17. Keeping Wiggly Students Engaged During a Read Aloud

We've all been there – you're in the middle of reading that perfect picture book, and suddenly you notice Jimmy rolling around, Sarah playing with her shoelaces, and half your class looking everywhere but at you. In today's world of constant stimulation and shorter attention spans, keeping wiggly students engaged during read alouds has become one of our biggest classroom challenges. But don't worry – those magical read aloud moments are still possible, even with your most energetic students!

In this episode, I'm sharing practical, immediately applicable strategies to transform your read aloud time. You'll learn about strategic seating arrangements, building listening stamina, when to use fidgets appropriately, and simple engagement techniques that won't disrupt your story flow. Whether you're struggling with one particularly active student or an entire class that can't seem to sit still, these teacher-tested approaches will help you reclaim the joy and power of read alouds in your classroom.

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Keep your teaching colorful,
Sara :)

The Colorful Apple

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