I have come to fall in love with teaching in Catholic schools. What are YOU in love with?...

"Nothing is more practical than finding God, that is, than falling in love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you will do with your evenings, how you will spend your weekends, what you read, who you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything." - Pedro Arrupe

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Read Aloud Challenge...

When it comes to reading, I am not usually at a loss, but we're having a hard time coming up with a new read aloud in our fourth grade classroom.

The challenges - to appeal to both boys and girls; to appeal to a higher order of thinking; to keep a whole spectrum of students engaged; to be short enough that we finish within a reasonable amount of time...

Tuck Everlasting, our last read aloud, did just that. It was a rocky start with a first chapter that would knock most adults into confusion, but we kept going, and the book rewarded our eager listening ears. Predictions were made, questions were posed, and most students remained attentive.

But what do we do now? Adventure or Fantasy? Mystery or Historical Fiction? Serious or Light-hearted? 

My gut instinct is to go with Zorgamazoo (a book where the style of Roald Dahl meets Dr. Seuss) - only a few students have read it (as per my recommendation), and it's been a favorite of my previous fourth graders as a read aloud. Hmm... Guess I'll sleep on that.

If that's the biggest dilemma right now, then I think we're doing pretty well...

1 comment:

  1. Edward Tulane (Kate DiCamillo) is another excellent choice- it was a little high for my kids but they loved it- might be too low for your kids... just saying- love her books!!!

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