December is a great time to read aloud to your class! The time between Thanksgiving and the December holidays can go by quickly or drag onnnnnn. To help keep your class engaged, read aloud any of these wonderful books! Whether you are looking for chapter books or picture books, I include many titles to keep your class entertained all the way to winter break!
December Read Aloud Chapter Books
All of these chapter books are fantastic choices as a read aloud during December! Wondering how to choose? It will depend on two factors: how much time you have and the type of book you want to read aloud.
I love to read aloud The Last Holiday Concert by Andrew Clements! If you’ve never read an Andrew Clements book aloud to your class, this is an excellent choice. The students really connect to the characters in the story. I always love to hear their thoughts as we uncover more about Hart Evans and Mr. Meinert. I especially get excited to hear their reactions to the ending. PLOT TWIST!
Another favorite is The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson. The Herdman children wreak havoc wherever they go. Your students will find many laughs in listening to this story unfold!
The books listed below are not directly related to the winter holidays, but are still perfect for a December read aloud!
- The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
- Stone Fox by John Reynolds Gardiner
- Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Florence and Richard Atwater
Not enough time to commit to an entire chapter book before break?
Check out this post on how you can implement First Chapter Friday in just 3 steps!
December Read Aloud Picture Books
Who says that picture books are just for little kids? My fifth graders love to read and listen to picture books! All of the following books will be excellent choices for December read aloud time.
The classic December read aloud picture books are probably not a surprise to you. But if you are anything like me…I can always use a reminder!
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg is a classic story and BONUS- there are so many activities that you can incorporate into your classroom to go with the book! Did I hear you say movie time?
One of my favorite videos to watch on VHS…yes, you read that correctly, as a child was The Snowman by Raymond Briggs. A wordless picture book with so much heart makes this perfect to share with your class!
I also include diverse books in my read alouds to students. Do you ask your students about their family traditions? Maybe not everyone celebrates Christmas or they come from another country with different customs. The following books will help you open the conversation to build your classroom community!
- Seven Spools of Thread: A Kwanzaa Story by Angela Shelf Medearis
- The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie dePaola
- Celebrate Hanukkah by Deborah Heiligman
Do you want to read a book that is humorous or just for fun? Any of these books will keep your class feeling the holiday spirit!
- Pig the Elf by Aaron Blabey
- Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner
- Red & Lulu by Matt Taveres
- The Smallest Gift of Christmas by Peter H. Reynolds
- How to Catch an Elf by Adam Wallace
Are you looking for more picture books to read aloud to your class?
The To-Do List Teacher has you covered with additional books that include depth and rigor!
Happy Holiday Reading,
April
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