The Ramped-Up Read Aloud
What to Notice as You Turn the Page
Corwin Literacy
What if each page of a picture book was guaranteed to enhance a child’s reading and writing tenfold? Would you ramp up your read
The read
- Foster a strong sense of community
- Celebrate the written (and illustrated) word
- Build a foundation for future reading and learning
- Expand vocabulary (with a focus on Tier 2 words)
- Support budding writers
- Spark collaborative conversations
- Encourage perspective-taking, empathy, and a growth mindset
A
Maria arranges the rich fiction and nonfiction titles into chapters that mirror the way primary teachers plan curriculum. Need books
Teachers, schools, and districts looking to energize your core reading and writing
Free resources
Vocabulary Card Printables
Maria Walther has created these free, ready-to-go vocabulary cards that correspond to lessons in The Ramped-Up Read Aloud. Perfect for reinforcing key vocabulary throughout a read aloud, online or in person.
The Way You Begin: Dynamic Read Alouds for the First Days of School
"Whether you are in your first years of teaching (welcome to our rewarding profession!) or, like me, you’re starting the school year for the 34th time, the way you begin matters. We only get one chance to set the tone and establish a shared vision for living and learning together, so let’s make the most of it! With that goal in mind, I’ll offer a few books for read alouds and ideas that you might try as you build relationships on the 'days you begin.'" Read more from The Ramped-Up Read Aloud author Maria Walther on Corwin Connect.
Lesson: Notice How Characters Change
These three lessons from The Ramped-Up Read Aloud will teach students to: notice how characters change from the beginning to the end of a story; think about the differences in the way they think and act; and talk, write, or draw about how they change.
E.N.G.A.G.E.: Six Tips for Ramping-Up Your Read Aloud Experiences
Maria Walther, author of The Ramped-up Read Aloud, lists her six tips for ramping-up your read aloud experiences to inspire our students and keep them engaged and interested in reading.
This book is a gold mine for both longtime picture book lovers as well as those just beginning to build a classroom library! It is a comprehensive resource jam-packed with some of the best, most recent titles accompanied by learning strategies sure to make reading aloud a joyful experience for all. Her fresh ideas helped me see familiar, well-loved books in a new way as well as discover new titles to get the most out of a read aloud session! Her recommendations are thoughtful and purposefully chosen to engage, delight, and ignite a sense of wonder in even the most reluctant readers. As you read, be sure to have your highlighter, sticky notes, and "books to read” list ready! I’ve already used many of these read aloud experiences with great success and know this will be an invaluable resource I will return to again and again to inspire readers! It is the perfect read aloud companion every teacher needs to invite students to read, think, and talk about books.
Maria Walther has become one of my most trusted resources for quality book recommendations for use in the classroom. Maria has a keen eye for identifying books that pair well together, matching books with effective lessons, and noticing details within books to enhance lesson plans. In this new book, Maria demonstrates how educators can squeeze every drop out of a read aloud experience, while providing an abundance of tips, resources, and ideas to maximize these sacred times in classrooms. Maria’s book not only educates us on strategies for making the most of read aloud experiences; she also introduces us to a plethora of high-quality children’s literature titles essential for classrooms.
If you were even the slightest bit trepid about selecting and reading picture books . . . this book will thoroughly erase that feeling, forever! Get ready to be “ramped up” so you can spark a fire and get your students to love diving into picture books! Dr. Maria Walther has done most of the work for you in this easy-to-read guide to just about everything picture book–related! All you have to do is implement, implement, implement and then read, read, read!
This book is filled to the brim with practical and inspirational advice about the importance of read-alouds! Maria offers every teacher a way into this vital literacy practice. Her energy and love of children and books—as well as her imagination and creativity and love of learning—are evident on every page. From why to how—Maria has it covered. She writes from a place of knowing with a voice that’s authentic and powerful. And Maria’s book choices are brilliant and fresh (which, of course, caused me to buy way too many of her recommendations right away!). The Ramped-Up Read Aloud is an important book to energize your literacy classroom now and into the future.
The Ramped-Up Read Aloud by Maria Walther is one of the most important books of our time! Read it and rededicate yourself to the importance of reading aloud to primary-grade children as well as to students in Grades 4 through 12. Reading aloud simultaneously nurtures positive relationships with students, builds community and vocabulary, and shows children how to think deeply about books. Equally important, read alouds expose children to beautiful, literacy language, to visual literacy, and to stories that touch their hearts and feed their minds. Walther starts with 10 proven reasons for reading aloud, in case you or your principal doubts the learning power of this daily practice. Then, skillfully and passionately, Maria takes you through ways to develop successful read alouds, how to network to find new books, and how to use the ideas in this book to make the read aloud "a joyful celebration for all." If there's one book you read this year, put Walther's at the top of your list. It will change your life and your students' lives forever!
In the Ramped-Up Read Aloud, Maria Walther writes: "I've selected the texts in this book to help you nurture an intellectually and emotionally healthy classroom..." What a beautiful rationale for book selection and read aloud support! The book lists that so richly texture this resource are organized to facilitate teaching points and showcase lesson supports designed to elevate student engagement through teacher think aloud, comprehension conversations, vocabulary building, and open-ended questions. This one is a must have!
Dr. Walther breaks down the methods and science of reading picture books aloud without losing sight of the fact that, at some level, a good read-aloud experience is just plain magic. This book makes me want to read to kids.
Excellent and timely resource for teachers!