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May 9, 2012 9:30 AM Subscribe
What stand-alone book could I bring in as a guest reader for a class of 5th graders?
I work at an organization that regularly sends me out to do storytimes at local schools for kindergarten and first grade classes. Recently, my boss sent an email out saying that a local elementary school had asked her if anyone would be interested in volunteering to be a guest reader at this school's "reading week." The school happened to be a few blocks from my apartment, so I said "sure, I'll do it before I go into work."
I just got an email back from the organizer at the school and they want me to read a story to a 5th grade classroom. I have experience working with 5th graders and even reading them chapter books each day, but I have no idea what to bring in for a single-time read-aloud session that will be age-appropriate but also, y'know, fit into 20 minutes (or a similarly short period of time, time was not specified but I'm assuming I'm not going to be reading to them for a couple hours or anything).
So, I'm looking either for specific suggestions of books or excerpts of books, or general guiding principles that I can use to pick out something myself.
The school is in a neighborhood with a lot of ESL students, so I'm looking to avoid anything with super-flowery language.
Oh and bonus points if it's nature-related-- I work for an environmental organization and that's who the school approached so they might prefer that. I don't think it's too important, though.
I work at an organization that regularly sends me out to do storytimes at local schools for kindergarten and first grade classes. Recently, my boss sent an email out saying that a local elementary school had asked her if anyone would be interested in volunteering to be a guest reader at this school's "reading week." The school happened to be a few blocks from my apartment, so I said "sure, I'll do it before I go into work."
I just got an email back from the organizer at the school and they want me to read a story to a 5th grade classroom. I have experience working with 5th graders and even reading them chapter books each day, but I have no idea what to bring in for a single-time read-aloud session that will be age-appropriate but also, y'know, fit into 20 minutes (or a similarly short period of time, time was not specified but I'm assuming I'm not going to be reading to them for a couple hours or anything).
So, I'm looking either for specific suggestions of books or excerpts of books, or general guiding principles that I can use to pick out something myself.
The school is in a neighborhood with a lot of ESL students, so I'm looking to avoid anything with super-flowery language.
Oh and bonus points if it's nature-related-- I work for an environmental organization and that's who the school approached so they might prefer that. I don't think it's too important, though.
Also, just phoning up the school librarian for this elementary school might not be the worst idea. He/she will doubtless know the age-relevant literature inside and out, and might be able to suggest something that would connect (or at least avoid overlapping) with what the kids have already been reading. Plus, actually choosing a book that's available in their school library sets you up nicely for a final pro-reading pitch at the end ("Liked this? Check out the [Animal Shelf] at the library down the hall!").
posted by Bardolph at 10:08 AM on May 9, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by Bardolph at 10:08 AM on May 9, 2012 [1 favorite]
In addition to short stories, a poem might be worth reading. The rhyme and meter might even make it preferable for ESL students.
posted by TedW at 10:43 AM on May 9, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by TedW at 10:43 AM on May 9, 2012 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: The only idea I had come up with on my own before posting was The Lorax-- I have it on hand, and it's environmental and it's about the right length. Wasn't sure if the kids would be into it or not, though. I have read it to kids that age and they liked it, but in a very different situation and with kids who had probably been hearing that story from birth. What do people think?
Ranger Rick is a good idea, I think we have a couple stacks of back issues at work I could look through.
posted by geegollygosh at 10:51 AM on May 9, 2012
Ranger Rick is a good idea, I think we have a couple stacks of back issues at work I could look through.
posted by geegollygosh at 10:51 AM on May 9, 2012
How about some poems from Shel Silverstein?
posted by jvilter at 12:00 PM on May 9, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by jvilter at 12:00 PM on May 9, 2012 [1 favorite]
Not environmental but: Consider one of the long poems by Robert Service (eg The Cremation of Sam McGee) or The Highwayman. Great ghost-story atmosphere.
posted by LobsterMitten at 12:21 PM on May 9, 2012
posted by LobsterMitten at 12:21 PM on May 9, 2012
The Tree that Time Built is a lovely collection of science and nature poems - you can pick out 2 for compare and contrast (they are in good sections already) perhaps with a introductory fact part? You can probably find it at the library.
posted by mutt.cyberspace at 12:24 PM on May 9, 2012
posted by mutt.cyberspace at 12:24 PM on May 9, 2012
Uh, The Highwayman gave me a very unpleasant mental image that I couldn't get rid of for ages, at about that age. I wouldn't recommend that one.
posted by Cheese Monster at 2:52 PM on May 9, 2012
posted by Cheese Monster at 2:52 PM on May 9, 2012
The Story of Jumping Mouse
I don't agree with the first reviewer on the Amazon page --I read this to a group of third graders who really enjoyed it. We had an activity area in that class room that allowed us to make it into a campfire story. And it's a story that can easily stick with you throughout your life.
posted by zueod at 3:11 PM on May 9, 2012
I don't agree with the first reviewer on the Amazon page --I read this to a group of third graders who really enjoyed it. We had an activity area in that class room that allowed us to make it into a campfire story. And it's a story that can easily stick with you throughout your life.
posted by zueod at 3:11 PM on May 9, 2012
The Kingfisher Treasury series of compiled short stories is very good for finding stories to read to different young audiences. The compilations feature classic, known, and unknown authors, (e.g. The Ghost Stories one has a story by Margaret Mahy and one by Joan Aiken; the Magical Stories include Penelope Lively, and a Scottish folk tale).
posted by gubenuj at 11:04 PM on May 9, 2012
posted by gubenuj at 11:04 PM on May 9, 2012
Consider researching some of the stories included in the Great Books or Junior Great Books series. These are the books in the 5th grade anthologies: volume 1 and volume 2.
I distinctly remember being read "Charles" (which is the first story in volume 2) around that age. We also read another Shirley Jackson story, "The Lottery", around then, which might be a little edgier of a choice and something to consider if you know the classroom well enough. "Charles" is a great story, they'll love it.
posted by Fuego at 12:33 PM on May 10, 2012
I distinctly remember being read "Charles" (which is the first story in volume 2) around that age. We also read another Shirley Jackson story, "The Lottery", around then, which might be a little edgier of a choice and something to consider if you know the classroom well enough. "Charles" is a great story, they'll love it.
posted by Fuego at 12:33 PM on May 10, 2012
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If you're looking for more specific recs, Roald Dahl has some short stories that would be fun to read aloud to this age group. Or for an environmentalist angle, Ranger Rick is a conservation-oriented kids' magazine that generally has at least 1-2 stories per issue-- you could see if the local library subscribes.
posted by Bardolph at 10:00 AM on May 9, 2012