Sunday, November 20, 2011

Daily Read Alouds and an Outstanding FREEBIE for One Day Only!

A few years ago when I was working on my Master's degree, we talked about daily read alouds and I was surprised that not everyone just automatically reads aloud every day to their students.

I can get on quite a soapbox about this topic, so I'll try and remain calm (!) but I just wanted to share some of my favorite read alouds, get some from you, and relish in the joy of reading aloud to kids.

I read several times a day. During my Daily Five mini-lessons, I usually read at least one book every day for instructional purposes. I have some favorite book lists for comprehension strategies that you can find here.

I also read during snack. My students eat and I read from a chapter book. Sometimes we do things like draw our visualizations, keep track of good words or characters, or track character development. Other times, we just read to enjoy a good book. Some of my favorite chapter book read alouds are Charlotte's Web, Mr. Popper's Penguins, My Father's Dragon, The Chocolate Touch, Pippi Longstocking, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, Stone Fox, and anything and everything Roald Dahl.

A few summers ago, two reading gurus from New Zealand visited my area and I attended a week long conference with them. Aside from being incredibly fun and entertaining, I learned a ton! They suggested doing 3 read alouds daily... 1 for instruction and 2 just for the heck of it. I have tried to embrace that philosophy since then. My kids LOVE when I read aloud to them and it is one of my favorite times of the day too.

I heard someone say once, "If my students can read to themselves, I don't need to read aloud to them". FALSE! My 8th grade language arts teacher (Mrs. Pinney... who I *love* and who inspired me to be a teacher!) read to us every day and I still remember it. I LOVED it!

Reading aloud helps your students develop important listening comprehension skills, hear fluent reading, and practice important skills like visualizing and predicting. Not to mention all of the instruction you can do on a whim- vocabulary, helping understand jokes, and showing emotion during a book. I love Stone Fox and read it every year even though it's a toughie and I have to help my students think through the story. But, I always cry and have a few students who do too. A few years ago, one of my little boys said in an awe-filled whisper with tears running down his cheeks at the end of the Stone Fox, "Wow. Who knew a book could make you feel something like that?". That was a teacher heaven moment that I will never forget!

So, in the spirit of all things read aloud, and Thanksgiving, and the giddiness I am still feeling after a HUGE Donor's Choose project of mine for tons and tons and TONS of stuff for my math workstations got funded last night, I am giving away my unit for The Chocolate Touch OR My Father's Dragon. Both of these are available for pay on The Teaching Oasis however, if you follow my ridiculous list of demands below, I will shower you with the free unit of your choice!

1.) Leave a comment suggesting a favorite read aloud and why you love it... either a picture book for instruction or enjoyment, or a chapter book. I'm in need of new chapter books because I looped with half of my class!

2.) In the comment, leave your e-mail address and which unit you'd like.

I'm going to be a jerk though and insist that demand #1 is followed! So, please recommend something for me and why. I looooove buying books and adding them to my library. I'm counting on you to help!

That's it! This is for one day only... so I'll start shipping out units on Tuesday (or maybe even tonight if I'm feeling ambitious!)! Marygrove College has a great blog on the importance of reading aloud for older students... if you can, go check it out!

138 comments:

  1. My class this year loves to sing and dance, so I love reading them Pete the Cat! They sing when Pete sings and they are totally engaged!

    I would like the Chocolate Touch Unit. My email is khurckes@dg58.org

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  2. Hi Christina- I sure wish we taught together in the same district. You are such an inspiration.

    It's very hard for me to choose just one read aloud, but I guess I will mention James and the Giant Peach. I love all of the characters and we have fun with projects that go along with it. I often have the children create their favorite character by drawing and painting and then they write about their traits. We also do a lot of predicting and problem solving. It's a wonderful journey.

    My email is heyjbales@sbcglobal.net
    I am not familiar with The Chocolate Touch, so I guess I will ask for that- even though I do My Father's Dragon every year and am curious about that unit too.

    Thank you so much for your generosity- You Rock, Girl!
    Julie

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  3. My favorite read aloud (at the moment) is Little House in the Big Woods. After each chapter I have the students write about how Laura's life is the same or different than their life. This is my first year teaching second grade and I am amazed at their thoughts and perceptions.

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  4. I love to read Frindle or Gooney Bird Greene with older kids (above kinder). Although this year, I've read One, a book about bullying to my kids. I love books and reading aloud.

    I would love a copy of Chocolate Touch.
    Thank you.

    learningwithmrsparker@gmail.com

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  5. I love The BFG by Roald Dahl. It was a favorite of mine when I was little and I just love to visualize this book as I read it out loud. There is also a website www.roalddahl.com that the kids can go to.

    Thanks!
    Alissa

    I would love the Chocolate Touch!
    alissalockwood@gmail.com

    Enjoy your day!

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  6. I love reading any of the Fancy Nancy books to my students. I teach third grade ESOL/SPED. They love learning new fancy words and then we translate that into our writing lessons. Any time the students come up with a Fancy Word they put it in my Fancy Word box and then each day I pull out 3-5 words and put them on our Fancy Word Wall. If your word gets picked then you get to wear something fancy during writing time.
    If I havent missed the deadline I would LOVE the Chocolate touch unit. My e-mail is bethmitchell22@gmail.com

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  7. My class and I love the chapter book Dodger and Me.
    I did a post about it here:
    http://yearn4learning.blogspot.com/2011/10/blue-chimp-called-dodger.html

    I'd like My Father's Dragon unit
    Thanks.
    taskcard123@yahoo.com

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  8. I am reading a book this year called "Bad Kitty meets the Baby" by Nick Bruel. It is a new series that my kids love. It has pictures on every page so it gives them a visual. And it is a nice introducation to chapter books. I teach 2nd grade.

    I would like the Chocolate Touch unit please!!
    Thank you!
    cbown22@yahoo.com

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  9. I love to read The Best (Worst) School Year Ever by Barbara Robinson to my kids... we also follow up with The Best (Worst) Halloween Ever and The Best (Worst) Christmas Pageant Ever. The Herdmans help me teach my kiddos to see the good in everyone. :)

    I would love you Chocolate Touch unit - I'm reading with my kids after the break! :)

    Congratulations on your Donors Choose unit. It's a great feeling, isn't it!

