I think we can all agree that 2020 has been some kind of year! I mean holy cow! So while taking down the Christmas tree and having my last Peppermint Latte is sad, I know I’m not alone when I anticipate the new beginnings that lie ahead in 2021. Even though they’re kids, I bet the majority of our students feel the same. This past year has likely taken a tremendous toll on some of our young friends. With all of that being said, I think it’s important to look ahead to 2021 with great expectation of the positive things to come!
These picture books are a great way to get your students ready for the New Year and think about the goals they would like to set in 2021.
NEW YEARS DAY AND GOAL SETTING READ ALOUDS
I’ve linked the books that are available on YouTube so you can easily access them if you don’t have them in your classroom!
SQUIRREL’S NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION BY PAT MILLER
After reading how Squirrel makes his New Years resolutions, your students will be ready to think about their own New Year’s goals. This book makes for a great mini-lesson when you pair it with a GOAL SETTING ACTIVITY like this one.
BECAUSE BY MO WILLEMS
A story that teaches about one young girl’s persistence that gets her to center stage as she composes her first symphony.
SHANTE KEYS AND THE NEW YEAR’S PEAS BY GAIL PIERNAS-DAVENPORT
This read aloud is a great way to get students talking about the New Year’s traditions they have with their families!
AFTER THE FALL BY DAN SANTAT
This is an inspiring story your students will love about how Humpty Dumpty didn’t give up after his fall and how they can overcome challenges too!
THE NIGHT BEFORE NEW YEARS BY NATASHA WING
Another one of Natasha Wing’s “The Night Before” series books. This one is all about how the whole family is determined to stay up until midnight!
P.BEARS NEW YEARS PARTY BY PAUL OWEN LEWIS
A picture book for your younger readers, this story is about a polar bear that invites all his animal friends to his New Year’s party. Your students will practice counting and telling time with this read aloud.
THE STARS WILL STILL SHINE BY CYNTHIA RYLANT
I believe this is the PERFECT book to read after the year we’ve had. This is such a comforting book about finding beauty in the not so beautiful times of life.
FREEDOM SOUP BY TAMI CHARLES
This story will bring your students inside of a Haitian kitchen as the character Ti Gran teaches Belle how to make the traditional New Year’s soup. This is a great story to use to spark discussion about the traditional meals students share with their families during this time of year.
THE THING LOU COULDN’T DO BY ASHLEY SPIRES
Join Lou as she is confronted with something she’s never done before-climbed a tree! Lou tries everything she can think of to get off the hook- she makes excuses, procrastinates and acts like she doesn’t care, but ultimately she ends up facing her fear with her friends cheering her on.
Use this New Years Goal Setting Flap Book is a really in depth way for students to reflect back on the previous year and set resolutions for the year to come. You can purchase it HERE in my Teachers Pay Teachers store.
However you celebrate , I hope you and your family have a wonderful New Year ! We will most likely be ringing in 2021 with some Mexican food and and an early bedtime! Life with a four year old! (haha!)
WANT TO GRAB YOUR FREE NEW YEARS ACTIVITIES?
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