Read Aloud Roundup: November 2012

Selections this month touched on civic engagement and the election process, thankfulness and helping others, and family members. Some of the books were a bit long for a single read aloud period, so I asked the readers to cover part of the story, and leave the rest for another time. Students could read the book by themselves later, or their teacher might choose to read it to the class.

K

A Little Peace, by Barbara Kerley
Get a working definition of Peace - move from negatives (Not fighting, no being mean) to positives (Being kind/friendly, feeling safe and happy, quiet)
How do we make peace? In the world, in our communities (maybe too broad for K) -- and between ourselves

Michael Recycle, by Ellie Bethel
What kinds of things do we recycle?
How else can we clean up, reuse, keep things pretty and not smelly?

Why is it important?







1

10,000 Dresses, by Marcus Ewert
Have you ever been told you were wrong about something? Have people laughed at you? How did you feel?
How can you tell whether someone is a boy or a girl? (Hint: ASK them. And listen to them.) Do only girls wear dresses? Do only boys play soccer?
What kind of dress (or hat, or shoes, or shirt...) would you make with Bailey?

*This book was requested by another volunteer for his second-grade class next month.

Coming On Home Soon, by Jacqueline Woodson
How does Ada Ruth feel when her mother is far away? (work on descriptive feelings)
When someone is not with us, how can we show them love? What can we do to remember them? Or communicate with them?
What does it mean to have a home?






2

My Grandma’s the Mayor, by Marjorie White Pellegrino
We just had an election! Did anyone go with their family members to vote?
What does the mayor do? (will probably need help with specifics from book) How do you get to be Mayor? What do you need?
If you were Mayor, what would be important to you? What would you do for the city?

When Grandmama Sings, by Margaree King Mitchell
Have you ever taken a special trip somewhere? Where did you go? How long did you stay? What was different than being at home?
What does segregation mean? What did it mean for Belle and the band?
Why was Belle proud of her Grandmama? Who makes you proud?

3

Sitti’s Secrets, by Naomi Shihab Nye
What is the biggest challenge that Mona has in getting to see her Grandmother?
What does Mona worry about when she gets home from her visit?
What kind of relationship do you have with the people in your life who are around Sitti’s age?

The Orange Shoes, by Trinka Hakes Noble
Why did the other kids ruin Delly’s shoes? Why did they feel that way? What would you have done in Delly’s place?
$3 would have bought Delly her own fancy art supplies and probably food and other things for the family, but her father donated it to the school instead. Why? What do you think about his choice?

4

The Rag Coat, by Lauren Mills
How did the whole class/town help keep Minna warm?
What happens to your clothes when they wear out or get too small for you? Do they get repaired? Handed down? Thrown away?
Think about your favorite clothes. What stories are attached to them?

4 / 5

Your Move, by Eve Bunting
Why is it important for James to get into the group?  What else is important to him?
What is he more worried about when they decide to leave their house?
What would James’ and Isaac’s life be like if they had accepted becoming members of K-Bones?

5

One Hen, by Katie Smith Milway (can stop reading at page 16 for younger or shorter classes)
What are the goals that Kojo and Kojo’s mom have for the money?
How does their community benefit from everyone putting their money together to help just one of them at a time?
Why would the banker trust Kojo?  What is it about his story that makes the last bank agree to give him the loan?  What do you think will happen next?