Hi, everyone. Welcome back to the read aloud classroom podcast. I want you to imagine this it’s almost 3:00 PM. You’re racing through your lesson plans and suddenly you realize you haven’t done your read aloud today. Again, That sinking feeling hits your stomach because you know, just how powerful reloads can be, but somehow they keep getting pushed aside. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
And today I’m going to show you exactly how to make, read aloud truly non-negotiable in your classroom.
So let’s talk about why this happens in the first place I hear from teachers every single day about the overwhelming demands of modern teaching. You’re dealing with constant administrative requirements that seem to eat up every minute of your day. Then there’s that relentless pressure to stick to scripted curricula and those rigid pacing guides. Many of you have shared with me, the guilt you feel when choosing between read alouds and other required elements. Then there’s that fear of unannounced observations during reload time.
And of course the limited planning time to prepare meaningful, read aloud lessons. If you’re feeling this way, I want you to know that you’re not alone. But here’s the thing. We can turn this around.
The secret is to stop thinking about read aloud as one more thing. And start seeing them as powerful multipurpose teaching tools. So let me show you what I mean.
While you’re doing a read aloud, you can cover multiple curriculum standards simultaneously. Well reading a story. You might use character dialogue to teach quotation marks. Or you can practice vocabulary in context, through your think labs, you’re modeling fluency while reading and demonstrating comprehension strategies in real time. Many stories even give you the opportunities to incorporate math concepts, such as counting graphing or even patterns. Picture books are incredible for integrating science and social studies into your day. During historical units, you can use biographies to bring historical figures to life. And when introducing science concepts, those nature theme books create the perfect foundation for understanding. Stories about communities support your social studies standards. Well, cultural standards help build that global awareness and don’t forget how problem solving stories. Can connect wonderfully to your stem curriculum.
Vocabulary and grammar instruction can flow naturally.
During your read alouds, you start by previewing the key vocabulary before reading. And as you move through the story, you pause at rich vocabulary moments to deepen understanding. You can use mentor sentences from the text to teach grammar patterns and you can even create word walls, featuring language from your read aloud books, giving students a visual reminder of their learning.
And all of this aligns perfectly with your assessment objectives. I choose books that match your tested standards. Use question stems, similar to what students will see on tests. Practice test taking strategies within the concept of engaging stories and track student progress on key skills. And you can create authentic assessment opportunities that feel natural and meaningful.
Now let’s get practical. Here’s exactly how to make, read aloud a non-negotiable part of your day.
First you need to find your optimal relapse time based on your unique schedule. Right after lunch or recess can be perfect when students need to reset and refocus. Some teachers love starting the day with a read aloud to set the tone. And if you’re really pressed for time. Consider using snack time for reading. Look at those transition times between subjects, they are golden opportunities for quick reads. You might even split your read alouds into smaller chunks throughout the day. And we all know interruptions happen. So let’s plan for them. Keep a collection of five minute picture books on hand for those shortened time slots. You sticky notes to mark potential stopping points and longer books. And create maybe a special signal with your students for quickly transitioning back to the story after interruptions. You can have partner discussion prompts, ready?
If you need to step away. And you could even keep digital versions of books accessible as backup for those tech emergency days.
Building solid classroom routines will protect your read aloud time. So establish consistent seating arrangements that allow for quick transitions. You silent signals for managing those inevitable interruptions? Assigned student jobs to help with set up and materials or create a visual schedule that shows read aloud as a fixed part of your day. Set clear expectations for transitions to, and from your read aloud space.
And let me share my favorite tips for efficient planning that maximize impact. Place sticky notes with questions in books ahead of time. If you’ve been around for awhile, you know, that’s my favorite trick is putting the sticky notes into the book ahead of time. Keep standing Booklist for different curriculum topics, ready to go and maintain a digital folder of extension activities for those moments when you need them. Use a template for quick lesson planning to save precious time. But I want you to start small and build from there. Choose one consistent time slot and protect it.
Fiercely. Build solid routines before adding more read-a-loud moments to your day. Document the impact with simple systems that don’t overwhelm you and share your successes with administrators to build that support. Then gradually expand your protected, read aloud times as you find what works best for your classroom.
Now I know I just went through a lot of those really quickly and I’d love to know which ones you want me to dive more into more deeply. So send me a message on Instagram at the colorful apple. And let me know which one you want to know more about. This will help me plan out my future episodes and knowing exactly what you want to learn more about when it comes to read alouds in your classroom.
And remember making read alouds that non-negotiable, isn’t about adding one more thing to your plate. It’s about maximizing the teaching time. You already have. When you reframe realize as powerful multi-purpose teaching tools. And put systems into place to protect that time. You can create those engaging learning moments your students will remember while still meeting your required objectives. Now let’s end our episode with our books of the week.
This week. I’d love to share some of my favorite Valentine’s day books. First is a probably pretty popular one. Somebody loves you, Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli. Mr. Hatcher leads a lonely life until one Valentine’s day. When the postman delivers a huge heart shaped box of candy. With a card reading, somebody loves you. Knowing he has a secret of Meijer gives Mr.
Hatch. Right. New perspective on life. Until it turns out there’s been a terrible mistake. But Mr. Hatch’s new friends rally to show him that there are a lot of somebodies who love Mr. Hatch.
Next I have love grows everywhere by Barry Tims. It’s a beautiful warmly told story that teaches us that love. Really does grow everywhere in all shapes forms and sizes.
I am loved by Peter H. Reynolds is a celebration of all the different ways we can show love. It shows love in different forms and includes a beautiful message on compassion. This book requires readers to look inward, to really understand the different forms of love.
The fourth book that I have is in my heart by Joe.
Why tech. And this one is not necessarily about Valentine’s day. But it’s talking about the different emotions and feelings that each one of us has N. Uh, not only does it affirm those feelings. But it makes them more concrete so that students can understand them. And the illustrations are, again, are really wonderful in making that those feelings concrete for students.
So such as happiness sadness, bravery. Some make us feel as light as a balloon. Others as heavy as an elephant. So it describes how they feel physically, but empowers readers to practice identifying their own emotions. So not necessarily about Valentine’s day, but really about sharing feelings.
And the last one that I have is this is not a Valentine by Carter Higgins.
And it says this book is not a Valentine. It doesn’t have lazy edges or sugary hearts. But it’s full of lucky rocks or secret hiding spots or gumball machine treasures. It’s about waiting in line and wishing for cinnamon buns. And.
Isn’t that what love really is about. Maybe this book is sort of a Valentine after all.
And speaking of Valentine’s day to celebrate the relaunch of this podcast, I’m doing a giveaway. Two winners will receive a $25 gift card to Amazon. To enter. All you have to do is screenshot your favorite episode. Ah, the screenshot to your Instagram stories and tag me at the colorful apple so that I see it. And a winner will be announced on Valentine’s day, February 14th. Have a great week.
