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Characteristics of Read Alouds

By Dr. Megan McCaffrey and Dr. Katy E. Hisrich, Governors State University

Last week, we discussed the importance and benefits of read alouds. We know that read alouds offer numerous benefits and have significant impact on a child’s literacy skills and language development. Now the question remains, “what are the best practices for a read aloud?” This week, we will focus on the characteristics of read alouds. This is includes the factors that one should consider when conducting a read-aloud. I think about this using a simple acronym: P-E-T. Purpose-Environment-Technique.

characteristics of read alouds

Little Roja Riding Hood by Susan Middleton Elya, illustrated by Susan Guevara

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Why Read-Alouds?

by Megan McCaffrey, Katy E. Hisrich, Governors State University

Read-AloudsFor the previous five months, we gathered data from Early Childhood and Elementary Teachers regarding characteristics and practices of read-alouds in their classrooms. Using the data from our survey and other research, we will focus on a key aspect of read-alouds in each weekly blog, sharing guidelines for best practices and providing applications through examples, as well as offering a variety of resources. This month we will cover:

Week 1: Benefits and Importance of Read-Alouds
Week 2: Characteristics of Read-Alouds
Week 3: Books for Read-Alouds
Week 4: Planning & Instruction for Read-Alouds
Week 5: Extending Read-Alouds Continue reading →

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Learning to Listen through Enrique and Jacqueline

by Melissa Summer Wells, Gina Crosby-Quinatoa, and Julia López-Robertson, University of South Carolina
Refugee
.

Even the silence
has a story to tell you.
Just listen. Listen.
(Brown Girl Dreaming, How to Listen #7, p. 278)

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We have enjoyed inviting you into the journeys of Enrique and Jaqueline as they made difficult choices, Continue reading →

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Jacqueline: The Girl Who Found a Home in Words

by Melissa Summer Wells, Julia López-Robertson, and Gina Crosby-Quinatoa, University of South Carolina

Jacqueline Woodson

Will the words end, I ask
whenever I remember to.
Nope, my sister says, all of five years old now,
and promising me/infinity. (p. 62-63)

Our next stop on our tour of young protagonists searching for their places in the world brings us to Jacqueline Woodson, protagonist Continue reading →

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Enrique: The Boy Who Beats the Odds

by Gina Crosby-Quinatoa, Julia López-Robertson, and Melissa Summer Wells, University of South Carolina

Enrique

On March 2, 2000, he goes to his grandmother Agueda’s house. He stands on the same porch that his mother disappeared from eleven years before. He hugs Maria Isabel and Aunt Rosa Amalia. Then he steps off.
(p. 50)

This week we introduce you to Enrique Continue reading →

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Enrique & Jacqueline – Young Protagonists Searching for Their Place in the World: An Introduction

by Julia López-Robertson, Gina Crosby-Quinatoa and Melissa Summer Wells, University of South Carolina

VulnerabilityThis month we invite you to join us as we discuss two YA novels we read as a part of a course on Reader Response theories this past spring; we will be discussing Enrique’s Journey (The Young Adult Adaptation): The True Story of a Boy Determined to Reunite with His Mother by Sonia Nazario and Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson. Enrique’s Journey is the true story of a young teenager’s, Enrique, perilous voyage from his home in Honduras to find his mother in the United States. Continue reading →

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Indigenous Children’s Literature: Stories Matter Part IV

By Angeline P. Hoffman, White Mountain Apache Reservation

native-american-264942_1280Stories of Indigenous people matter, the stories influence how we think about ourselves, where we come from and formulate the way in which we think about cultural perspectives and people.

In looking at storytelling, a sub-theme emerged: ethics and teaching. These specific ideas are utilized by storytellers’ characters to convey these particular values. Teaching is very important in today’s Native American society. Teaching of traditions, cultures and sense of place are practices that are passed on through Continue reading →

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Indigenous Children’s Literature: Stories Matter, Part 3

By Angeline P. Hoffman, White Mountain Apache Reservation

ChildrenDancingNatAMStories of Indigenous people matter. The stories influence how we think about ourselves, where we come from and formulate the way in which we think about cultural perspectives and people.

In Indigenous culture children emerge with clearly delineated, gender-specific roles, much like the distinct roles of adults. Continue reading →

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Indigenous Children’s Literature: Stories Matter, Part 2

By Angeline P. Hoffman, White Mountain Apache Reservation

Mary_Kim_TitlaStories of Indigenous people matter because these stories influence how we think about ourselves, where we come from, and help formulate the way in which we think about our own cultural perspectives and people.

A topic emerging from our culture includes the significant cultural roles represented within our communities and families. Elders play a critical role within Indigenous communities. One of the unique ways American Indian people obtain knowledge is through the direct teaching of elders. Continue reading →

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Indigenous Children’s Literature: Stories Matter

By Angeline Hoffman, White Mountain Apache Reservation

indigenous children's literatureStories of the Indigenous people matter, because the stories influences how we think about ourselves, where we come from and formulates the way in which we think about cultural perspectives and people.

The one element inherent in Stories Matter is Storytelling. Storytelling, in Indigenous narratives, involves the origins of identity, knowledge systems, and ways of knowing and being, Continue reading →