18. Managing Interruptions During a Read Aloud

Every teacher knows that feeling—you're in the middle of a captivating read aloud, your students are fully engaged in the story, and then it happens. A student shouts out, the intercom blares, or there's a knock at your classroom door. Just like that, the magical moment is broken, and getting everyone back on track feels nearly impossible. In this episode, I tackle one of the biggest challenges teachers face during read alouds: managing those inevitable interruptions.

I'll share practical, classroom-tested strategies for handling both student disruptions and external interruptions without losing the flow of your lesson. You'll discover how to set clear expectations, use visual cues for individual redirection, create systems for appropriate participation, and implement quick re-engagement techniques to bring students back after any interruption. If you've ever felt frustrated when your carefully planned read aloud gets derailed, this episode will give you the tools to maintain the magic—even when things don't go according to plan.

🌟 50 Picture Books Every Classroom Needs

📝 Read the show notes

Join the Colorful Apple Book Club!

Check out the TpT Store.
Join our FREE Facebook Group all about read alouds.

Keep your teaching colorful,
Sara :)

The Colorful Apple

Full disclosure: Amazon links in my descriptions are usually affiliate links which means if you purchase through that link, I receive a very small percentage of the sale.