The use of Big Books can lead to a better concept of the printed word.
Big Books are a type of reading material commonly utilized as a way to teach children read. Best known for their enlarged size, big print and colorful illustrations, these books are generally used in a group setting where they are read aloud to help students learn the concept of what print is and how the process of reading print works. Although reading a Big Book aloud is a simple process, knowing a few things before you begin can help make it a more enjoyable experience for the children and help in the development of early literacy.
Instructions
1. Choose Big Books that have subjects and themes that the children can relate to. Include fiction and non-fiction, as well as a variety of genres that keep in-line with the learning theme for the classroom.
2. Practice reading the Big Book out loud to get a feel for the story. Try different tones and expressions to get ideas on how you can energize the story.
3. Introduce the book to the children before you begin to read it. Tell them about the author, the illustrator and the year the book was first published. You may wish to provide interesting facts about the author or tell them about other books the author has written.
4. Remember to vary the tone of your voice and facial expressions as you read the story. Hold the book in a way that will allow the children to see the illustrations as it relates to the words on the page.
5. Ask the children questions, such as "What do you think will happen next?" or "Why do you think the character did this?" to help them think about the story.
6. Follow up the reading of the story with a discussion. Draw attention to the text of the story and ask what other types of stories it might remind them of. You may want to allow them the chance to retell the story or provide alternate endings for it.