    Abby @ Third Grade Bookworm

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  10. Some of the books I've read with my kids are the Nick Bruel books. They are hilarious! I have also read the series, The Kids of the Polk Street School, by Patricia Reilly Giff, and the last one I would recommend are the Roscoe Riley books.
    I would like The Chocolate Touch please! Thank you sooo much; I love your blog!
    BPaigeMiller(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  11. That last one was from me! It has taken me forever to figure out how to post a comment!
    I love readin Mouse and the motorcyle books to my students. We read the books then watch the movie and write how the movie was different than our mind movie.
    I would love myu fathers dragon unit!
    kris.armstrong.29@gmail.com

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  12. I enjoy reading reading picture book with my first graders my favorite read alouds are If you gave a mouse a cookie, muffin etc. series. A chair for my mother,when I was young in the mountains and Charlottes web are just to name a few. My email address is shavonne.cook10@gmail.com
    Thank you for sharing

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  13. This blogging thing is all new to me and I just learned how to post a comment. I forgot to add the unit that I would like. Please send Chocolate touch. Thanks again for sharing.

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  14. My kids recently are loving Stories from Wayside School!

    I've never read either of the books that you are offering your units on.

    I teach second grade - can you send me the one you think my students will like best?

    Thanks,
    Colleen
    mscolleena@aol.com

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  15. I love to read Frindle to my class and the Polar Express at Christmas time.

    Thanks for all of your inspiring work!

    I'd love the Chocolate Touch unit...I use that with my guided reading groups and they LOVE this story! We are only 3 chapters into the story and they keep asking when I'm going to assign the next chapter! :)

    mrspiteach3rd@gmail.com

    Thanks again!

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  16. I love to read "the chicken chasing queen from Lamar County". The setting and language just beg one to read it in a thick southern draw. And being from Nebraska the kids get a huge kick out of it.

    I will take The chocolate touch and my email is

    birwin@lps.org

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  17. First of all, thanks for posting the list of picture book suggestions to go along with comprehension ideas. I totally needed that!

    My all-time favorite read alouds are books by Robert Munsch. He was one of my favorite authors as a child, and I still love him today! I have such fun sharing his books with my students because they are not familiar with him at all (GASP!). His books are hilarious and have repetitive text, so my students always laugh and follow along through each story. My favorites would be "Thomas' Snowsuit" and "Purple, Green, and Yellow".

    As for chapter books, I love "Flat Stanley". I do a huge unit on him every year with a major geography/pen pal unit. It's so much fun! Also, I love the Fudge series by Judy Blume.

    I would love to have "The Chocolate Touch" unit. Thank you so much for this awesome opportunity! primaryjunctionblog@gmail.com

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  18. Thank you for this giveaway! You are a wonderful resource to me! I love the Clementine books by Sara Pennypacker. They are so funny and cute! I would love the My Father's Dragon and my email is melanie@familykendall.org.

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  19. I love, love, love the Mercy Watson series by Kate DiCamillo. The books have amazing illustrations and the kids get a kick out of Mercy Watson's adventures. Another great book is "Lulu and the Brontosaurus" by Judith Viorst. Lulu is a bit of a brat and the kids love seeing how she acts.

    I would love "The Chocolate Touch." Thanks for this giveaway.

    courtneybartlett@bellsouth.net

    Swimming into Second

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  20. This is my first year teaching and so far my first graders are super into the Magic Tree House Series! I have read them the first two and they beg for more :) Thank you so much for the generous giveaway! I would love The Chocolate Touch! kristenkennedy5@gmail.com Thank you thank you!

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  21. I love to read Castle in the Attic! The kids love it too. We then build a castle in our room out of cardboard. My mentor teacher did this when I was student teaching and it's always a hit!
    I would love the Chocolate Touch unit please :)
    Aiaboni@susd.org
    Thanks!!

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  22. My favorite read alouds are Jan Brett books especially at Christmas time. The kids love the amazing illustrations in these stories.
    I would love the chocolate touch please.
    Thank you so much!
    lei1002@yahoo.com

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  23. I love to read The Wednesday Surprise. It is about a child teaching grandparents to read. I would live the Fathers Dragon! Thanks! Jgramer@aidd.org

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  24. Ok- I've sent them to all who responded so far. If you didn't get yours, check and make sure you put your e-mail address in your comment!

    I can't wait to look in to some of the books you guys suggested! THANKS!

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  25. I love reading aloud to my kiddos. I try to read aloud at least three times a day. The first read aloud is during snack time. The second time is for our Writing mini-lesson. Then, I close my day with a read aloud. We just finished My Father's Dragon. When we return from Thanksgiving break we will begin Stuart Little. A parent donated some "classics" to our classroom in hopes that more students would hear these wonderful stories.

    I would love have your Chocolate Touch unit. My email is jwalker@acsd1.org.

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  26. My favorite read aloud is "Once Upon a Cool Motorcycle Dude" by Kevin O'Malley. It is a hilarious fairytale both girls and boys enjoy. I read it aloud right before starting my writing fairytales unit. It is an awesome book to get the kiddos thinking about how to write their own twists on basic fairytales.
    My e-mail is Frontier2ndgrade@att.net and I'd love both units but I'll settle for either. Thanks a bunch!

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  27. I love to read to my kids after lunch, one of my favorites is Gooseberry Park. It's told through the animals point of view of helping friends.
    I would love chocolate touch, mmiller1@graniteschools.org

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  28. Hello!
    I love to read Knuffle Bunny to my class to teach them determining importance in ficiton. We worked on the setting, chracters, problem & solution. It was very fun and easy to them and it was a familiar text from Kinder so the repeated exposure helped.

    I teach first grade bilingual - can you send me any unit you think my students will like best? My email is gutierrezl@d83.org Thanks! Letty

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  29. I teach first grade and my students absolutely love Gooney Bird Greene. We have just finished the first book and I am starting her sequel after break. They love that she tells"only absolutely true stories". My children are so quiet when they know I am going to tell them one of my absolutely true stories about me or my family ( I have six children so I have many (funny) stories to share.
    I would love My Father's Dragon or Chocolate Touch. whichever you think is best for first! Thanks, ellenbel5@yahoo.com

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  30. At the beginning of the school year I read How are You Peeling Foods with Moods to my firsties. Lots of feeling words are introduced through the expressions of real fruits and vegetables. We talk about our different emotions and how to express ourselves appropriately. The kids love the photographs of the whimsical fruits and vegetables while learning about emotions. For days afterwards during lunch I see my kids looking at their food for food expressions.
    Our class would love the Chocolate Touch unit. Thanks, cheryl.slay@polk-fl.net

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  31. Thank you!
    Some of my favorites for book groups and read alouds are...
    Freckle Juice
    The Chalk Box Kid
    Stone Fox- not all stories have happy endings
    Daisy Dawson

    I would love the Chocolate Touch unit. I'm sure yours is much fancier than mine and that is our next book!

    rita@serendiptyschool.com

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  32. I love Gooney Bird Greene by Lois Lowry because a) it's hilarious and b) it has writing "tips" embedded within. The kids always love it! :)

    lisajuliano@gmail.com (My Father's Dragon, please!) :)

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  33. My favorite chapter books to read aloud are:
    Mr. Popper's Penguins
    Charlotte's Web
    Stuart Little
    Magic Tree House Series
    Flat Stanley
    Little House on the Prairie Books


    My kids love to be read to! Growing up, my mom always read us a chapter or two at night before going to bed. I still remember her reading us all the Little House on the Prairie books, Nancy Drew Mysteries, and The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom!!

