15 answers

Reading a Book to 3Rd Grade Classroom

My parents are planning on reading a book to my neice's 3rd grade class once or twice a week for the month of January. My mom wants to read a chapter book, a chapter or two each time they visit. She asked me (former teacher) my suggestions. I thought about Charlotte's web, but a lot of kids have seen the movie or read the book a few times. Most kids have read the Diary of a Wimpy Kid, right? Starting with the first Harry Potter would possibly bore some kids wouldn't it? I was really at a loss, as I don't know what kids now-adays are reading. I suggested to her she find historical or non-fiction books, as many children don't read non-fiction. Perhaps she could go with something like Number the Stars or something similar, yet some of these books (holocaust) are so graphic and there are so many of them, I don't really know which ones are best. She said that MLK's bday is in January, so if she did non-fiction, maybe something about him?

Thoughts? What does your 3rd grader love? What would they be interested to hear read to them? Please list your fiction and non-fiction ideas for me. She has a few weeks to pick something. So she could rent from the library and 'preview' the book first. Thanks in advance!!!

1 mom found this helpful

What can I do next?

So What Happened?™

Mom has put some books on reserve at our library to preview them. I just sent her y'alls list too. I don't know how long each reading session is or how often they plan to go. But I REALLY appreciate all the answers. Whatever book she does choose for the class, we will check out the OTHER books next time my neice goes to the library so that she can read them on her own. We like doing a 'book club' where both my neice and mom read the book and then talk about it. So I am glad to get some classic ideas (How to eat fried worms - I loved this when I was a kiddo) and some new ones (The Enormous Egg, The Lightning Thief). I like the idea of a book that will get the kids interested in reading the second of the series chapter book on their own. THANKS TO ALL OF YOU!

Featured Answers

Sideways stories from Wayside school
Wayside school is falling down.
Both great books and full of short stories
There's a book called " no talking " that my daughters teacher read to them every day.

2 moms found this helpful

More Answers

Some of my favorites that are lesser known by this generation of children:

There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing
Skinny Bones
The Cricket in Times Square
Sideways Stories from Wayside School
The Best School Year Ever
How to Eat Fried Worms

When I was a classroom teacher I tried to stay away from books that had been made into movies just because it took the fun out of the read aloud.

4 moms found this helpful

"The Ghost, the White House and Me" by Judith St. George.

She also wrote "Haunted". My 4th grader LOVED them! Really held her attention.

"Island of the Blue Dolphins" by Scott O'Dell

I am not sure if they will let it fly, but you can ask about reading The Hunger Games.

2 moms found this helpful

I loved "Tale of a Fourth Grade Nothing" at that age. I love the Shel Silverstein idea. I am 36 and can still recite some of those poems from memory. "The Places You Will Go" by Dr. Seuss. He also has one about love and acceptance but I cannot remember the title. I hope your parents have fun! I love to read aloud to children.

2 moms found this helpful

what if she read some Shel Silverstein poems? They are funny and most kids would probably like them.
A big book, like Harry Potter, would never get done in a month (and I think a lot of parents would not be too happy with their kids getting that book read to them...not me!! But I know of mother's that don't let their kids read books about witches, goblins, and little boys that are magical)

2 moms found this helpful

Sideways stories from Wayside school
Wayside school is falling down.
Both great books and full of short stories
There's a book called " no talking " that my daughters teacher read to them every day.

2 moms found this helpful

My son's third grade teacher read The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan to her class and got my son hooked on the series. The first book is awesome, and both boys and girls enjoy it.

She also read The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo and the Gregor the Overlander series by Suzanne Collins. Great books for reading aloud for both boys and girls!

2 moms found this helpful

My daughter participates in a summer reading club ever year, and her third grade year they read Stuart Little, Nim's Island, and Because of Winn Dixie. Winn Dixie was a big hit with all the kids that year.

2 moms found this helpful

I am reading How to Eat Fried Worms to my 8 and 10yos right now, and they LOVE it. It's best if you can do the voices lol :)
Laura Ingalls Wilder is a wonderful series, I read them over and over growing up.
I agree with ANY Beverly Cleary.
And now I have some ideas for other books to read to them, thanks, ladies!

2 moms found this helpful

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