In this remarkable resource, Maria Walther shares two-page read-aloud experiences for 101 picture books that tune you into what to notice, say, and wonder in order to bolster students’ literacy exponentially.
A first-grade teacher for decades, Maria is a master of “strategic savoring.” Her lesson design efficiently sparks instructional conversations around each book’s cover illustration, enriching vocabulary words, literary language, and the ideas and themes vital to young learners.
Teachers, schools, and districts looking to energize your core reading and writing program, search no further: The Ramped-Up Read Aloud delivers a formula for literacy development and a springboard to joy in equal parts.
About the Author
Maria Walther is a first-grade teacher in Aurora, IL. She’s been spending her days with children since 1986. Along with teaching young learners, Maria inspires other professionals by sharing her knowledge at local, state, and national conferences. The ideas she shares reflect her continued commitment to teaching, researching, writing, and collaborating with her colleagues. Maria earned a doctorate at Northern Illinois University in 1998 was recently named The Outstanding Literacy Alumni by the Department of Literacy Education for professionalism, service, and career success. Maria has been a longtime advocate for reading aloud. She was honored as Illinois Reading Educator of the Year and earned the ICARE for Reading Award for fostering the love of reading in children. Before partnering with the Corwin team, she co-authored five professional books and the Next Step Guided Reading Assessment with Scholastic. Learn more about her books at mariawalther.com and follow her on Twitter @mariapwalther.
Table of Contents
AcknowledgmentsAbout the AuthorREAD ALOUD = JOY! Ten Compelling Reasons to Read Aloud Six Secrets to Successful Read-Aloud Experiences Four Ways to Network and Find New Books Four Ways You Might Use This BookChapter 1: Create a Joyful Classroom Community Transforming the Classroom WorldChapter 2: Converse About Literary ElementsFiction Reading Really Good StoriesChapter 3: Converse About ComprehensionFiction Imagining Ourselves Into BooksChapter 4: Converse About Comprehension Informational and Narrative Nonfiction Diving Into Informational TextsChapter 5: Build Foundational and Language Skills Working With WordsChapter 6: Inspire Writers Sharing the Gift of WritingResources Professional Resources Cited Children’s Literature CitedIndex