The Oldest Student

Picture Book Read Aloud

book summary

You are guaranteed to be inspired by the story of Mary Walker. Mary was born into slavery and worked hard her entire life, but she never had the chance to learn to read. After Mary was granted freedom from slavery, she was given a Bible and wanted to learn to read from it, but because she was responsible for caring and providing for her family, she was too busy to take the time to learn. At the age of 116, Mary decided that she had some extra time and wanted to learn to read. Learning to read at her age was no easy task. She enrolled in a reading class at her retirement home and focused on learning to read. Mary would work at memorizing the letters, sounds, and sight words until she couldn’t keep eyes open any longer.

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The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read

By Hubbard, Rita Lorraine

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suggested teaching point

Take the opportunity on page 7 to have readers compare and contrast.

After the Emancipation Proclamation, Mary’s life changed. How has Mary’s life changed? How is her life still the same?

Looking for more teaching points for this book and other similar books?  Check out more Interactive Read Aloud Lessons HERE