    I would love the unit you have for "My Father's Dragon"--I just finished reading it to my daughters!
    erinropelato (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  34. I love to read aloud any book by Bill Peet! Kids love the rhyming patterns and the characters. I read my third graders Indian in the Cupboard earlier this year and they LOVED it! Many of my kids wanted to read the sequels right away.

    My email is heather.m.taggart@gmail.com and I would LOVE the My Father's Dragon unit. Thank you for sharing!

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  35. Caught up again! You should all have gotten your unit! :)

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  36. I love to read aloud "Goony Bird Greene". It really inspires my student's creativity during writer's workshop. The kids beg for it everyday and love hearing all about her crazy adventures!

    My email is holliefarris@mckeelschools.com and I would love either of your units. I am not familiar with either of the read alouds, but I teach second grade, so send which ever you think is best for that age group.

    Thanks so much! I hope you have fabulous Thanksgiving.

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  37. I love reading aloud to my students :) The Pigs will be Pigs seriesby Amy Axlerod for math..time, money and making change.. One my favorite chapter is Bunnicula :) I would love Chocolate unit. teacherndoc@live.com

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  38. When I introduce main idea I do it with Kittens First Full Moon. It is a cute story and easy to introduce the concept. I've loved reading all of the suggestions everyone has suggested!

    I would love the unit on The Chocolate Touch. My email is amd079@yahoo.com. Thanks for this give away!!

    I hope you have a very nice Thanksgiving with your family.

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  39. One of my favorite read alouds is The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. The kids really develop a love for Edward on his adventure and it's great for an abundance of mini-lessons including character education. I would like The Chocolate Touch unit... cianchetta@gmail.com

    Thanks!

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  40. Hi Christina! I agree! Reading aloud to children is one of the most important thing a teacher AND a parent can do. My favorite read aloud picture book is "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus" by Mo Willems and my favorite chapter book read aloud is the first Hank the Cowdog book. I think I'd like the "My Father's Dragon" unit. Thanks for sharing!
    Erika 【ツ】
    Wild About 2nd Grade

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  41. Whoops! Forgot to leave my email address! It's uggentoo@gmail.com
    Erika 【ツ】
    Wild About 2nd Grade

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  42. Wow - it is hard to narrow it down to my favorite read aloud. My students like the Mercy Watson books, Magic Tree House series, and the Pigeon books by Mo Williams. I have some that still like faithful Junie B. Jones.

    I would love the unit My Father's a Dragon. I think I will read this after we get back from Thanksgiving.

    Heather
    hdawntn@hotmail.com

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  43. Oops. I commented and just noticed my email got auto corrected! I picked the Wednesday Surprise. Jgramer@susd.org. Thanks!

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  44. Oh geez. Now I forgot, Fathers Dragon. Wow, long day.

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  45. I love reading The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. A Dog'd Life, Treasure in the Oatmeal Box.
    I would love a copy of the reading unit for The Chocolate Touch
    bveinotte@juno.com

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  46. My children LOVE LOVE LOVE the A to Z Mysteries books! There are so many that I cam always put one with a theme. They are full of facts and super fun! They remind me of my elementary love of The Babysitters Club! The kids love the mysteries as much as they love the characters. I would love to attempt THE CHOCOLATE TOUCH unit! Thank you!! BRITTANYMARIE614@YAHOO.COM

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  47. I love reading Max's Word Jar to my kiddos. I read about it on teaching blogs this year and ordered it straight away from Amazon! My kids loved it! Many have created their own word jars at home and I now can't read a book without there being a recommendation for a word to add to our vocabulary wall. Amazing! We were able to use context to help us work out some words, we made predictions etc etc. Loved it!

    I actually haven't read either of these books so I'd like to be surprised! They both sound really good so I can't choose!

    Thanks for your generosity!

    Kylie
    downundertecherblog@gmail.com

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  48. My favorite picture book read aloud is Stellaluna. My students always seem to get emotionally wrapped up in it too! I like it because I feel like I can use it for so many of the CAFE strategies. There is also a website by the Screen Actors Guild www.storyonline.net that has a bunch of stories read by actors, Stellaluna included, that my kids enjoy.

    I would like Chocolate Touch, thank you so much.

    My email is megpantello@msn.com

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  49. Okay I have two book suggestions that I just love love love!

    Picture Book:The Big Test by Julie Danneburg--Same author as first day jitters! I read it to my kids before our end of the year testing! They loooove it!

    Chapter Book: I teach second so this may be a little young for you but I love the book Socks by: Beverly Cleary and Mitch and Amy by her as well! Mitch and Amy talks about bullying so I tend to read that one in the beginning of the year to discuss that topic but it could be used at any time!


    I would love love love The Chocolate Touch unit as that is a read aloud I do with my class! :)

    Cant wait! Thanks for being so awesome!

    Liza
    lizacteach@gmail.com

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  50. I am currently reading "Loser" by Jerry Spinelli. My kids are really into it, and you can use it to talk about bullies. My coworker is reading it, too, and her class LOVES it. One of my students wrote that his favorite part of 4th grade so far was reading "Loser"!

