9 Back to School Read Alouds

I get so excited to plan my read alouds for back to school.  I have a few favorites I have used for years, but I love discovering new books.  Below are a list of books that were published within the past few years.  I hope you find a new book you can share with your students this school year.

This post contains affiliate links for Amazon. By purchasing an item on Amazon using these links, I will receive a small commission on your purchase.

You're Finally Here! by Melanie Watt
                                                     
A perfect first read aloud to show your students how excited you are to see them and that you have been waiting patiently for their arrival.  The main character Bunny experiences many emotions.

Follow up activity: students could brainstorm what they are excited or nervous about this school year.  It would also be an opportunity to talk about emotions with your students.

You can purchase through Amazon Canada.

What Should Danny Do? by Adir and Ganit Levy

There are 9 stories within this book and encourages students to be interactive during the read aloud.  After each story you could have your students turn and talk to discuss what Danny should do.  Students will realize how Danny's choices impacted his day.  I love the social emotional skills that this book teaches.

Purchase HERE

We Don't Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins
                                                        
If the title of this book didn't already catch your attention,  Penelope the t-rex will have you laughing starting on page 1.  Penelope is starting school and eager to make friends, but that doesn't go as planned.  Students will catch onto the theme "treat others the way you want to be treated"

Purchase HERE

Quiet Please, Owen McPhee! by Trudy Ludwig
                                                            
Owen loves to talk every second of the day, but talking gets in the way of his listening.  One day he wakes up with laryngitis and he shifts his focus to listening.  This picture book sends the message that there are appropriate times to talk and listen.

Follow up activity: create an anchor chart as a class to discuss times during your day to talk and to listen/work quietly.

Purchase HERE

The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig

Nobody seems to notice the invisible boy, Brian.  A new boy arrives and Brian is the first one to make him feel welcome.  This story shows that a small act of kindness can help students feel valued.

Follow up activity: discuss ways to be a friend.

Purchase HERE

All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold

This picture book celebrates diversity.  A group of students are followed throughout the day and felt welcome.  Inclusion is illustrated in an age appropriate way.

Purchase HERE

The Bad Seed by Jory John

This picture book is about a bad seed who has a bad attitude and bad manners.  It is perfect for young learners because it models acceptance and that anyone can make a positive change.

Purchase HERE

Nerdy Birdy by Aaron Reynolds

Being a nerdy birdy can be lonely.  When he meets friends he realizes there are other people like him.
This book encourages students to find a group where they feel like they belong, but also find people who are different than you.  Students learn that it's ok to have friendships with people who have different interests or appearance.

Purchase HERE

**If you like David Shannon's books, he has a new book being released on August 28, Grow Up David.  Pre-Order HERE

7 Ways I Organize My Instructional Materials

Anyone that knows me would say I am organized.  I believe an organized classroom leads to efficient use of instructional minutes and provide structure that young students need.  Below are different ways I organize instructional materials to make my days go smoothly.

1. Happy Planner Teacher Edition

If you want to purchase the hole punch to customize your planner, click HERE

 I used an Erin Condren teacher planner for 4 years, but I thought it was a little pricey for a planner that you only use for 1 school year.  I went with the Happy Planner teacher edition, which was much cheaper and offered similar benefits.  It is just as cute and functional.  If you want to personalize your planner, purchase the Happy Planner hole punch then you can add in your own pages to fit your needs.

2. Sight Words

Purchase HERE

This rainbow cart has lasted me for 4 years and counting.  I previously used it to store daily materials, but last year I decided to use it for sight word activities during reader's workshop.  Each student has a personalized sight word list and selects a word work drawer.  Some activities students complete are rainbow words, magic words, hide and seek, dot to dot words....  It is easy for students to use this system independently and clean up is a breeze.

3. Daily Materials

Purchase Sterilite drawers HERE

(I ordered 2)

Using 2 sets of the 3 drawer bins, I put all of my daily activities in the corresponding drawer.  The only downside is hardback cover books don't fit comfortably within the drawers, but besides that this system works for me.

4. Themed Unit Activities

I purchased these bins from Costco.

As a Kindergarten teacher I found it works best to plan in themed units.  Some themes my team does are colors, apples, pumpkins, and gingerbread.  Each bin is devoted to a unit and holds any crafts, games, or activities I need.  I keep my themed read alouds in separate bins within my classroom library so students have access to those titles anytime in the school year.

5. Math Manipulatives
                             .       
                      Purchase purple Sterilite bins HERE (link is for a set of 12 with blue clip)

I LOVE these bins.  They are sturdy and easy for the students to access what they need.

