Description

Read-aloud is a great way to encourage kids of all ages to enjoy books and yet we rarely read aloud to middle graders. The demands of curriculum and standards have left little time for such “guilty pleasures.” Recently, Tracey Hecht partnered with the New York Public Library to launch a read aloud program in fourth and fifth grade classes in NYC public schools. Using a novel she wrote with a cinematic vernacular that engages group dynamic, Tracey and the students explored characters’ voices, narration and plot to contribute to the success of the book for listeners. Tracey and the students also looked at other writers who engage great read-aloud through their writing styles and narrative voice.

Learning Objectives:

• Provide inspiration and proven successful methods for implementing a read-aloud program in schools for school libraries, classrooms and even into homes and the greater community.
• Give participants tools for identifying the best books and resources for read-aloud in order to build a collection for in-library use and borrowing.
• Encourage middle grade students to write their own read-aloud books with specific techniques that will help them get started.

Speaker(s):

• Tracey Hecht, Founder, Fabled Films Press
• Rob Reid, Instructor, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
• Rebecca Schosha, Children's Librarian, Jefferson Market Library
• Tara C. Weiss, English Teacher, Lawton C. Johnson Summit Middle School