    I think I will read "The BFG" next, because I love me some Roald Dahl and I absolutely love that book. Another great book that not a lot of people know about is called "Dealing With Dragons" by Patricia C. Wrede. One of my favorites as a kid, and I want to read this with my class as well. It is part of a series, and it is about a girl who does not want to be a princess and marry the guy her parents want her to marry. So she finds a dragon and becomes HER princess, which means cooking for it and cleaning and being like a maid for it. Princes try to come and rescue her, but she doesn't want to be rescued. It's funny and cute and I have reread it SO many times.

    robin dot schuh at gmail

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  51. oh, and The Chocolate Touch would be my choice :)

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  52. I hope you don't mind that you are getting bombarded with requests!! :) I love reading aloud to my second graders and have SO many favorites! My favorite picture books are anything by Mo Willems-- especially the Elephant and Piggie series. For chapter books, my students enjoy the Clementine series because they really identify with the main character.

    I would love your chocolate touch unit. Thanks so much! My email is ktbailin@gmail.com

    --Katie (www.sites.google.com/site/missbailinsclassroom)

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  53. I love to use different inflections and body language to tell stories. It's not a chapter book but I love "Eat Your Peas Louise!" because it let's me change my inflections for just about every page. It's very short and is probably more appropriate for K-1. For chapter books I highly recommend Judy Moody and Dear Dumb Diary. Don't forget the classics! Little House on the Prairie series, anything by Judy Blume or Beverly Cleary, and Sarah, Plain and Tall.
    On a side note: I loved Ms. Pinney!! I still remember her rendition of "The Bells" by Poe. She inspired me too!

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  54. My class LOVES the Fancy Nancy books! They adore all her "fancy" words! I love these books for vocabulary instruction...we even have a Fancy Words vocabulary board...we choose a "fancy" word write and illustrate it and put it on our board...the kids love it!

    I would love to have The Chocolate Touch...great story!

    Gladys
    teachinginhighheels@gmail.com
    http://teachinginhighheels.blogspot.com

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  55. My all time favorite read aloud is The Man Who Loved Clowns by June Rae Wood. It is a story about a young girl who lives with her parents and her uncle (who has Down Syndrome). This book will make you cry and laugh. It is a touching story that has forever left a deep imprint on my heart. It reminded me to cherish every moment I have with those that I love.
    First Grade Delight
    imgoingfirst@gmail.com

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  56. I love "The Tiger Rising" as a read aloud. It's sad, but my second graders love it. I would love The Chocolate Touch.(I am actually using that as a read aloud at the moment!

    Thanks,

    Tina

    clweisberg@gmail.com

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  57. Oops... I forgot #2. I would love the Chocolate Touch. Sorry about posting twice. :-(
    First Grade Delight
    imgoingfirst@gmail.com

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  58. My favorite read-aloud is more than a read-aloud. It teachers a strong message of loving yourself for all your flaws and has a CD that accompanies it. No Mirrors in My Nana's house is a great book to share with children of all ages and the music is very catchy.

    I would love My Father's Dragon unit. My email is henline.5@osu.edu

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  59. My favorite chapter book which you already listed but I will mention it anyway is The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. My kids love to list the character traits Edward displays from one chapter to another and it allows for great discussion about character development.
    One of student's favorite chapter books (I teach third grade) is Ghost versus Ghost. It's a Berenstain Bears chapter book. It's a beginners chapter book which a great transition from picture books. The chapter are short yet allows for a great summary if you are working on developing or introducing that skill. The student's love to read about these bears since they grow up reading the picture books. They are familiar with many of the characters. Students feel "grown-up" when reading the chapter book and love the new characters that are introduced. I love to do this chapter book as a literature circle introduction. The vocabulary is pretty easy for third grade as well.
    I just purchase a set of the Chocolate Touch and would love to see your unit for literature groups. Thanks!

    email: karinah0105@gmail.com

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  60. I also share Stone Fox with my class. I discovered another book by John Reynolds Gardiner that fit right in with my plant science unit. It is Top Secret. My class loves it. I would like The Chocolate Touch unit. e-mail caroaf@comcast.net

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  61. I teach 2nd grade, and I also have a long list of favorite read aloud books. Many have already been mentioned. A newer favorite of mine is Chocolate Fever. It is funny, yet teaches the kids the lesson that there CAN be too much of a good thing!

    I would like The Chocolate Touch unit! Thank you!

    Leslie
    leslielyn2@yahoo.com

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  62. My kids love reading "The Stories Julian Tells". They think his stories are hilarious! They also enjoy "Chocolate Fever". It keeps their attention and gives us an opportunity to talk about new or difficult words.

    I would love the My Father's Dragon unit.
    Email: crystaln2345@yahoo.com

    Crystal

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  63. Thanks so much for the "shot in the arm"! Too often we tend to allow ourselves to get caught up in the "how to" of helping our children progress as learners as more mandates are put on us and we tend to lose sight of the most memorable and effective teaching strategies; one being read-alouds. The skills that can be learned from a read-aloud are endless!

    I recently came across a book thanks to another teacher in our building that has become a new favorite read-aloud for me. The title of the book is "The Fantastic Flying Bicycle" and it is from the Freddie Fernortner: Fearless First Grader series by Johnathan Rand (Author of Michigan Chillers). I am reading it to my 3rd graders and they are loving it. They have never been so excited about reading. The book is wonderful for the imagination. However, the features that I love most about the book are that it allows for extremely vivid visualizations that the kids can easily relate to and Rand utilizes many wonderful words throughout that serve as vocabulary from which context clues can be taught. In addition, this book does a outstanding job of reinforcing author's craft with writing. In short, it is an all around great book that children absolutely enjoy!

    Mike Miller
    mimiller@sturgisps.org

    Feel free to email me with questions if you have them. Once again thanks for sharing your thoughts and reinforcing a good thing! Thanks also for your willingness to share your units. I would love to see your unit on My Father's Dragon, just to see how you set it up and to see what all you include in it to stretch the minds of your readers. Once again, thanks!

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  64. Wow - I was going to say that My Father's Dragon was a favorite read-aloud of mine!

    For my read alouds, I enjoy picking books that students wouldn't necessarily choose or "get" by themselves. One I really enjoyed doing was The Twenty-One Balloons by William Pene duBois. It was a Newbery book in the 40s, and it's totally wonderful.

    I have also read The Tale of Despereaux aloud and would basically recommend anything Kate DiCamillo writes.

    I would love to get the Chocolate Touch unit, and I'd lovelovelove it if you'd check out my blog at kvhdavis.blogspot.com

    Thanks!
    Katie
    katie.van.horn@gmail.com

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  65. Oh! And I forgot - the best picture book EVER if you have a kid who makes poor language choices is Elbert's Bad Word by Audrey and Don Wood. This little boy uses a bad word (not printed in the book) and it is personified as this creature... really good lesson!

