Response to "Flush" Read Aloud

Normally, I am not a fan of a read aloud since most of the time I can’t follow the story. This isn’t because I can’t keep up but rather the read aloud is going too slow. When I read independently I find myself reading very fast and when I get excited about the book I read even faster. Therefore, I can set my own pace with independent reading. However, when I have to sit and listen to someone, as I hated to do as a child- because I wanted to do it myself, it is really hard for me to concentrate. I find myself thinking of other things, I wanted to be independent as a child, read as much or as little as I wanted and when I wanted and the thought of someone reading for me and forcing me to listen, just didn’t sit well. But I think this time something might have changed with the reading of “Flush”. I found myself at first, a little distracted and then I slowly began to listen to parts of the story. I believe because this was done, a read aloud, over an extended period of time and not just a short story or poem, I was forced to follow along and interact when my classmates would chat about the book. I found myself slowly engaging in the story line and wondering what was happening to the characters.

Although I am still not a huge fan of a read aloud, on the part of being a student (because I do value them as a teacher), I think that they hold potential for a lot of kids, even those who have feelings such as mine. I do believe that this read aloud, because I didn’t follow the entire story, has made me want to read the story on my own. Aside from having a hard time being read to, I think this is valuable time, the read aloud in the classroom, not simply as an extra, but as a substantial part of the class or curriculum. A read aloud can be used for many different purposes in the class not only as a chance for students to step back and have “quiet time” but for them to let go, to have a “risk free” reading experience. Allowing students to feel free to doodle, to play with play dough, or other kinesthetic activities (while sitting somewhere in the room not disturbing others) is important because a lot of students want or maybe need constant activity, on some level. I know, not specifically from this read aloud, but from learning about them, that I want to use read aloud, as an important part in my classroom.