Step 7ASK QUESTIONS -- Asking questions while you are reading can help increaseunderstanding and excitement about the story. What do you think is going to happen? Isthat what you would have done? When you get the kids involved with the story, you areteaching literature the easy way.Step 8ACT IT OUT -- When you come to a particularly descriptive section, especially if it isfunny, jump up and act it out. My kids were rolling on the floor laughing when I grabbeda mirror, stuffed a pillow in my shirt, and acted out Aunt Sponge from James and theGiant Peach admiring herself in the mirror.Step 9SHARE AN EXPERIENCE -- Experience something that the character is experiencing.While reading The BFG by Roald Dahl, we came to a chapter called "A RoyalBreakfast." The next morning I cooked all of the same foods the giant ate with the queenof England (fried eggs, fried potatoes, bacon, sausage, and toast with jam) and read thechapter out loud while we ate our own royal breakfast.Step 10WATCH THE MOVIE -- Find out if there is a movie adaptation of the book. Have afamily movie night with popcorn or a special treat. After the movie, talk about how themovie was the same or different from the book. Which version did they like best?Step 11GO ON A FIELD TRIP -- Make literature fun for your homeschool child by going on arelated field trip. Is the play an adaptation of the book? Many family and children'stheaters do plays based on popular children's novels. Is there a museum exhibit that fitsyour book's topic or time period? Almost any topic and time period has a museum exhibitsomewhere. Does the book take place primarily outdoors? Are there animals in the storythat you can see in nature or at the zoo?Step 12DO AN ART OR CRAFT ACTIVITY -- If you're crafty, consider searching for an art orcraft activity that ties into the book. If you aren't crafty, let the kids draw, color, or paint ascene from the book.
Tips & Warnings
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Ask other homeschoolers what their favorite read alouds are.
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Look for plays based on classic literature, then read the book before you go.
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Because you are reading aloud to your child, you can choose a book written acouple of years about your child's reading level.
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