Spotlight on Read Alouds

For quite some time, I have had this teeny little bulletin board hung up by my library.  I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it since school began, but just have been too lazy busy to put it up.  I FINALLY finished it, and wanted to share it with you!

It is my Read Aloud Spotlight board!

The idea is simple.  The current read aloud book is spotlighted so that anyone walking into our room knows just what book we are reading.  I have the name of the book (in this case Wonder by RJ Palacio) showcased under a "spotlight".  I then have the cover of the book stapled up and a little area designated for our current chapter and some thoughts.  Each day, I wipe off the vis-a-vie marker and write the latest chapter.  I then have one student volunteer write their thoughts on the book so far.  The kids really enjoy this part.  I find that they are listening *extra* hard just so they have something valuable to write on the sticky note! (not that they didn't listen before, but now they have an added purpose.)




Below all of that, I have a little book spine clip art with the title of the book.  When our read aloud is done, I tape that little book spine onto our "Read Aloud Bookshelf" that I put on the window right next to this board in our library.

I love how this is making our read aloud, which is already the most looked forward to time of day, even more special.  What do you do to make your read aloud a stand-out in your room?

http://4thgradefrolics.blogspot.com/2015/02/monday-made-it-february.html
Oh...and since I actually MADE something, I am linking this little project up at my friend Tara's Monday Made It linky on her blog, 4th Grade Frolics!  It has been WAY too long since I have been able to do that :)

15 comments

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. This is a great idea! Read alouds are some what discouraged at my school so this might help justify it! :)
    --Katie
    http://thepawsitivepencil.blogspot.com

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    1. Oh no! Why are they discouraged? They are ENCOURAGING for reading!

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  3. Wonder if such a wonderful book. I couldn't resist the pun :) I love how you are showcasing it as your current read aloud for your students. I love read alouds and so do my kids. We just finished up "The 14th Goldfish" and are no working on "The Wizard of Oz". I may have to try your spotlight idea :)

    Mrs. Wiley
    @ Wiley Teaching

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  4. Love this! We go through so many books every year, but love the idea of spotlighting them.

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  5. I LOVE your read aloud bookshelf - great idea so everyone can remember what books were read!

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  6. So cute!! LOVE the bookshelf idea! All our read aloud seem to blend together. Lol
    Thanks for the great idea!! (LOVE Wonder!! Have you read The Julia Chapter? It's the sequel told from Julian's point of view)

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    1. One of my students has the book with that chapter in it....he is chomping at the bit to have us read it!

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  7. I love this idea! I see from your "bookshelf" that you read "The Bad Beginning." We read this also. I would be interested to know what resources you use along with the book or what skills you focus on when reading it. Thanks!

    torie.schrick@gmail.com

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    1. Honestly, I don't do much other than just enjoy that particular book. When I do read alouds, in general, I choose books that I don't want to really dig into skills and such with, but rather books that I want kids to really escape into and find a love of reading with.

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  8. Such a great idea and so important for students to simply listen and enjoy good books. I love your 'bookshelf'. Is there somewhere I can purchase this resource as I would love to duplicate it in my classroom.

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  9. Hi! Is there a template you used for the read aloud book shelf? Such a cute idea!

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  10. Hi! Is there a template you used for the read aloud book shelf? Such a cute idea!

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  11. Is there a template for your read aloud book spines that I can purchase on TPT or somewhere?

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