Reading Aloud and Beyond: Fostering the Intellectual Life with Older Readers

Reading aloudthat's for primary school children, right?

No, say Frank Serafini and Cyndi Giorgis. They contend that reading aloud is just as important for older readers. And they provide the research to back their claim.

They maintain that reading aloud belongs in the intermediate elementary grades, and middle school too, because it:

• supports students' development as readers and writers
• fosters the love of reading
• improves reading skills and abilities
• and, yes, even raises standardized test scores.

But Serafini and Giorgis do more than argue a persuasive case. They provide the practical wherewithal to implement reading aloud as an instructional strategy for both the language arts and the content area disciplines. They also include extensive lists of suggested literaturepicture books, chapter books, informational texts, poetry, and professional references. What's more, these authors show how teachers can create in the classroom an intellectual universe where discussions are profound and students enthusiastic about expanding their minds and appreciating the sound and beauty of language.

Cyndi Giorgis is an Associate Professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She is a former coauthor of the children's books column in The Reading Teacher and has served on both the Newbery and Caldecott Award committees. She has published and presented extensively on topics related to literature, reader response, and curriculum.

Frank Serafini is the author of the Heinemann title Classroom Reading Assessment. He is a leading voice on the reading workshop, whether the topic is implementation, planning, assessment, or comprehension. His passion for the workshop has helped tens of thousands of teachers find more effective and professionally satisfying teaching through Heinemann professional books such as Around the Reading Workshop in 180 Days, Lessons in Comprehension, and The Reading Workshop and his newest book released in late 2015, Reading Workshop 2.0. Frank is a Professor of Literacy Education at Arizona State University and he brings his ideas, experiences, and deep understanding of reading instruction to teachers around the country as a member of Heinemann Professional Development Services.