FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where do I begin?

A:  Start by visiting the SCDSB Read Aloud website and browse the various tabs and resources. 

Sign up using the website which allows you to connect to the spreadsheet to sign up and see if there is another class to connect with. 

There are a couple of ways to sort the spreadsheet so you can select a classroom to connect with by selecting the arrow beside the letter of the column you want to sort.  

You can select a filter to remove all the things you don’t want to see by selecting the lower arrow. 

It can be as small as you read the book with your class and complete activities on your own, or you can connect with other classes through Google Hangouts. 

Q: Who is the head of the Google classroom? 

A: There is a Google classroom for the book you’re reading where you can share what's happening in your class. 

We may post questions for you to respond to, or you can make posts as you go.

Q: I don’t have time to pre-screen the book before we start. Is there anything I should be weary or aware of before reading?

A: You may wish to read the reviews for each book on sites such as Goodreads.

Innocent Heroes 
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34913278-innocent-heroesac=1&from_search=true

Hawk
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25413713-hawk?ac=1&from_search=true

Q: How do I access teacher resources?

A: Go onto the SCDSB Read Aloud website and select the resource tab. There is a teacher guide for each of the books.

You may also visit the Google classroom as teachers will be encouraged to post ideas there.

Also, if there are any issues, questions or concerns as you’re going, select the Contact Us Tab and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible. 

Q: I teach a Primary Class, what can we do to participate?

A: While we don't have a Primary Read Aloud, we encourage you to refer to the Global Read Aloud if you haven't already read the Picture Book choices.
https://theglobalreadaloud.com/2018/03/30/and-the-winners-are-global-read-aloud-choices-2018-gra18/

Q: Is there a French Read Aloud?

We do not have a French Read Aloud this year, but we invite interested Core and Immersion teachers to join our committee to select a 2020 choice.

Q: How do I get the book(s)?

A: Your teacher librarian will likely have a copy of the book. Inquire with him/her or ask your administrator to purchase it for you. You may be able to find a copy online in PDF format or as an audio file.

Q: Where is the best place to share resources about the book that we are reading? Is there a Google Drive or Google Classroom set up for this?

A: There are a few places to share what you and your students have been doing!

• Twitter is a great choice, just make sure to tag @SCDSBreadaloud and/or #scdsbreadaloud in the tweet. This can be a great way to take a quick pic of student work, video, audio, etc. and get it shared quickly.
• Students and teachers can join an easy-to-access conversation in Google Classroom! Teachers can exchange ideas in their "Class" and students can respond to prompts and join the conversation in the "Class" that has been created for their book.
• Comment on the blog! Take a look at the blog for the book you are reading (links here: https://scdsbreadaloud.blogspot.ca/) and read over the posts. Is there an idea you can share that might connect with a post? A solution or answer to a question that has been asked? Comment on a post or join an ongoing discussion.
• Email pethomson@scdsb.on.ca, if you have any created resources you would like to share or have put on the Resources page(s) for the books on the main website.

Q: Is there a hashtag we should be using when we post on Twitter?

A: If you are using Twitter to share what your class is doing, you can include #scdsbreadaloud and also tag us with @SCDSBreadaloud. We love seeing what the classes are doing, or even what chapter they are reading!

Q: I know that during the first two years of the read aloud, students were able to participate in a live chat with the authors. Will that be happening again this year?

A: We are currently in communication with both Sigmund Brouwer and Jennifer Dance. We will update information as it becomes available.

Q: Is there anyone who has created "EQAO" style questions that can share their resource? (multiple choice, short answer)

A: Great idea! Let's connect on the Read Aloud Teacher Google Classroom and start sharing!

Q: I am teaching in a Learning Center for grades 2-5. I am wondering if you have any ideas or suggestions on how to engage this crew as I am struggling to get them engaged. I have looked at the available resources and they are incredible, just wondering if my fellow teachers have any awesome ideas for engaging my crew.

A: Sometimes it can be hard for teachers to make sure kids are engaged, especially if the students aren’t too expressive! Some great ideas to get you started:

• Integrate drama! Have students act out a 5-10 second scene from the novel or create tableaus in small groups and record or take a picture of their creation. This would be a great thing to Tweet!
• Picture journals! Give students a blank journal or scrapbook and allow them to draw what their mind is seeing as you read aloud. Even just small, stick figure drawings acting out what they are hearing can be a great way to get kids listening for details. Alternatively, you could print out blank comic book templates and have students identify one key scene from that day’s reading and draw that out in the comic page panels.
• Put the book up on the screen! If you have a document camera or iPad stand, have the pages you are reading from projected on the screen so visual learners can be reading along with you. We are also looking into uploading digital copies of the book
• Mystery Skype - Check out the sign up sheets and make a connection with another class, even just for a 10 minute chat! Use Skype, Google Hangout or Google Meet to chat with students in another class - you can play 20 questions to guess each other’s location or chat briefly about the book to engage their interest.