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  66. My favorite read aloud to do with students is the Wayside School series by Louis Sachar. I've used this with grades 1-4 in the past and students always enjoy it.

    My favorite picture book is Thank You Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco. I love this book about a child who struggles to learn to read. Tricia finally meets a teacher, Mr. Falker, in fifth grade who realizes she can't read and takes the time to teach her. This is a book I like to read at the beginning of school.

    I'd love to get the unit for The Chocolate Touch. My email is jmkelber@aol.com .

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  67. Since it's the Thanksgiving/holiday season, I love the book "Milly and the Macy's Parade." It's an historical fiction picture book about the beginning of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. I do a mini unit the short week of Thanksgiving every year.

    I'd love the Chocolate Touch unit. My email is amorelli76@gmail.com.

    Thank you so much!

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  68. My teaching partner and I would first like to thank you for all of your hard work and sharing that you do! We have really enjoyed following your class and the many creative ideas you have shared. A chapter book that has not yet been mentioned in the comments is "The Magician's Elephant" by Kate DeCamillo. She is a favorite author of many of our students. This book in particular blends a sensitive story of hope with beautiful illustrations.
    We have purchased the unit for "My Father's Dragon" and would be greatful for the "Chocolate Touch" unit - many thanks!!

    email: cornteach@gmail.com

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  69. I am new to 2nd from 5th, so I appreciate reading all the suggestions above! I've read a couple of picture books I particularly enjoyed this year - My Mouth is a Volcano by Julia Cook (so appropriate for a few of my kiddos this year) and Stand Tall Mary Lou Melon by Patty Lovell. I'd like the unit for My Father's Dragon. Thanks for sharing and congrats on your Donor's Choose funding.

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  70. Horace Splattly Cupcake crusader is a really good series about a 4th grader with a second grade sister who creates cupcakes that gives him super powers.
    I Aint Gonna Paint No More is a great picture book/song

    mki88@aol.com

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  71. My favorite read-aloud book is actually My Father's Dragon! It's because it was my favorite book to read when I was little. I just love the adventure that Elmer took:) So... needless to say, I would love to have your My Father's Dragon unit!!
    Thank you so much for sharing it!
    ldegroot@spirit-lake.k12.ia.us

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  72. Because both of these books are fun and engaging, I like to read them again and again - The Duck Song and Pete the Cat
    shall@zcs.k12.in.us

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  73. oops - The Chocolate Touch would be great....

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  74. The Hundred Dresses is an EXCELLENT book for the beginning of the year. It address bullying (and the bullies are girls, which in 2nd grade is common!) I was able to do many quick write activities with my class focusing on issues like connections (similar experiences), as well as predicting what they thought would happen.

    I would love your unit for The Chocolate Touch! I've never read this one, but sounds like it is GREAT!!

    Thanks!

    Ali
    alischepis(at)gmail.com

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  75. I love the Gooney Bird Greene stories. The first one really helps my students tell their own stories. They also love that it is about second graders. I would love My Father's Dragon unit. Thank you so much for sharing.

    CL14Mentor@oh.rr.com

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  76. One of my favorite read alouds is Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you hear? By Bill Martin Jr. No matter how many times you read it to your students they love it!

    I would love to receive The Chocolate Touch unit.
    My e-mail is dsheffield317@gmail.com

    Thanks a bunch!

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  77. One of my FAVORITE Books to read aloud: Snot Stew by Bill Wallace. Using your voice to inflect the characters taunts students to beg for more of the story. Snot Stew can be used to teach many lessons, but one particular inferring (especially when Kiki refers to people paws.)

    Give the book a try.
    Teressa Todd
    Weatherford, TX

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  78. One of my favorites is James and the Giant Peach, but since someone already mentioned that...Parts, More Parts, and Even More Parts are all awesome!! I use them when I teach idioms!

    The kids get a great kick out of drawing the meaning and then the true meaning! :)

    If you are seriously going to send some stuff out I would love to have The Chocolate Touch!!

    Thank you soooo much!

    Nicole
    vbcole26@yahoo.com

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  79. I have a couple of favorite chapter books that I love to read aloud: The Lion, the Witch, and The Wardrobe by good ole CS Lewis and Fudge by Judy Blume...great for a few laughs and making connections. For older elementary students, I'd recommend Frindle or Maniac Magee (Spinelli) Eggs (a new novel by Spinelli). I'd love The Chocolate Touch Unit. My email is aew204@comcast.net or aew204@gmail.com Thanks!!!!

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  80. One of my all time favorite read alouds in the Poppy series. I always read book number one Ragweed and the kids usually beg me to read the second book Poppy. I believe there are 5 books in this series written by Avi. Great story for 3rd or higher.

    I would love a copy of My Father's Dragon. I just finished reading the entire series to my class this month.

    Thanks Tamara tccam71@comcast.net

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  81. I love reading the 26 Fairmont Ave. series by Tomie dePaola. It's an autobiography about his life as a young boy in the early 40's. My students love comparing and contrasting life now and long ago. There are lots of funny stories as well as some serious ones like the start of WWII.

    I would love the My Father's Dragon unit. My email is hagentf@mps.k12.mi.us

    Thank you so much!
    Terry

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  82. Oh I have a million...
    Gooney Bird- perfect for 5th grade writing and predicting practice
    Pigeon series- just for fun!
    Ducks Don't Wear Socks- for fun and to talk about appropriate behaviors!
    Pete the Cat- colors
    The Ugly Pumpkin- feelings, fitting in, also I have used it for summarizing practice
    Press Here- colors
    The Pout Pout Fish- fun!
    Holes- kids LOVED this more than I ever dreamed
    Matilda- incredible vocabulary
    ...just to name a few.

    I would love the Chocolate Touch unit. Thanks! kristinleanne at gmail dot com

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  83. Christina- I forgot to post my email: paula.rushia12@gmail.com for My Father's Dragon.
    Thanks again!

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  84. So many of my favorites have been mentioned.
    I love the Roald Dahl books -especially The Magic Finger. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever....those Herdmans are so bad! And more about Chirstmas....King Island Christmas by Jean Rogers~ the illustrations by Alaskan artist Rie Munoz are so unique.
    I would love My Father's Dragon!
    Thanks for your wonderful work and this forum.
    Bjknerem@gmail.com

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  85. I love reading to my students, and I do for so many reasons... to teach a writing concept, to model a reading comprehensions skill, to teach social studies or science concepts (that's all the time we really get for these!) and sometimes, just to model the enjoyment of good literature! One of my favorite read aloud picture books is Jubal's Wish by Don and Audrey Wood. It has a glorious lesson, colorful pictures, and delightful characters.

