The Witches: An Engaging Classroom Read Aloud

Problem:  I’m dying to find something funny and interesting to read aloud to my class.

Solution:  Read them The Witches by Roald Dahl!  When a boy and his grandmother go on vacation they discover that they are sharing their hotel with a group of disguised witches that have a plot to destroy all the children in England!  The witches even manage to change the boy into a mouse. 

I especially enjoy how the author describes the witches with their bald heads (covered by wigs), their feet without toes, and how children smell like “dogs’ droppings” to witches.  Your room will be filled with giggles when the author clues in his readers about how to tell a witch from a regular woman and suggests that the teacher reading them the story might even be a witch! Kids love books like this where a smaller/weaker character (the boy-turned-mouse in this case) saves the day. 

Hannah Braun

Hannah Braun is a former teacher with 8 years of experience in the classroom and a master's degree in early childhood education. She designs engaging, organized classroom resources for 1st-3rd grade teachers.