Reading Aloud and Beyond: Fostering the Intellectual Life with Older Readers

by Frank Serafini, Cyndy Giorgis

Reading aloudthat's for primary school children, right? No, say Frank Serafini and Cyndi Giorgis. They contend that reading aloud is just as important for older readers. And they provide the research to back their claim. They maintain that reading aloud belongs in the intermediate elementary grades, and middle school too, because But Serafini and Giorgis do more than argue a persuasive case. They provide the practical wherewithal to implement reading aloud as an instructional strategy for both the language arts and the content area disciplines. They also include extensive lists of suggested literaturepicture books, chapter books, informational texts, poetry, and professional references. What's more, these authors show how teachers can create in the classroom an intellectual universe where discussions are profound and students enthusiastic about expanding their minds and appreciating the sound and beauty of language.

Genres: Nonfiction

112 pages, Paperback

First published July 22, 2003

About the author

Dr. Frank Serafini is an author, illustrator, photographer, educator, musician, and a Professor of Literacy Education and Children’s Literature at Arizona State University.
Frank has published seven books with Heinemann, including: The Reading Workshop, Reading Aloud and Beyond, Lessons in Comprehension, and Around the Reading Workshop in 180 Days and Classroom Reading Assessments which will be available in 2010. In addition, Frank has published Reading the Visual (2014) and Beyond the Visual (2022) with Teachers College Press.
In 2008, Frank began writing and illustrating a series of non-fiction picturebooks focusing on nature with Kids Can Press. The Looking Closely series contains books about the desert, garden, pond, rainforest, shore and forest. In 2009, Looking Closely Along the Shore won an International Reading Association’s Teachers’ Choice Award, and Honorable Mention from the Society of School Librarians International.
A true “Renaissance Man,” Frank loves to travel, sing, play guitar, cook, draw, read, visit art galleries, and watch movies. His workshops are packed with important information and practical ideas, all delivered with a great sense of humor.

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is OK. I'm not very fond of Mr. Serafini's writing style, but he makes good points. I didn't learn much from this book since I'd already read "The Reading Workshop: Creating Space for Readers" and I have always believed in the importance of reading aloud. There are some good ideas in this book, so if you don't already have a plan for reading aloud and using it to inform your teaching, this is a good place to start. If you're past the first years of teaching, this book probably won't help you much.

[Temoca · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a quick read and good information and tips for incorporating read alouds and other literacy strategies into your classroom. It didn't have much in the way of new information for me but still good to know info.

[Ragina · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you don't read aloud to older students and you wonder why you should, read this. Great points, ideas, and tips. Excellent resource.

[Tena Edlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The beginning of the book is worth its weight in gold.