Mystery reader (reception class)

[Cocteautriplet]

I’m very excited to be a mystery reader in my DD’s reception class next week. A few parents will be coming in at the end of the day next week and reading some of their favourite books with the class. I did this before at nursery and enjoyed it but I was surprised at how much crowd control was needed 😅 and that was with a much smaller number of kids. I’m trying to prepare myself to do the best job I can ( I want my daughter to be proud!) so I wanted to get a few tips to make sure it goes well - don’t want to be the mum who fluffs it! Any pointers especially from teachers?

Book choice: I thought Cockatoos or Mr Magnolia by Quentin Blake… lots of opportunity for interaction with the class (I might bring a parrot hand puppet in if the former), lots of little details to point out, fairly short books, quite funny, I know them both well. I think these books are fun but not too challenging for 5 year olds. I had considered Two bad Mice by Beatrix Potter but I think it’s a bit subtle ( the food being made of plaster / the pretend fire in the grate etc might go over their heads a bit?)

Are there any tips for reading to a big group? Should I enlarge the pages / illustrations so they can see them or put them on the class whiteboard or just move around between them showing them the pictures?

Any tips for reining in an audience if they get too noisy (do they still do that clapping /echo thing in school to get attention?). Any tips for making sure everyone gets included? … I want the session to be quite interactive but don’t want to overlook anyone especially the shyer children.

Thank you!

It's so lovely that you're excited about reading to your daughter's class but, I think you might be overthinking this just a tad...

I did this with my daughters reception class and I agree that you're ever thinking it. Teachers will already have strategies in place for those who may struggle to stick with the story for 5 mins, and majority of the kids will be on their best behaviour for a visitor.

The teacher should be doing the crowd control, not you! You shouldn’t have to do any clapping etc to get their attention. I also think you are massively overthinking this. Just go in and read your book of choice. No need to enlarge the book etc. Just sit on the chair and read it to them, with expression, showing them the pictures 😃

As pp said. I would bring the tone down a tad. Read with slow and steady rhythm, look around as you read. Bring in a few different voices. That would be enough for the first one. Please don't over do it and make your dd feel embarrassed 🙈

You’ll do great. The only tip I have is just to wait for every child to be quiet before you start.

Thanks everyone - excellent points. I do tend to prepare things in detail generally as I have adhd and I’m not so good at winging things so I like to look at all the angles before I do something. You should see the amount of prep I have to do in order to do a presentation for work!

The only thing that’s still niggling me is that the book I want to do (Cockatoos) has small details (the birds hide and you have to spot and count them). No way children at the back will be able to see. Do you think it would be work for me to go up to a selection of children in turn after reading each page to spot the birds or is it best to stay seated and choose another book?

I remember being that age and the teacher reading "we all join in" and joining in.
I also read it to my children who absolutely loved it too.
That might go down well, as for tips I think you'll be fine just read at a good pace and bring some voices in
Good luck

I have read both books to my various classes over the years. Mr Magnolia is great fun but better as a repeated read as they love joining in with it. Cockatoos is brilliant and you can read it a bit more slowly and take time to look at the detail on each page. I’ve never found finding the birds on each page to be a problem, even with a large group.

Do you think it would be work for me to go up to a selection of children in turn
No, the ones not seeing you will get bored and restless and the ones next to the ones you’re trying to show will leave their places to come and see. It will break up their engagement too much.

Don’t linger too long on looking for the cockatoos. Even if they can’t see them then they can still enjoy the story. And at the end you can say “if you want to see the pictures up close look out for this book at your library” and show them the cover again.

The teacher will be there and do crowd control, they'll also be aware of the children less likely to be able to engage and will have a plan in place.

Just go and read a book and try not to worry.