The beginning of the school year is such an exciting time but can be nerve-wracking for our students. It’s a new classroom with a new teacher, and I have found that incorporating fun read-alouds is an excellent way to calm their nerves and kick off the school year. Creating a positive classroom community begins the moment those fresh faces walk through your door. Reading aloud is a great way to set a positive tone by choosing welcoming books and that create a safe environment. Reading as a group builds a sense of community and your students begin to feel comfortable sharing in classroom discussions because they are in a safe space. The first few weeks of school tend to get a little crazy, and the days are packed with fun activities, learning the classroom procedures, and gearing up for another year. But reading as a group is a great time to come together and connect.
I have listed a few of my favorite must-have read alouds that not only students but I also love. So, If you are planning your first few weeks of school or looking to add a few new books to your rotation, these will make great additions to your classroom library.
First Day Jitters
First Day Jitters is one of my favorite books to start the year off, and I read it every year. It is a great way to start a class discussion that makes my students feel comfortable and remind them that it’s ok to be nervous in a new situation. Even though I have been teaching for so many years, I also get nervous on the first day. And, I love the twist in this story! I also find a ton of value in supplementing with a discussion activity where we all share something that makes us a bit nervous. This book helps kids understand that even teachers and adults get worried. We are all human! Overall, just a great story to get the year started.
Our Class is a Family
Our Class is a Family is a book that I absolutely love. It is a story written by a teacher, and it is simply beautiful. It is essential that my classroom library is inclusive and that my students see themselves represented in the books I have in my classroom. This book also emphasizes the importance of classroom community and how we are a family. If you haven’t included this one in your classroom, I promise you will love it, and it will quickly become a staple.
All Our Welcome
All Are Welcome is a beautiful story to begin your school year. The message is incredibly important, and the illustrations are just gorgeous. This story allows your students to understand that everyone is welcome in your classroom community. They are accepted, included, and respected always. This is an expectation that I make clear every single day.
We Don’t Eat Our Classmates
We Don’t Eat Our Classmates is a brilliant, funny, and all-around great book to start your school year. I love the lesson included on empathy and an overall great book to address complex topics. I do this activity every year as a follow-up where my students learn about the characters, write about the changes they observed, and share their opinions. Just a great way to get students thinking about the message.
What Should Danny Do? School Day
What Should Danny Do? School Day is one of my absolute favorites, and I cannot recommend this book enough. This story helps children understand the power of their choices and how one poor choice can affect your entire day—another great book to fuel powerful conversations. Students love to read this book over and over, choosing different choices to change the story.
The Pigeon HAS to Go to School
The Pigeon HAS to Go to School is just fantastic. I am telling you every year, my students have LOVED this book. It addresses the worries and fears the beginning of the year brings in a hilarious way. And, I love getting the opportunity to read dramatically. This story is always a hit, and I supplement this story with a fun activity where students give advice to the pigeon about going to school. This way, they feel like school “experts”. You can grab it here. It’s a great way to incorporate a writing craft while learning a bit about your new class.
Have you Filled a Bucket Today?
Have You Filled a Bucket Today? It is an excellent story to help students understand the importance of their actions and words. Teaching self-awareness is a complex topic, but with concrete examples and metaphors, they can begin to understand the value being caring, giving, and sharing has on others. It sets a tone for the use of positive language that we should use. It’s another story that I revisit throughout the year.
The Day You Begin
The Day You Begin is a sweet story that celebrates different cultures and reminds us we are unique and not quite like others. It shows us how we might feel a little alone when we enter a new place or face a new opportunity, but we find our place somehow. It’s a real story that provides comfort, beauty, and hope. It is a definite must-read.
A Letter From Your Teacher: On the First Day of School
A Letter From Your Teacher: On the First Day of School. I have been teaching for a long time, and this story takes all of my thoughts, wishes, and wonders and puts them into words. It’s just a great way to welcome your students into your classroom and let them know how thrilled you are to spend an entire year together. I highly recommend adding this book from Shannon to your lineup.
The Name Jar
The Name Jar is a book that I recently discovered, and it instantly became a favorite. It’s such a positive way to kick off the school year by celebrating our names and what makes them unique. I love encouraging my students to bring this topic home to learn more about their names. It’s just a beautiful story that reminds my students that we will celebrate their differences.
I love discovering new books to share with my students. There are SO many great ones out there. But I wanted to go ahead and share a few that are always on my must-have list at the start of a new year. Welcoming my students and creating a strong sense of community is incredibly important to me. These books help to establish that within the walls of my classroom. If you have any must-read back-to-school books, please share them with me.
