3 Holiday Books that Teach Kindness and Giving

"The day before 
Christmas,
snuggled on his floor,
Bear sleeps soundly
with a great big snore....
#1. Bear Stays Up for Christmas   Bears sleep in winter!  That's what they do! but this bear has friends who want him to stay up, stay awake and enjoy Christmas!  And so the adventure begins... they must find a Christmas tree and bake some cakes.  They need to hang up stockings and sing Christmas songs.  Bear manages to stay up with some help from his friends and he learns an important life lesson.  The lesson of giving! 

Reading Picture Books In November

   Reading Good Books In November   

reading aloud, teaching reading

Reading aloud to primary-grade students offers many benefits that support their academic and emotional growth.  Here is a list of five reasons. 

1. Builds Vocabulary and Language Skills

Picture books often contain rich, varied vocabulary that children may not encounter in everyday conversations. Hearing new words in context helps them expand their vocabulary and develop their language.

2. Boosts Comprehension and Critical Thinking

When teachers read aloud, they can model thinking strategies like predicting, questioning, and making inferences. Discussing the story afterward encourages students to think deeply about the plot, characters, and themes, improving their comprehension skills.

3. Enhances Listening Skills and Attention Span

Listening to a story requires focused attention, which helps develop children's listening skills and patience. Engaging with picture books also encourages them to practice concentration and follow along with longer narratives.

4. Fosters a Love for Reading

Children who hear engaging, well-told stories develop a positive association with reading. Picture books often feature vibrant illustrations and captivating plots, making reading an enjoyable experience that nurtures a lifelong love of books.

5. Supports Social-Emotional Learning

Many picture books explore empathy, friendship, problem-solving, and understanding emotions. Reading these aloud allows children to connect emotionally with the characters, helping them develop empathy and gain insights into their feelings and relationships.

These reasons illustrate why reading aloud is a powerful tool for developing academic and personal growth in primary-grade students.  Discover the world of Children's Literature with your students.  It begins with you!