Celebrate the joy of reading on World Read Aloud Day this February 5! Words are powerful, and the invaluable freedom to read and speak the words that are meaningful to us is something we should never take for granted. This year, February 5 can be a day to advocate for global literacy, or to simply support literacy in your own community or classroom.
You can read anything aloud, from a website or a newspaper article to bedtime stories for little ones, from an informative nonfiction text to a classic novel. When you read aloud, you and those listening are sharing an experience together. You’re learning together, journeying to a far-off destination together, or feeling a character’s emotions together. Whatever you are reading becomes a communal experience in which each person, the reader and those listening, takes part, almost as if by magic. You’re never too old, or too young, to enjoy the transformative experience of sharing a story.
Reading aloud helps children develop fundamental skills to become better readers, improving everything from vocabulary and word recognition to listening comprehension and cognitive development. Reading aloud also promotes social interactions, helps students broaden their perspectives and see the world through different cultural lenses, and fosters a love of literature and a passion for reading.
Enjoy reading any of our resources aloud to celebrate World Read Aloud Day in your classroom! We’ve listed a few here specifically designed for reading aloud, just to get you started.
Read-Aloud Books
Target specific sounds with Read-Aloud Books, which build critical phonemic awareness skills and partner well with phonics lessons.
Reader’s Theatre Scripts
Perform wherever you want, without the need for props, costumes, or a set! Reader's Theater Scripts adapted from our leveled books and other sources give students essential practice in oral reading fluency and public speaking. The scripts also provide an opportunity for group interaction and student cooperation.
