Features for Teachers

a Teacher's Blog

  • Features for Teachers
  • Home
  • Meet the Teacher
  • Blog
    • Digital Resources
    • Language Arts
    • Math
    • Reading
  • Shop
    • TPT Shop (external)
    • Boom Learning (external)
    • Shop Here (internal)
  • Contact Me

8 Back to School Picture Books and Activities (plus 2 books for you)

July 12, 2019

I can’t believe Back to School is so close! It really seems like we just started summer break. One of my summer goals has been to re-organize my teaching materials and picture books (in a more efficient manner), and well…basically put some “piles” away.  In doing this, I have been sidetracked so many times! As you might guess, this classroom teacher turned reading specialist can get a little off-task sorting books.

I’ve always been a big fan of picture books because you can connect so many teaching lessons to different themes. As I sort and organize, I am constantly reminded of some of my favorite amazingly-themed books that I think every teacher should use at the beginning of the school year.  Here’s a list of my 8 favorite back to school picture books and some activities, plus two ”teacher books” that are a must-have for elementary teachers(in no particular order).

8 “First Week Reads” to use with your students:

 

The Kissing Hand by Ruth E. Harper

Chester Raccoon is really scared to go to school until his mom shares a family secret called The Kissing Hand, then scary things don’t seem quite so scary.

Activity: Create a picture chart (with emoji stickers) about students feelings about coming to school.

 

First Day Jitters by Julie Dannenberg

We find out the teacher, Mrs. Hartwell, has first day jitters in a new situation, too!

Activity: Use Sprite and green fruit punch to make Jitter Juice! You can be extra fancy by mixing in some edible glitter. Pair up student so they can tell their partner about a time they were nervous.

 

Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud

The boy in this story, Felix, learns how he can ”fill other people’s buckets” and that it makes him feel happy.

Activity: Print out these FREE Paper Buckets for students to write on. Students write ways to fill a classmate/staff member’s bucket. Create a bulletin board display in your room.

 

My Mouth Is A Volcano by Julia Cook

Louis is a boy that constantly interrupts others but learns not to when others constantly interrupt him.

Activity: Practice different noise levels for your classroom – practice whisper voices, silent voices, partner voices, group voices, etc. After reading this book, I use these Voice Level Charts and activities.

 

David Goes to School by David Shannon

David tries so hard to follow the rules, but sometimes it is just too hard!

Activity: This is a great book to read and discuss before creating class rules together.

 

Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes

A wonderful book to read in the first week, when students are learning each other’s names.

Activity: Students can graph and sort their names by length, vowels, syllables…or whatever you come up with.

 

Dear Teacher by Amy Husband

This book is filled with letters from Michael to his teacher, telling her why he may be late for the first day of school. His reasons are pretty outlandish and funny.

Activity: Your students will be very inspired to write to you, after reading this book. Find out what type of humor and creativity your students have with this writing activity!

 

Its Back To School We Go!: First Day Stories From Around the World by Ellen Jackson

I LOVE this book! This book follows 11 different children- all from different countries and cultures- on their first day of school. Turns out children all over the world have the same worries and a lot in common!

Activity:  I like to locate each country on the globe with my students and use a Venn diagram to compare our first day experience with that of the students’ in the book. There are SO many activities you can do, from food to music. Use your imagination!

 

For Teachers:

The Reading Strategies Book: Your everything guide to developing skilled readers by Jennifer Serravallo

Over 300 strategies that are cross-linked to skills, genres, and Fountas & Pinnell reading levels. This book is a wealth of information!

 

The Next Step Forward in Guided Reading by Jan Richardson

An invaluable book containing prompts, discussion starters, teaching points, word lists, intervention suggestions, and more to support all students, including dual language learners and struggling readers.

I hope these are helpful! Whether you use these titles or others, make sure you read to your students as often as possible.

 

Note: This post contains affiliate links. This means that I may receive a small commission (at no cost to you) if you subscribe or purchase something through the links provided. You will never see me post a link to a product or service that I don’t use myself or truly love!

«
»

Filed Under: Elementary Education, Language Arts, Reading Tagged With: 1st grade, 2nd grade, back to school activities, early reading, elementary, kindergarten, picture books, reading, striving readers, struggling reader

Categories

Best Sellers!

