Reading Aloud in the Middle School History Classroom
Reading a novel or non-fiction book aloud to my students is an essential part of my school year. I probably began this practice when the district-wide Troybery Reading Program was created by our Media Specialists. In this program students, teachers, and staff read the same newly published books throughout the school year and vote on the top book of the year. Troybery is outstanding and has been existence for more than 15 years now. My read-aloud selections are usually current Troybery historical fiction (or non-fiction) books. This year I have added a few other selections. My classes have just finished "nine, ten" by Nora Raleigh Baskin, a book about the events of September 11, 2001. Teaching Twentieth (and Twenty-first) Century History is incredibly important to me and I incorporate it whenever possible. Students have little working knowledge of this time period. We read the story aloud and then discuss the historic facts embedded in the story. Reading al...