BOOKS FOR BACK TO SCHOOL
The start of a new school year can be so exciting, but it can also be stressful with all you’re trying to pack in to those first days back at school. I’ve found that back to school read alouds are the perfect way to bring your new students together and begin creating a classroom community. In this post I’ll share just a few of my favorite read aloud books for back to school.
1. Stick and Stone By: beth ferry
“Stick and Stone” is a perfect book to start off back to school with! It’s a cute story about the hard topic of bullying. It will encourage your students to stand up for one another and be a good friend.
2. The Day You Begin by: Jacqueline Woodson
This story for back to school focuses on how students may start the year feeling a little lonely or left out. The character comes to school feeling that she looks and acts much differently than the other students there. She soon discovers that all of the students feel a bit different, just like she does. This is a wonderful story to help students learn from their differences and get to know one another.
3. Enemy Pie by: Derek Munson
“Enemy Pie” is about a boy who goes to his dad about the new enemy in town… Jeremy. His dad suggests they make enemy pie to give to him, but only after he spends the day with Jeremy. At the conclusion of this story, students are encouraged to think about how important it is to get to know someone.
4. All Are Welcome By: Alexandra Penfold
“All Are Welcome” is about a school where everyone is welcome and accepted. This story sets the stage for a welcoming classroom community.
5. Be Kind By: Pat zietlow miller
This is a great book to describe specific ways that students can be kind to one another! After reading “Be Kind”, your students will have plenty of real life examples on how they can show kindness to their new friends.
6. The Bad Seed by: Jory John
Students love this book and it has such a great message! It’s all about a seed who, although he’s known for how awfully bad he is, decides he wants to change for the good. Students can learn that no matter what they’ve been known for in the past, they are able to make positive changes for themselves.
7. Each Kindness By: Jacqueline woodson
This is a book with a very important message. The character, Chloe, and her friends refuse to play with the new girl at school. Rather than a happy ending, where everyone gets along, the story ends wth the new girl not returning to school. Chloe realizes what a mistake she made by not reaching out to the new girl. Although not exactly a “happy, feel good” story, this book gets students thinking about their actions towards each other.
8. My Mouth is a Volcano by: Julia Cook
“My Mouth is a Volcano” is a must read for the beginning of the year and one you may decide to revisit if blurting out becomes a habit! This story reminds children how important it is to wait for their turn to speak and clever ways to manage when they want to blurt out.
Grab these fun, no prep activities that go along with this story by clicking HERE.
8. The best part of me By: wendy ewald
“The Best Part of Me” is a collection of poems put together by children that describe the best part of themselves. After reading, allow students to create their own poem or writing about what they feel is the best part of them. You’ll love getting to know your students and the classroom community this activity begins to create.
With all that is expected of you and your students during the first days of school, it can feel like there’s no time to build a classroom community or discuss things like kindness or how to be a good friend. Read alouds are a great way to pull your students together and discuss how you all want the school year to go.
Back to school is such an exciting time, but I also know it can be overwhelming! I hope this list of books will help you gather ideas for the beginning of the year in your classroom!
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Do you want to have a ton of engaging activities to welcome your students back to school? Grab this set of No-Prep Back to School Activities for the first week of school that you and your students will LOVE! Click the image below to download yours!
