Open Discussion Forum

  • 1.  Sharing Lesson Learned from Reading Book Aloud Online

    Posted 04-03-2020 02:30 PM
    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?

    ------------------------------
    Michael Coventry
    National Association for the Education of Young Children
    Washington DC
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Sharing Lesson Learned from Reading Book Aloud Online

    Posted 04-04-2020 07:06 AM
    Originally, after saying hello face to face, would place the phone on a stand to have hands free for story reading.
    book on stand

    Now, prefer to lay the book flat on the table so can move the phone back to show an entire page or zoom in to show the expressions on a character's face (perhaps wonder how that character was feeling...) or details in the illustration of interest (which might vary with repeated story readings.)

    Have used these strategies during live story readings, but they should work for video recordings as well.

    Is anyone suggesting families invite distant family (grandparents, aunts and uncles- enjoyed Karen Nemeth's Creative Ideas for Playing with Grandchildren When You Can't Be Together.) and/or friends to read/play regularly with children, or have heard stories of family's doing this? Also wonder if any of the families are offering/reading a favorite story or sharing a favorite family (oral story) during zoom meetings or recordings to support story reading/sharing-what they enjoy as a family.

    ------------------------------
    Bonnie Blagojevic
    Morningtown Consulting
    Orono ME
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: Sharing Lesson Learned from Reading Book Aloud Online

    Posted 04-04-2020 03:59 PM
    Like Bonnie, I too have found that seeing the detail in pictures is difficult. I do my sessions with the camera in my laptop, so it isn't easy to pick it up at hover it over the book. I have just learned to choose books with much simpler, larger pictures.

    ------------------------------
    Nicole Fravel
    Owner
    wildwood nature school
    Portland OR
    ------------------------------



  • 4.  RE: Sharing Lesson Learned from Reading Book Aloud Online

    Posted 04-05-2020 08:55 AM

    Our teachers participated in the Fairy Dust Virtual Teaching Boot Camp. One lesson was how to use Loom as an alternative to reading a book with a video camera. Books are chosen from the virtual library. The teachers face remains on the screen in a spot and the teacher can use a cursor to sweep the words and ask questions during the Read Aloud using Loom, turning the virtual pages. The book is easier for viewers to see.

    Our staff likes to mix up the types of read alouds, sharing different locations to read using their phone camera as well as using Loom. 



    ------------------------------
    Christine Whitmire
    Director of Early Childhood Education
    Lewis Cass Intermediate School District
    Cassopolis MI
    ------------------------------



  • 5.  RE: Sharing Lesson Learned from Reading Book Aloud Online

    Posted 04-09-2020 07:41 PM
    I just checked out Loom and I love it..thanks for sharing!

    ------------------------------
    Heather Marden
    Board President, MaineAEYC
    Birchwood Day Nursery School
    Windham, Maine
    ------------------------------



  • 6.  RE: Sharing Lesson Learned from Reading Book Aloud Online

    Posted 04-05-2020 01:00 AM

    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!



    ------------------------------
    Holly Dalferes
    Director
    George Cottage at St Martin's Episcopal School
    Metairie LA
    ------------------------------