Principals Share Favorite Read-Aloud Books

Many principals love to share their love of reading with the students in their schools. When principals read aloud their favorite books to students, they are modeling a love of reading. Reading aloud, principals say, lets students see the principal in a different light too.

BOOKS THAT TEACH CHARACTER

Reading aloud can help students feel more comfortable sharing and confiding with the school principal, said Yolanda Ramirez. Ramirez, principal at Zavala Elementary School (McAllen, Texas), told Education World, "I want students to feel comfortable with me so they come to me with their questions and concerns. I want them to know that they can count on me."

That's why Ramirez often shares with her students the story of The Velveteen Rabbit: Or How Toys Become Real. This classic by author Margery Williams has inspired many wonderful discussions with students about truthfulness and trust, said Ramirez.

The story gives Ramirez an opportunity to share some of her thoughts, feelings, and experiences as they relate to trust and truthfulness too. "In order to provide an environment of support and trust, we must take a few risks, share a part of ourselves," she told Education World. "When we share, it is much easier for our students to feel safe to do the same."

"The rewards are worth the risks," added Ramirez, who has a collection of three dozen different printings of The Velveteen Rabbit as well as related plush toys, videos, an LP album, and more!

"My favorite story to read to kids is The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein," said principal Lucie Boyadjian of Glen Oaks School (Hickory Hills, Illinois). "It is short enough so I can make it to all 23 classrooms and enjoy the moment, and it's powerful enough that the students respond to it in some way. It makes the kids think while it touches their hearts.

"Since many of us are trying to incorporate some kind of character education into our schools, I find this book a good way to get kids to think about absolute love, unconditional generosity that is not always reciprocated, and friendship," added Boyadjian.

HOOKED ON THE JOY OF READING!

Norma Chenevert has taught all the grades and is now the principal at Pittsburg (New Hampshire) School, a K-12 school. When we asked her about her favorite read-aloud, she said, "I keep coming back to Tales of a Fourth-Grade Nothing, by Judy Blume. I have read it to many age levels, including adolescent males. It lends itself to the reader 'hamming it up' quite nicely. And any child who has younger siblings can easily relate to it."

Of course, Chenevert added, the Harry Potter books are delightful. And she has always enjoyed reading Peculiar Miss Pickett, by Nancy Julian. "What fun to read about the elderly baby-sitter and the strange things that happen whenever she takes off her glasses!" she said. (This out-of-print title may still be on some library shelves.)

"Students enjoy being read to at any age, particularly by somebody who is able to make the stories come alive," said Chenevert, who even enjoys reading fairy tales to older students and discussing why they might have been written.

"If we share the love of reading with our students, we can hook them on its joy!" added Chenevert. Principals Recommend These Titles!
* Double Trouble in Walla Walla
* The Giving Tree
* Grandfather's Journey
* How Many Days to America?
* Huge Harold
* Ira Sleeps Over
* Koala Lou
* Leo the Late Bloomer
* Love You Forever
* Miss Rumphius
* Oh, The Places You'll Go!
* The Peculiar Miss Pickett
* The People Who Hugged the Trees
* The Principal from the Black Lagoon
* Stories That Never Grow Old
* The Summer of the Bonepile Monster
* Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing
* Thornton W. Burgess's Bedtime Stories
* The Velveteen Rabbit: Or How Toys Become Real
* Where the Red Fern Grows
* Whoever You Are
* The Witches

Click here for more about each of these titles.

.