Friday, June 07, 2013

"Read-Aloud Round-Up" Book Share



Howdy Friends!

I recently had a friend ask if I could/would recommend some good "student level" reads for her summer reading.  She wanted to read some books she could recommend to her students next year. This request has been in my thoughts for several days now and I finally decided this is how I want to share my list. Plus, with summer comes that time reflect on what we want to do "next year". So this is a perfect time to reflect on those books we shared this year that the kiddos LOVED!

First of all, let me explain myself. I LOVE to read the same books my students read. That could be why I have a 5,000 book library that I personally own. I love knowing what they are reading about because it opens a doorway to student engagement. Students love it when the "teacher" knows about their zombie book. I'll admit, I do have limits. I won't read gory or horror books. I will look up the book on Amazon or another book site and read about it so I have an understanding about the book.

Not only are these grade level books quick, easy reads for us as teachers and parents, I am always on the lookout for a new class read-aloud.

In the past I had a set list of books I would read outloud. Every year I read my "babies". Then I began to realize something. The students were less and less interested in those stories. Not because they weren't good stories, but because many of them had already read them or their brother or sister read it and told them about it. Or, it just simply isn't the current trend in reading (for example, it seems zombies and vampires have taken over the reading world as of late).

Before I ever begin a story, I ask who has read the book. If more than one or two have, I quietly set the book down and pick up my next choice. Some years I will even read a book to the class that I haven't read yet. This is a double-edged sword. I love being able to predict along with the students. we get to have some pretty amazing discussions because "the teacher really doesn't know". However, I have run into a couple sticky situations with inappropriate content or language. Usually this is easy to fix while I am reading along and sometimes, well, we just have to keep reading.

So, what is the point of all this, you ask?

HUGE! ENORMOUS! GIGANTIC!

My goal is to have a database collection of teacher-tested read-aloud books for grades 3-8 that will be here for years to come for teachers to use as a resource. Of course I need YOUR help to make it amazing. Even if you don't "read aloud" to your students, here will be a great collection of recommended books you can use to encourage your students to read (or find a great book for YOU to enjoy!)

Here's How It Works:

1) Blog about your favorite 1-5 book(s) (or more, your call). Be sure to add a picture of each book, which you will need them for the linky below. Tell why you chose the book, why you love it, and/or what makes it a great read-aloud. It is okay to blog about your favorite 5 books in the same post and then link each book here back to that same post. Please include the read-aloud reading round-up picture at the top of this post in YOUR post with a link back here.

2) Choose the grade level Linky that you think each book BEST fits. Add the links one at a time for each book. If you are like me, I choose a book based on lots of things, not just grade/text complexity. We can browse through all the grade levels to look for books. You can add as many books as you want. The more the merrier. Each book title should be linked separately in the linky USING THE TITLE AND AUTHOR as the NAME. The link will be the same posting for each book. Remember that just because you teach 4th doesn't mean that the book is actually a 4th grade level. It might be a 5th or 6th grade level book and should be linked there.


Please avoid:
a) Linking to a general site, blog, or store. These links will have to be deleted as they do not add to the goal of this undertaking.
b) leaving the title and author OFF the posting. It is vital we know the title and author of the book. These links may also have to be deleted.
c) add the same book to multiple levels. Choose the ONE level you feel it best fits.
d) listing the same book repeatedly in the same level. Please look over the grade levels to see if your favorite books are listed before you link a title. Duplicates will most likely not be deleted, it just becomes annoying when the same book is listed over and over. :)

Once You Add, share this page with all your colleagues. I envision a rich and complex resource of read-aloud suggestions that you and I can use for years to come. It only takes a second and can make a huge difference in the amount of books we have to browse.

ALL RIGHT- LET'S GET LINKING THOSE BOOKS!

Questions? Please leave a comment and I will get to it as soon as possible, OR, email at: mrhughestptrequests (at) gmail (dot) com,

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40 comments:

  1. All linked up. I couldn't figure out how to edit my first entry I put my blog name instead of the book title Gooney Bird Greene. If you want to edit it go for it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great linky! I am excited to see all of the books!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too! thanks for linking up! I really appreciate it!

      Delete
  3. I'm a science teacher so I unfortunately don't get to read books to my kids but I'm always on the look out for great books to buy my own children! I love children's books! I loved Wonder by RJ Palacio (4th grade & up) and I'm currently reading The One & Only Ivan- so far it's great! Looking forward to seeing all the suggestions here! I'm your newest follower!

    ✿Sue✿
    Science for Kids Blog

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Howdy Susan!
      You can still write a post about YOUR favorite books to read/share with others and then link each book on the correct level! I would LOVE that. I hope you will consider it. :)

      Delete
  4. I just found your blog and LOVE this post. I read all of the books too and have been looking for some great new suggestions!

    Misty
    I MOVED! Check out my new site:
    Think, Wonder, & Teach

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for stopping by! I am so happy you found us. I hope you will share, share, share. :) Cheers and come often and share much!

      Delete
    2. OH, so glad you two have met! I love me some Misty & love me some Mr. Hughes!! :)

      Sara
      Miss V's Busy Bees
      ventrellasara@gmail.com

      Delete
    3. @Sara- Ha ha! Too funny. You are so kind. Thanks for that. :)

      Delete
  5. I don't have a blog but my 6th grade students LOVED "Dead End in Norvelt" by Jack Gantos

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. @Melanie- Thanks so much for sharing that. I will totally have to check that one out. Wahoo!

      Delete
  6. Hi Mr Hughes! This is a fabulous idea! Can't wait to see more favorites posted!
    Les
    The Puzzle Den

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. @Les-
      Thanks for stopping by and sharing. I am excited to see the lists grow as well. Be sure to tell everyone you can about it! WAHOO!

