How to Do a Virtual Read Aloud Tips and Tricks

How to do a Virtual Read Aloud Tips & Tricks

how-to-do-a-virtual-read-aloud

Have you wondered how to do a virtual read aloud? How can kids see the pages? What tools do you need? How hard is it really? Here are some tips and tricks when hosting a read aloud online. While these work well for remote teaching, a lot of these hacks can be used during in-person teaching as well.

This video originally aired LIVE on my Facebook Page; Naomi Meredith: The STEMTech Co. 

Come and join in on the fun on Facebook, or watch the recording of this episode.

How to Do a Virtual Read Aloud  | Watch the recording down below:

How to Do a Virtual Read Aloud  | #1 Picture & Google Drive Mash Up

This hack works well for when you only have a hard copy of the book. Now this tip isn't meant to infringe on copyright and have you share with the whole world what you created; classroom use only. This method is extremely helpful to help the kids see the pages on a video call while the teacher doesn't have the hold the book awkwardly to the camera. No document camera is needed!

If you know me, you know I am a HUGE fan of using Google Tools in the classroom as well as my person life. First, download the Google Drive app onto your phone. (Login of course!) Next, lay the book on a flat, clear surface with plenty of lighting. After that, using the Camera on your phone, take pictures of the pages in order. Edit and flip any pages now while in the Photos app.

Go into the Google Drive app. Hit the plus sign (+) and create a new folder while naming it the title of the book. Keep that new folder open and hit the plus sign again. Next, click ‘Upload', then ‘Photos and Videos' choose all of the photos of the book. They'll upload in the order of when the photos were taken.

Once they are uploaded into Google Drive, you can actually delete the photos off your phone to save space. It won't delete the pictures from the Drive.

Finally, when you're ready to read, open up the book folder on your computer during class and share your screen. All you need to do is click through each of the pages as you read the story live.

Click here for a FREE printable version of the steps listed above.

 

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How to Do a Virtual Read Aloud  | #2 eBooks

Before taking pictures using the method above, see if there is an eBook version already accessible. Again, share your computer screen with the class once the desired book is chosen. Below are great resources to use that I've used consistently with my classrooms.

  • Epic! Books (getepic.com): This is a free for teachers eBook library to use in classrooms. Not only are eBooks abundant, but audio books, read-to-me, chapter books and video clips that aren't connected to YouTube. Regardless of read alouds or not, this is a MUST USE resource in your classroom.
  • Your Public Library: Most public libraries have some sort of version of digital books that are available to check out. By using your library card, see what is already available for free! Don't live near a public library? Many public libraries located within a school district will give a card to teachers who teach in that area.
  • Amazon Kindle Books: A Kindle device is not needed for this method. In fact, the Kindle app can be downloaded into a computer device for free. Often, publishers will have flash deals where books are offered for free that you can download to your account. Also, Amazon gift cards can come in handy when wanted to buy the digital copy of the book. One word of advice; purchase/download Kindle books to your personal account. That way if you were to ever leave districts, you still have access to all of those books!

How to Do a Virtual Read Aloud  | #3 Audio Extras

Bring a read aloud to life and help with visualization with audio extras! Build background knowledge about the topic about to be read by finding a video clip that helps explain a difficult word or concept.

Also, check out the app Novel Effect. Again, another great resource for teachers! While reading the book out loud, Novel Effect will listen in real time by adding in sound effects that relate to the page. Some books even have music that will play along, like Pete the Cat.

Check out their growing collection of supported books here. 

 

How to Do a Virtual Read Aloud  | #4 Collaborative Read Aloud

This tip is a great way to get students involved with the read aloud experience. I would suggest using Seesaw with this method since it has the best tools to fit the job. Flipgrid could also be a great alternative as well.

Create a Seesaw Activity where each page is a different page of the book. Next, assign a student to a specific page to record themselves reading. You could even have each child read the whole book, then select one page from each child's submission for the final read aloud. Finally, during whole group time, share the collaborative read aloud.

Need help with creating a Seesaw Activity? Download these free visual steps here! 

Click here for one free month of Seesaw Plus to be added to your account using my Ambassador link! 

How to Do a Virtual Read Aloud  | #5 Pre-Record

This method works well of course with remote teaching, but also for homework assignments, substitute plans and even book groups. Pre-recording readings of a book don't have to be fancy. For this method, I'll typically use Screencastify. This is a Google Chrome Extension that is used on the computer when Google Chrome is open. It can record your screen only, screen & face, or just face.

Once the recording is complete, it saves automatically to your connected Google Drive. There is even the option to upload to YouTube right away. (I recommend making the YouTube link ‘Private' or ‘Unlisted' unless you have permission from the author/publishing company.) This extra time saving step allows the user to grab the share link right away and plop it into the desired assignment.

Screencastify is a freemium tool; the free features are great and can get the job done. But for unlimited use, the paid version is inexpensive & worth it. (I always renew my subscription).

Consider pre-recording picture books and chapter book chapters. This is incredibly special for your students when you have a substitute and the students can still hear the “correct voice” reading all the chapters.

This method can also be used for independent reading of book clubs. When the audio version isn't available, send students the link to your video to help them read through their assigned work and understand the fluency and key vocabulary.

Get started with Screencastify here! 

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What questions do you have about these activities? Have any other ideas to share? Feel free to direct message me on Instagram, @naomimeredith_ and I would love to chat with you!