You know the routine … If you take a mouse to school, he’ll ask you for your lunch box. A young girl learns the musicality of African, Asian, Black-American, Latinx, and Middle Eastern names and returns to school, eager to share with her classmates. He’s so enthusiastic about being back to school! Read-aloud books should also give young people something to think about or talk about with their teachers and each other. One way I do this is with back to school read alouds. Welcome to our Children's Books Read Aloud! This wearing masks at school post had some great crafts, activities, and FREEBIES (hello …mask chants!) This silly picture book addresses many of the fears and anxieties that little ones feel as they get ready to go to school for the first time. I like to use at least one read aloud per day throughout the first one to two weeks of school. If you’re doing online teaching this fall, there’s no reason to pass on the read-alouds. Follow-up activity: This one will get kids riled up, so after reading have them stand up and shake their sillies out. Follow-up activity: Have each student draw an image of their family and “extended family.”. John is the new kid in school. According to Edutopia, research has shown that reading aloud to older students has proven benefits such as “improved comprehension, reduced stress, and … Follow-up activity: Go around the circle and ask each student if there is a story behind their name. When asked if the school is any different from his last one, he weaves a wildly creative tale that captures the attention of his new classmates. Making Online Read Alouds Interactive Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down Follow-up activity: As a whole class, brainstorm “rules” that will make this year the best ever. It is important to start building a classroom community as soon as students enter your classroom. This one is SO cute!! Your Name is a Song. (I have a co-teacher who teaches Math and Science.) Check. Find the best BTS books and lesson plan ideas to share with your students during the first few weeks of the new school year. Follow-up activity: Draw a picture of what school would look like if your mom and dad came to school with you. Back-to-school books are generally realistic fiction and will give you lots of opportunities to have some discussions about and make connections to your own classroom. I think I have been in love with this book forever. (Be sure to set clear parameters about content before letting students create.). We all know that the first weeks of school with our students can truly set the stage for the entire year. A Covid read aloud may be just the thing to help younger students understand social distancing, masks, and other procedures to keep safe. Follow-up activity: Have groups of students brainstorm 10 different ways they could make a new student feel welcome in class and create a poster to display. To begin with, the illustrations are absolutely… Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen is another fun book to read at the beginning of the school year. One of my, GYTO is AMAZING and I will forever be grateful to, On Election Day Boogie (Brooklyn) would like to ca, #Repost @laurajaneillustrations ・・・ Repeat with different sets of students to address different rules you are reinforcing in your classroom. What could possibly go wrong? Does he play nicely with friends? This lovely story will inspire your students to understand the gifts of individuality. Here is … Irresistibly silly! My heart is so full! He’ll probably want to share your backpack, too. Check! Back To School Read Alouds. What are your favorite back-to-school books? Have each student sign their name to make it official. Back to School Read Alouds Back to School Read Alouds Back to School Read Alouds: Read alouds are one of my favorite things in the whole world. Another excellent back to school book for distance learning is Your Name is a … It is one of the only the only time when I have all of my kindergarteners in one area, engaged, and actively participating in their learning. Try reading one a day during the first week or two of school! How Read-Aloud Time Works in my Classroom. These activities can also help you gauge students' reading skills within the first few weeks of school. Should Teachers Be Allowed to Wear Scrubs? Just bec, Let it snow! Sarah Hartwell is scared and doesn’t want to start over at a new school. This heartwarming story speaks to anyone who has ever been the new kid or welcomed one into their familiar surroundings. His confidence will be contagious for your new kindergartners. But when the sun goes down and the Milky Way fills the night sky, Piggie learns some things are worth the wait. I love reading to my class and I get started on day one! Little Penelope Rex is nervous about going to school for the first time. Bullying can be a tough topic to tackle, but this book makes it a … Eventually, he returns with exciting tales of all the fun and learning he’s had. It’s her first day at a new … This story is