It's August and I'm thinking, pretty much nonstop, about going back to school. Every year, one of the very first things I do is prepare for read aloud. I grab a big wicker basket and fill it with great read alouds. Then I put that basket in our reading corner, right next to the rocking chair. After that's done, I can do the less important stuff, like moving desks around and sharpening pencils.
I teach (and have always taught) in urban settings. Most of my kids don't have a lot of experience with read aloud. Some don't even have much experience with books. I work really hard, then, to make sure that our first read alouds are fun.
I look for books with language that sticks in kids' mouths and minds and hearts. I want the kind of books that kids chant on the playground at recess and go home and share, verbatim, with their families and younger siblings. I want books that they search out and share (and ok, sometimes even fight over, in our classroom).
Poetry fits the bill perfectly. One series I have loved for the past several years is Bob Raczka's collection on seasons. These books are simple- usually just one word or sentence on a page. The language is strong and memorable, e.g.
Who loves the fall?
Passers, Punters, Pumpkin hunters
Trickers, Treaters, Turkey eaters.
SUMMER WONDERS
"Divers, swimmers, flat rock skimmers.
Joggers, walkers, sidewalk chalkers.
SNOWY BLOWY WINTER-
Snowy,
Blowy,
windows are glowy,
A groundhog shows up at the end
"Six more weeks of snowy blowy...seedy squirrelly winter!"
Sunning, warming, thunderstorming
"Biking, blading, lemonading
Kids love these books!
And a few added bonuses. We can revisit the books later during mini-lessons on unknown words, parts of speech or suffixes. Also, Raczka has lots and lots of other books for kids to discover/love a little later in their reading lives. Two of my favorites are LEMONADE and GUYKU.
And some really good news- the publisher, Albert Whitman and Company, has donated a copy of SNOWY BLOWY. Make a comment down below and I'll draw a name tomorrow around noon.
Even more good news-- Albert Whitman is giving away books all over kidlitosphere this weekend. To see a complete list of the giveaways, head over to the Albert Whitman website.
Margaret is hosting POETRY FRIDAY at Reflections on the Teche.
Snowy Blowy, put my name in. I teach gifted kids who are already reading when they get to me; nevertheless, we enjoy reading aloud poetry of all kinds. Reading aloud is going to top my list of things to do differently this year. I usually start a book, then we get busy and leave it sitting on the table. I need to make it a priority. Thanks for the encouragement.
ReplyDeleteI love poetry! Recent discovery and fascinating read: "Mirror, Mirror". Check it out!
ReplyDeleteI would love to be able to add one of these poetry picture books to my classroom collection to share with students. Thanks for the opportunity!
ReplyDeleteLove having Spring Things in my collection! Snowy Blowy Winter would be a good addition. I also love using read alouds for teaching all the other things (parts of speech, rhyme, etc.)
ReplyDeleteTerry Herblin
From Mary Lee
ReplyDeleteChoosing the first read alouds is indeed one of the most important things we do! I like hearing all of the different thinking teachers bring to this task.
"I look for books with language that sticks in kids' mouths and minds and hearts. I want the kind of books that kids chant on the playground at recess and go home and share, verbatim, with their families and younger siblings. I want books that they search out and share (and ok, sometimes even fight over, in our classroom)." YES!
And please explain to me how I've possibly missed this series by Raczka?!?! (off to remedy this omission...but I'll hold off on Snowy, Blowy in case I win!)
Such fun! I am going through my basket, too. It's one of my favorite back to school things to do.
ReplyDeleteI would love to have a copy! Put my name on the list for sure.
ReplyDeleteI love Bob Raczka's books--We have Lemonade and gave Guyku as a gift this Summer. His art books are wonderful, too. Thanks for the opportunity to own another of his works and sharing the publisher's giveaway.
ReplyDeleteAfter taking a children's literature course this summer, I am excited to share poetry with my children. My goal is to start each day by sharing a poem, and I would love for "Snowy, Blowy Winter" to be my first. It will make a great story as well.
ReplyDeleteI teach sixth grade and we love poetry. I started the year with Poetry Fridays, but dropped it partway through the year. Ready to rededicate myself to sharing poetry every Friday. I'm familiar with Guyku and Lemonade, bit would love a copy of Snowy Blowy winter.
ReplyDeleteThese look like so much fun!
ReplyDeleteI love that you pick your books first:) I don't have these poetry books...but I love the short text for my little ones that I see. xo
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful addition to our little 'library' thank you.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
I'm so sad that I came across the giveaway today and you were planning to draw a name yesterday, but I'm glad to hear that the whole series on seasons is good. I want to add them to my school library. :-)
ReplyDelete