Reading books aloud is an integral part of classroom learning. Not only do read alouds model fluency and expression, they also invite discussion, questions, and connections, and opinions. Children of all ages love listening to stories, and the beginning of the school year is a perfect time to start this classroom routine. For this activity, the students will listen to the book Our Class is a Family by Shannon Olsen. Then they will illustrate their favorite parts of the book in a 2 cell storyboard.
The “favorite part” activity can be used in many ways, and with any book. Teachers may want to add more cells, or make the requirement only one cell. Teachers may also add a writing component to the activity, or have students show what they know using only illustrations; the provided example includes some dialogue. This reading response activity is sure to excite students of all ages, while allowing them to become familiar with the many features that Storyboard That has to offer. Students can browse or search for different artwork and get to know how to manipulate images while expressing their favorite part about a book that has been read aloud to the class.
Here are examples of other beginning of the school year books that can be used for this activity:
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard that expresses your favorite part of the story.
Student Instructions:
Organize your read alouds by mapping out books to match themes, holidays, and curriculum units throughout the year. This helps ensure a variety of genres, authors, and cultures are represented, building excitement and anticipation among students.
Empower students by allowing them to suggest books for read alouds or vote on choices from a teacher-prepared list. This boosts engagement and helps students feel a sense of ownership in classroom routines.
Plan open-ended, thought-provoking questions related to each book to spark conversation during and after reading. This develops critical thinking and encourages students to connect with the text and each other.
Create a cozy reading space by arranging seating in a circle or semi-circle and setting classroom expectations for listening and participation. This fosters a sense of community and makes read aloud time special.
Extend learning by planning related activities, such as drawing, writing, or role-playing, after each read aloud. This helps students process the story, express ideas creatively, and connect lessons to their own experiences.
The 'Our Class is a Family' read aloud activity involves reading Shannon Olsen's book aloud to students and then having them illustrate their favorite parts using a storyboard. This helps students engage with the story and express their understanding creatively.
To create a storyboard for a read aloud, have students pick their favorite scenes from the book, then illustrate each scene in separate storyboard cells using images, characters, and dialogue. Tools like Storyboard That make this process interactive and fun.
Great beginning-of-year read aloud books include Your Name is a Song by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, Tomorrow I’ll Be Kind by Jessica Hishe, and The Pigeon Has to Go to School by Mo Willems, among others.
Reading books aloud models fluency and expression, encourages discussion and questions, and helps students connect with the story. It also builds listening skills and creates a positive classroom culture, especially at the start of the school year.
Yes, the 'favorite part' storyboard activity is flexible and can be used with any book. Teachers can adjust the number of storyboard cells, add a writing component, or focus solely on illustrations depending on student needs.