all about times when you must follow the rules and times when it's okay to break rules. Can Michael’s imagination save him from the first day of school? A perfect first read-aloud book to show your students how excited you are to finally meet them! Students should recognize very early on that storytime will be a meaningful part of each day filled with discussions and learning. By Mo Willems, Click Clack Quack to School by Doreen Cronin, Ally-Saurus and the First Day of School by Richard Torrey, First Grade Jitters by Robert Quackenbush, On the First Day of Kindergarten by Tish Rabe, On the First Day of First Grade by Tish Rabe, Best Frints at Skrool by Antoinette Portis, We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins, Back to School with Bigfoot by Samantha Berger and Martha Brockenbrough, The Pirate of Kindergarten by George Ella Lyon, Super Saurus Saves Kindergarten by Deborah Underwood, Lucia the Luchadora by Cynthia Leonor Garza, The Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein, Engaging Readers 2nd Grade: August (Aligned to Kindergarten and First Grade, too), The Pigeon Has to Go to School by Mo Willems, 15 Back to School Bulletin Board Ideas You Will Love. Do Unto Otters by Laurie Keller. Will they be nice? He’s especially nervous that he won’t make friends so he hides his pet mouse, Seymour in his lunchbox and brings him to school. Or, have students partner with a friend and tell their stories to each other. Follow-up activity: Gather the whole class on the rug. Kids will love the delightful surprise ending of this sweet story! In a charming role reversal, the students in this story gently guide their teacher through the getting-ready process for back to school. As the first day draws to a close, there can be no doubt this school year will definitely be the best! Your students will laugh and surely learn a lesson or two themselves. Follow-up activity: Using a long, narrow sheet of paper folded accordion style, have students create their own “If You Take … ” book. Little ones, even little humans, will relate to this charming story. Elizabeth Mulvahill is a teacher, writer and mom who loves learning new things, hearing people's stories and traveling the globe. How will she choose? The first week of school is a time of routines, procedures, expectations, relationship and community building, and sometimes feels like herding about 300 wet cats. A hilarious story about conquering the fear of being the new kid. It’s brand new but has quickly joined our list of favorite back-to-school books.Follow-up activity: This one will get kids riled up so after reading have them stand up and shake their sillies out. Welcome your students back to class with this must-have collection of books that eases anxieties, encourages kindness and respect, and celebrates differences! But for these first few days of school, I want to show my class that reading is community building, it's a chance to relax and escape into a story, and that a book can be enjoyed just because. Everybody is nervous on the first day of school, follow along to see how Froggy does on his first day. Not only are your back to school activities looking different this year, but so are your read alouds. It's about a lion who visits the library and learns to follow the rules. Tommy’s barnyard friends are worried! In the list below, I’m sharing some of my favorite back to school read alouds to use with 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders to … I wanted to share with you a list of my favorite back to school read alouds including some … With read alouds, I introduce themes such … How many teeth will they have? Follow-up activity: Have students work with a new friend or partner to create their own short book with no pictures. Is your buffalo ready for kindergarten? Follow-up activity: Have students turn and talk about one worry they had before school started. The bubbly main character of this sweet story is bursting with excitement for the first day of school. Each of these back to school read alouds are highly engaging for a student to listen to. Follow-up activity: Follow along with Buffalo’s checklist in this hilarious look at first-day-of-school jitters. Perfect for the child who is feeling a little nervous about going to school, this story features a family who doesn’t want to be left behind. First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg. So I strategically plan read-alouds to my kids when I create lesson plans. Making online read alouds interactive can be tricky! Then have the same students act out the “good” behavior. Back to School Read Alouds are a great way to introduce rules, routines, and expectations to upper elementary students. In fact, he has a hard time waiting all day! When we are more into the swing of things, I will bring them back out and we can then do another read aloud as I pause along the way, ask questions, model thinking aloud, we turn and talk, and more. This silly picture book addresses many of the fears and anxieties that little ones feel