The beginning of a new year is challenging regardless of how many years you’ve been teaching. We are preparing our classrooms, planning lessons, and welcoming new students into our classrooms. The first few weeks of school include getting to know you activities and introducing classroom procedures and expectations. But, most importantly, laying the foundation for your classroom community.
We all know the importance of welcoming our students into a classroom where they feel included, loved, and safe and how this affects their ability to learn. We have a new batch of kiddos we are getting to know, but we also want to model the importance of acceptance, kindness, respect, and empathy. One of my favorite ways to build classroom community is through picture books. Using read-alouds allows students to see various scenarios through fictional characters and then allows for great discussions during and after the read-aloud.
I have included a list of 14 books I suggest buying or grabbing from the library to include throughout the school year to build and foster a strong classroom community. These books cover topics from friendship, acceptance, bullying, and relationship-building.
This incredible story builds and strengthens the classroom community by giving students the message that a family is more than just our parents and relatives. Students are reminded that a classroom is a place where it’s safe to be themselves, it’s okay to make mistakes, and the importance of being a friend to others. As students listen to this story in their classroom, they begin to understand that they are, too, part of a family.
All Are Welcome is a fantastic story that genuinely welcomes everyone, no exceptions. One of my favorite picture books to read on the first day of school to welcome my students into my classroom! A story that celebrates and emphasizes inclusiveness, acceptance, and celebration of all cultures and people in a school community.
Sometimes you just need a simple book with a strong message. Stick and Stone has few words, but the importance of friendship shines through in this story. It’s easy to read and perfect for a younger crowd. And, without friendship, we can’t build a classroom community!
Be Kind is a warm story that teaches our kiddos what it means to be kind and, more importantly, the acts of kindness. This picture book includes simple suggestions that are easy for students to understand and put into practice. I love using this book not only to build a classroom community rooted in kindness but also during various SEL lessons.
This sweet tale is more than just a story about a boy and his pet, and it includes a strong message about kindness, friendship, inclusion, and acceptance. I highly recommend this book! The illustrations are sweet, and it’s always fun to use what’s happening with animals as a metaphor for your students.
Have You Filled a Bucket Today?
A classic classroom book about feelings and making the right choices. This story uses an invisible bucket to help students understand feelings of fulfillment, happiness and pouring into others. But, on the contrary, it explains what happens when we become “bucket dippers.” I absolutely love using this story for building classroom community as it demonstrates how we all have an impact on one another’s happiness. A must-read!
“Sometimes, it just takes one.” This book gives me all the feels as it includes a phenomenal anti-bullying message. It’s in a simple format making it perfect for younger grade levels. While this book addresses bullying, it also sends a strong message about courage.
A story that pulls on the heartstrings of a teacher but sends a phenomenal message. A story of a little boy who wasn’t always included in the class, and it’s a reminder of what it feels like to be left out and including others. An overall terrific read-aloud!
A fun and interactive story that keeps students engaged and an excellent story to trigger discussions around choices and how our choices affect others!
A hilarious and cute picture book that is perfect for building classroom community and setting expectations. This book is rooted in The Golden Rule and encourages students to treat others how you want to be treated.
This book educates students on the importance of empathy and being kind to others regardless of their differences. A great message about seeing past the differences and embracing our uniqueness.
Building a classroom community also means we must respect other people’s boundaries, have a positive relationship with our own, find out about other people’s boundaries and celebrate the differences of each of our classmates. Don’t Hug Doug is an excellent example of how some people don’t like hugs, and that’s okay!
A great book to use with students about bullying. This story teaches students the importance of making a good decision, even if it might be hard. It’s a quick and easy read that includes a great message, and this story promotes self-respect and kindness.
A book that has been around for ages, for a reason! Another excellent book for promoting kindness, accepting differences, and loving yourself regardless of what others think or say!
Bonus: You’re Finally Here! This book is great for welcoming new students and teaching patience. It’s about a bunny who is patiently waiting for you to arrive and will forgive you if you stay. I have fun activities to go along with it in my Back to School Mega Unit.
Hopefully, this book list will help you build a strong classroom community! These books include lessons that will foster strong discussions on kindness, respect, acceptance, and so much more.
Do you have a favorite book for building classroom communities? Please share it with me!
