My parents are planning on reading a book to my neice's 3rd grade class once or twice a week for the month of January. My mom wants to read a chapter book, a chapter or two each time they visit. She asked me (former teacher) my suggestions. I thought about Charlotte's web, but a lot of kids have seen the movie or read the book a few times. Most kids have read the Diary of a Wimpy Kid, right? Starting with the first Harry Potter would possibly bore some kids wouldn't it? I was really at a loss, as I don't know what kids now-adays are reading. I suggested to her she find historical or non-fiction books, as many children don't read non-fiction. Perhaps she could go with something like Number the Stars or something similar, yet some of these books (holocaust) are so graphic and there are so many of them, I don't really know which ones are best. She said that MLK's bday is in January, so if she did non-fiction, maybe something about him?
Thoughts? What does your 3rd grader love? What would they be interested to hear read to them? Please list your fiction and non-fiction ideas for me. She has a few weeks to pick something. So she could rent from the library and 'preview' the book first. Thanks in advance!!!
Mom has put some books on reserve at our library to preview them. I just sent her y'alls list too. I don't know how long each reading session is or how often they plan to go. But I REALLY appreciate all the answers. Whatever book she does choose for the class, we will check out the OTHER books next time my neice goes to the library so that she can read them on her own. We like doing a 'book club' where both my neice and mom read the book and then talk about it. So I am glad to get some classic ideas (How to eat fried worms - I loved this when I was a kiddo) and some new ones (The Enormous Egg, The Lightning Thief). I like the idea of a book that will get the kids interested in reading the second of the series chapter book on their own. THANKS TO ALL OF YOU!
Sideways stories from Wayside school
Wayside school is falling down.
Both great books and full of short stories
There's a book called " no talking " that my daughters teacher read to them every day.
Some of my favorites that are lesser known by this generation of children:
There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing
Skinny Bones
The Cricket in Times Square
Sideways Stories from Wayside School
The Best School Year Ever
How to Eat Fried Worms
When I was a classroom teacher I tried to stay away from books that had been made into movies just because it took the fun out of the read aloud.
"The Ghost, the White House and Me" by Judith St. George.
She also wrote "Haunted". My 4th grader LOVED them! Really held her attention.
"Island of the Blue Dolphins" by Scott O'Dell
I am not sure if they will let it fly, but you can ask about reading The Hunger Games.
My son's third grade teacher read The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan to her class and got my son hooked on the series. The first book is awesome, and both boys and girls enjoy it.
She also read The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo and the Gregor the Overlander series by Suzanne Collins. Great books for reading aloud for both boys and girls!
I loved "Tale of a Fourth Grade Nothing" at that age. I love the Shel Silverstein idea. I am 36 and can still recite some of those poems from memory. "The Places You Will Go" by Dr. Seuss. He also has one about love and acceptance but I cannot remember the title. I hope your parents have fun! I love to read aloud to children.
I am reading How to Eat Fried Worms to my 8 and 10yos right now, and they LOVE it. It's best if you can do the voices lol :)
Laura Ingalls Wilder is a wonderful series, I read them over and over growing up.
I agree with ANY Beverly Cleary.
And now I have some ideas for other books to read to them, thanks, ladies!
E.B White wrote "Charlotte's Web" but also wrote "Stuart Little" and "The Trumpet of the Swan". I remember these books being read to us when I was in 2nd and 3rd grade. Unfortunately there is a "Stuart Little" movie now but I don't think there is one for "The Trumpet of the Swan".
There is also "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and "James and the Giant Peach" as well as others by Roald Dahl, but of course many have been made into movies too, if you want to avoid that sort of thing.
There's the Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder. And "The Phantom Tollbooth" and "The House With A Clock In It's Walls" (cannot remember the authors). And "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing" and "F. Juice by Judy Blume. AND many by Beverly Cleary, including the Ramona series and "The Mouse and the Motorcycle". Also, "Shiloh", about a boy who wants to rescue a dog from an abusive owner but has to wrestle with the ethics of "stealing" something that is considered someone else's property.
what if she read some Shel Silverstein poems? They are funny and most kids would probably like them.
A big book, like Harry Potter, would never get done in a month (and I think a lot of parents would not be too happy with their kids getting that book read to them...not me!! But I know of mother's that don't let their kids read books about witches, goblins, and little boys that are magical)
My daughter participates in a summer reading club ever year, and her third grade year they read Stuart Little, Nim's Island, and Because of Winn Dixie. Winn Dixie was a big hit with all the kids that year.
I can remember reading Shiloh to BOTH of my children's 3rd grade classes - they're both out of school now......but I remember the teachers AND the kids LOVED IT!!
Island of the Blue Dophins or The Enormous Egg. Both books are excellend and keep children's attention and they have the added bonus that most kids these days haven't heard of either one and neither have been made into a movie as far as I know. I have read them both to 3rd grade students for years and they have always loved both.
When I was in 3rd grade I remember we had story time and my teacher read chapter books. She read Old Yeller, and Where the Red Fern Grows, both great books, both a little sad. My suggestion would be to go with classics. Other suggestions Stuart Little, Gulliver's Travels, The Wind in the Willows, 20,000 leagues Under the Sea etc.
Just a thought, hope your parents have fun!
The only thing would be, will they be able to finish the entire chapter book... by reading only once or twice a week, to the kids, for January???
How long is the reading session, in class????
What a wonderful idea.
I used to volunteer and go read in my children's classes and we had such a blast!
I would check with the teacher first to make sure you aren't getting your heart set on a book that's already been read or assigned.
I haven't personally read it, but if she wants to tie in to the Martin Luther King, Jr./civil rights holiday, I've heard of a book called "The Other Side" by Jacqueline Woodsen.
It's only 32 pages so I don't know if your mom wants to stick to one long book or a shorter one.
You might check it out. I want to read it myself.
Another 32 pager is "Freedom Summer" by Deborah Wiles.
I think these books might help kids think about how far we've come and whether or not we still have a ways to go in being kind to one another.
In both of these stories, the main characters themselves find a way to break down the barriers and be friends.
Just a couple of suggestions.
Best wishes.
Google chapter book awards. You're sure to find new awesome books out there that none of the kids have read already. Stay away from anything like Harry Potter as witchcraft is not acceptable for many parents who have biblical standards. Read the reviews to see what is fun for 3rd grade.
