Read Alouds Archives - Staying Cool in the Library

Teaching Types of Genres to Elementary Students

If you’ve ever watched your kiddos light up when they connect with a story, you know how powerful books can be. When I introduce different types of genres in the school library, it’s a chance to open the door to new worlds, big ideas, and unforgettable adventures. Picture and chapter books are great for lessons because they’re perfect for breaking down genre elements while keeping children engaged. Whether you’re working with primary students or upper elementary readers, there’s something magical about finding just the right book to bring a genre to life. Today, I’m sharing some favorites that I use when teaching the different types of genres to my students. Breaking Down the Types of Genres Before diving into book recommendations, let’s take a moment to break down what makes up each genre. Understanding the key features of each genre helps our students recognize patterns and appreciate the storytelling

12 Amazing Books for Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month is one of my favorite times of the year to celebrate the cultures, histories, and contributions of Hispanic individuals. Whether I’m sharing beautiful picture books with younger students or diving into captivating chapter books with my older kiddos, there’s always something special about these stories that spark curiosity and open the door to meaningful conversations. Today, I’m sharing some of my top picks for Hispanic Heritage read-alouds that will inspire your students. These stories will also help them connect to these vibrant cultures in a fun and engaging way! How I Explain Hispanic Heritage Month to My Students When my students come into the library during Hispanic Heritage Month, I love to start by asking if they’ve heard of it before or if they know anyone who speaks Spanish at home. It’s always fun to see their hands shoot up! I explain that Hispanic Heritage Month

Festive Chinese New Year Books for Your Elementary Readers

As a school librarian, I enjoy witnessing the impact that cultural exploration can have on students of all ages at my school. Today, we are going to go on a literary journey into the vibrant traditions of the Chinese New Year. It is a celebration brimming with significance and rich details. Diving into the details of this festive occasion might seem daunting for some of our readers! Through the magic of picture books and chapter books, we unlock the gateway to a captivating learning experience. These literary treasures weave compelling storylines but also enchant with vivid illustrations. Let’s jump into the Chinese New Year books full of pages of enchanting tales that foster an appreciation for diversity and cultural awareness among our eager learners. Why Should You Use Chinese New Year Books? Diving into the spirit of Chinese New Year is more than just adding festive decorations. It’s about

Read-Alouds Made Easy: 10 Tips for Successful Storytelling

My favorite memories from when I was a student include when my teachers would have read-aloud time. When the lights dimmed and my teacher perched on her stool, I knew an adventure would begin! I loved being able to fall into a story with the help of my teacher’s ability to change voices and bring the story to life with her animation. Now, you and I are the champions of literacy for our kiddos. We hold the key to unlocking the magical world of read-alouds for them. A well-crafted read-aloud session can spark curiosity, nurture imagination, and foster a lifelong love for books. I have gathered some incredible tips to make your read-alouds unforgettable! 1. Collect Captivating Read-Alouds As book lovers, we understand how mind-blowing a good story can be! So when choosing books for read-alouds, pick ones that click with your students. Consider what they’re into, what fits

10 Picture Books for Teaching Visualizing

If there is one thing that makes people fall in love with reading, I believe it is the ability to visualize. The ability to take the words on a page and turn them into a mental movie. It’s visualizing that allows you to immerse yourself into a book and escape the here and now. While this skill comes naturally for some, it is a skill that often needs to be taught and practiced for many. Today I am sharing my favorite picture books for teaching visualizing. How to Teach Visualizing Teaching students to visualize is such a fun activity that students really love. Why? I believe it is because it connects two of their favorite things – being read to and drawing. Over the years I have found that the best way to focus on this skill is by reading to the students and having them listen. This takes

The Best Picture Books for Teaching Character Traits

Teaching students about character traits in reading is important but can be difficult to do. Character traits are such an ABSTRACT idea that some children have a hard time understanding what character traits are. Students typically have to use inferencing skills to “read between the lines” of what information the author is giving you about the characters in the story, such as what the character is saying and doing. How to Teach About Character Traits Start by defining exactly WHAT character traits are. Then together, make an anchor chart about character traits. Have students help you name certain traits that they believe characters in stories might have. Make sure to get them thinking about character traits on the OUTSIDE and on the INSIDE! I like to do another lesson about positive character traits vs. negative character traits. (Some traits can even be neutral). Finally, my biggest piece of advice

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Teaching Types of Genres to Elementary Students

12 Amazing Books for Hispanic Heritage Month

Festive Chinese New Year Books for Your Elementary Readers

Read-Alouds Made Easy: 10 Tips for Successful Storytelling

10 Picture Books for Teaching Visualizing

The Best Picture Books for Teaching Character Traits

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