Read Aloud, the Book Chook Way

I believe that stopping every page or so, during an oral reading, is a sure-fire way to ruin the listener’s enjoyment. Imagine if you were watching a movie, and they stopped frequently to check on your understanding, or asked you what colour hat the schoolboy wore? (Wait, isn’t that just like the ad breaks on TV??)

I like to read to the end of a section before I interrupt the flow. That means to the end of a picture book, to the end of a chapter in a chapter book, or the end of a sequence. Sometimes, before the page turns, it’s just begging for a question like “What do you think might jump out of the box?” So, of course, there are no hard and fast rules. But I have seen stories ruined for little listeners by someone constantly trying to “teach” or “preach”. Often, it’s because they have a different agenda to the reader. I believe that, above all, reading aloud is supposed to be enjoyable for the listener, and that is best encouraged by not interrupting the fictive dream.

 

If I want to guide the reading, I tend to do that during a second read-through. We might discuss the pictures, look at some of the textual features, share opinions. But I try to make the first read-through as dramatic and interesting a performance as I can. My aim is to turn kids ON to reading.

I use facial expressions, particularly my eyes, and engage my audience with them when I read aloud. A child’s gaze will swing from the illustration to me, back and forward. My dramatization, my expressions and voices, will all contribute to his enjoyment of the story.

 

I look for clues from the text and illustrations when I choose a voice for each character. I sadly admit to forgetting or swapping voices during a reading, and did I ever hear about it from my son and my students! Fortunately, experience and concentration improved my skill. It's not necessary to have voices for book characters, but I think they're fun.

Racing through a story was often a real temptation for me as a young mum, especially if I was tired, or it was the 43rd time I'd read that book aloud. I believe it’s crucial to allow children time to reflect a little about each page. If you're reading a picture book with complex illustrations, or a book that's new to your audience and not an old favourite, it's even more important. If I'm nervous, I notice I tend to speed up, so I always take a deep breath and consciously slow my reading speed down.

 

I enjoy adding props to my read aloud performance. I've worn flippers and goggles for stories about the sea, pyjamas for bedtime books, and silly hats just because I'm silly. Sometimes I have a puppet or toy to help me read. Sometimes, I bring in an interesting box that contains something related to the book's subject matter. Often, we'll play a guessing game about what's in the box. Later, we'll pass around whatever used to be  inside it. Props are just my way of adding a bit more fun to reading aloud, maybe giving some kids a focus, or providing a way in for kinesthetic learners.