Westminster Community Charter School
Literacy

WCCS Literacy

Setting the Tone with Read Aloud
by Rob Ross

When I was a classroom teacher, the end of summer was a special time in my book-buying year. I felt that finding the perfect new Read Aloud, like buying a new shirt for the first day of school, would set the tone for my year.  I set a time when I could go to the bookstore alone—just me and the books.  While I walked along the wall of books and tried to make decisions, I would listen to the conversations of the parents, kids, and sales clerks around me.  Sometimes I would even find another teacher, a kindred spirit, also on the hunt for the perfect title.

After hours of careful thought, I would select a book.  But inevitably, on the way to the register, indecision would get to me and I would put it back and continue the search. I would resume my wandering around until I started to build a stack—a great picture book, a cool chapter book, an uplifting book that would teach a value, a unique non-fiction book.  Despite the collection that I would amass, I almost always went back to my first choice and it was the book that would work for my class.

When searching for the perfect Read Aloud, I look for certain things to help guide my selection.

• I choose a book with characters that I feel a connection with—whether I disagree or empathize with them. Remember that you are a reader too. If you do not feel for the character, the book will not work for you. 

• I look for books that will resonate with my students. You want your students to relate and connect with the characters and what they are feeling as much as you do. Learning is more meaningful when students can hang their new knowledge on pegs of experience from their own lives. 

• I think about the qualities of good writing. Showing children well written and well crafted books will help them understand what will make their own writing stronger.

This year I had the opportunity to go on my annual Read Aloud hunt with some colleagues.  Though I enjoy my solitary book quests, it was great to discuss books and ask for another teacher’s point of view. Conversations like these spark us to read more, which allows us to know and appreciate more books. Sharing books and ideas with fellow teachers can increase your arsenal of Read Alouds that will both engage and educate your students.  

This summer, set some time aside to find new gems for your classroom.  Whether you go alone or with a colleague, think about what you feel about the characters, what you know about your students, and what you want the writing in your class to look like. Get excited about your books and talk to a friend; get curious and ask them for their ideas. Share your enthusiasm with your students, talk up your bookstore treasure to them, and you are sure to spark their excitement and curiosity.  Use this time of year and the perfect book to build community in your classroom and in your school.

Tip of the Month

On Demand Writing

One of the most important activities to do the first day of school is to ask for a writing sample.  That sample can help to drive instruction, as well as teach you about your students. 

Ask your students to write a small moment or a personal narrative.  If your students do not know those terms, ask the students to write a story of their life.  This is not the time to teach.  It is a time to observe and see what the students can do independently.  Set a short amount of time for the students to get this assignment done.  (The time for this should not be unlimited.) 

Watch to see who seems frustrated, who takes time to think, and who writes with purpose and understanding.  When you look at the students’ benchmarks, look to see what they have done.  Look at the content and ask, is it a small moment or a meaningful story from their life?  All of this information will tell you what you need to know as you plan for the start of the writing year.

Meet with your colleagues to discuss your observations for the grade.  Make a list of your strengths and needs, and, together, create plans for success in your Writing Workshops.

Read Aloud of the Month

Grades K - 2
Ruthie and the (Not So) Teeny Tiny Lie
by Laura Rankin

Ruthie, who is a lot like many children in our own classrooms, faces a challenge that we all encounter at some point in our lives—lying. This book will encourage community building, making it a great read aloud for the start of school.

Grades 3 - 5
Make Way for Dyamonde Daniel
by Nikki Grimes

This is the first book in the series about Dyamonde.  She is a strong character for intermediate grades to meet.  She, like many students in our classes, has an opinion and is trying to find out what life is about. 


Grades  6 - 8
Jumping the Scratch
by Sarah Weeks

With troubling subject matter handled in a very tender way, we learn about a boy named Jaime.  With his life in turmoil, he moves to Michigan and uncovers more about his dysfunctional family and his own life. 

Westminster Community Charter School is supported, since 1993, by its partnership with M&T Bank.

This website is sponsored by the Dissemination Grant from the New York State Department of Education.