Calming down

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Calming down
By Mary in MA

I also have used the after-recess time as storytime. With little ones, I would have them either come to the circle or, if they are just too antsy to sit quietly, remain at their desks as I read. I always choose a chapter
book that is somewhat above their reading level but has a high level of interest (adventure, fantasy, mystery, etc). I read for about 20 minutes, give or take, and always end at a place that leaves them wanting to know what comes next. Some of the books that might work for your purposes are "Indian in the Cupboard", "Shiloh", "Sarah, Plain and Tall", "Trumpet of the Swans", "Charlott's

Web", any of the Judy Blume books, any of the James Howe books ("Bunnicula", "The Celery Stalks at Midnight"), etc. I would take care of drinks and bathroom before reading and let them know that unless they can listen with their EARS and not their MOUTHS the reading will stop. I have had excellent success with Story Time, even with sixth graders. All kids like to be read to, even the older ones who seldom have the chance to listen to literature without having to DO something with it. For that reason, I might hesitate to connect a comprehension activity to the reading. My thinking is that this is a good way to model reading strictly for pleasure and, by varying the genre of story, introduce them to types of books they may not have previously experienced.