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NC State METRC: College of Ed
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Should I Read That Out Loud?

"We continue to see empirical results and hear respected voices telling us 'this is good for kids' and 'here is why it is good for kids' at all grade levels." ~Stephen Layne

Research shows reading out loud:
  • benefits syntactic development
  • increases vocabulary acquisition
  • teaches comprehension
  • improves fluency, pronunciation and inflection
  • improves writing
  • improves reading engagement
  • improves reading attitudes
  • helps understanding of text types
  • broadens thinking
  • ​increases use of imagination
  • can help with cultural sensitivity
  • builds teacher-student rapport
Adapted from Stephen Layne's In Defense of Read-Aloud

Picture

Click Here to Take the
​Read-Aloudability Quiz!

2-column Printable Checklist to test the read-aloudability of a book! 
What about complexity? 
When you are reading aloud to upper elementary grades or even secondary students, the complexity of the text is more important. You can still use picture books but you want a book that is high quality and read-aloud appropriate AND will stretch students in text complexity. Traits include:
Language conventionality is a stretch for students
Rich Language: complex meanings, stretch vocabulary
Language that provides strong Imagery
Complex, varied sentence structure with a purpose. Sentence length - word count
​​Implicit Theme/Idea: communicated through plot, character, actions, dialogue, setttings
Beyond students' life experiences - more complex
Engaging Complex Plot
Round Characters: dynamic, changing, malleable
DETERMINING COMPLEXITY: For a practical guide and a form to complete go to TeachingBooks and log in with your NC State email (the generic username is ncsucedmetrc and the password is wolfpack). Search for the title of the book and go to "View Text Complexity Results." You can select "Submit Your Own Qualitative Measures" to be guided through thinking about the complexity. Get more information at this Teaching Books Text Complexity Guide.

Book Lists

  • E.B. White Awards 2016 and GoodReads
  • Storytime Wow
  • Readaloud.org
  • Read Aloud America Booklists
  • Scholastic Best Read-Alouds
  • ​Jim Trelease Read-Aloud Recs
  • Global Read Aloud
  • Classic Read Alouds
  • Story Hour Kits from Candlewick Press
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Successfully Reading Out Loud

  • Become familiar with the book
  • Launch the book
  • Provide a purpose for listening
  • Pay attention to seating
  • Plan stopping points
  • Plan for the end of the read aloud
  • Plan ways to alter your tone of voice
  • ​Adjust pacing and volume
  • Don't rush

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Resources

  • TED Talk - Why We Should all be Reading Aloud to Children
  • How I select a read-aloud - from a classroom teacher
  • The Book Matters - article from NAEYC
  • Nerdy Book Club Read Aloud Posts
  • Selecting High Quality Read-Aloud Books
  • Early Childhod Effective Read-Alouds (applies to early elem grades)
  • E.B. White Read-Aloud Award Winner FAQ including selection criteria
  • ALSC Read Aloud Blog Posts
  • Ten Steps for Reviewing Children's Books from NAEYC and Selecting and Using Culturally Responsive Children's Books


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Gender Stereotype Example: ​https://mrlibrarydude.wordpress.com/2014/12/10/youve-come-along-way-baby-gender-stereotypes-in-childrens-picture-books/
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