What should you do when students have already read or heard the book?
This seems to be a constant in just about every school: You have that favorite read aloud you have been waiting to share with your students. When you announce the read aloud, students say, "We already read that book." or "Our teacher read it to us last year."
What do you do? Here are a few suggestions:
Read it aloud anyway.
Readers reread books if they were a favorite and/or had something profound to learn. Explaining this to students should help with any disgruntled listeners. A main point of the read aloud is for students to hear the written word spoken. If it is an excellent title, there should hopefully be few complaints. It might be wise to ask first before forging ahead, such as offering a choice between the book they know and other acceptable titles.
Read aloud parts of the book.
Selecting some passages to share with students who have already heard the book offers multiple benefits. First, it is a nice compromise with the kids. We can show that we are listening to them and value their opinion. Second, reading aloud selected passages is an opportunity to notice author's craft. Teachers can point out what made the author's writing so good and worth reading again. Finally, it is an opportunity to...
Select a new title to read aloud.
Excellent titles that would make for great read alouds are published every year. By being open minded about what books to share with students, we discover new books together.
If you would like a book that is similar to the title you had planned but the kids already heard, check out Amazon. Put in the title into the search bar, and Amazon will share other books readers have purchased in addition to the one you listed. For example, when I looked up Charlotte's Web, Amazon suggested Stuart Little (also by E.B. White), Pippi Longstockings, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Mr. Popper's Penguins. These are all classics for a reason.
(Note: Whenever possible, avoid Amazon and buy local. Click here for reasons why.)
You can also connect with your school's library media specialist (and what a crime if you do not have one). Going with the Charlotte's Web example, he or she would likely steer you to titles of the same genre and topic, such as Babe: The Gallant Pig and Owls in the Family. Your library media specialist may also suggest newer titles such as Flora and Ulysses and The Cheshire Cat: A Dickens of a Tale.
If you do not have library media specialist (again, a crime), check out the E.B. White award winners for best read alouds from each year. You can also purchase a copy of The Read Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease. It was my go-to guide when I taught 5th and 6th grade. I have the last four editions, as Trelease would update the treasury of book lists. He also offers suggestions on his website.
An essential element in reading aloud is what you choose to read.
-Jim Trelease
Whatever approach you take when kids have already heard the story, the more important point is reading aloud to your students every day.