Read Aloud Assignment

							                                       Read Aloud Assignment

           Reading aloud is not quite enough, we need to read aloud well.” (Mem Fox, 2002)



Reading aloud to children has proven to be a very valuable technique. It allows us to share our

enthusiasm for books and expose students to a variety of genre they otherwise may not think about

reading for themselves. It also builds background knowledge, strengthens vocabulary, models

language, develops comprehension skills and improves writing. There are certain criteria that should

be considered to make this an enjoyable experience for the listener as well as a valuable instructional

technique. This requires practice and awareness of our own abilities when reading aloud.



For this assignment, you will plan and conduct a Read Aloud activity with a group of students using a

book of your choice. You will use the framework for a Literacy Lesson as described in Ch. 2 in the

Cooper text. This will include an introduction that activates and assesses prior knowledge, and a

description of an extension activity (you may not actually be able to complete this in your practicum

class). Following this, you will write a summary and reflect on this experience.



Guidelines:

    Use the criteria discussed in class to choose a book; discuss your choice and idea for the
     extension activity with your cooperating teacher and come to an agreement on what you will
     do.
    Practice, Practice, Practice!! Use the Evaluation Sheet to focus on specific areas for effective
     oral reading. The more familiar you are with the text, the more comfortable you will be when
     reading it to children.
    Decide how you will activate prior knowledge: visual? concrete? discussion? book talk? etc.
    Ask someone to observe you doing the Read Aloud and set a date to present it to the class.
Written Summary: (50 points)
            In a 3-4 page paper, summarize your experience. Include the points listed below:

              Book: title, author, brief summary of story, reason for selecting this story

              Audience: number of students, grade/age, setting, their reactions

              Literacy Lesson:
                      Introduction: How did you activate and assess prior knowledge? Explain why
                        you chose this method.
                      Reading and Responding: describe the techniques you included in the Read
                      Aloud and the audience reaction during the session.
                      Extending the Text: describe your plan for extending the reading experience
                      for the listeners. Also, indicate if you were able to complete this with the
                      children and how it turned out.

              Reflection: how did you feel just before you began reading? what made you feel really
               good during the reading? what would you do differently?

            Peer Evaluation: include the completed “Peer Evaluation” checklist, signed by the
             observer.
Be prepared to share your experience orally in class.



                                     Selecting a Read Aloud Book

   1. You must enjoy the book!! The purpose is to share your enthusiasm and enjoyment of books.

   2. It should be above the reading level of students.

   3. The content can relate to other subjects, seasons, holidays, special events, etc.

   4. It is an opportunity to model expression, emotion, characterization, rich language and share
      new experiences.

   5. Use quality children’s literature. (Caldecott or Newbery Award winners, etc.)

              Resources:
               www.carolhurst.com/profsubjects/reading/
               readingaloud.html

               www.reading.org I.R.A. Teacher’s Choices
                                  READ ALOUD SESSION

                                       Evaluation Sheet

      Facial Expressions ____________________            Tone of Voice______________________

      Volume of Voice _____________________              Use of Pauses ______________________

      Speed ______________________________               Emphasis of Key Words ______________

      Eye Contact _________________________              Character Voices ___________________

      Allows audience to participate __________          Introduction ________________________

      Comments:
      ____________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________



                                  READ ALOUD SESSION

                                       Peer Evaluation



      Facial Expressions ____________________            Tone of Voice______________________

      Volume of Voice _____________________              Use of Pauses ______________________

      Speed ______________________________               Emphasis of Key Words ______________

      Eye Contact _________________________              Character Voices ___________________

      Allows audience to participate __________          Introduction ________________________

      Comments:
      ____________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________