    Thanks for reminding me that I haven't read My Father's Dragon with this year's class. That's the one I'd love!
    elementarymatters@gmail.com

    Sally from ElementaryMatters

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  86. Favorite read aloud is The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. My students are enthralled with it! I would love your Chocolate Touch unit! Thank you so much!
    melissa_yost@ralstonachools.org

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  87. I love anything Mo Willems, obviously, and my kids love all of his stuff too. Right now I'm reading Miss Child Has Gone Wild! to my kids during snack time. I don't think it's phenomenal, but the author really captures the voice of a kid well. And he works in some cool facts too!

    If you're still offering a unit, I would love the Chocolate Touch unit! I remember my teacher reading that to us in fourth grade. :)

    jill dot draffkorn at gmail dot com

    Marvelous Multiagers!

    ReplyDelete
  88. Hi...
    I always start the year out with Gooney Bird Greene, and the kids love it. Right now, I'm reading Wayside School, and they're enjoying that, too. One of their favorite picture books is The Big Fat Cow That Went Kapow! It's quick, funny and easy, and is good for teaching fluency (familiar words).

    I would love My Father's Dragon, please. My email is TeachinLV@gmail.com.

    Thanks!!

    ReplyDelete
  89. I love to read Geronimo Stilton to my class. The boys get hooked! I also love all the voice in the writing.

    I would love The Chocolate Touch! My email is theotheralyssasmith@gmail.com

    Thanks!!

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  90. I absolutely love reading to my students. I also remember as a student loving when my teacher would read too. My favorite read aloud chapter books are the Fudge books (Superfudge, Fudgeamania) They are fun, relate-able for students and definitely help with those little mini lessons like you were describing.

    Thank you so much for sharing!! I'd love the Chocolate Touch Unit. TeachinginHeels@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  91. One of my favorite picture books is Pinduli, written by the same author as Stellaluna. I love to read this book while discussing character traits, and inferring the lesson of a story.
    I would love The Chocolate Touch. Thanks!
    email: jdfiore@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  92. One of my favorite picture books is Weslandia by Paul Fleischman. A geeky boy named Wesley starts his own civilization one summer. It has great vocabulary, but you could teach so much more with it. Excellent for science and social studies too!

    I'd love My Father's Dragon, please. My email is mail4martha@gmail.com

    Thank you! Happy Thanksgiving!

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  93. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  94. Wow! What a great response! I'm caught up through 96!

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  95. One of my favorite picture books to read aloud is Jungle Drums by Graeme Base. In college, I had a teacher who read aloud to us during each class. This was one of her read aloud books and I purchased it soon after the class to read to my future students. It has a great message and fantastic pictures. As far as a chapter book, my students always beg to hear The Magic Tree House series. These books really allow students to let their imaginations run wild. They love it. Thanks for doing this giveaway! I would love The Chocolate Touch. My email is ashley58926@hotmail.com. Thanks again!

    ReplyDelete
  96. I teach third grade and those kids LOVE the first Boxcar Children book. Generic, I know, but it totally hooks them and it's such a great book to practice "asking questions" with.

    I'd love the "Chocolate Touch" unit -- megan.e.bristow@gmail.com.

    Thank you!

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  97. Ok- caught up through 100! Amazon is going to LOVE me after I place an order! You guys have come up with some of the BEST things!

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  98. My Grade 4s love the Wayside School series, too funny. I love those and Stone Fox for a tear jerker and Skinnybones just because it makes everyone so happy. My Father's Dragon is a new book for me and I would love to have your unit. Thanks. Lgarcia1@mts.net

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  99. My students are really enjoying Lady Lollipop. It's a great story, with an excellent message.

    I'd love the My Father's Dragon unit. Thanks:)
    mmuntean@friendsbalt.org

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  100. I like to read The Boxcar Children with my kids. It is an old book but they love it! Because it is a little older, it is written using words that some of my students don't know. It is a great chance to talk about vocabulary and how to use context to figure out what the words mean.

    I would love the Chocolate Touch unit!
    steph_backus@hotmail.com

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  101. Hi Christina,

    It's hard to choose just one read aloud so I'll list a few of my favorites. Currently we are reading The Doll People, which my 3rd graders are loving (yes, even the boys!). Some other favorite chapter books include Frindle, Apple Island: The Truth About Teachers, and Indian in the Cupboard. My picture book favorites include anything by Patricia Polacco, Dear Mrs. LaRue for letter writing, and How My Parents Learned to Eat for personal narratives.

    I just finished using My Father's Dragon in my guided reading group so I'd love to see your unit. I haven't done the Chocolate Touch in quite a few years (when I taught 4th). How has it worked for you in 3rd?

    brynne.zachow@gmail.com
    THANK YOU!!

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  102. Hi Christina! What a cute idea! Last week read Now One Foot, Now the Other to my kids to start an interpretive discussion using inferences and text evidence. It's also great for making personal connections or text to text connections. I also just talked with a friend about The Sweetest Fig (for asking questions and making inferences - a lot of opportunity for higher order thinking).

    I'd love the Chocolate Touch unit!

    My email is abby3131@gmail.com

    Thanks so much!

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  103. Hi Christina,

    Gooney Bird Greene is one of my favorite chapter books to read with 2nd graders. It's a great book to get kids thinking about ideas for writing.

    I would really like your Chocolate Touch unit.

    Thanks,
    Becky
    aubecky@hotmail.com
    http://ep2ndgraderocks.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  104. I love reading Freckle Juice to my second graders! Definitely check it out if you havent. I'd love your Chocolate Touch unit, thank you!

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  105. OMG! Any book by Judy Blume is a favorite of mine. The kids love for me to read Tales of A Fourth Grade Nothing and follow with all of the Fudge books. They are so funny and everyone appreciates a good laugh. A day is wasted if there is no laughter. :)

    Thanks for the freebies. I would love to see the Chocolate Touch unit! nataliedterry@msn.com

    Happy Thanksgiving!

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  106. I read aloud to my class on a daily basis! Alot of my students don't get to hear adults read to them at home ~ and they need a model to follow. Anyway, I'm basically a picture book girl! :o) Have to read Piggie Pie at Halloween time so I can get my witchy voice going as well as My Monster Momma Loves Me so I can use my monster voice and MUST read the Tacky books during January when we do our penguin unit. I'd love to have your Chocolate Touch unit and I'll give a chapter book a try! :o) Thanks for your generosity!

