This Interactive Read Aloud Activity of Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez by Kathleen Krull provides the thought-provoking questions essential to every interactive read aloud. It also uses the Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy Cognitive Dimensions. Your students will soon be in deep discussions, ranging from plot analysis to author’s message exploration.
Interactive read alouds are an important component of a balanced literacy classroom. Research proves the value of reading aloud to students of all ages, and that students benefit from being read aloud to several times throughout a week. Thoughtful planning of an interactive read aloud is critical for its success. Teachers need to select a text that is both meaningful and engaging, and it is important to consider how the text will support lessons, units, or themes the class is working on. Thought-provoking questions are essential to every interactive read aloud. Using the Revised Bloom's Taxonomy Cognitive Dimensions is one way to ensure students will take part in a variety of discussions from understanding the plot of the story to analyzing the author's message.
This week’s spotlight Book of the Month and interactive read aloud I chose to feature is called Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez by Kathleen Krull. This is a great book to use during a biography unit or during a nonfiction unit.
Use this book along with the text-specific questions provided in my downloadable Interactive Read Aloud. As you ask these questions while reading the text, you will be amazed at the increased engagement, level of discussion, and critical thinking amongst your students!
Cesar Chavez is known as one of America's most inspiring civil rights leaders. He improved the lives of thousands of migrant farm workers, when he led a 340-mile peaceful protest march through California. Cesar wasn't always a leader though. As a child, he was shy and often teased at school. His family worked in the fields for barely enough money to survive. Cesar wanted things to change. So he took charge. Cesar spoke up, and through his words and actions made a difference.