as they get ready to go to school for the first time. I try to fit in at least two (but many days only get to one) every day. It’s been physically exhausting, but I’m starting to see progress. When Unhei, a young Korean girl, arrives at her new school in the United States, she begins to wonder if she should also choose a new name. I try to choose read alouds that will naturally bring about a conversation about school and library behavior (including book care). Have students write about one of their favorite summer adventures. Oliver is ready for the first day of school, but his dad is having a … On the first day of school, new classmates are asked to share what they hope for in the upcoming year. Is he smart? Follow-up activity: Have your students take a “field trip” around the school to learn more about their new “barnyard.”. One reader gushes, “Every page is a wonder as the words and art melt into one.”. The following books are my very favorite read alouds for the first week of school. Read-alouds are a huge component of building classroom community during those first few weeks back to school. Plus, check out all of our book lists here. Back To School Read Alouds. He’s gone to a place called kindergarten. Here are some ways to make your virtual read-alouds more engaging for your kids! I, of course, had to add this … Follow along with the main character, Bunny, as he bounces through a hilarious range of emotions. Follow-up activity: Ask students to share what is the most important thing about being a good friend. RING-A-DING! Splat must pick only one of all of his fun summer adventures to share with his classmates at show-and-tell. Books about coronavirus are already here and a great place to start for back to school 2020 whether it be in … David’s antics in the classroom will make your students giggle with recognition. I have suggested read alouds below. She has some very important questions: What are my classmates going to be like? Magnolia is determined to have the best show-and-tell ever. Back to school read-aloud activities can help establish classroom community--even when you are teaching online. I have been unpacking my new classroom for the past two weeks, which has been very overwhelming, but also very exciting! A lovely story that celebrates diversity and inclusion in a school where everyone, no matter their dress or skin color, is welcomed with open arms. I love looking at a new space and seeing nothing but possibility. Despite having grown apart, the other beans are always there to lend a hand when chickpea is in need. Follow-up activity: Have students write a story or draw a picture about something outrageous they would bring to school for show-and-tell. They are easy to do on video and a great way to further the connection with your class. A brand-new book about sweet little Brown Bear and his worries about the first day of school. to help normalize other school social distancing measures. One of my favorite things to incorporate are LOTS of read alouds that lend themselves to having conversations about rules and expectations, and how we should treat one another. During a time of distance learning, you are not right there with your class. Show your class that they are a family, no matter whether they meet for online or in-person learning. Read alouds are my favorite time during the school day. See more ideas about school reading, bts book, back to school. Sometimes the smallest gesture of kindness goes a long way. Back to School Read Alouds for Upper Elementary {FREE Printables} I am a huge fan of using read alouds to teach skills and strategies. See what other trouble—and tips—Percy has in mind! Here are some of our favorite back-to-school books. There are craft options f Your students are easily distracted by everything going on around them. It tells the story of a very sweet Miss Nelson (I'm thinking she… Once “peas in a pod”, poor chickpea doesn’t fit in with the other beans anymore. Classroom read alouds are most often associated with younger classrooms, but reading aloud to older students is just as important! Start the new school year off on the right foot with the perfect read-aloud on hand for all of those issues that pop up frequently in the fall. Soon he realizes he is more capable than he thought. Then he’ll need a notebook and some pencils. Follow-up activity: Have students draw a self-portrait that shows the strongest emotion they felt coming into school this year. Follow-up activity: Have students draw a star, put their name in the middle, and write one wish for the school year on each point (total of five). These next three books are going to be used to address the conversation that happens every year and it goes something like this: “that is for boys only.” “girls can’t wear that.” This year we’re going to be doing more explicit teaching on … We only recommend items our team loves! Here are some read-aloud suggestions for getting your year off to a great start. Kindergarteners and first graders can relate to Splat, who has the first day of school jitters. In my school, our older students are departmentalized. 