First Grade Read Alouds: Books & Teaching Ideas
Reading aloud to first grade students is so important! First, and most importantly, in my opinion, it fosters a love for reading. If your students enjoy the stories you read to them, they’ll be more likely to want to read on their own!
Second, reading aloud develops listening skills and attention span. Your first graders have to sit still and listen to the story, which can be hard for little ones. Of course, it’s also important for them to learn how to do this so they can succeed in school.
Finally, reading aloud helps children build their vocabulary and improve their language skills. As they hear new words in the context of a story, they’ll start to use them in their own speech.
So, let’s look at some of my favorite read alouds for first grade classrooms!
My Favorite Read Alouds for the Classroom
Aside from brand new school supplies, I think the best part of a classroom is the library!
I LOVE to pick out new books for my class, especially good read aloud options!
Stand Tall
This story is all about being yourself. I love this goofy little gal! There’s also a bunch more in the series now, too!
The Night I Followed the Dog
Now this next book, I can barely read aloud without cracking up! The Night I Followed the Dog cracks me up!
The Giving Tree
And here’s my classic favorite book. I still get a little teary every time I read this one, it’s a great read aloud!
I Wanna Iguana
It’s a great book to discuss being persuasive! It’s written through a series of letters which is another great teaching point to slip in!
The Lion and the Mouse
Next, read aloud this classic fable in first grade! This story teaches a moral lesson that the smallest creature can be the hero.
And Then Comes Summer
This gorgeously illustrated book is exactly what you need to slip into summer mode! Kids love the great summer suggestions!
More First Grade Read Aloud Books
These are only some of my favorites! I have a handful of blog posts that give even more read aloud ideas for certain times of year, seasons, and more!
FAQs: First Grade Read Alouds
How long should a read aloud session be for first graders?
Optimal timing for read aloud sessions includes:
- 15-20 minutes for most sessions
- Up to 30 minutes for highly engaging stories
- Multiple shorter sessions throughout the day
- Flexible timing based on student engagement
- Shorter sessions early in the year, gradually increasing length
How do I choose appropriate books for first grade read alouds?
Consider these factors:
- Age-appropriate content and themes
- Rich vocabulary but not overwhelmingly complex
- Engaging illustrations that support the story
- A mix of fiction and non-fiction texts
- Books that connect to curriculum content
- Stories that reflect diverse experiences and cultures
How can I maintain student attention during read alouds?
Keep students engaged by:
- Creating comfortable seating arrangements
- Using proximity control
- Incorporating movement breaks
- Varying your reading pace and voice
- Making strategic stopping points
What about reading comprehension during read alouds?
Support comprehension during read aloud sessions by:
- Modeling think-alouds
- Asking open-ended questions
- Making explicit connections
- Creating anchor charts
- Reviewing and summarizing key points
