The Global Read Aloud was created in 2010 and whose goal was to connect classrooms around the world. I believe that reading with context and connection to the world makes literature much more vibrant and meaningful for the students.
The 2018 GRA was my first attempt at the Global Read Aloud, and my class at St. Denis read Refugee (Alan Gratz). The students enjoyed reading about the stories of three children who had to flee Nazi Germany, Castro's Cuba, and Assad's Syria. It was an immersive historical narrative that allowed students to explore themes of patriotism, family, sacrifice, and culture.
The 2019 GRA selection is the eye-opening adventure of four children in The Bridge Home (Padma Venkatraman). The Grade 8 students at St. Brigid will join Viji, Rukku, Muthu, and Arul in an eloquent memoir written in the rarely-seen second person narrative. Students discussed the role of family and the caste system, religion, and basic human needs (leading to discussions about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals).
Read more about the project here:
