Print Friendly, PDF & Email

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][bctt tweet=”Reading aloud is still an important part of language arts for older students as well as younger ones. “]Reading aloud to upper elementary and middle school kids allows them to hear what fluency and prosody sounds like, especially for students who have difficulty in these areas, and it also gives a different perspective through the imagery created from when another person is reading.

One of the hardest things with read alouds suitable for older kids is being careful of the language. Books that are labeled for fifth grade and up usually contain a bit of colorful language (some fourth-grade books, too). I don’t like language so I either choose to change the wording or if there are too many off-color words, I will instead recommend it to students with the warning about the language and I will choose to not read it aloud. In order to be able to filter out the language, though, I have to be familiar with the book. I spend my summer reading through new books to judge whether or not certain ones will make it to my read aloud list.

I have found several books that I absolutely love for fifth, sixth and seventh graders. Here are some of my favorites for read alouds to older students.

Freak the Mighty, by Rodman Philbrook, is a truly wonderful book about friendship and acceptance. This book allows great discussion on differences, how we respectfully and unconditionally agree to disagree within the realms of a friendship and is full of figurative language, with very little off-color language. Most copies also include a discussion guide at the end.

Another favorite is Out of My Mind, by Sharon Draper. This book takes the reader inside the mind of a non-verbal character with cerebral palsy. It offers insight into what someone with a learning challenge might be thinking about those who are without challenges on a day-to-day basis. By the end of the book,  the author approaches the idea that there really isn’t anyone who is without some type of challenge. This book is free of off-color language and also has a discussion guide.

The Giver, by Lois Lowry, is a long-time favorite. There are many themes in this book that hold truer in today’s society than in 1993 when it was originally written. The Giver can definitely stand alone, but is so much richer when the next three books in the series, The Messenger, Gathering Blue, and Son, are read too.

Fish Don’t Climb Trees, by Sue Hall opens up discussion about dyslexia, which affects one in five students and usually goes undiagnosed for quite some time. The author shows the importance of communication between students and teachers and even gives ideas on how to open up those lines of communication. Hall also has a supplemental book for parents and caregivers of children with dyslexia.

If you are looking for a book that brings culture and history to life along with how one person can make a huge impact on the world, A Long Walk To Water, by Linda Sue Park is a perfect fit. Based on a true story the author meshes the worlds of a boy many years ago with a girl of today, showing how one person making a difference trickles down for years to come. This book contains violent and heartbreaking scenes which most of our students cannot fathom but provides a springboard to plant the seed of seeing past themselves.

Pay It Forward Kids, by Nancy Runstedler, is also a great read aloud which shows how kids with big dreams can make a huge difference in our world. Taken from real-life stories of kids whose seemingly small ideas made a mighty impact, and continues to make that impact, this book makes sure that kids understand that no one is too young to have a great idea.

[bctt tweet=”What are some of your favorite read alouds for older kids?”][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

Paula has a Masters degree in education with an emphasis on child development and child behavior....

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.