We have had a lot of success using asynchronous videos - that is, clips that we share for on-demand viewing rather than having a live story time. My teachers have each built a collection for their individual classes, but I have shared my videos with all of our families (infants through fours). I have chosen books for varying age groups with different lengths and after initially sharing them, I label them for parents with the title and the reader's name in a common google drive folder for rewatching.
I read the book in front of my iPad just as if I were reading to the class and make sure to say hello and goodbye as bookends. I discuss the illustrations, as necessary, explain vocabulary, make exaggerated facial expressions, and use voices, when appropriate. I will often pause after asking questions before providing the answer and try to refer to memories from the year or from my own childhood when I can. Admittedly, it has become easier the more that I have done it, but it is well worth the effort. Parents have indicated that it is their favorite part of our distance learning plan because the kids get to see their teachers. And I have gotten lots of response videos of children watching and talking back to the screen! :)
I would highly recommend this idea and hope that you will include songs and storytelling, as well. I have even used this same format to offer a form of a Chapel for our older kids, singing familiar songs and telling stories based on drawings from Tomie DePaola's collection of Bible Stories. I have also learned from parent feedback that books that might seem longer or slightly more advanced than ones you might use in a classroom read aloud time are still engaging to children via video. Possibly as a side effect of their familiarity with technology, kids are willing to pay attention to longer electronic sessions, which has allowed us to introduce some more advanced literature and vocabulary.
If anyone is interested, I am happy to share examples!
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Holly Dalferes
Director
George Cottage at St Martin's Episcopal School
Metairie LA
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-03-2020 02:30 PM
From: Michael Coventry
Subject: Sharing Lesson Learned from Reading Book Aloud Online
Hi everyone--
We're interested in learning from everyone about their experiences creating videos of themselves reading aloud. What lessons have you learned from reading books aloud to children through online videos?
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Michael Coventry
National Association for the Education of Young Children
Washington DC
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