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.