There’s a special kind of quiet that happens during a read aloud—the kind where imaginations are working and students are fully engaged. In this episode, recorded in honor of World Read Aloud Day, we explore why read alouds are not just a classroom extra, but a powerful and essential part of learning at every grade level.

From being captivated by The BFG and Number the Stars as a child, to witnessing reluctant readers fall in love with books in the classroom—this episode highlights how read alouds remove barriers, build vocabulary, deepen comprehension, and create lasting emotional connections to stories.

We also examine the research behind read alouds, why they matter even more for students who aren’t read to at home, and why protecting time for read alouds is critical—no matter the  ...