Read aloud is a great way to learn about story structure, plot, character development, and so much more. It's one of our favorite parts of the day - especially when we've found a book we can all really connect to and fall in love with. This current book is a quick read. We'll finish it up within a few days. I try to select books that offer all sorts of different characters, plots, lengths, and genres. Read aloud models strong reading habits as well as offers an opportunity for the kids to hear stories outside of their individual comfort zones. Teachers sometimes tell of principals coming in to observe them and upon finding the class reading aloud respond "Oh, I'll come back later when you are teaching." Ugh, I would hate to believe this really happens. Read aloud is as important an instructional structure as any. That's why we spend so much time reading to and with our children at home!
This week, during our literature study, we finished the fifth and final book from the Sarah, Plain and Tall series. This was a shared read. This means that instead of my reading it to them as a read aloud the kids each had their own copies of the book in their hands from which they followed along. We read some chapters together and other chapters they read independently. We used this as an opportunity to revisit how to build discussions with our peers around literature. This was in preparation for the latest rounds of book clubs we were soon to begin.
Grandfather's Dance is an emotional book in that one of the most beloved characters, Grandfather, dies in the final chapter. I have such trouble reading this chapter without crying. Ms. Melanie and I joked about this and she offered to finish out the final few chapters to spare me. Of course, she became choked up when reading a few of the preceding chapters as the author Paricia MacLachlan foreshadowed what was to come.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
Grandfather smiled.
"Thinking," he said. "Thinking about weddings."
"All weddings? Or the wedding?" I asked.
Grandfather cocked his head to one side, like Nick and Lottie did when they were listening.
"Actually," he said softly, "I was thinking about your wedding."
I nodded.
"I may not be able to be at your wedding, Cassie," said Grandfather.
My heart raced. I knew what he meant.
"You will, Grandfather. Yes, you will!" I could feel my voice rising.
After we finished the book I asked each of the kids to write a final reflection/response for this book, or the whole series. Of course, having just read of Grandfather's death, it was hard to many of us to write about anything but this bittersweet ending. Here is a sampling of the kids' responses...
After Grandfather died Jack seemed unhappy, not cheerful. It seems like Jack and Grandfather were soul mates. - Nadia
Grandfather was old and I think he should have lived longer because Jack was happy and like being with him. - Chloe
I almost cried at the end. - Emma
I noticed that Anna just got married. - Matthew
It was nice for Grandfather to make up for everybody by showing his love because he knew he was going to die. That was very nice that Grandfather wanted to take a picture for memory near the barn, a special place. - Sophie
Oh, and father knew he was going to die. Did Dr. Sam tell him? - Kaleel
I think that Jack is funny because he always copies Grandfather. The aunts are funny. Kind of like Aunt Lou. I think she is the funniest out of all the aunts. - Gracyn
I think it was funny how Jack always copied Grandfather. For instance Jack did Grandfather's dance and also asked for coffee like Grandfather. - Liam
I think it was a good thing to end the story like some people would think it's a bad thing to end the story like this and some people would think that's a great craft move because you would think they would live happily ever after especially on the last book. But this book had a sad and cold ending. - Krissy
I think that it was very sad for Cassie to see Grandfather move on and that when Grandfather knew he was going to die he did special things with Cassie like spelling "I Love You" with pebbles on her hand and telling her to have her wedding the same day as Anna. - Alex
I thought it was funny when Jack called himself doggie. - Eli
So now Cassie has married a dog. And it was now her dog husband. So Cassie got a new dress that is blue and silky. She got it from Aunt Mattie. It was in a box. - Dominique
I wonder why Patricia MacLachlan chose to make Grandfather die when Jack is so young? I guess that's how it goes. I hope Jack enjoyed his two or three years with him. - Marina
It was happy then got sad. When Anna and Justin got married. Then when Grandfather died. - Ralph
I think it was so sad that Jack and Grandfather were close but they had little time together. This was the most emotional book I have ever read. - Olivia R.
This book has a sad ending like in Larger Than Life Lara, Each Kindness, and Star Girl. I never expected the book and the series to end this way. The death of somebody important in the story. - Gregory
I felt bad for Jack because Jack is so small and Grandfather is so old that he died. If Jack was older and knew him better then that would of been fine but since he is younger that's sad for him. Jack really did not know Grandfather very well for him to die. I felt sad for Jack. - Jada
I think Grandfather's Dance had a sad ending because Grandfather died. But now I know why Grandfather took the picture with Cassie and Jack and used pebbles to spell I Love You. He was kind of preparing for dieing. In a way I think the ending was really sad. But it was kind of happy in a way because earlier in the story when Grandfather yelled at Jack he went outside and for his apology he did a dance. And at Grandfather's funeral Jack did Grandfather's dance. - Olivia L.
Why Jack don't follow Papa around? Maybe because he does grown up stuff. - Joshua
At the end of the third book of the series when Cassie found Grandfather he didn't like kids at all. Mostly Cassie because she asked questions and she liked to play hide-and-seek a lot...I thought Grandfather would never die but he did. It was very sad for me. Grandfather has been with Jack for a little time but Grandfather loved him a lot. Grandfather was a great character. - Ratish
Through the whole series we're able to grow and change with the characters because Patricia MacLachlan allows us to know the characters so closely. We can feel their emotions, laugh at their funny inside jokes, and cry alongside them when they face hard times. - Ms. Melanie
Grandfather, like all the characters, really changed by the end. He became softer, more tender-hearted. It seems to me the story could never have been so rich without him. - Mr. Hass
Before beginning the Miami Jackson book we finished Larger-Than-Life Lara. This was the story of a new student, Lara, who is teased mercilessly by her classmates because of her size. Yet, despite their teasing she remains strong, confident, and caring. She offers the kids around her forgiveness and love in return for their ugly barbs. In the end she moves away before they can formally apologize but they all learn a great life lesson about the consequences and regret that stem from treating others badly. The kids really enjoyed this book. It was one of my favorites as well.
Chris
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