Listen. Connect. Empower.

World Read Aloud Day has a long history in our school.  We typically spend the week Skyping with students from around the country (and sometimes outside the country).  It is a week of great books and connections.  And then came 2021: pandemic, snow, power outages. Introducing: Virtual World Read Aloud Day/Week! One page of our virtual document Our staff members decided that a classroom celebration would be in order this year (not a library activity).  I created a set of virtual bookshelves with staff reading books.  Staff members read a book which included an introductory video.  This is a great way for students to "visit" with a former teacher or "meet" a future teacher.  Students are accessing it this week, at their teacher's discretion.   My takeaways:  Things look different this year, but that is not going to stop us from celebrating!  I hear it through the grapevine that teachers are very appreciative of this resource and whene...

I love World Read Aloud Day!  For the last 6 years I connected my classes with classes around the country (and sometimes beyond).  I start planning in November/December and eagerly anticipate sharing books and stories with new friends.  These friendships have grown into other collaborations and I look forward to this event every year.  This year took on a life of its own, however.  I decided to take a quieter "stay at home" approach. We celebrated World Read Aloud Day during our library times and as a school.  During library time, students were invited to read aloud in several ways: On whisper phones to themselves. To each other with books small and large. To stuffed animals (or have stuffed animals and puppets read to them). As a school, we celebrated together.  Our Reader Leaders planned and hosted a simple school-wide assembly.  At our assembly, our Reader Leaders interviewed several staff and students. One student interv...

Reading Aloud Once again this year I signed my students up to connect with others around the country in celebration of World Read Aloud Day.  I enjoy connecting with friends old and new as we share books with one another.  I especially enjoy when we have a few minutes at the end of a visit to share favorite books.   Try as I might, I could not find a class to connect with a 3rd grade group of mine, so I turned to my high school colleague, Alice Johnson for help.  She in turn connected with the High School National Honor Society advisor and recruited a lovely, young lady to come join us for our celebration.  We had anticipated a group of students, but 3 snow days hampered our grand plans.  Still, we had a fabulous visit with our High School Librarian, Alice Johnson and a member of the High School Honor Society. I chose three selections from You Read To Me, I'll Read To You by Mary Ann Hoberman.  I divided the class into three group...

Hello world, we are ready for World Read Aloud Day!  This week I prepared classes to interact with students across the country.  We talked about how fortunate we are to have technology which enables us to connect with others.  We talked about expectations and expected behaviors for a Skype visit. This is one of my favorite weeks of the year, dedicated to the sole purpose of sharing reading with others.  The week will include connections with other schools and an opportunity to read aloud in class to ourselves and our friends, stuffed and human. A 1st grade class described our school's students.  We are respectful smart good kind  good friends helpful able to share willing to stick together We are ready to welcome you to our school.  Happy World Read Aloud Day!