Digital Read Aloud Notebook

 

I have been thinking about our final chapter book read aloud for a while now. I wanted to end with the perfect book. I have been influenced by Colby Sharp, and my love of Barbra O'Connor. We will be reading Halfway to Harmony. I want students to think deeply and be able to keep track of their thoughts as I read to them. My campus just became a 1-1 campus, so I created a digital read aloud notebook for us to use. I am excited to introduce it to my students and love that they will have it forever in their Google drive. Hopefully, it will be a sweet reminder of the reading community we created this year.

Click here to make a copy of my reader's notebook! 

It can be edited and adapted for ANY read aloud or ANY book students are reading. 

The notebook includes:

1. Cover Page

2. ABC Boxes-

This graphic organizer will be used throughout the read aloud and foster deep comprehension. We will fill in as many boxes as we can with words (that start with each letter) that pertain to the story and explain the word. You want to encourage students to think about character traits, themes, important events, think deep and outside of the box:)

3. Character List- 

Here we will track the characters we meet throughout the story. Encourage students to think about the strengths and weaknesses of each character, their relationships with others, what motivates them. Also, have them write their feelings and how their thinking changes. 

4. Chapter Thoughts-

We always use Book, Head, Heart and Signposts to help us think deeply and guide our conversations. (You can read more about Book, Head, Heart here.)So on these pages, students will share their thoughts for each chapter. It will also serve as a way to remember what we read the day before. 

5. Final Thoughts-

The last section will be for when we finish reading the book. Students will share how they are feeling, what they loved, what they wanted more of, discuss if and why they would recommend the book to others and any other thoughts they have.

Throughout the read aloud, I will give students time to turn and talk, share with a partner, and share out with the class. I love the conversations that students prompt, and we are able to have together. 

The power of books is amazing and leaves everyone wanting one more chapter read!