'The Ride of the Katipo' by Stu Duval
This book was the first ever read for #NZreadaloud It is probably not one that I would have chosen myself but my Year 7 class really seemed to enjoy it and they loved participating in the #NZreadaloud.
'Kensuke's Kingdom' by Michael Morpurgo
I generally tend to stick to New Zealand authors for my read alouds, but of course anything by Michael Morpurgo is going to be a great read. I used this survival story as a shared literature study. My Year 7 students used google drive to complete some activities adapted from here.
Full of rich text this book provides lots of opportunity to work on vocabulary extension. A great survival story.
The Big Dry by Tony Davis
This was my read aloud during our inquiry based learning on 'Water.' The students were fascinated to consider a world with very little water, and they really did relate to the main character. George is a 12 year old boy who finds himself along with his younger brother in a survival situation. He faces enormous challenges but never wavers in his sense of family responsibility.It is not a cheerful story, certainly it is a thought provoking one which extended our 'water' learning. Personally I found the ending a little unsatisfactory, although in the classroom it inspired a discussion around endings which leave the reader with questions.
 |
The story of a 12 year old deaf boy who is ostracised by the villagers of his Pacific Island home. Some big topics for discussion including prejudice and superstition. Surprise ending.
I use this book as a shared literature study, good for learning how to respond to text and setting up expectations regarding written responses at the start of the year. Movie available too.
'Hunter' by Joy Cowley
A survival story told in two different voices, distanced by time but linked by place and by whakapapa. One an escaped Maori Slave in pre-European times and the other a group of siblings stranded following a plane crash in the modern era.
Topics for discussion include; survival, Maori medicine and Maori vocabulary, NZ history.
'The Halfmen of O' by Maurice Gee
A sci-fi fantasy adventure, good verses evil quest. This story features a strong 12 year old female protagonist. This is the students' favourite (so far) A great read aloud for Year 7 / 8 classes.
Peter Jackson should make a movie of this one!
'Ryan and Jimmy and the well in Africa that bought them together' by Herb Shoveller
Non-fiction. This was my read aloud during our inquiry learning unit on 'water'. Absolutely heart warming story of a six year old boy who changes the world for the better by raising enough money to build a well in Africa.
'When the Kehua Calls' by Kingi McKinnon
Great read for building knowledge of Maori culture and vocabulary. Also slightly 'spooky' kehua = ghost / spirit.
'The Hobbit' by JRR Tolkien
This book takes a big effort, and a whole term to read but it's worth it. I use it for vocabulary building by making 'interesting word charts' and for exemplars for poetic writing, particularly when trying to develop imagery. Lots of drawing activities, discussion and listening tests help maintain interest and momentum.
A classic fantasy adventure story.
'Old Blue The Rarest Bird in the World' by Mary Taylor
A beautiful non-fiction story of survival. As a read aloud it takes me around 3 sessions and I find that students form a real emotional connection to the story.
Don't forget to vote: http://www.birdoftheyear.org.nz
'No Safe Harbour' by David Hill
This work of historical fiction by the wonderful David Hill puts 15 year old twins Sandra and Stuart on board the ill fated Wahine. The strength of this book lies in David Hill's excellent research along with his strong authentic sounding teenage voice.
My year eight class thoroughly enjoyed this as a class read aloud.
'Boy' by Roald Dahl
I did not read this entire book from cover to cover. Instead I read various extracts. 'Boy' is Roald Dahl's autobiographical tales of childhood. The students enjoyed hearing about the brutality of boarding school in the 1930's. Told in classic Roald Dahl style, it makes for a good read aloud and a good choice for the end of the year when you may not have time to get through a whole novel.
So there it is. These are the books which I have read aloud to my class, This is not a complete list and it doesn't include my favourite picture books.
'Hunter' by Joy Cowley
A survival story told in two different voices, distanced by time but linked by place and by whakapapa. One an escaped Maori Slave in pre-European times and the other a group of siblings stranded following a plane crash in the modern era.
Topics for discussion include; survival, Maori medicine and Maori vocabulary, NZ history.
'The Halfmen of O' by Maurice Gee
A sci-fi fantasy adventure, good verses evil quest. This story features a strong 12 year old female protagonist. This is the students' favourite (so far) A great read aloud for Year 7 / 8 classes.
Peter Jackson should make a movie of this one!
'Ryan and Jimmy and the well in Africa that bought them together' by Herb Shoveller
Non-fiction. This was my read aloud during our inquiry learning unit on 'water'. Absolutely heart warming story of a six year old boy who changes the world for the better by raising enough money to build a well in Africa.
'When the Kehua Calls' by Kingi McKinnon
Great read for building knowledge of Maori culture and vocabulary. Also slightly 'spooky' kehua = ghost / spirit.
 |
This book takes a big effort, and a whole term to read but it's worth it. I use it for vocabulary building by making 'interesting word charts' and for exemplars for poetic writing, particularly when trying to develop imagery. Lots of drawing activities, discussion and listening tests help maintain interest and momentum.
A classic fantasy adventure story.
'Old Blue The Rarest Bird in the World' by Mary TaylorA beautiful non-fiction story of survival. As a read aloud it takes me around 3 sessions and I find that students form a real emotional connection to the story.
Don't forget to vote: http://www.birdoftheyear.org.nz
'No Safe Harbour' by David HillThis work of historical fiction by the wonderful David Hill puts 15 year old twins Sandra and Stuart on board the ill fated Wahine. The strength of this book lies in David Hill's excellent research along with his strong authentic sounding teenage voice.
My year eight class thoroughly enjoyed this as a class read aloud.
I did not read this entire book from cover to cover. Instead I read various extracts. 'Boy' is Roald Dahl's autobiographical tales of childhood. The students enjoyed hearing about the brutality of boarding school in the 1930's. Told in classic Roald Dahl style, it makes for a good read aloud and a good choice for the end of the year when you may not have time to get through a whole novel.
So there it is. These are the books which I have read aloud to my class, This is not a complete list and it doesn't include my favourite picture books.
No comments:
Post a Comment