can also share why they loved it so much.
I open up the floor for discussion. The first time around we probably have more than 20 titles selected. During this discussion kids go back and forth talking about the different books mentioned.
A book is selected. Believe it or not, the conversation quickly narrows down to 2-3 books.
I read them the book
We talk about it what it was like reading it again. They have so many interesting things to say!
They all sign the book’s end papers. I then write “Mr. Sharp’s 2023-2024 Class’s Favorite Read Aloud”.
During the first two weeks of the next school year, I’ll read aloud the favorite picture book from the previous year. I tell the kids about last year’s class, why they picked this book as their favorite read aloud, and I explain to them that we will be doing the same thing at the end of the school year.
This year the kids selected Vashti Harrison’s Big. I love it when they select a book that we read at the beginning of the school year. I read them Big in August! For it to stick with them all the until June says a lot about the book, and I think a lot about my amazing readers.
It is wild to think that I am already a little more than a week into summer. It was a pretty wild week!
As soon as our last school day (half day) ended I drove about an hour to Pinckney to talk to some of their teachers about how I get kids excited about reading.
My amazing wife Alaina ran a 50 mile race, and SHE WON!
I got to spend two days working with Jefferson County school librarians in Louisville, Kentucky. It was so much fun, and I FINALLY got to meet author (and Kid President creator) Brad Montague. My two sessions were about creating reading communities, and my favorite books of 2024.
My daughter got two casts to help the stress fractures in her wrists heal.
I ran a couple of books to the homes of my fifth graders. #runninglibrarian
I spent a day at the beach!
I finished a couple of great books.
Went on a 14 mile run.
Made friendship bracelets at the pool.
Saw a great movie!
Looking for some books to add to your to-read list? Check out the latest edition of Kid Lit Book Mail!
A HUGE congratulations to your wife!!!!!