The Read Aloud Classroom

Transform your read-alouds from passive listening into active engagement with strategic questioning! This bonus episode reveals the exact questions to ask for each comprehension strategy and shares the simple "sticky note strategy" that ensures you never forget your discussion questions again. You'll learn how to craft questions that truly develop your students' comprehension skills, discover the best timing for...

End the frustration of frantically searching through your classroom library for the "right" book! This bonus episode teaches you exactly how to identify which picture books work best for each comprehension strategy, so you can quickly find the perfect text for any lesson. You'll learn the specific features to look for in books for making connections, inferencing, predicting, visualizing, asking questions, and summari...

Stop wondering whether you've covered all the essential reading skills or if you're teaching them in the right order! This bonus episode walks you through creating a strategic, year-long plan for teaching comprehension strategies that builds from concrete to abstract thinking. You'll learn the research-based "building blocks approach" that ensures balanced instruction, discover when to introduce each strate...

Feeling overwhelmed by curriculum pressures and struggling to fit read-alouds into your packed teaching day? This bonus episode reveals the hidden pockets of time that exist in every classroom schedule and shows you exactly how to make read-alouds a consistent, non-negotiable part of your routine. You'll discover research-backed strategies for integrating picture books across all subject areas, learn how to address the biggest...

Get ready to fall in love with reading all over again! This month's new releases are absolutely incredible, and I'm practically bursting with excitement to share them with you. From a grumpy ghost who learns about friendship to a blind astronomer who literally hears the stars, these 13 brand-new picture books are going to transform your read aloud game. Whether you need something to spark deep conversations about strength...

Picture this: It's the second week of school, and you're frantically grabbing random books off your shelf, hoping they'll somehow connect to what you're supposed to be teaching. Sound familiar? What if I told you that just a few hours of intentional planning this summer could transform your entire year of read alouds into purposeful, curriculum-connected teaching moments that actually make your job easier?

In thi...

Tired of scrambling to find the perfect books for those crucial first weeks of school? We all know how overwhelming it can be to build classroom community, establish routines, and create that magical safe space where every student can thrive—all while juggling twenty-something little humans who are still figuring out where they belong! That's exactly why I've curated this collection of ten tried-and-true picture books tha...

Ever found yourself scrambling to find the perfect book for your read aloud, only to realize halfway through that it doesn't teach what you intended? Or finished reading without asking a single meaningful question? In this episode, I dive into the three biggest challenges teachers face with read alouds: finding time in packed schedules, organizing books effectively, and knowing which questions to ask. These struggles are real,...

Picture this: It's the first week of school, and you want to create that magical classroom community feeling, but you're drowning in lesson plans, bulletin boards, and endless to-do lists. What if I told you that the perfect picture books could do the heavy lifting for you—building classroom culture, teaching social-emotional skills, and setting the tone for an amazing year, all while giving you those precious read-aloud ...

Picture this: it's October, and your read alouds feel more like classroom management battles than magical learning moments. Students are wiggling, interrupting, and completely checked out during what should be the most engaging part of your day. Sound familiar? The truth is, those October struggles often trace back to what happened (or didn't happen) during those crucial first weeks of school. The routines you establish i...

As we inch closer to back-to-school season, you know what's coming—those first-week jitters, the worried faces in your morning lineup, and yes, that familiar flutter in your own stomach too. What if I told you that ten carefully chosen picture books could transform those anxious moments into powerful teaching opportunities that help your students understand and manage their big feelings?

In this bonus episode, I'm sharing ...

Ever feel like you're constantly hunting for new books to teach different subjects, even though your classroom library is already bursting at the seams? You're not alone! In this episode, I'm sharing the game-changing strategy that smart teachers use to make one amazing picture book do the work of three. We'll explore how to uncover the hidden cross-curricular potential in books you already own and love, saving ...

You know that feeling when you discover a picture book that's so perfect for your classroom that you can hardly contain your excitement? Well, get ready to experience that joy eleven times over because this month's new releases are absolutely incredible. From poetry that turns everyday moments into pure delight to stories that help kids navigate big emotions with confidence, these fresh picture books are bursting with rea...

Ever grabbed a picture book for a lesson only to realize halfway through that it wasn't going to work for what you planned to teach? (Been there!) In this episode, I'm sharing my proven 10-minute framework that will transform how you prepare read alouds forever. No more late-night planning or scrambling for questions while you're reading - just a simple, repeatable process that works with ANY picture book in your cla...

You know that magical moment when a student asks a question that makes you think, "Yes! They're really thinking deeply about this story!" But let's be honest—teaching students HOW to ask meaningful questions during reading can feel like another thing to squeeze into an already packed day. What if I told you there are picture books that naturally spark curiosity and make questioning feel effortless? In this summe...

Ever found yourself frantically scanning your bookshelf minutes before a read aloud, grabbing any book you can find while hoping it somehow works for your lesson? You're not alone! In this episode, we dive into why even the most experienced teachers find themselves in this last-minute scramble and how it impacts both your confidence and your students' learning experience. I share my own embarrassing story of choosing the ...

Picture this: it's Sunday night, you're planning for the week ahead, and you need books that actually help your students understand problem and solution—not just pretty stories that check the box. You know those moments when you find the perfect book that makes a tricky concept finally click for your students? That's exactly what these 10 picture books will do for teaching problem and solution in your classroom.

In th...

Ever find yourself reading a wonderful picture book to your class, only to realize you've forgotten to ask a single question? Or maybe you're constantly second-guessing if you're stopping at the right moments or holding the book the "correct" way? You're not alone! In this episode of The Read Aloud Classroom, I'm pulling back the curtain on something many teachers struggle with but rarely discuss:...

You know that moment when you're trying to explain point of view to your students and they stare back at you like you're speaking another language? We've all been there! Teaching this concept can feel tricky, but the right picture books make all the difference. In this special bonus episode, I'm sharing 10 amazing mentor texts that transform point of view from confusing to "aha!" - including books that...