I am a librarian and an educator. I believe in the power of a good read aloud. I am sure many librarians and educators believe that read alouds are important, but it is so hard to find the time when we see our students 1-2 times per week and it is also challenging to get kids to settle down long enough for a book.
While I would usually default to a crazy, fun and hectic Read Across America activity, I decided to scale it back this year and celebrate with something simple. I chose Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O’Brien for my 4th and 5th grade classes and I chose The Notebook of Doom: The Rise of the Balloon Goons by Troy Cummings for my 2nd and 3rd grade classes. The class discussion was student led and Diffit supported. Diffit helped the students think about characters, perspective, and helped the students set the scene. Kindergarten and first grade classes had a different book each time they came to the library that was accompanied by Novel Effect for added fun and adventure. The soundscapes add mystery and excitement to each book.
I would recommend Diffit and Novel Effect to any librarian and educator who is not sure where to begin or would like a fresh take on a tried and true educational practice. My students were slow to engage at first but now they ask to keep reading, are disappointed when I close the book, and cannot wait to move on to the next chapter!
Theresa Russell
Ponderosa Elementary
Boyd County Schools
