Today celebrates two special events, the birth of Theodor Seuss Geisel and Read Across America. Dr. Seuss, without a doubt, is the major reason for Read Across America. As a father of a three year old, who always dreamed of reading to his child, I now have proof that Dr. Seuss creates interest, totally FUN to read and begins to foster a love of reading/listening. There is nothing like reading aloud stories written in rhyme with nonsense words that are catalyst for conversation and wonder.
Read Across America, an nation wide event created by NEA, that showcases "reading". Teachers on this day do activities around reading, bring in guest speakers to read aloud and give students more time to read! I enjoy this day, but sometimes I question whether or not some students may believe this is the ONLY day they have to read. At QAE, our students are reading everyday and more!
Read Across America, an nation wide event created by NEA, that showcases "reading". Teachers on this day do activities around reading, bring in guest speakers to read aloud and give students more time to read! I enjoy this day, but sometimes I question whether or not some students may believe this is the ONLY day they have to read. At QAE, our students are reading everyday and more!
This week the library has focused on the author, Mem Fox. It's not often I get to say "I know this author", but I do! I met Mem a decade ago. I sat behind her at a conference and heard her say to a friend that her neck was stiff - Yes, I reached over and gave her a quick neck massage. While this is not something I normally would do, I just knew I may never have this chance to touch my favorite author with a reason!
Below are Mem Fox's Ten Commandments for Reading Aloud (More research is not needed on why reading a loud is absolutely critical for our kids, WE KNOW IT). The 10 Commandments are guidelines for all of us to focus and insure our commitment to kids.
Below are Mem Fox's Ten Commandments for Reading Aloud (More research is not needed on why reading a loud is absolutely critical for our kids, WE KNOW IT). The 10 Commandments are guidelines for all of us to focus and insure our commitment to kids.
Mem Fox’s Ten Read Aloud Commandments
1. Spend at least ten wildly happy minutes every single dayreading aloud.
2. Read at least three stories a day: it may be the same story three times. Children need to hear a thousand stories before they can begin to learn to read.
3. Read aloud with animation. Listen to your own voice and don’t be dull, or flat, or boring. Hang loose and be loud, have fun and laugh a lot.
4. Read with joy and enjoyment: real enjoyment for yourself and great joy for the listeners.
5. Read the stories that the kids love, over and over and over again, and always read in the same ‘tune’ for each book: i.e. with the same intonations on each page, each time.
6. Let children hear lots of language by talking to them constantly about the pictures, or anything else connected to the book; or sing any old song that you can remember; or say nursery rhymes in a bouncy way; or be noisy together doing clapping games.
7. Look for rhyme, rhythm or repetition in books for young children, and make sure the books are really short.
8. Play games with the things that you and the child can see on the page, such as letting kids finish rhymes, and finding the letters that start the child’s name and yours, remembering that it’s never work, it’s always a fabulous game.
9. Never ever teach reading, or get tense around books.
10. Please read aloud every day, mums and dads, because you just love being with your child, not because it’s the right thing to do.
1. Spend at least ten wildly happy minutes every single dayreading aloud.
2. Read at least three stories a day: it may be the same story three times. Children need to hear a thousand stories before they can begin to learn to read.
3. Read aloud with animation. Listen to your own voice and don’t be dull, or flat, or boring. Hang loose and be loud, have fun and laugh a lot.
4. Read with joy and enjoyment: real enjoyment for yourself and great joy for the listeners.
5. Read the stories that the kids love, over and over and over again, and always read in the same ‘tune’ for each book: i.e. with the same intonations on each page, each time.
6. Let children hear lots of language by talking to them constantly about the pictures, or anything else connected to the book; or sing any old song that you can remember; or say nursery rhymes in a bouncy way; or be noisy together doing clapping games.
7. Look for rhyme, rhythm or repetition in books for young children, and make sure the books are really short.
8. Play games with the things that you and the child can see on the page, such as letting kids finish rhymes, and finding the letters that start the child’s name and yours, remembering that it’s never work, it’s always a fabulous game.
9. Never ever teach reading, or get tense around books.
10. Please read aloud every day, mums and dads, because you just love being with your child, not because it’s the right thing to do.
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