    Cindy
    ccfirstteacher@gmail.com

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  107. I love to read the Wayside School series to my first graders. It encourages them to think outside the box and it is just plain fun! It amazes me how many kids have difficulty understanding humor.

    I also love The Chocolate Touch and would love to use it in my classroom - thanks!

    Trish
    ppordum@williamsvillek12.org

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  108. I just found out about Rhyming Dust Bunnies by Jan Thomas. It was very cute and colorful. I found a cute activity on Pinterest to go along with the book. My class loves rhyming books.
    I would love Chocolate Touch.
    Thank you,
    Caroline
    brantcc@bay.k12.fl.us

    ReplyDelete
  109. Picking a favorite read aloud...oh, so many choices! I guess I'll just list several of my favorites...

    Roxie and the Hooligans, Poppy, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Jeremy Thatcher Dragon Hatcher, Bunnicula, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, Frindle, and anything by Roald Dahl.

    I'm not sure if your freebies are still available, but I would absolutely love "My Father's Dragon".

    Thank you! Juleaf8@gmail.com

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  110. Thank you for always sharing such great teaching tools! As a second year teacher your blog is an incredible resource!
    I think my favorite part of teaching is read aloud, I usually do 2 a day but I like the idea of 3!
    My firsties love Junie B. Jones, they are silly chapter books but they are so upset if we miss a day. I love how excited they get when Junie B becomes a good fit book for them!
    I haven't read either of the books you are offering so I would love which ever you think would be a good fit for first grade.
    Thanks again!
    dtejchman@hotmail.com

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  111. My kids love the chapter book Roscoe Riley Rules #1: Never Glue Your Friends to Chairs by Katherine Applegate. The first time I read it to the class I laughed out loud many times and one time cried I was laughing so hard. They are short chapter books and this is the first in the series. It is about a 1st grader who is always in time-out for something and he retells the story. They begged me to keep reading the series and we read 4 of them last year but this first one is the best.
    I would love to get "My Father's Dragon" Thanks.
    smcelhinney@morning-sun.k12.ia.us

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  112. I love teaching with the book "Zak's Lunch." It is full of description in the story. I use this to teach students to be as descriptive as they can in their writing. Usually when I finish reading the book to my students - they are all ready to go to lunch. What a difference details make.

    I would love to have the unit on "The Chocolate Touch." Thanks so much. Happy Thanksgiving!

    ~Jennifer
    http://mrsparkerssecondgrade.blogspot.com
    theparkers04@hotmail.com

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  113. I love reading The Sideways Stories from the Wayside School books by Louis Sachar to my students! I also read Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle by Peggy MacDonald. I read a lot of Roald Dahl's and Beverly Cleary's books too.

    I would love The Chocolate Touch unit since I have purchased a class set of these books and use them as a read aloud! Thank you for your generosity!

    akaritz1@gmail.com

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  114. Hey! Congrats on your donors choose project! I've never tried to get anything funded through it, but it is definitely on my to-do list. So many possibilities!

    I'm reading The Wind in the Willows to my third graders. Got a few copies from Target $1 over the summer, along with other classics. The kiddos are really getting into it. Some of the language is a little heavy, so I always embed lower level vocab along with it. I'm thinking Pinocchio or Black Beauty is next!

    I'd love Chocolate Touch. Just ordered this book from our book fair!

    ~Meg [mfeby1@yahoo.com]

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  115. I LOVE LOVE the book Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster. It's a grade 5 book, but reading it to kids ...they love it. It's about a boy who is bored with everything including learning and he goes to an adventure through Dictionopolis and Digitopolis. You can teach everything with this book! Cute movie too.

    I would love the Chocolate Touch. Thanks! mztrinh@gmail.com

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  116. Have you read the Moongobble and Me series by Bruce Coville? It is a series of six fantasy books targeted at first and second grade readers. It has all the stuff the my boy readers love (magicians, knights, dragons, witches, farts, etc.) but in a context that is not scary and involves the characters helping others. I LOVE reading these books aloud to my first graders. Thanks for sharing your units. I would love the unit for My Father's Dragon.
    csears@chccs.k12.nc.us

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  117. I like to read The Wretched Stone by Chris Val Allsburg. This is a great discussion starter about the perils of too much television. It also leads into comparing and contrasting the characters before and after finding the stone. I also use it to talk about cause and effect.

    I LOVE reading We Are in a Book by Mo Willems. The kids love it too, and it is a fun introduction to writers' workshop.

    I would love the unit for My Father's Dragon. Thank you so much for your generosity. Your blog is addictive!!

    lball@wsd.k12.ca.us

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  118. One of my favorite read alouds is Grandfather Twilight. I always read it as part of my inferencing unit. The kids always come up with so many wonderful inferences and they are so entranced by the illustrations and their interpretations.

    I would love the unit for Chocolate Touch. My email is Emullins01@aol.com. Thanks so much!

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  119. My kids love when I read aloud from Dan Gutman's, My Weird Classroom series. They are written in the point of view of a child and the kids are always laughing throughout the stories. Dan Gutman is also a great author to come visit your school. He came to my school several years ago and the kids are still hooked on reading all of his books.

    I would love the Chocolate Touch unit. My email is lapolloc@gmail.com

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  120. I like to read Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing and any of the other books about Fudge. The students can relate to what happens in the book. It is also good for characterization.

    I would like the Chocolate Touch unit. My email is smartinez@sherwoodk12.net. Thank you so much.

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  121. I recently read Each Orange has 8 Slices for a math lesson using the Associative Property. The kids loved it and were engaged the entire lesson. I would love The Chocolate Touch unit, my email is skwarren10@gmail.com

    Thanks!

