5-10 minute teacher read alouds

[Anne-Marie]

I'm looking for very short stories (not picture books)that I can read aloud to my 4th graders at the end of the day for 5-10 minutes, or whenever I have time.

Has anyone found really short stories that students love to hear?

[dsmms]

I used to read 2 minute mysteries to my third graders and then let them raise their hand to try to solve the mystery using their inferencing skills - They loved it! Each time someone would guess and miss the answer, I would give them another clue.

There is several versions of this type of book.

[hweber]

Can you get the 2 minute mysteries anywhere - this would be great for the kids who get dismissed late (walkers and day care) so they don't get into trouble.

[dsmms]

That is exactly what we used them for! I think you can get them anywhere. I got mine at Barnes and Noble. They had a bunch of them. I go through and find the mysteries that the students should be able to figure out. I used them last year with my sixth graders before winter break. We only had a half day and each class was only 20 minutes long. This made a great filler, and as I said before, it exercises those inferencing skills! :)

[seastarmath]

For a change of pace from the mysteries, you might read a selection from one of the Chicken Soup books. They have some longer stories, but most are rather short.

[dsmms]

You may also consider just reading the first two chapters of a grade appropriate novel. Sometimes this is the hook they need to pick up the book and read it on their own. They are usually amused and interested when I tell them they have to read the rest to find out what happens. Occasionally, I see someone pick up the book I started. I would like to think that it is the spark that will start the fire for reading for one reluctant reader.

dsmms

[Boxcar]

What about poetry? Books like "Where the Sidewalk Ends" are good collections.

[dsmms]

What about poetry? Books like "Where the Sidewalk Ends" are good collections.

Good Idea! The kids like any poetry by Jack Prelutsky too!

[herdgrad]

I really like the 2 minute mysteries also. However, I found when we have just a few minutes of down time with "nothing" to do I read from a book called Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar. They are silly books and each short chapter is something different. The kids LOVE them! I usually read the 1st one and I see many students checking out the other two to read on their own.

[David]

Fables may make a good two minute read and there could be quite a bit of discussion about the moral of each fable.

[dsmms]

Fables may make a good two minute read and there could be quite a bit of discussion about the moral of each fable.

I will read a fable and have them decide what the theme or moral of the story is. Then we compare the moral that the author gives.