How To Read A Story

Everyone needs a good how to tutorial.  We have all read a how to book about something (how to make more money, how to be happy, how to raise a child), but have we ever read a book on how to read a story?  It might sound a little redundant, reading a book on how to read but Kate Messner brings us a lovely read aloud that shows kids how to read a story in just 10 easy steps!

Step 1 of course is to find a story, a good one of course.  Step 2 is to find a reading buddy.  Step 3 is find a cozy reading spot.  The list goes on and on, telling the reader every imaginable step to reading a story like reading in fun voices and what to do when a hard word comes up.  It is such a fun read aloud because the book reads just like a conversation.  This is a fun book for any reader to read, but an especially great read aloud for kindergarten and first grade when they are just beginning to become independent readers.

What would your steps be for how to read a story? Would you read with a buddy or just by yourself?

Happy Reading!
Laura

International Literacy Day

How great is it to have an entire day devoted to reading and literacy?  Last year I shared a book about reading with you all for International Literacy Day (see that post here).  So I think I will do the same this year!  This one just happens to be written by my favorite author and includes two of my favorite literary characters!

Gerald and Piggie go on yet another adventure in We Are in a Book! by Mo Willems.  This time the two friends realize that they are in a book and are being read.  They love it!  It is so cool that they are being read they chant it, "We are being read!  We are in a book!"  Then Piggie realizes that they can make the reader say different words, but only if the reader reads out loud.  Piggie makes the readers say, "banana" and Gerald and Piggie are overcome with laughter.  Banana is so funny to the two of them! Heeheehee Hahaha!  Then Gerald realizes that soon the book will end and he goes from laughing to crying.  He tells the reader that he, "has more to give.  More words... more bananas!"  Luckily, Piggie once again saves the day by asking the reader to, "Please read us again."

My son got his own copy of this book for completing the 1,000 books before kindergarten challenge from the Louisville Free Public Library.  For more information about this program you can click here.

You don't have to read a book about reading today, but at least read something in honor of International Literacy Day!

Happy Reading!
Laura

Related Posts:
Reading Makes You Feel Good
Reading Magic

Read A Book Day

Today is National Read A Book Day- what better way to celebrate than by finding your next read aloud right here!

Today I decided to share with you the book The Wednesday Surprise by Eve Bunting.  This book is great to share, especially with older children (2nd grade and up) because of the plot and it is a little longer.

This story is about a grandmother and her granddaughter spending time together on Wednesday nights. Mom has to work late on Wednesdays, big brother Sam has basketball and dad is out of town driving his truck for work, so grandma comes and takes care of Anna.  During their time together they work on a surprise for Dad's birthday.  You get a few clues about what the surprise might be like Grandma brings bags of books and they spend hours reading, but you are not totally sure what Anna and Grandma are up to. You begin to think that Grandma is teaching young Anna to read. 

Finally, it is time for Dad's birthday.  The family eats dinner together and Dad opens up all of his presents.  When all of that is through Anna brings out Grandma's bag of books, she pulls one out and it is Grandma that begins reading.  The shock of the family and the reader is great, everyone is so proud that Grandma has finally learned to read after all this time and that it was Anna that taught her!

What better book for Read A Book Day- a book that is all about learning to read, no matter how old you are.  I  have a feeling that Anna did a lot of reading aloud to Grandma to help her finally learn to read!

What book are you reading today to celebrate Read A Book Day?

Happy Reading!

Laura

Reading Makes You Feel Good

Does reading make you feel good?  Do you want to convince children that reading will make them feel good?  Then you need to share Todd Parr's book Reading Makes You Feel Good with a child in your life.

If you continue to read and follow this blog you are going to see many more posts about Todd Parr because, in my opinion, his books are WONDERFUL!! Todd's books are always very simple with great pictures and include some repetition.  In this particular book the repeated line is "Reading makes you feel good because..." This line is then followed by a reason reading is so great like you can make a pizza or you can do it anywhere.

This book is so fun to share with young children because they begin to see that reading is more than just sitting and reading a book but it is reading maps, recipes, road signs and so much more.  I always liked taking some time after reading this book to have kids make their own book about how reading makes them feel good.  Keep the book in their independent reading box, I am sure it will be a favorite!

Todd always ends his books with a message.  In Reading Makes You Feel Good, he encourages everyone to "curl up with someone special and read a good book."

Can you fill in the blank?  "Reading makes you feel good because...."  I would love to hear what you have to say!

Happy Reading!
Laura

PS Here is a link to Todd Parr reading his book Reading Makes You Feel Good.  It is always fun to show kids the face behind the book!

Reading Magic

I was partially inspired to start this blog by Mem Fox's book Reading Magic.  I have always loved reading as well as sharing my love of reading but Mem Fox has convinced me of the importance of reading aloud to children.  According to Mem the number one way to teach children to read is by reading aloud from day 1.  If we could only read aloud 3 books a day we could possibly wipe out illiteracy.  WHAT!? Reading aloud could end illiteracy?! It is a bold statement, but what if she is right? Something as simple as reading aloud could give all of our children the advantage they need to become readers.  I say it is worth a try.

Throughout this blog I will be sharing with you some of my favorite books to read aloud.  Some books will be my favorites for the classroom and some will be the favorites of my own child.  Please use this blog as a place to find your next read aloud book and cuddle up with your own child or gather your class on to the carpet.  Either way find time each day to read aloud to a child.

Check back later this week for some of my favorite read alouds for back to school!

As always, Keep Reading!