A teacher’s guide to teaching social-emotional learning in the classroom. This guide has articles, children's book suggestions, videos, and a program filled with lessons and activities.
STEM activities are fun and engaging, but this type of learning is even better when it’s connected to a great children’s book. We’ve shared books that are aligned to social emotional learning and books with themes for every month of the year. This post will share 10 great read alouds for any element
If you are looking for theme mentor texts or read alouds for teaching theme, this post shares 6 read alouds with summaries and possible themes for each.
Check out recommended books for over 20 themes, holidays, and seasons. Each themed list includes a description for every title and is organized to help you find that perfect new book.
Stop! Collaborate and Learn! Do you have that Vanilla Ice song stuck in your head now? Well all singing aside, let's talk collaboration. Collaboration is such
Over 150 of the best read aloud picture books as voted by over 500 parents! Perfect for reading aloud at home or school.
Are you looking for diverse read alouds? Are you looking to celebrate a variety of languages, customs, and traditions? If so, this book list is for you!
We all know the importance of reading stories in the the classroom. They can build background knowledge on a topic being discussed. It is a great way to increase vocabulary. Students get excited about learning. Plus, you can increase students reading and listening comprehension. I want to challenge you to go beyond they everyday read ... Read More about Interactive Read Aloud
Kindergarten is a most delightful ages for read alouds–kids are full of wonder and silliness, and the selection of excellent picture books is enormous. Here are 50 of the best books for kindergarten.
Have fun introducing the books from your childhood to your own children with this list of 25 classic chapter books for 5-8 year olds. Great read alouds.
Excellent read aloud books for fifth grade. These are all books that I have read aloud and are perfect for reading aloud at home or in a classroom.
Introducing a read aloud to inspire you to take a *chance*, featured in this week’s MaiStoryBook Library Collection: “What Do You Do with a Chance?” by Kobi Yamada and Mae Besom *…
Today I wanted to share some of my favorite books to support your lessons on respect. Having strong read-alouds makes it so much easier to introduce and reinforce social-emotional skills. […]
Introducing an inspiring picture book about promising to be and do our best for ourselves and our community~ featured in the MaiStoryBook Library Collection: “I Promise” by LeBron James, Illu…
Books that make perfect September read alouds for classrooms or families. Cozy up with kids to read these books and power up the fall days!
Simple STEM Stories will help you merge literacy and STEM with fun and engaging, hands-on STEM challenges based on a children's book.
A month by month list of chapter books for kindergarteners to read aloud. Your whole year of read-alouds is planned with this free printable list of books.
Introducing a story celebrating diversity and inclusion ~ featured in the MaiStoryBook Library Collection: “All Are Welcome” Written by Alexandra Penfold, Illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman *~Cli…
Introducing a read aloud to inspire you to take a *chance*, featured in this week’s MaiStoryBook Library Collection: “What Do You Do with a Chance?” by Kobi Yamada and Mae Besom *…
Teaching with picture books is remarkably effective. Here are some of the best picture books for principals to read aloud so you can make a different too.
Storyline Online is one of the best sites for viewing children's book read alouds. Let me share some details you might not know yet, and I'll throw in a helpful Freebie you'll use again and again. If you've looked on YouTube for kids books being read aloud you've found thousands of them. Any given children's book title usually has several different uploaded read aloud videos to choose from and there is a wide range in quality. I found Storyline Online this very way, while looking through all the YouTube videos for read alouds. Storyline Online is made possible by the Screen Actors Guild Foundation, SAG-AFTRA. It is absolutely free to use. As I write this they have over fifty children's picture book read aloud videos available. Here's a sample. Each video starts with the actor, or actors, holding the book and giving a book introduction before beginning to read. The camera zooms in on the illustrations, where often little parts of the pictures become animated. Throughout the story you go back and forth between seeing the illustrations and the actor reading the book, so kids never forget they are being read to. Fully animated video movies of children's books are great, to be sure, but it is easy to forget those cartoons come from books. I think when kids watch books being read by live people there is added value and emphasis on reading. Because I had always viewed the Storyline Online videos directly on YouTube, I didn't realize that there are activity guides written for each story, which you can only get on the Storyline Online site. The activity guides, written for teachers mostly, but some with activity guides specifically for parents, are chockfull of ideas– some suggest before, during and after the story discussion points, themes, writing ideas, art, movement, even cooking activities... all sorts of things to choose from. You can find them by going directly to StorylineOnline.net under the All Books tab. You can watch the Storyline Online read aloud videos on YouTube, but when watching on YouTube it is pretty easy to get to other videos and ads, some of which you wouldn't want your kids to view. You can also watch Storyline Online videos directly on StorylineOnline.net, with options of watching via YouTube or SchoolTube, with SchoolTube being the safer option. Either way you choose to watch on the Storyline Online site, when you get to the end of the video, other Storyline Online videos will pop up. That isn't a bad thing, unless you want kids to only watch one particular story, or you want other kids to use the same device and watch that one particular story. So to keep kids on the correct story I created QR codes for the stories through Safe YouTube. Click to download Safe YouTube QR Code cards for Storyline Online videos Safe YouTube is better