Freddy’s Favorites compile TextProject’s recommendations for read-aloud books for struggling and beginning readers. The Common Core State Standards bring increased focus to what it is that students are learning in schools and what they need to know. Through read-alouds, students can be introduced to topics and genres that they might otherwise not be able to read independently. Our list of Read-Aloud Favorites can be searched by grade level, genre, format and subject.
To read more about the importance of reading aloud in a classroom, please read this blog entry in Frankly Freddy.
The 5,000-Year-Old Puzzle: Solving a Mystery of Ancient Egypt
As the book describes, the people in the story are fictional, but the book is based on actual pictures and artifacts of the exploration of Queen Hetepheres’s tomb (identity revealed near the end of the book). In addition to the narrative, there are also sidebars loaded with facts about topics such as tools of the trade and jewelry found in the tomb. Queen Hetepheres’s mummy was never found, but many artifacts uncovered were the kinds of everyday items that scientists had never studied before. This book is a great way to bring the excitement and anticipation of a new discovery to the class.
Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade
Tony Sarg (rhymes with arrrg!) specialized in puppetry. He started his career making marionettes and even had a show on Broadway in New York City. So how did a puppeteer design one of the most popular American events, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade? As this book shows, the parade did not start out as it is now. The giant balloons came when Tony Sarg realized that only the people nearest to the parade could see the puppets. This is a wonderful book about how something as grand as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade had humble beginnings but, with lots of work and creativity, became a beloved tradition.
Kyle Keeps Track of Cash
This book is one in a series that focuses on money and economics for young kids. In this book, the reader follows Kyle as he learns about creating a budget for an upcoming camping trip and as he sells candy to help raise money for the trip. The simple and clear text makes it easy to follow the concepts taught in this book. The rest of the series deals with more economic topics, such as saving money, borrowing money, and price comparisons.
What Is the World Made Of? All About Solids, Liquids, and Gases
This book looks at the solids, liquids, and gases that are all around us. The author uses everyday objects to describe each state of matter. Water is used as an example of something that can move from one state of matter to another. Each description is set up so that children (with adult supervision) can explore the three states of matter and see how matter can change from a liquid to a solid, then to a liquid, and finally to a gas by changing the temperature. Children may already know about solids, liquids, and gases, but this book gives formal definitions for matter.
Wild Animal Neighbors: Sharing Our Urban World
Everyone knows that bears live in the forest and alligators live in the swamp. But as cities spread out more and more, wild animals can be found living in our cities. This book describes specific instances of animals found living in the city as well as a little history of how the animals got to be urban dwellers. There is also scientific information about each animal. This book would be a great resource for any unit on habitats.