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  122. One of my new favorite read alouds is The World According to Humphrey. It's a series of books written from the point of view of a hamster named Humphrey who is a classroom pet. My kids just love it and we are now on the third book in the series. The book is funny and cute and now all of my students want a class pet. I would love your Chocolate Touch unit! Thanks!!
    ~Lesley
    maris529@frontiernet.net

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  123. Hey Christina, loved reading your comments about read alouds. I forwarded it on to many friends and even our assistant supe. The problem is finding the time to do all those read alouds. My sister teaches 4th grade in Bronson, and she is so sad that this year is the first year that she hasn't been able to have time to do read alouds. I told her to take something out of her schedule so that she could put reading back in.
    I love some of the Michigan author's books, like Leslie Helakoski's Big Chickens or Woolbur. (she is coming to our school on Dec. 1st if you are interested) Ronda Gowler Green writes Eek, Creak! snicker, Sneak. Wonderful story about fears.
    I would like the chocolate touch unit if you're still giving! Thanks so much!
    Prutenba@sturgisps.org

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  124. I love Amazing Grace because I can teach so much about character development. Grace's pasion for doing whatever she wanted to be..huge message! I am not a chapter read aloud kind of gal, but my favorite would have to be Charlotte's Web.
    Would love Chocolate Touch
    jknapp6@gmail.com

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  125. Thank your for your comments supporting multiple read-alouds during the school day! I am blessed enough to have the time to read aloud to my kids often and to have administration that supports it!

    My crew of second graders is absolutely in love with The Boxcar Children and are determines to read ALL of them this year! Lol. Not sure that's doable, but we'll try. They even want to write a play about the Boxcar children! I love how excited they are!

    I would love your My Father's Dragon unit! Love that book and had forgotten about it until I read your post. Thanks for the reminder and for your generosity! Happy Thanksgiving!

    Email: sschlickbernd@esu1.org

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  126. WOW THERE ARE SO MANY BOOKS THAT I COULD RECOMMEND. WE ARE DOING VISUALIZATION SO SOME GREAT BOOKS FOR THAT IS "i NEED MY MONSTER" THE GRUFFALO, THE GRUFFALO'S CHILD, THE BIG ORANGE SPLOT, IN THE COUNTRY NIGHT. FOR MAKING CONNECTIONS ANYTHING PATRICIA PALACCO( lOVE HER), THOSE SHOES, ARTHUR'S HALLOWE'EN, THE NAME QUILT, MY NAME IS YOON, LILY AND THE MIXED UP LETTERS. THERE ARE SO MANY MORE. HOPE THIS HELPS. MY EMAIL ADDRESS IS apopovic@primus.ca and if possible my father's dragon unit. thanks a bunch. mary

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  127. One of my favorite read alouds is Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon. I always begin the school year with this book. It is great for developing and creating a positive classroom environment. I also enjoy reading any of the 39 Clues books to my class. The students enjoy trying to figure out what is going to happen next. They also like trying to put the clues together themselves as the story unfolds. I would love to get the Chocolate Touch unit.

    Thanks!
    mcadoo.iason@gmail.com

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  128. Oh, my... I love to read aloud to my kiddos! It is very hard to pick one favorite! Some of my favorites include "Ain't Gonna Paint No More!" just for fun, "Willow" has a great message about being yourself & kindness, and "My Mouth Is a Volcano" is a great story about (and for) those little ones I like to call "shouter-outers."

    I would love your Chocolate Touch unit... Thanks so much! jj

    jjthoreson@gmail.com

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  129. Hi! Wow! I am getting some great ideas just from reading the blog today. As a chapter book this year I read Cam Jansen and the kids loved it. I like it because one of the big issues we have is with inferences. Since this is a mystery, the kids really have to listen for the clues and it is fun to see who can solve the mystery.

    Another of my favorite read alouds is Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon. I have been reading this one for years. We read this one in one of our school assemblies as the anchor for NO PUT DOWNS. It was a hit. I also love Bigmamas by Donald Crews.

    I would love to get the Chocolate Touch unit.
    Thanks,
    Kdcampbell18656@gmail.com

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  130. I love reading Lauren Child's "Clarice Bean" books aloud. The kiddos love Clarice's made up words, and she's just hilarious!!

    I'm not familiar with "The Chocolate Touch," so I'd like to check that out!

    lauren.e.dennis@gmail.com
    Notes from Miss Dennis

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  131. "Sneezy the Snowman" by Maureen Wright.

    This is an adorable story about a snowman who can't get warm without melting. I am planning on incorporating a science lesson in with it. As a hook you could tell the children you have a very special snowball in your bag and then pull out a bag of "melted snow" (water). The kids then are each given an icecube and a given amount of time to walk around the room and find the best ways to melt the icecube. (concept - water can turn from a solid to a liquid) A friend of mine has done this and the kids had so much fun! This story would be fun to read after the race to melt the icecubes.

    I might be too late - but I thought it was worth a try =) Chocolate Touch brittanyvanderzalm@gmail.com

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  132. Ok- coffee and english muffin sit steaming in front of me on this lovely day off from school (!) and I am now sending the e-mail to everyone through 136. If you don't get your copy, you may have forgotten your e-mail or typed it incorrectly.

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  133. I may be too late :(

    I love reading aloud The Cricket in Times Square, Gooney Bird Greene, and anything Roald Dahl!

    If I'm not too late, I'd love The Chocolate Touch. jenala87@gmail.com

    Thanks (even if I'm too late!)

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  134. I'm probably too late, but I'd love to share!

    1. Favorite read aloud - The Great Fuzz Frenzy by Janet Stevens

    It is a super fun book that has some pages that turn sideways! It also has a great anti-bullying/working together theme and my kiddos love it every year! I also got to meet Janet before I became a teacher and she was SUPER nice, so I like supporting authors that are friendly with teachers!

    2. The Chocolate Touch unit looks great! If i'm not too late I'd love it!! gruver.j@gmail.com

    Thanks for your awesome blog, I love reading it!

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  135. You are awesome! I already feel a kinship with you because of your excitement for teaching. I feel the exact same way. I teach 3rd grade and I faithfully read Sideways Stories from Wayside School and James and the Giant Peach. My students LOVE LOVE LOVE the Wayside School series and without fail I am always asked, "When are you going to read Wayside School? Read it now please!!"

    I just got "The Snow Angel" by Glenn Beck at Books-A-Million yesterday for $7.99. Its a new book by Beck and it is fabulous! The illustrations are amazing and I got teary eyed when I finished reading the book. When I went into work this morning to put up my Christmas decorations, I immediately put the book on my "Read Aloud" book shelves attached to my whiteboard. I will for sure read that book to my class.

    I read to my students EVERY DAY. Aside from promoting fluency, inflection, expression, etc...it promotes an EXCITEMENT for reading. After only two years of teaching, I truly see the impact my read alouds have on my students and how they view reading for fun.

    If I'm not too late, my email is tanya.villacis@desoto.k12.fl.us and I would love The Chocolate Touch unit. I use The Chocolate Touch as one of my books for my Spring round of Literature Circles.

    ReplyDelete

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