Introduction

Listening to literature read aloud is one of the most valuable and pleasurable experiences beginning readers and writers can have.

Cross-age and peer tutoring are methods of instruction in which learners help each other and in turn learn by teaching.

Put together these two proven learning strategies and you have a formula for a school and community service project that involves reading, public speaking, technology, library and information skills.

Do you have what it takes to read2kids?

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Task

You will be studying the methods and benefits of reading to young children.  Your preparations for this project will require that you use the Internet to learn about:

• Why it is important to read to kids.
• What to read to kids.
• Where and how to get the books you need.
• How to be a better reader.

Many of you will be using what you learn in an actual tutoring situation; with elementary school students, neighbor kids or relatives.  Some day you may be reading some of these same books to your own sons and daughters!

As you learn more about children's books and reading  you will construct a Readaloud Manual that will be published in electronic and/or paper form.  The finished product will be of great value to you and others who "read2kids".

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Process

1.  Your final project for this WebQuest is a customized Readaloud Manual which you will create and publish.  Take a moment to read the entire "Process" section to get an idea of the scope and sequence of this project.

2.  As a peer or cross-age tutor, you should understand how reading aloud will benefit the younger students who are your listeners.  Author and  literacy expert, Jim Trealease, explains some of the theory and research in Chapter 1 of The Readaloud Handbook.  The Reading is Fundamental organization also tells how Reading Aloud Leads to Reading Success.  Read these two pages and prepare the first page of your manual.  It should be titled "Why Read Aloud" and list at least five benefits of reading aloud. 

3.  Think about your favorite childhood stories.  These may be books that you read yourself or books that were read to you by a teacher, parent or friend.  Compile a list of at least three childhood favorites that includes author, title and an explaination of what makes the book special to you.  That's page two of your manual!

You may think that good books are hard to find but they aren't if you know the tricks.  Many people select books to enjoy based on these factors:
-It was recommended by somebody else who read it.
-A version of the story appeared on television or in the movies.
-You enjoyed another book by the same author.
-The book attracted your interest while browsing in the library or bookstore.
Can you think of any books that you discovered in one of these ways?

Teachers, librarians and knowledgeable readers know other ways to learn about new and exciting books.  They pay attention to which books have won awards and which books are recommended by critics and reviewers.  Thanks to the Internet it is easy to find lists of recommended books for children.  Spend some time studying the links under "How to select children's books."  You should select five books of interest that may be suitable for reading aloud to younger children.  Record the title and author of each for the "Recommended Books" page of your manual.

How to select children's books

American Library Association award winners and notable books

California Department of Education -- Recommended Literature:  Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve

Amazon.com -- the Internet bookstore

New York Times Bestseller Lists -- Children's Books

4.  A smart tutor will always preview a book before reading it aloud to a child.  Now it's time to get a hold of the books that you need.  Elementary school libraries and public libraries both maintain large collections of children's literature and they will lend books to you for free!  Bookstores often have many children's books for sale, especially newer titles and bestsellers.  Books are expensive to buy but you may be able to save money by shopping during a sale, purchasing a used copy or going to yard sales.
Let's use the Internet, again.  The Google search engine will help you locate the public libraries in your area.  Type in the name of your city or county and the word library.  Google will usually provide a link to the library's web site.  Visit the library web site and you can usually get information about locations and hours of operation.  Many public libraries allow you to search the catalog online.  See if you can find some of the books on your readaloud list.  The American Booksellers Association maintains a directory of bookstores at its BookWeb site and it may help you locate a bookstore near home.
Create a page for your manual titled Libraries and Bookstores.  List name, address, phone number and hours(if available) for several locations in your area.  Remember that Google and Bookweb will do the search.  Extra credit for using Yahoo Maps to create a location map for your nearest public library branch.

Where to get the books?

Your Public or School Library (use Google.com to access the library catalog, hours and locations)
Barnes & Noble, Borders or your local bookstore.

5.  Anybody can read a story.  It takes study and practice to be a superior reader.  There are many tips and tricks that will make your reading more interesting to the children.  Professional educators have also developed techniques that encourage children to improve their reading skills and knowledge as they listen to you read.
Now its time for the next section of your manual.  This is the section that includes information on how to be a better reader.
Go to all three web pages listed below on "how to be a better reader."  Carefully read through the pages and select the five most important hints.  Create a Hints for Reading Aloud page and include five or more hints written in your own words.

How to be a better reader?

Boston Teachnet Readaloud Hints

Ideas from Bank Street College -- Reading Aloud To Children

Planet Esme Hints for Reading Out Loud

6. Whenever you set out to accomplish a task it is a good idea to have a plan. When working with young children it is especially important  to structure your time together. There are several key aspects to any lesson that you should keep in mind while preparing your tutoring sessions. Review the "Lesson Plan Template" and then write a lesson plan of a well designed tutoring session.  Use the template format and make your lesson plan specific for one of the book titles that you selected.

Tutor Read Aloud Manual Checklist

	The manual must be computer produced and be in the form of a typed manual or a website.
	On your "Why Read Aloud" page list at least 5 benefits of reading aloud.
	Prepare a "My Favorites" page on which you list at least 3 favorite books from your childhood. List the title, author and a sentence or two that tells why the book is special.
	Make a "Recommended Books" page and list at least 5 books that you may want to use for a read aloud lesson.
	"Where to find Books" will be your next page. You should list the name, address, phone number, and hours of several different sources for books in your immediate area.
	Make a "Strategies for Reading Aloud" page on which you list the 5 most helpful strategies for reading aloud with younger students.
	Write a lesson plan for a sample tutoring session.

Evaluation

This project will be evaluated according to specific criteria. Click here to view the rubric that will be used to evaluate the project.

 

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