Read Alouds!

Every day, children in school should hear an adult or a fluent student read aloud.  It increases vocabulary by introducing new words orally in context, that read by themselves, they might skip over.  The reader can stop and explain the word, ask for meaning, and/or give examples of when/where it could be used.

By using your voice, the speaker can add emphasis, enthusiasm, and depth to the words.  Oh and how much fun it is when the reader uses different voices for different characters!  Even if only one or two voices!

But face it, the best part of listening, is relaxing.  The receiver can sit back, stare out the window, go in and out of the story and enjoy it.

 I always had a book on the edge of my desk.  We would read it if there were 5 minutes before lunch or 10 minutes before dismissal.  Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone enticed my students to read it again at home.  Sideways Math stumped us many times and we laughed when we realized what clue we had missed!  Ten years after I had taught 6th grade, I ran into a student at the food store.  First thing out of his mouth was 'Remember that book we read!'  Took me a bit to recall the title as I read 6 or more each year aloud.  'That was the best book I ever read!'  Actually I, the teacher read it to the class.  But to this young man it left a lasting impression.