Califone Audio Books in the Classroom
Posted by Keirsten Dungan on 6th Mar 2014
Califone Audio Books in the Classroom Offer Advantages for All Reading Levels
Heard a good book lately? From Curious George before bed to the latest Grisham novel during a commute, people of all ages find joy in listening to stories. Hearing a book read out loud is also beneficial for young children, who learn important literacy skills that serve as the foundation for later success in reading.
Audio books offer many advantages for readers of all levels. Students enjoy expanded access to books, since they can listen and understand stories above their reading level. Additionally, students learn new vocabulary words and punctuation as they follow along in the book. Furthermore, hearing a talented narrator bring a story to life teaches children about the flow of stories and gets them excited about reading. For older students, listening to an audio book can make dialects or accents easier to understand. Even in high school, audio books can help students make sense of complicated language, like that used by Shakespeare and Chaucer.
The fact is: audio books are a powerful classroom tool.headphones into a stereo jackbox so students can listen clearly and comfortably. When the book is finished, initiate a discussion about the characters, setting and plot to help students more fully comprehend the material.
Audio books can also be used for whole class instruction. Play audio books on a media player to amplify the sound so everyone can hear. This practice encourages large group discussion for a deeper understanding of the reading. Play the whole book, or just the first chapter, so students are motivated to finish the book on their own.
No matter how teachers use audio books in the classroom, the students benefit. In addition to developing critical literacy skills, audio books leave a lasting impression.
To this day, I remember listening to a recording of “The Highwayman” by Alfred Noyes in junior high. I don’t remember any of the poems we read in books, but I still recall the clear sound and rhythm of the man’s deep voice as he spoke: “And the highwayman came riding–/Riding–riding–/The highwayman came riding, up to the old inn-door.”