than safe mode on YouTube, and it takes away all those many buttons and videos that cause distractions and allow kids to click and end up anywhere on YouTube. No online connection is completely safe and kids seem to find a way to other things no matter what, so always keep an eye on what they are watching. I created one for each story on Storyline Online, currently fifty three in total. You can print out the QR Code cards in color, or they come out crisp and clean if you choose to print in black and white. Laminate, cut apart, and you'll have a set of cards for kids to use on any device with a QR Code reader. It will take them to that story and no other. These work great in classrooms as centers, Daily 5 and Readers Workshop stations, and independent reading choices. If you're a parent you'll find them useful at home or on the road with devices. To get this Freebie just click on the picture of QR code cards above. There are six pages in all. I will update as I see new stories appear on Storyline Online. Be sure to Pin this post so you can get to updated pages. I suggest you cruise by StorylineOnline.net to see the full list of read aloud titles. I found many good books there, books I hadn't heard of before. I like to have actual copies of the books the kids are going to listen to, and I like to read the book to my students first, so I can make the most out of that read aloud– focusing on vocabulary, story problem, characters, etc. But if I'm low on cash, Storyline Online is a way to let my kidpeople hear quality books at no cost to me. Many of my favorite Flashlight Press books are there, too, and if you are a regular reader you know how I love Flashlight Press. (News Flash– I'll be giving away another Flashlight Book soon!!) Storyline Online has won lots of awards and that is for very good reason. Good book selections, VERY well read! Hope you found this post about Storyline Online and the activity guides helpful. And I hope you'll download the QR Code cards and find them useful with your kids. I am not being paid or getting any perk for telling you about Storyline Online. I just wanted to share a great resource. See you next time!
Teachers and parents, do you need suggestions for good 4th grade read alouds? Here are ideas for your students and children.
This list of character-building chapter books for boys is full of titles that will keep all ages asking for "one more chapter!"
Have fun introducing the books from your childhood to your own children with this list of 25 classic chapter books for 5-8 year olds. Great read alouds.
With so many good options, what are the best read aloud books for 5th grade? These books will make great choices for your readers.
Going into your child's classroom to read some picture books? These kindergarten read alouds are perfect for kinder, first, second, and third grade classes!
These picture books about kindness and empathy will help you spark important conversations about this topic with children at home and school.
The best read aloud chapter books for kindergarten and preschool children! Fun beginning chapter books even young kids will love!
101 Guided Math read Aloud Books for K-2. A comprehensive list of guided math read aloud books to enhance any math topic.
Upper elementary blog with practical, rigorous, classroom tested ideas to implement with your students.
If you're looking for read alouds for 2nd grade, whether you're a 2nd grade teacher, librarian, or parent, find the best 2nd grade read aloud books.
Introducing an entertaining read aloud about the differences between wants and needs~ with the help of some robot friends~ featured in the MaiStoryBook Library Collection: “Wants vs. Needs vs…
Incorporating books during math time can have a powerful impact on learning! Here are some of the best math read alouds for math teachers
Perfect SEL, Classroom Management, book craft activity to accompany the children's book read aloud, "My Mouth is a Volcano" by Julia Cook ~ a read aloud about the importance of waiting your turn to speak and how to manage interrupting. Great for Reading, Literacy, ELA Centers for all grade levels! Read aloud the story "My Mouth is a Volcano" (Get Your Copy), and then encourage students to create their own *Volcano* Crafts to reflect on why it's important to wait your turn to share, and to record what to do when they feel like interrupting. More Julia Cook Resources on the Blog. Product Includes (SEE PREVIEW ) Black and White/ or Color-printed Volcano Templates Coloring Pages Available 4 Different Cover Templates: Plain or Personalized 8 Differentiated Fill-In Templates: with and without prompts Ways to use the craft: Use your Volcano Craft to remind you what you can do if you feel like interrupting. Use your Volcano Craft to practice waiting your turn to speak Display the crafts as a helpful classroom reminder about the importance of taking turns to speak and share *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Learn More about MAISTORYBOOK: creating reading resources to inspire in children a love for books and a curiosity for the world of reading. Blog: www.maistorybook.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/maistorybook Instagram: @maistorybooklibrary Facebook: @MaiStoryBook TikTok: MaiStoryBook
Here are some of my favorites STEM books for kids that you can add to your collection today! Before starting a STEM or building challenge, I always read a book with my class. I love connecting literacy, sitting together on the carpet, and engaging my students in discussions. There are so many amazing books that ... Read more
Are you looking for new classroom management read alouds? Try out these picture books ideal for the primary classroom!
Learn how to teach making predictions to help your students develop strong reading comprehension skills with these three favorite read alouds.
Terrific choices for funny and charming 2nd grade read aloud books that are appropriate for classroom story time or reading at home.
Introducing an encouraging and uplifting story about perseverance and striving to achieve the things we can’t do quite *yet*~ featured in the MaiStoryBook Library Collection: “The Magic…
101 books that should be read to every child before kindergarten! An ultimate book list with a free printable book list to take to the library.
Looking for chapter books to read aloud with your 4th grader? Take a look at our top picks for 4th grade read aloud books, sure to delight your child!