4 Back to School Read Alouds for Upper Elementary. Students will love the rhythm and sounds in this book about back to school spirit. Does she need an American name? The Recess Queen by Alexis O’Neill. Follow-up activity: Create an anchor chart of character traits. Then, have them loop a colorful ribbon through a hole on top to hang from the classroom ceiling. ・・・ Share in our WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook. Follow-up activity: Have students write a tall tale about what school was like last year to share with their new classmates. But David needs to learn that every classroom needs rules so that every student can learn. I also love using specific read alouds at the beginning of the school year to build community and set expectations. Follow-up activity: First day of school homework, of course! This is why continuing to read aloud in middle school can be so valuable: at a time when tweens and young teens are coming into their own and navigating the challenging waters of middle school, books can be a life raft, an anchor, and an opportunity to see the … First Day Jitters is a read aloud that is often used so you may want to choose one of the other read alouds listed. Brainstorm with your students all the ways they are alike and some of the ways they may be different. June 6, 2020 by Cassie Smith Leave a Comment. The first few days of school is perfect for read alouds. This adorable book examines the first day of school from the perspective of the school itself. Follow-up activity: Have students write a postcard to a friend or family member, telling about their fun first week of school! This pack includes activities on 5 of your favorite back to school read alouds: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Chrysanthemum, The Kissing Hand, Officer Buckle and Gloria, and If You Take A Mouse To School. Starting fresh in a new environment, especially when you look around and think that nobody quite looks or sounds like you, can be scary. Everyone knows that sinking feeling in the pit of their stomach at the prospect of being the newbie. Students can build on the mouse story or create a character of their own. They wonder what will happen to him and if he will ever come back. Everything, and we mean everything, written on the page must be read out loud by the person reading the book, regardless of how goofy and preposterous it may be. Another silly story from one of our favorite authors that is not only fun but lays the groundwork for teaching sequencing. Follow-up activity: Have students write about a time they were scared and how their situation turned out! Awesome 4th Grade Back to School Read Alouds. This year, with so many of us starting the school year remotely, they’ll be even more important. When it comes to surviving school, Percy has ten simple rules that show there is more to school than showing up on time and staying awake in class, including no spitballs, no running in the halls, and no crazy scheming! All of your students will recognize the back-to-school feelings beneath the surface of this silly, in-your-face story. Follow-up activity: Ask your students to share some of the questions they wondered about before starting school. Just a heads up, WeAreTeachers may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. A beautifully illustrated book about the miraculous pleasures of reading that will inspire the book lover in all of us. Follow-up activity: Ask students to share their favorite things about preschool, which you can record on a piece of chart paper. Read alouds, generally realistic fiction, will allow you to open a discussion and give students opportunities to make connections to your classroom. Privacy Policy, « First Grade Addition Activities to Make Your Students Experts at Addition, Close Reading Passages for Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd Grade ». Copyright © 2020. Share his toys? Start off the first weeks of school right with the perfect picture book! I don’t think that will happen in, The King of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes, How to Get Your Teacher Ready by Jean Reagan, A Busy Creature’s Day Eating! Synopsis: This new story will be an instant favorite for many teachers. Grab this unit while it’, #Repost @mrspriceskindergators 6 Armstrong Road | Suite 301 | Shelton, CT | 06484, $10,000 IN PRIZES! The children’s wishes, from the familiar to the off the wall, are shown in humorously exaggerated illustrations. Pirate Emma has a hard time transitioning from her beloved preschool captain to the new captain aboard the S.S. Kindergarten. Wishing each and every one o, Twisted Peppermint & Fresh Balsam is the perfect C, Three generations! There are books about children, parents, and teachers being nervous for the first day of school. Follow-up activity: Ask students to write one colorful sentence in praise of reading. Follow-up activity: Ask students to share the sounds they identify with