Picture books are not just for young children; they can be a valuable tool for students of all ages. These beautifully illustrated stories have the power to captivate young minds, spark imagination, and teach important life lessons. In this blog post, we will explore a selection of back to school picture books that are perfect for using during the back-to-school season.
Setting Expectations
Back to school is the perfect time to set the stage for expectations in your classroom. Leigh from The Applicious Teacher, loves using the book, I Promise by Lebron James. This book guides readers through understanding that they have responsibility to be the best versions of themselves. You can grab a free activity for this book by clicking here!
Using Wordy Birdy To Help With Talking
Wordy Birdy by Tammi Sauer is a perfect for the back to school season or any time of year. Marcy from Saddle Up for 2nd Grade loves this one because it’s about a silly bird who talks way more than she actually listens. Sound familiar? You can read more about this story other back to school read alouds on Marcy’s website.
A Back to School Picture Book for Classroom Management
Begin the year by allowing your students to be a part of the classroom management process. Instead of a teacher made list of the things our students should not do, let them be a part of creating classroom expectations as a group. One book Amanda from Mrs. Richardson’s Class loved to read as she began her discussion was Officer Buckle and Gloria. This silly book is perfect for talking about why we need expectations and naturally led itself to Amanda sharing that her #1 job was to keep her students safe! READ MORE about setting expectations vs. rules for your class as you read aloud this hilarious book!
Building a Classroom Environment
One of the most important things to accomplish in the first few weeks of school is a sense of family and friendship amongst the students and YOU! Creating an atmosphere where your students feel welcome and open to meeting their new classmates is a must, but of course, it isn’t always easy. Amy likes to think a good book can go a long way in driving the momentum in the classroom and paired with a fun activity to help them connect, you can truly work towards building trust. Rulers of the Playground is the perfect picture book to pair with discussions about friendship, recess behavior, classroom expectations, and more! For more Back to School Read-Aloud suggestions, check out Amy’s website.
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Using Kindness with your Picture Books
In today’s world, teaching kindness has become more important than ever before. In our classrooms, it is crucial to foster an environment where students not only learn academics but also develop essential values like empathy, compassion, and understanding.
Of course as teachers including books about kindness in your curriculum is an easy way to slip these lessons in! By incorporating stories that highlight acts of kindness, students are not only exposed to diverse perspectives but also encouraged to cultivate a sense of empathy towards others.
Molly from Lucky Learning with Molly’s favorite read aloud is I Walk with Vanessa. This wordless story beautifully illustrates a young girl witnessing someone getting bullied and how she stands up to do the right thing. Head over to her blog to learn read about more books that can teach kindness.
Building a Community using Picture Books
Ah, the first day of school—a perfect opportunity to gather a group of nervous second graders and mold them into a harmonious community. Like in the book “The First Day Jitters,” students experience those butterflies in their stomachs as they enter the unknown. However, during these initial moments, the magic of building a community truly begins. Teachers hold the power to create an environment where laughter, collaboration, and growth flourish. Embarking on this adventure together, they understand that everyone is on this jitters-filled rollercoaster ride when it comes to building a classroom community.
Let’s explore a free whimsical community-building activity inspired by Trina Deboree’s Teaching and Learning—Community Building Makerspace Story Stations. Imagine a lively makerspace station with colorful materials, eager hands, and broad smiles. Students are invited to create a solution for Mrs. Hartwell from The First Day Jitters. Equipped with simple materials, and a dash of imagination, they transform ordinary materials into vibrant solutions. This delightful activity sparks creativity and fosters a sense of belonging as students exchange stories and laughter, realizing that they all share similar fears and excitements. With Jitter Juice in hand, they unite, ready to conquer challenges and build an extraordinary classroom community. So, let them raise their Jitter Juice and toast to a year filled with unforgettable moments and endless growth!
You can read more blog posts about picture books here!