6. Math Centers
                                                  
                                                        Purchase cart HERE 
                                                         (I purchased 2 carts)
Students complete 2 centers per day with their partner or small group.  Within each bin are differentiated games / activities and materials. During math workshop, 1 person in the partner or group is responsible for getting the bin and placing it in an assigned area of the classroom so when it is time to switch, students know where to go.

7.  Themed Read Aloud Display

I highly recommend using one of these shelves (or a similar alternative) to display picture books.  Before each theme or author study, I place the read alouds I need on the shelf.  Students have access at any time and it builds their excitement when they see the books change on the shelf.

Prime Day 2018

Prime Day deals are still going on.  I included my top picks for teacher bags and school supplies.  You can't pass up these deals!  Every teacher needs flair pens and laminating pouches, right??  If you have been thinking about getting an Echo Dot or Cricut now is the time to get it.  Great price for Prime Day!

This post contains affiliate links for Amazon. By purchasing an item on Amazon using these links, I will receive a small commission on your purchase.

Backpack

$25.99

Fits my laptop, Erin Condren planner, among other items.  It is perfect for school or traveling.

Crossbody

Comes in over 30 colors and is under $20.00

Echo Dot

Thanks to my friend Aubrey for sharing this deal with me.  I have one at home and love it!

Original: $49.99

Prime Day: $29.99

STEM -- Snowflakes

Original: $39.99

Prime Day: $9.99

Paper Mate Flair Pens -- Candy Pop

Original: $27.39

Prime Day: $10.99

Scotch Laminating Pouches 200 pack

Original: $42.99

Prime Day: $24.24

Cricut Air Explore 2 - Rose Gold

Original: $299.99

Prime Day: $194.99

Images are from Amazon website where each product is listed.

My Favorite Professional Reads This Summer

Summer is a great time to catch up on professional reads.  The past 2 summers my professional reads were literacy based since I was working on my masters degree.  Besides the change of pace this summer, I enjoyed these books because they were uplifting and practical.

This post contains affiliate links for Amazon. By purchasing an item on Amazon using these links, I will receive a small commission on your purchase.

1. Kids First From Day One by Kristine Mraz and Christine Hertz

I did a book study with other Kindergarten teachers in my district.  We had great conversation and I love that this book is very applicable to primary teachers.  Usually when I read a professional book I have brainstorm how I can apply what I learned into my Kindergarten classroom, but Kids First From Day One is full of anchor charts, strategies, and resources for Kindergarten and First Grade teachers.  The book shows us how our students are the most important people in the room.  I enjoyed the plans for classroom design, positive language, and instructional strategies.

2. From Striving to Thriving : How to Grow Capable Confident Readers by Annie Ward and Stephanie Harvey

Dav Pilkey, the author of Captain Underpants, wrote the foreward for this book.  It.  Is.  Amazing.  I didn't know he had learning difficulties as a kid and the foreward details how his teachers killed his love for reading.  Instead, his mom cultivated a love for reading by allowing him to select books that interested him.  This book emphasizes the value of creating lifelong readers and levels are simply a teacher's tool NOT a label for our students.

3. The Wild Card by Hope and Wade King

Hope and Wade teach at the Ron Clark Academy and I am always inspired by their methods for engaging students. They remind us to not settle for good enough and choose joy.  Despite a student's circumstances, Hope and Wade encourage teachers to "be the wild card" that makes the difference.  Even if you are not creative, Hope and Wade show you how they engage students with room transformations, songs, and more.

4. Culturize by Jimmy Casas

Confession- I have not finished this book.  Before I even started reading, the quotes my friends were posting on Twitter already inspired me.  Jimmy Casas shares insight on why we can't lose sight of soft skills such as kindness and compassion while building on our academic standards.  More importantly, the book is practical and applicable for teachers or administrators.

5. The Path to Serendipity by Allyson Apsey

I am in the #CompelledTribe with Allyson and it has been so fun to get to know her.  She is positive and inspires our group to push forward.  When I heard she was publishing a book, I knew it would not disappoint.  If you want to read a book that captures your heart page after page, this is it.  She owns who she is and strives to see the silver lining in all situations.

Literacy Practices Hurting Our Readers

After reading Stacey's post about We Don't Need Your Good Intentions it really had me reflecting on what I have been seeing online the past few months about literacy practices, especially in the primary grades.  Many times, I am disheartened that a love of reading is not the priority.

Thinking back to my childhood, I did not enjoy reading.  Between the whole class novels that lasted all quarter, ridiculous amount of annotating, packets to complete, and sitting through a whole class period taking turns reading from a textbook....  Groan!  It is so important to me as a Kindergarten teacher that I do my best to make sure my students are engaged and love to read and write.  Along with that, we have to be intentional and provide time to do so.