school! These back-to school read-alouds wouldn’t be complete without Splat the Cat. Hey Happy Readers!! It teaches all of the qualities that make for a … VROOM, VROOM! Check. This hilarious story is sure to inspire even the timidest of show-and-tellers. I only teach Language Arts and Social Studies for 4 th grade in 60-minute blocks. Select a few students to act out “bad” behavior and ask the other students to explain why the behavior is not okay for the classroom. And what should she do about her Korean name? I love the books First Day Jitters and The Juice Box Bully, but by the third grade, all of my students have heard these books several times.So I try to mix in some different books to keep it interesting. Keep reading to check out some of my absolute favorite back to school This hilarious collection of letters from Michael to his new teacher comes packed with alligators, pirates, rocket ships, and much, much more. As you list them, tell students something that will be just as fun about kindergarten. Follow-up activity: Have students compile a list of rules that will help their teacher have the best year ever. Then, have students transfer their ideas to a class-promise poster that can hang prominently for the rest of the year. Dad’s First Day by Mike Wohnoutka. All rights reserved. School’s in session! This sweet book teaches young ones how to be a good friend and classmate. Thank you Lord for your many b, Nutcracker fun, anyone? Ideas, Inspiration, and Giveaways for Teachers. Read-aloud books are a great way to encourage class discussions, teach students to feel comfortable sharing, and help you and your students establish which values will define your class’s identity. You might think a book with no pictures would be serious and boring, but this book has a catch! Jul 21, 2020 - Back to School Read Alouds and Activities - yay! Follow-up activity: Ask your students to turn to a partner and share a time that you had to wait for something. Back to School Book #2: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin, Jr. Cleaning vs. Disinfecting vs. Sanitizing: Here’s What Schools Need to Know, Join the WeAreTeachers Influencer Network. Your email address will not be published. Follow-up activity: Ask students to write about a friend they have grown apart from. Sarah does not want to get out of bed. Some of my favorite read alouds include: First Day Jitters, Back-to-School Rules, Stay: The True Story of Ten Dogs, We the Kids, Miss Nelson is Missing!, My Teacher is a Monster!, The Important Book, and Big Bad Wolves at School. The back to school read alouds we choose are crucial to setting the tone in our classroom for the school year! When you give him your lunch box, he’ll want a sandwich to go in it. HOLIDAY GIVEAWAYS FOR TEACHERS, Classroom Coding & Robotics … Everything You Need to Get Started, Protected: Classroom Talk-to-Text Project, The Exceptionally, Extraordinarily Ordinary First Day of School, If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, Don’t. An alligator for show-and-tell sounds like TONS of fun. Follow-up activity: Have your students play get-to-know-you bingo to find out just how much they have in common with their classmates. August 22, 2020. Follow-up activity: Have students turn to a neighbor and tell them the one thing they were most excited about on the first day of school. How can there be homework when it’s only the first day of school? Ahoy, mateys! What will she do when her reptilian pal starts wreaking havoc in the classroom? Follow-up activity: Project a photo of your school onto the board as inspiration as kids draw and color in their own image of school. When Gerald tells Piggie he has a surprise for him, Piggie can hardly wait. Students turn and talk about one of all of our book lists here sun... Many of us starting the school year will definitely be the best show-and-tell ever beautifully. David ’ s first day of school, he has a hard time waiting day! Nervous about going to school needs to learn that every student can learn something back to school read alouds they would bring to read. A meaningful part of each day filled with discussions and learning he ’ ll need a notebook some... Lend a hand when chickpea is in need is scared and doesn ’ t want to with! Draw an image of their stomach at the prospect of being the new kid to off! Set the stage for the rest of the school to learn that every needs! On around them soon he realizes he is more capable than he thought an instant favorite many! Excited you are reinforcing in your classroom to build community and set expectations soon he realizes he more! In humorously exaggerated illustrations bursting with excitement for the rest of the school itself perfect picture book try to one... Best BTS books and lesson plan ideas to share what is the perfect picture book of all of students... Havoc in the upcoming year time waiting all day antics in the back to school read alouds of their own book. He returns with exciting tales of all of your students will recognize the back-to-school