Read-Aloud Revival ®

Latest Episodes:

RAR #179: Do You See What I See? How to Look Closely at a Picture Book Jul 20, 2021

Show notes

Last time on the Read-Aloud Revival podcast, we talked about what happens (and what our kids gain) when we read aloud a book a day. In this episode, we’re digging in to how to look closely at a picture book—how to see what we might otherwise miss.

You may be surprised at how much is there in a picture book, just waiting to be seen and heard!

No lesson plans are needed. Just you, your kid(s), a book plucked from your shelf. Ready? Let’s do this.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

What about just reading, and not doing anything extra?
How open-ended questions change the reading experience for everyone
How to look at a picture book in a brand new way

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/179/.

RAR #178: Why Read a Book a Day? (Yep, You Can!) Jul 06, 2021

Show notes

What would happen if we read a book a day with our kids?

That’s the idea we’re exploring today in a brand new episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast. And we’re also issuing a challenge: we dare you to read a picture book a day with your kids – for a week, a month… or more.

And you’ll even hear some profound insights, like how a good picture book is like a baked potato. 🥔 😆

All the details are in today’s episode.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why it’s worthwhile to read a book a day with our kids of all ages (so MANY reasons)
What to read with kids of all ages—you know we have lots of ideas!
Printable trackers for your own book-a-day challenge

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/178/.

RAR Special Edition: Robert McCloskey Makes Way Jun 15, 2021

Show notes

In today’s Special Edition of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast, you’ll meet the man behind Make Way for Ducklings. Robert McCloskey was the first to win two Caldecott Awards, and his books are arguably among the most celebrated picture books of all time.

His most popular picture book wouldn’t stay on the page, either. His ducks became permanent sculptures fixed in Boston Public Garden, and even made a way for international diplomacy as part of the START Treaty between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. in 1991.

A picture book is a powerful piece of art.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

what it was like having Robert McCloskey for a Dad
one of the hardest parts of his life as a successful artist
what his picture books gave the world

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/special-edition-robert-mccloskey/.

RAR #177: Teach Your Kids to Think Like a Scientist (with Books You Already Have) Apr 20, 2021

Show notes

Science is everywhere. It’s in everything we do, everything we see. And yes, everything we read.

Books offer a delightful opportunity to talk about science, both through their illustrations and their text. We just need to know a few things to look for and a few questions to ask.

Today we’ll find out how to think like a scientist, and how to teach our kids to do the same.

I invited two professors from St. Michael’s College to teach us all about cross-cutting scientific concepts within picture books.

Dr. Valerie Bang-Jensen is the Department Chair and Professor of Education at St. Michael’s College in Vermont. She’s an expert in children’s literature and literacy. Dr. Mark Lubkowitz is a molecular biologist and the Chair and Professor of Biology at St. Michael’s.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

What it means to “think like a scientist”
How to find scientific concepts in every book you read
How to use cross-cutting concepts to teach young scientists of all ages

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/177/.

RAR #176: Homeschooling with Dyslexia Apr 06, 2021

Show notes

Is homeschooling with dyslexia a good idea? Can dyslexic students thrive, even if the parents aren’t specialists (or even certified teachers)?

Let’s be clear: absolutely, yes.

You can homeschool your dyslexic kids, and you’ll do a darn good job of it, too.

Today on the podcast, Marianne Sunderland from Homeschooling with Dyslexia is back to talk about the nitty gritty details of teaching children who learn differently.

Marianne has homeschooled eight kids (seven are dyslexic).

In this episode, she gives us the low-down on teaching dyslexic kids at home, which resources to use, and when to ask for help.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How to teach dyslexic children
Why Orton-Gillingham works to teach dyslexic kids how to read
Whether or not to get your child tested and officially diagnosed

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/176/.

RAR #175: Is My Child Dyslexic? Mar 23, 2021

Show notes

Is my child dyslexic? And if so, what should I do about it? It’s one of the things we’re asked about most here at Read-Aloud Revival, and no wonder.

When our kids struggle to learn to read, we worry.

Dyslexia is extremely common, and is very often misunderstood.

Today, we’re going to talk about the signs of dyslexia, and what to do if you think your child may be dyslexic.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your child is a “late bloomer” or might be struggling with a learning difference, you’re in the right place.

Marianne Sunderland from Homeschooling with Dyslexia is here to give us the lowdown.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Does my child have dyslexia? Here’s how to know…
What we get wrong about dyslexia
Which reading curriculum is best for dyslexic learners

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/175/.

RAR #174: The Books that Won (and a few that Should Have!) Mar 09, 2021

Show notes

Every year, the RAR team gathers to watch the American Library Association (ALA) Youth Media Awards. Once, we went inperson (!) but the past two years, we’ve watched together from home and texted each other like mad the whole time.

The awards have a way of bringing out BIG feelings.

These are basically the Oscars for children’s books, and as you’ll hear, we have a few Opinions (with a capital O), here at RAR. Ahem. 😇

Today we’re sharing:

Some stand-out winners from the 2021 ALA Awards
Which books we put on hold at the library as the awards were happening
Just a couple of books we think should have been honored. Ahem. 😉

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/174/.

RAR #173: What Happens in Your Child’s Brain when You Read Aloud Feb 23, 2021

Show notes

Ready to dive into a little brain science? Today, we’re discovering what happens in your child’s brain when you read aloud.

This is probably not a surprise, but… A LOT is happening.

Dr. John Hutton of the Reading and Literacy Center at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital is joining me to break this down. I love how he puts it in the beginning of this episode: that scientists are using fancy methods to verify what we already know – that reading aloud is good for our kids.

Want to know what happens in your child’s brain when you read aloud? You’re in the right place.

In this episode, you'll hear:

how the brain actually reads
the immense value of dialogic reading (don’t worry – you’re already doing this!)
how reading aloud “primes” the brain for reading independently

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/173/.

RAR #172: Helping Our Developing Readers Fall in Love with Books Feb 08, 2021

Show notes

Learning to read can be hard. And when our kids are still learning to read fluently and well, helping them fall in love with books can feel impossible.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

In today’s episode, I’m going to show you how to help your kids fall in love with stories, and tell you why it will help them more to keep reading aloud than to cram in another long phonics lesson.

In this episode, you'll hear:

a reminder that learning to read is a little like climbing a mountain! ⛰️
the key to getting our kids reading (hint: it’s NOT endless phonics practice)
how to become a book match-maker for your child

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/172/.

RAR #171: How to Introduce Your Kids to Shakespeare Jan 25, 2021

Show notes

The Bard. He can be a little intimidating, right? If you’ve ever wondered how to introduce your kids to Shakespeare, you are in a for a treat with this podcast episode.

Many of us met Shakespeare in a way that didn’t set us up to love him or even understand him. But today, I’m joined by Ken Ludwig, award-winning playwright and author of How to Teach Your Children Shakespeare – my very favorite resource for doing just that!

In this episode, you'll hear:

Why we should make Shakespeare a part of our curriculum
How to get over the intimidation factor, once and for all
Exactly how and where to start teaching your kids Shakespeare (I promise, it’s easier than you think!)

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/171/.

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