Musings from a middle school reading specialist. I encourage my students to read, talk, write, and have fun!
I parent two amazing young-adult daughters with my husband of 30+ years.

March 15, 2012

"Is this a book theater?" - SOLC #15


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I am the lucky teacher to host First Grade Reading Club in my room during lunchtime twice a week.  While the six students eat their lunch, I read aloud a book or two and engage them in conversation.  Then we then work on readers' theater scripts, word work, fluency phrases and/or writing & drawing about a story we read.  I try to keep their minds engaged with lots of different activities because -- let's face it -- first graders have teeny, tiny attention spans.  Especially when they should be out at recess!

During one club meeting, a student asked if I could play them a video on my computer. He wanted to hear some music while he ate.

I remembered the link to TumbleBooks on our public library's website.  "How about I show you a really great book?" I asked

I  set my laptop on top of my stacked rolling carts.  We agreed on Little Pea by Amy Krouse Rosenthal (I LOVE this book!).  I turned on my desk lamp for a bit of background light, pressed play on the TumbleBook and shut off the room lights.

"Ooooooohhhhhhh!" said the first graders.

"Is this a book theater?" exclaimed J.  "All we're missing is the popcorn!"


6 comments:

  1. I love it! What a great idea. I recently read my first Krouse Rosenthal book, Little Miss Planted a Kiss (or something similar to that). My daughters and I absolutely loved it. I am sure they would really enjoy Little Pea as well.

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  2. Your title had me guessing. This isn't exactly what my mind was picturing, but I love the phrase "book theater!"

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  3. Good thinking! It's so hard for those little first graders to be cooped up inside at recess - especially with the nice weather arriving! Love that J. called it a book theatre. Might have to borrow that phrase! Happy reading!

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  4. Clever idea. I'm sure those first graders don't want to sit still even if they are eating. You'll have to check out some other books for your next "book theater".

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  5. Love this! Maybe it could become a new ritual in the room, once a week, once a month - and bring on the popcorn! Thanks for sharing.

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  6. How lucky those young readers are to have you filling their minds with great literature at every opportunity

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