The article that I chose to do my review on is Using Read Alouds with Critical Literacy in K-3 Classrooms, by Wendy B. Miller, Danielle Richardson, and J. Amos Hatch. Young Children, November 2009.
Read alouds are planned oral reading of a child’s book or print, and is sometimes related to a theme or topic. The read can encourage student listener, while, developing background knowledge, increase comprehension skills and to foster critical thinking in children.
There are a lot of benefits for reading aloud to children which include:
1. They develop individual interests in a broad variety of subjects and they develop imagination and creativity.
2. Listeners gain information about the world they live in.
3. Listeners improve their memory and language skills as they hear a variety of sounds spoken.
4. It increases their vocabulary.
5. Listeners build listening skills, during discussion, before, during and after reading.
Read alouds can be used for multiple readings around the classroom as listed below.
1. Introducing lessons for the day.
2. Examines colorful illustrations, and can tell a story beyond the words in the book.
3. Can serve as different problem solving strategies.
4. Improves thinking.
5. Provides introduction to new words.
When selecting the read aloud, keep in mind that small children have a hard time separating fact from fiction, so carefully select books with the most accurate information. Select a book that clearly defines the purpose that you are trying to get across to them. Use different props while reading a book aloud to the class, like if you are reading Goldilocks and the Three Bears, use a Flannel Board prop to help tell the story.
Planning your read aloud ahead of time can be a good idea. Some things to keep in mind are to think about why you want to read this book. Developing open minded questions to ask the students will help stimulate their minds. Planning related activities can help keep them...