Reading aloud is a powerful activity to share with children. Something special occurs when a book is read aloud. It becomes a performance of sorts; the story to comes to life. The experience can be entertaining, informative, thought-provoking, even emotional. A special bond is formed between a reader and a listener when they share a story.
I can't overstate the importance of reading aloud to children, even after they have learned to read independently.
My Top 10 Reasons Why We Should Read Aloud to Children:
It activates the imagination.
It stimulates language development.
It stimulates language development.
It promotes a love of books.
It encourages independent reading.
It develops listening and reading stamina.
It builds background knowledge.It develops listening and reading stamina.
It provides a model of fluent reading.
Students encounter new vocabulary in context.
It offers and opportunity to use higher level thinking skills.
And...It's just plain fun!
March 6 is World Read Aloud Day. I will be reading aloud to my students. Then, they will "Read It Forward" by reading aloud to someone else (a younger student, friend, family member) that day. How will you celebrate?
On an unrelated topic...The author of the beloved Clifford the Big Red Dog series, Norman Bridwell, turns 85 today. :)
Clifford is near and dear to my heart. He was the mascot of my first grade classroom and a favorite storybook character of my students. Happy Birthday, Norman Bridwell!
Wendy, I read aloud to my own children until they finally kicked me out of their rooms. I try to read aloud to my fifth graders as much as our jammed pack curriculum will allow. I share your enthusiasm. Where are you in PA? ~Stacy
ReplyDelete