About the blog
I started Teachable Texts (formerly named “365 Read Alouds”) in order to expand my knowledge of children’s literature. My colleagues and I are always asking the question, “What’s a good read aloud for teaching _________ ?” I want to get better at answering that question.
I will be reviewing a combination of picture books and chapter books. Each review follows a similar format which includes:
- the title and author
- a picture of the book I’m reviewing
- a brief retell of the book
- topics that connect to the book
- reading skills that are prevalent throughout the book (envisionment, making connections, determining importance, interpretation, etc.)
- writing skills that are prevalent throughout the book (zooming in on a small moment, including setting details)
- units of study that connect to the book (My school is a Teachers College project school. I will be referring mostly to current and past units of the upper grade TC units of study for Reading and Writing.)
- Tribes agreements (attentive listening, right to pass, mutual respect, personal best, appreciations/no put downs) that may connect to the book
- Habits of Mind
- my thoughts on using the reviewed text in the classroom
Each book/post will carry a variety of tags that can be easily searched. Let’s say you’re a teacher who is looking for a good read aloud to model how readers envision or ‘make a movie in the mind’. You can click on the tag ‘envisionment’ and will be directed to a list of books that may be good for modeling that skill during read aloud.
I’m hoping that this blog will be a helpful, interactive resource for elementary school teachers. Please comment on the reviews and add how you use these books in your classroom. Please feel free to email me with any questions, comments, or book recommendations: deeannagunderson@gmail.com
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Teachable Texts 
1.
MaryHelen | July 28, 2009 at 10:32 pm
Excellent resource. I happened on your blog through TwoWritingTeachers. Finding great read alouds and mentor text is so helpful to our profession. How do you happen to find the time to write about a text a day? Just curious. I love reviewing books as well and find that it’s time challenging. I love it though.
2.
dgunders | July 28, 2009 at 11:37 pm
Thanks for checking out my blog. I’m on summer vacation so free time isn’t an issue right now. When school starts again I plan on setting aside certain days for reading texts and certain days for writing posts.
3.
Michelle | August 14, 2009 at 10:42 am
Love this blog!! I am now an official follower. I am doing the same thing myself, but I never thought of blogging about it. Thank you! I am doing a presentation about writer’s workshops this fall and I am going to list your blog as a valuable resource! Thanks again.
Keep blogging,
Michelle
4.
dgunders | August 15, 2009 at 12:26 am
Thanks for the positive feedback. I’ve been collecting read alouds for years. I find that blogging is a great way to organize my thinking about the texts. I hope it evolves into a useful resource.
5.
Helen | August 24, 2009 at 8:42 pm
reminds me of the current Julie and Julia film (and book) doesn’t Julie try to cook two of Childs’ recipes a day for a year?
6.
dgunders | August 25, 2009 at 3:01 pm
I didn’t think of that. I started the blog before I heard about the movie (and book). I got the idea from my boyfriend who does a daily drawing blog (doodlebird.wordpress.com). On our recent vacation we were slaves to wi-fi.
7.
Joann | August 28, 2009 at 6:08 pm
I love this! I came from a “6 read aloud a day” school based off Lester Laminack and love what you have done. Would you consider going back to July and June and adding the Habits of Mind to those as well? I’m now in a school that makes that their focus and would love your input in my planning Habits centered read alouds. Thanks!
8.
Deeanna--365readalouds.wordpress.com | August 28, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Our school is looking into using Habits of Mind as well. This will be my first year adding them to the curriculum. I’m not sure if I’ll have time to go back to June and July but I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks for the suggestion. Feel free to add your input about Habits of Mind in the comments section on any of the posts.
9.
Joann | August 31, 2009 at 6:36 pm
If I can think of any that correspond with what you’ve posted, i will definitely add them. There is a brand new book out called “Those Darn Squirrels” that really fits with a lot of them…highly recommend.
10.
julie | September 1, 2009 at 4:23 pm
I attended the reading institute for the first time this August. I’m trying to implement read alouds following the TC model. Is there a certain framework or structure that you use as you’re planning? This is a VERY helpful site! Thanks so much.
11.
Deeanna | September 1, 2009 at 10:46 pm
Excellent question. I just posted a new page that may be of help to you when you plan. I’ll try and post more resources as I collect them.
12.
Deeanna | May 3, 2010 at 8:57 pm
I originally planned to do a post each day for one year. Oh how vast time seemed during Summer vacation. Alas, I haven’t been able to keep up with my original goals. I need to revise them a bit.
I still plan on reviewing 365 books. It will just take me longer than expected. I hope to post at least one review each week and more when I’m on vacation.
Thanks for your patience and support.