The Ramped-Up Read Aloud

What to Notice as You Turn the Page

What if each page of a picture book was guaranteed to enhance a child’s reading and writing tenfold? Would you ramp up your read alouds? In this remarkable resource, Maria Walther shares two-page read aloud experiences for 101 picture books that tune you into what to notice, say, and wonder in order to bolster students’ literacy exponentially. 

The read alouds in this book will help teachers:

•  Foster a strong sense of community
• Celebrate the written (and illustrated) word 
• Build a foundation for future reading and learning
• Expand vocabulary (with a focus on Tier 2 words)
• Support budding writers
• Spark collaborative conversations
• Encourage perspective-taking, empathy, and a growth mindset  

A first grade teacher for decades, Maria is a master of “strategic savoring.”  Her lesson design efficiently sparks instructional conversations around the cover illustration, enriching vocabulary words, literary language, and the ideas and themes vital to young learners.

Maria arranges the rich fiction and nonfiction titles into chapters that mirror the way primary teachers plan curriculum. Need books tailor made for building community? Teaching literary elements? Comprehension strategies?  Foundational and language skills? Inspiring writers? It’s all here and at the ready. Coaching tips on expressive oral reading, strategic seating, uncovering language nuances for EL students, effective questioning and more make the art of sharing books and learning with children do-able for everyone. 

Teachers, schools, and districts looking to energize your core reading and writing program, search no further: The Ramped-Up Read Aloud delivers a formula for literacy development and joy in equal parts.