One of the most important thing one can do for a child is to read aloud to them. Reading good quality picture books (both fiction and non-fiction) not only expands a child's knowledge but also transports them to places unknown to them. Over the last four weeks in kindergarten the children in my class have traveled to Africa to learn about the people, their environment, and the animals that inhabit the grasslands. Through the use of picture books the children have been exposed to many African folktales. They are captivated by the tales of Ananci, the spiderman, who is quite the trickster.
Over the last three years, I have been very fortunate to have my cousin Terry (Mr. Harte to the children) volunteer in my classroom every Tuesday. The children look forward to his days with us because just like so many years ago when I was a small child, he has the abilty to read a good story with enthusiasm.
Today, Mr. Harte is reading the story "Ananci and the Moss-Covered Rock". Earlier in the day, the children went out in the forest and collected some moss to bring back to the classroom so that they could retell the story during free activity.
Volunteering in a classroom can be very rewarding as you can see from these pictures. If you like spending time with children....why not think about going to your local school and seeing if they have a Volunteer Program. Volunteering in a classroom is a good way of giving back to your community as well as help mold the minds of the next generation. Think about it!
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Comments: 25
The kids look completely involved in the story -I'm sure your cousin is a vibrant reader! By the way, I just finished Neil Gaiman's book "The Anansi Boys" - which must be based on this story. Sort of fiction/fantasy and very good!
I think third or fourth grade is the most important level at which to create reading addiction in children. The great American SF writer Gene Wolfe has a character in one of his novels discover, as a teenager, "The Book of Gold"; it hooks him, not only in and of itself, but with the idea of reading. Wolfe later explained that everybody who loves reading has a "Book of Gold"; it's the one that hooks you. For Wolfe, it was "The Dying Earth" by Jack Vance, my favorite writer. For me, it was either P.C. Wren's "Beau Geste" or Robert Heinlein's "Red Planet". But you've got to find a kid's "Book of Gold", and give him or her access to it.
My new favorite book that I can't wait to use for ,my kids next year is "Fancy Nancy" by Jane O'Connor. Have you seen it? It is about a little girl that loves "fancy" words, such as using "large, gigantic or huge" to mean big. As part of our reading lesson plans every week, we have Read Alouds to introduce Tier Two vocabulary words to our students. I can't wait to use "Fancy Nancy" to encourage my kids to use fancy words!!!
I've been out for three weeks...glad you are out....enjoy your summer. As much as we love our kids, we need our rest!!!
A wonderful article my friend ,if people had not taken the time to read to me as a child, mostly at school. I would never have known some wonderful children's stories.I just commented on one of my connections poems ,and it reminded me of a story read to me in kindergarten,''The little train that could'' I never learnt to
to read until much later in life,and would have missed some very important messages in these stories. That have at times in my life served me well. Good message Bob,and thank you to all the wonderful teachers like you, and the kind people who volunteer their time reading stories to children,I am here to tell you many of the stories and lessons contained within them will never be forgotten.
Darcey D.
During the summer, my kids participated in Weld's reading program at the libraries. I read 100 books a summer to each kid before they could read well - then, after they were reading, they each read 100 books a summer. When they got into the larger chapter books, the number of books read was not 100 per summer, but still a lot.
You are so right that reading aloud is so important. My parents read aloud with me and helped me through early reading at 4.
http://www.memfox.net/ten-read-aloud-commandments.html