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Read-Aloud Books
P3/4 Read-Aloud Books P4/5 Read-Aloud Books K Read-Aloud Books 1 Read-Aloud Books 2 Read-Aloud Books 1+2 Read-Aloud Books 3 Read-Aloud Books 4 Read-Aloud Books 3+4 Read-Aloud Books 5 Read-Aloud Books 6 Read-Aloud Books 7 Read-Aloud Books Alt 7 Read-Aloud Books
What is a Read-Aloud?
Jim Trelease, author of The Read-Aloud Handbook suggests a "classic" is "a work of highest class and acknowledged excellence." We like that definition. That's why we include so many award-winning books in our selection of Read-Alouds.
You may be wondering, What is a "Read-Aloud"? Read-Alouds are quality literary works that you read to your children. They have several functions within Sonlight®. Among them:
- To introduce your children to great literature that is beyond their personal reading capacity.
- To develop within your children a life-long love of reading. (Even though they may not be able to read a good book on their own, when you read great literature to them, it creates a thirst to read. They begin to think, "I love books! One day I'm going to read books like this!")
- To expand your children's vocabulary.
- To build listening skills--including the ability to visualize the meaning of spoken words.
- To develop an "ear" for good oral reading.
- To develop oral reading skills. (Having heard quality oral reading done by you, your children will imitate you. And,
- To give you and your children a context for sharing mutually significant times together.
Sonlight® Read-Alouds follow the same patterns as our Readers.
In Core K through 2, there is virtually no correlation between the books you read aloud and the subject matter of the History program.
Beginning with Core 3, however, History, Readers and Read-Alouds are tightly interwoven.
We have classified most of our Read-Alouds as Read-Alouds (rather than as Readers), because they require greater reading skill than typical students at such grade levels have normally acquired.
But there are other reasons for classifying a book as a Read-Aloud.
Some Read-Alouds require deeper understanding of "the way things are"--in life in general or in a specific area. Others are emotionally charged enough that we figure you ought to be "right there" to help debrief your children.
And then there is that group of books we've classified as Read-Alouds simply because they are too good to let your children enjoy by themselves. We know you'd feel cheated if you weren't in on the adventure.
Many moms have told us the Read-Alouds are so good, their husbands have gotten involved in the educational process. Read what Alicia says about the impact Read-Alouds have had in her family.
The powerful stories found in our Read-Alouds are certain to create discussion, engage young minds, and cultivate learning for the whole family. Please take a moment to see which Read-Alouds are best for your family: review the age-appropriate levels here, or request a catalog to review at home.