Which practices are hurting our readers?
Students don't need to know their reading level because adults don't know theirs.

FREE from Jen Jones HERE

....Allow students to have a balanced reading diet.  Meaning, students have books on their independent level that they can read confidently in addition to books they are interested in reading.  As adults, we don't go to a bookstore or library and only select books from a leveled bin. Choice is choice.  Remember, during guided reading students are reading texts on their instructional level and are receiving support so they can apply these strategies when they read independently.

Students don't need to complete packets and reading logs to prove they read.
....there is no research to support that taking reading quizzes improves comprehension.  Yes, A.R. I am talking about you. Spending time reading and writing can improve reading comprehension.  Guided writing also plays a role in my guided reading lessons, usually after the comprehension activity.
If you haven't already, get Jan Richardson's book, The Next Step in Guided Reading.  Included are leveled sight word lists and leveled word work.  It is so simple to implement into your guided reading routine.  I highly recommend.  I met Jan Richardson at the National Reading Recovery Conference in February so I am a fan!

Students don't need classroom libraries that lack choice.
....Although it is important that students have time to read books on their independent level, choice is what motivates readers and what helps students discover their interests.  Classroom libraries should contain hundreds of books.  Not multiple copies of the same book.  A classroom library should have multiple authors /genres / series / interests.  This is what makes students excited to read.

Students don't need to stop listening to read alouds.
....listening to read alouds on the carpet has many benefits.  During this time, you are modeling a positive attitude towards reading and introducing students to a wide variety of books.  In addition, you are modeling skills such as fluency, expression, and monitoring comprehension.  Even with intermediate students, picture books are still a strong mentor text to model comprehension strategies.

Jen Jones from Hello Literacy has a free mentor text list for reading literature standards in grades K-2.  Download HERE and grades 3-6 HERE  It is one of the best free products I own because it is a time saver and easy to navigate when lesson planning.

Students don't need to skip writer's workshop.

                                                        FREE from Jen Jones HERE
....even in Kindergarten having a devoted writer's workshop time is crucial.  Writing and reading are connected processes.  Last year, a study was published illustrating that invented spelling is linked to reading ability.  Read more about the study here.  I also did my action research for my master's degree on this topic.  Student's writing reveals which spelling patterns they have mastered and how they manipulate sounds.  Many times writing and reading are viewed are separate subjects but we write to read and read to write.

People and Resources That Inspire Me:
-Donalyn Miller (Reading in the Wild and The Book Whisperer)
-Pernille Ripp (Passionate Readers)
-Jen Jones -- helloliteracy.blogspot.com IG : @hellojenjones
-Jennifer Serravallo (The Reading Strategies and The Writing Strategies)
-Kylene Beers and Bill Probst (Disrupting Thinking)

How do you inspire readers in your classroom?

A Balancing Act

The #Compelledtribe is writing about balance for this month's blog post.  Although I am definitely not an expert on this topic, below are some ideas to help with the work/life balance.

Organization
Having systems and methods for staying organized helps reduce stress and unnecessary clutter.  For me, it is so important to know where everything is in a moments notice.

Here are a few ways I stay organized:
-Monday-Friday drawers:  I place all of my read alouds and any handouts I will need for each day.
-Copy/File/Grade drawers
-Classroom library bins:  As a Kindergarten teacher, all of my books are organized by author, genre, or interest.  Each book has a label on it that corresponds with the label on the book bin.
-Word Work/Math Center drawers: Using a 10 drawer rainbow cart, each word work activity is inside a drawer.  Each student grabs 1 drawer to work on and all materials are inside.  I use this same method for math centers.
-Email folders: Having folders helps prioritize what needs answered right away or tasks to complete later.

What Works and What Doesn't
Based off past experience, reflect on what systems work for you and vice versa.  Do you prefer to come to school early?  Stay late?  Come in on the weekend?  Leave work at school?  Thinking about what works best for you will help you in the long run by setting boundaries.

Prioritize
Although social media can put pressure on us to have Pinterest perfect classrooms, reflect on what is important to you and what will impact student learning.  Do you need to have matching borders for every holiday?  Probably not.  If that makes you happy, though, go for it.

Use Your Resources
Teaching is a job that can't be done alone.  Ask for support and support others when they need it.  By tapping into other people's strengths, we can build each other up.

Choose Joy 
Regardless of your situation, take time for yourself everyday to do something you enjoy.  Whether it is waking up early to enjoy a cup of coffee in silence, working out, or catching up on a favorite television show, you will thank yourself later.

Take Out
Sometimes a night off from cooking and dishes is necessary.

I would love to hear how you balance.  Share your ideas in the comments.