Have you tried
Weasel by Cynthia DeFelice? All you need to do is read the middle of
the 1st chapter to the end, and they're hooked.
Good luck!
We read novels to our 4th and 5th grade classes, one each year.
However, we also face the issue of parts of the novels being slow, and
since
the students are only here once a week, many of them loose track. We now
"condense" the novels as we read, hitting the highlights of the slower
parts, skipping a lot of description, etc., and keeping the action moving.
The kids are much more attentive, and enjoy the reading more. We have also
tried doing story hours with the "good parts" versions of some books, such
as a chapter from Gary Paulsen's "My Life in Dog Years", etc. We find this
works very well. By the way, the boys were enthralled with some of the
excerpts from the above book! I now can't keep it on the shelf. Some
sections from "series of unfortunate events" also works well. Also, some
shorter novels such as the Time Warp Trio books have worked well. Hope
this
helps,
I started my career as a library aide.~ I was directed by the librarian I
worked under to read a novel to the students --15 mins a week ---it took
forever.~ If kids were gone it was 1/2 a month till they heard the next
chapter.~ It was long and not wonderful!
Fast forward (it only took 9 years)~ I'm now the LMS
Now what I do is read a book with a great segment, sometimes the beginning
or even from the middle.~ I then give author information and point to
similar works.~ The students will pass books from one to another each week
if they like it.
I will also, and more often, read a picture book with a great~story and
tie it in with a genre.~~~ Good luck~
Just read one chapter of a book to "hook" them.~ Also, try to stop the
social time by separating kids, time out, or stopping reading altogether
for the day and hope their friends get on their case.
Sorry you had such a bad experience with read alouds. I've done them for
years with 4th and 5th grade classes. The secret seems to be to get the
kids "hooked" so they can't wait for the next installment. Books with
cliff hanger chapter endings (Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher), books about
school experiences (Frindle) and books that appeal to kids (Because of
Winn Dixie by DiCamillo) are some that I have used successfully.
Dog/animal books also appeal to my kids as many own dogs and can relate.
~
I also use "voices" to engage the listeners. Some like Maniac Macgee and
Because of Winn Dixie (5 different Southern accents from a girl who spent
her whole life in the Northeast) taxed my abilities but the kids loved
anyway.
~
I always read the book beforehand to make sure there are no surprises.
~
Another idea is to make sure the book can be completed in a reasonable
amount of time- 3 or 4 months is too long.
~
When I plan to read a book to the kids, I make sure there are extras as
some kids like to read along. I did a book talk of Bud Not Buddy when it
came out. The class I read it too were excited. We only had one copy. I
ended up having to get extra money for 4 other copies from the PTO. Kids
still take them out. Some teachers have done it as a read aloud and then
the copies move. It makes more sense to read something in paperback
so~many kids~can take it out.
~
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Original posting: Target: Elementary Booktalks
I saw the postings for the booktalks, but most applied to middle school.
I am in 2 elementary schools K-6 and I would love some ideas for reluctant
readers 5-6 boys and girls to "capture them" with booktalks.
I tried reading allowed to them last year and some students were
attentive, but a lot thought it was their social time, so I'm inclined not
to read aloud an entire novel again, but I would love to get some of them
reading something. I'm planning to try some graphic novels, but I would
love some other suggestions.
I will post a hit if anyone is interested. Thanks.
Wendy Carroll
Library Media Specialist
Ridgefield Park, NJ
Grant (T&Th)
Lincoln (M-W-F)
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-
All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation.
LM_NET Help & Information: http://ericir.syr.edu/lm_net/
Archive: http://askeric.org/Virtual/Listserv_Archives/LM_NET.shtml
LM_NET Select/EL-Announce: http://www.cuenet.com/archive/el-announce/
LM_NET Supporters: http://ericir.syr.edu/lm_net/ven.html
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-
LM_NET
Mailing List Home