      Delete
  7. Love Love this idea...I am not a blogger, but I do have a suggestions for fifth grade. It is "There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom" by Louis Sachar. Best read ever! I start every fifth grade year with this and we refer back to it all year long!!! It is a must read!

    Summary from Amazon:
    Bradley Chalkers IS the oldest kid in the fifth grade. He tells enormous lies. He picks fights with girls. No one likes him—except Carla, the new school counselor. She thinks Bradley is sensitive and generous, and knows that Bradley could change, if only he weren’t afraid to try. But when you feel like the most-hated kid in the whole school, believing in yourself can be the hardest thing in the world. . .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. @Boycem3-
      Thanks so much for sharing! You rock! I have had many students read this book and love it. I need to read it myself now.

      Have a great day and stop by again soon.

      Delete
  8. I listed my name instead of the book title and author for The Best Bad Luck I Ever Had by Kristin Levine. Since I'm not the only one, I'm guessing you know how to fix that?

    This is a great idea. Thanks for thinking of it and including all of us!
    Marion
    MentoringintheMiddle

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. @Marion-
      No problem. Already fixed! Thanks so much for linking up. I am excited to look at some of your selections. They look fantastic.

      Delete
  9. I don't have a blog either, but one of my favorite read-aloud books for fifth grade is Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster. Great story, and almost too many things to think about!

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    Replies
    1. @Khun Kruu-

      Not a problem not to have a blog. Thanks so much for sharing your favorite book. I have read this book, but not as a read-aloud. I always wondered if the students would "get it". My fears have been put to rest. I may just have to try this with 6th grade next year. Rock on, my friend, and stop by often.

      Delete
  10. I read A Boy in the Girl's Bathroom by Louis Sachar. My students loved this book and would always excitedly wait for read aloud time! I had them keep a graphic organizer of a characters change over time and evidence of the changes, while I read the book. Read aloud success!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I just read another person posted this book also! It is a fun book that 5th graders seem to relate to!

      Delete
  11. This is great linky! I loved reflecting on my favorite chapter books for read aloud. I am so excited to start with WONDER at the beginning of this year. As I closed out the end of two years with a looping class and started looking towards next year, I realized that picking a read aloud that is fresh and new for me will be an amazing way to bond with a new group of students. I still remember how the group I read Firegirl and Tiger Rising to responded (and got so on-the-edge-of-their-seats-into them during read aloud). I'm sure the organic nature of how students respond is one of the reason these books made the top of my list. If I think of any others, I will be sure to link up again. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for stopping by and linking up! WAHOO! AND- please DO link up as many times as you would like. The linky will remain open for a LONG, LONG, LONG time. :)

      Delete
  12. You have NO IDEA how THRILLED I am to find this linky!!! I've been looking for something like this for a while and the fact that several teachers contribute to the list makes it that much BETTER!! Thanks so much for starting this! I have a few Grade 8 novels that I'm going to blog about this week and will FOR SURE link up!!

    Renee
    Mrs. Mathis’ Homeroom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am so pleased that you have "found" me! :) I hope that this becomes a great resource for many teachers for years to come. I look forward to reading about YOUR favorite read alouds. Yea!

      Delete
    2. I just linked up but realized I should probably have put the title of the book and the author instead of putting my blog name. Can you fix that? :)

      Renee
      Mrs. Mathis’ Homeroom

      Delete
    3. @Renee-
      I can TOTALLY correct that. No worries. Thank you for linking up. I hope you will stop by often and take a gander at the new additions. :)

      Delete
    4. Absolutely!!! I just noticed that only one of my titles linked...I'll add the second one...Touching Spirit Bear. Or, did you delete that one on purpose?

      Renee
      Mrs. Mathis’ Homeroom

      Delete
    5. Nope. No deleting. I was finally able to get in and correct the title on the first posting. Link away! :)

      Delete
  13. I'm all linked up! This is really a great idea. I've pinned the page so I can come back anytime I need inspiration for a read aloud. Thanks!
    ~Courtney
    Polka Dot Lesson Plans

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Courtney-
      Thanks so much for linking up! I hope you can find several good reads to try this coming year!

      Delete
  14. I accidentally added my blog instead of a book in the 6th grade list, then correctly added a book. Please remove the one for my blog...sorry. But, I did put your link onto my website & linked back to this page. I cannot wait to see all the suggestions so I can revamp my classroom library.

    Melissa
    http://az6thgradeteacher.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Howdy Melissa-
      Thanks so much for linking up. I will delete the one entry. Not a biggie. Also, I appreciate you sharing the link. I hope over time this will continue to grow into a mega resource!
      WAHOO!

      Delete
  15. I don't have a blog but I do have some favorite read alouds for my fourth graders... The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo, Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar, The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick, The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan, Our Only May Amelia by Jennifer Holm, and The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate. I try other books with my class as well but these are always well received.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for sharing your insight! LOVE to hear what other teachers are reading and sharing.

      Delete
  16. What a great way to find some amazing books that meet our kids' grade levels. Thanks for sharing on Just for the Teacher Tuesday. I can't wait to go through each one, and see all of the great read recommendations.

    Jacque
    www.mommyandmecreations.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jacque!
      I appreciate your comments. Love watching this collection grow! WAHOO!

      Delete
  17. I stumbled on this yesterday and I love this idea! I love having the other teacher's reviews to look at. I did reviews when I was a better consistent writer/blogger so I contributed the reviews I've done that seemed to fit. Messed up the first two in 8th grade with my blog name and not the book title...sorry! Not all might be good for all teachers to read aloud--but definitely to be familiar with for students. Thanks for the resource.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for sharing some of your book titles Kimberly! :)
      No worries on the title mess up. Happens all the time. Have a fantastic weekend and check back often! WAHOO!

      Delete

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