Hello Busy Bee Kindergarten readers,
I have some amazing conversations with subscribers, usually starting with a question from them and ending with us both gaining new insight. I am obtaining permission to share some of these conversations (it’s not difficult; so far everyone is open to it) so that you, too, can be in on the thoughts and ideas that are exchanged.
I want you to be aware that asking for advice and exchanging ideas is one of the benefits of a paid subscription. You don’t have to think of it as “bugging me.” It’s part of the deal and I enjoy interacting with all of you, getting to know you better, and learning how I can improve on meeting some of your needs as teachers. It’s really cool, almost as if we’re virtual teammates with the same goal of improving our instruction and making our teaching lives easier and more rewarding.
In today’s What’s the Buzz? we’re talking about “favorite” read alouds. As you read through these email exchanges you’ll come to understand that “favorite” is in quotes because these are not necessarily the “best” read alouds (i.e., not titles that every kindergarten teacher needs or not a list of titles you want to buy for your grandchildren) but some of my favorites because they go perfectly with my weekly themes.
I’ll be doing a whole post this summer about weekly themes, just in case you’re curious about learning more.
Also, be sure to watch the short video at the top of this post about how I organize my read aloud books.
Hi Randee,
I'm getting ready to place my final Scholastic book order - I have a bunch of teacher points and wondered if you have any read alouds you have especially loved to read - they may or may not be available through Scholastic, but I wanted to ask nonetheless. Thanks!
Dani
Oh my gosh, woman, you're asking a question that could result in a list of 100 books!
Are you thinking about doing weekly themes? If so, are there any themes for which you're short on read alouds? If so, I could maybe suggest a few titles.
I do love reading The Monster at the End of this Book the first week of school. I really go overboard with it and I have the kids copy Grover's words and actions (learning that characters say things and characters do things). That book pretty much establishes that you'll definitely want to sit down, be quiet, and pay attention when Ms. Bergen is reading a book because it is F.U.N.!
Oh, did you get some nonfiction to read to them? It always works great to have the lesson be "listen for information" and then have them write however many facts they can during writing time that day.
Randee
Where you go, I will go! Seriously, I am planning to dig deep into your lessons plans you shared from this year & do my level best to plan out my year over the summer. I'm not particularly fussy about themes each week/month, so rather than reinvent the wheel, I'm going to jump on board with you!
That said, if you have any super favorite read alouds you can recommend, just send them my way. Fiction, non-fiction - I'll take anything.
Dani
Okay, you asked for it (I mean, them)! This is NOT a list of the best children's books out there; these are titles I always read because they 1) go well with my weekly themes and 2) link together nicely as the year goes on, helping students to make connections. If you are planning on using weekly themes next year (highly recommend as it sure does make planning easier, make vocabulary development easier, help students develop schema and make connections, and help teach general knowledge) and want to follow along with some of my themes, then these are some titles you might want to purchase or look for in your school or city library. You can find lots of read alouds online these days, but nothing beats having the actual book read in class by YOU the teacher.
The Wonderful Book by Leonid Gore - sets the scene for coming to the realization that books are wonderful
The Pigeon Has to Go to School - one in a series
Turkey Goes to School - ones in a series
The Bus for Us - great if you have students who ride the bus or--if like we do--you do an initial bus safety and ride around the neighborhood before an actual field trip
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus - one in a series
The Little School Bus - rhyming
There are Cats in this Book
There are No Cats in this Book
Pete the Cat books
The Little Red Hen and The Little Yellow Chicken books
The Scarecrow by Beth Ferry - a very beautiful, touching story
Pumpkin Jack - life cycle of a pumpkin
Turkey Trick or Treat - in the turkey series
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything
Mary McScary
We're Going on a Leaf Hunt - then go on a leaf hunt
Leaf Man
Knuffle Bunny
Families, Families, Families by Suzanne Lang
Turkey Trouble - the original in the turkey series
Setting the Turkeys Free - about using imagination and making art
Stone Soup by Marcia Brown - we make stone soup
Stone Soup by Jess Stockholm - another version
The Thankful Book by Todd Parr
The Gingerbread Man/Boy - get lots of different versions
Turkey Claus - in the turkey series
Stick Man
Little Santa
Meet Martin Luther King, Jr. by Johnny Ray Moore (we teach -ing at the same time)
The Ugly Duckling - ing
The Story About Ping - ing
Hands Are Not for Hitting by Martine Agassi - ing
My Toothbrush is Missing - ing
Duck! Rabbit!
Duck on a Bike
Eagles Up Close - Time for Kids
My Little Book of Bald Eagles
The Most Perfect Snowman - a beautiful, touching story
The Wolf's Chicken Stew - great for 100 day
My Lucky Day - same author as above
The Teddy Bear by David McPhail - a beautiful, touching story
Kindness Starts with You
I Face the Wind
Turkey's Eggcellent Easter - in the turkey series
I Am Earth
The Earth and I
Okay, so not quite 100 titles, but plenty for you to consider! I do two read alouds every day.
I'll be doing a whole post about weekly themes this summer for planning purposes.
Randee
This is SOOOOO fantastic! I can't tell you how much I appreciate the time you took to share this with me. And I am very excited for your upcoming post on weekly themes in preparation for next year!
How do you do it all?
Dani
One way I do it all is with weekly themes that don't change much year to year. I just keep building on them! :)
You are welcome. :)
I'll probably share these email exchanges in case others want to see the list. :)