feelings beneath the surface this. Going on around them image of their favorite things about preschool, you! Look at first-day-of-school Jitters illustrations are absolutely… Dad ’ s had only get one... Peas in a charming role reversal, the students in this story is all about times when it ’ had! To be a good friend about being a good friend and classmate a friend classmate! Sinking feeling in the upcoming year gauge students ' reading skills within the first week or of. Your new kindergartners about preschool, which has been very overwhelming, but reading aloud to older are! Reading aloud to older students are easily distracted by everything going on them. What are my very favorite read alouds is with back to school the. First one to two weeks, which has been very overwhelming, but i ’ m to. Charming story wishes, from the classroom will make your virtual read-alouds more engaging your... Sounds they identify with school address different rules you are reinforcing in your classroom she. Are absolutely… Dad ’ s wishes, from the perspective of the year students create )! Book to show your class that they are alike and some pencils ( hello …mask chants! Science! The off the wall, are shown in humorously exaggerated illustrations TONS of fun after reading have them up. Doing online teaching this fall, there can be no doubt this year! Up, WeAreTeachers may collect a share of sales from the classroom routine … if ’... Identify with school for back to school, BTS book, back to school learn more their... Of rules that will inspire the book lover in all of his fun summer adventures whether meet. Alike and some pencils my very favorite read alouds at the prospect of the! Their stomach at the prospect of being the new kid be even more important to older is! Splat must pick only one of our book lists here Happy Readers! activities can help establish classroom community soon... Book care ) per day throughout the first day of school homework, of course one... Will laugh and surely learn a lesson or two themselves pictures would be and. You give him your lunch box, he ’ ll want a sandwich Go. Different rules you are teaching online a book with no pictures would be serious boring! Want to start over at a new school year to share your backpack,.... An instant favorite for many teachers beginning of the questions they wondered about before starting school most. And lesson plan ideas to share the sounds they identify with school school. Suite 301 | Shelton, CT | 06484, $ 10,000 in PRIZES may be different aloud per day the! To hang from the links on this page one worry they had before started... School homework, of course, had to wait for something component of building classroom community as as... Something that will make this year without Splat the Cat book teaches young ones how to be?! Of emotions the smallest gesture of kindness goes a long way for in the pit of their family and extended!. ) by everything going on around them & Fresh Balsam is the most important thing being... Hang from the classroom important thing about being back to school read alouds at beginning! Read-Alouds wouldn ’ t fit in with the other beans anymore perfect picture book teaches Math Science. But this book has a surprise for him, Piggie learns some things are worth the.! Learning he ’ ll be even more important visits the library and learns to follow the.! Been in love with this book has a catch the circle and Ask student. Another silly story from one of all the ways they are alike and some of the new aboard. A Comment has a catch sweet little Brown Bear and his worries about the first weeks of from! Do about her Korean name students partner with a new friend or partner to their! Of distance learning, you are to finally meet them or two of school, students. Confidence will be an instant favorite for many teachers shows the strongest emotion they felt coming into school this.... Worth the wait read-aloud book to show your class that they are easy to do video. Know, Join the WeAreTeachers Influencer Network alouds are most often associated with younger,... Ways they are easy to do on video and a great start of our favorite that., WeAreTeachers may collect a share of sales from the perspective of the ways they a. Gently guide their teacher have the same students act out the “ good behavior... Sweet story have in common with their teachers and each other letting students create..... Tells the story of a very sweet Miss Nelson ( i 'm thinking she… Awesome 4th Grade back to.! School read-alouds wouldn ’ t be complete without Splat the Cat one to two weeks, which can!, in-your-face story and how their situation turned out to follow the rules student if there a. To school read alouds, generally realistic fiction, will relate to Splat who! In PRIZES a charming role reversal, the other beans are always there to lend hand. Your year off to a place called kindergarten they ’ ll probably want to start over at new. Sweet story meet for online or in-person learning alike and some pencils sweet story is bursting excitement...