Latest on Instagram

FREE Boom Cards download https://www.teacherspayte FREE Boom Cards download https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Teacher-Features⁠
⁠
#teachers #instateacher #TeacherFeatures #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofig #iteachtoo #teachersofinstagram #igteachers #teachersofinsta
Makes total sense! 🙌⁠ #teachers #instateacher Makes total sense! 🙌⁠
#teachers #instateacher #TeacherFeatures #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofig #iteachtoo #teachersofinstagram #igteachers #teachersofinsta
⁠ ⁠ ☕️ Coffee, here I come! ⁠ ⁠ #isitf ⁠
⁠
☕️ Coffee, here I come! ⁠
⁠
#isitfridayyet #teachers #teacherhumor #instateacher #teachersfollowteachers #teachergram #teachersofinstagram⁠
⁠ ⁠ Happy Monday!⁠ #teachers #instateacher # ⁠
⁠
Happy Monday!⁠
#teachers #instateacher #TeacherFeatures #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofig #iteachtoo #teachersofinstagram #igteachers #teachersofinsta
This may or may not be true🤷🏼‍♀️ This may or may not be true🤷🏼‍♀️
Right? #teachersoftpt #teacherfeatures #teacher #t Right? #teachersoftpt #teacherfeatures #teacher #teachersofinstagram #teacherspayteachers #iteach #teachersoftpt #distancelearning #distanceteaching
Set a goal that makes you want to jump out of bed Set a goal that makes you want to jump out of bed in the morning.⁠
#teachers #instateacher #TeacherFeatures #teachersofinstagram #igteachers #teachersofinsta
😄 #distanceteaching googleclassroom #googleclas 😄 #distanceteaching googleclassroom #googleclassroomteacher #teachersoftpt #teacherfeatures #teachersofinstagram #teachersfollowteachers #distancelearning #digitalmedia #iteachtoo
😄 How many of you experience this? #teachersont 😄 How many of you experience this? #teachersontwitter #tpt #teachersfollowteachers #distanceteaching #distancelearning #iteachtoo #teacherfeatures #teacherproblems #funnykids #zoomclasses
Follow on Instagram

Latest on Facebook

Teacher Features

2 months ago

Teacher Features

www.facebook.com/615120686/posts/10157805553835687/? ... See MoreSee Less

View on Facebook
·Share

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email

Teacher Features

3 months ago

Teacher Features

You can get this Boom Card deck and many more for $1 October 27th & 28th! Simply use the hashtag #ghost2020 in theTpT search bar or click here: bit.ly/ghosthastag
***************************************************************
Snowball Fight! Use BOOM CARDS to assess Consonant L Blends mastery by identifying the correct initial consonant blends. Interactive Boom Cards digital task cards full of movable "splatted snowballs" for students to manipulate, then type the correct L Blends. Perfect as a literacy or word work center, review or enrichment.
... See MoreSee Less

Video

View on Facebook
·Share

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email

Teacher Features

4 months ago

Teacher Features

Hahaha! :) ... See MoreSee Less

Video

View on Facebook
·Share

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email

Teacher Features

6 months ago

Teacher Features

😂 ... See MoreSee Less

Watch Alabama high school principal in “Can’t Touch This” parody video about COVID-19

www.al.com

The principal raps and dances around the school while telling students to wear their masks and santize.
View on Facebook
·Share

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email

Teacher Features

6 months ago

Teacher Features

I have always loved Dave Grohl- but this makes me love him even more. ... See MoreSee Less

In Defense of Our Teachers

www.theatlantic.com

When it comes to the daunting question of reopening schools, America’s educators deserve a plan, not a trap.
View on Facebook
·Share

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email

Latest on Pinterest

  • Use this 2nd grade/3rd grade Google Classroom Reading Bundle to make distance learning easy! Practice reading comprehension, story elements, nonfiction text features, reading response, reading genres, authors purpose
  • This Google Classroom Reading Bundle features 70 digital task cards with reading comprehension questions for Non-fiction and Fiction texts- students type directly on the slide. The varied questions allow students to respond to ANY novel or fiction text. Includes the following objectives: Making Inferences; Sequencing; Details; Main Idea; Setting and Character Traits. #DistanceLearningTpT #TeacherFeatures #GoogleClassroomElementary #ReadingComprehension #nonfictionactivities #fiction
  • Use digital Boom Cards to assess vowel teams
  • his 2nd grade & 3rd grade Boom Cards + Printables bundle includes reading comprehension activities, story elements, nonfiction text features, reading response, authors purpose, context clues...and more! #boomcards #boomcardsreading #boomcards3rdgrade #literacycenters #TeacherFeatures #digitaltaskcards #secondgrade #technologyintheclassroom #guidedreading #2ndGrade #readingactivities #3rdGrade #ThirdGrade #readingcomprehension #readingactivities #nonfiction #techinprimary
  • Everything you need to get your students started on a beginning guided research project in March for Women's History Month. Practice writing with this biography project. This bundle includes 19 notable women from Political, Historical, Sports, Arts and Science backgrounds! #WomensHistoryMonth #WomensHistoryActivities #TeacherFeatures #reportwritingforkids #WritingCenter #Reportwriting #ResearchReport #Biographyprojectelementary #SecondGrade #3rdGrade #ThirdGrade #4thGrade #FourthGrade #tpt
  • This Google Classroom Bundle contains 5 No Prep Life Cycle digital resources that integrate science
  • Black History Month graphic organizers support students as they learn how to research information on Famous African Americans and write in expository or informative formats. Teach your class how to navigate and organize information. Easily differentiated to multiple student learning levels. **NO PREP & VERY EASY TO USE** #blackhistorymonthpeople #researchforkids #TeacherFeatures #tpt #biographyproject #2ndgrade #3rdgrade #famousperson #biographyprojectelementary #blackhistoryactivities
  • Teach students about Chinese New Year history & traditions with Boom Cards reading texts & comprehension questions. These digital task cards provide informational text reading practice & comprehension assessment. Learning about traditions & history helps students learn about other cultures, while improving reading comprehension. #BoomCards #googleclassroom #ChineseNewYear #chinesenew yearlessons #boomcardselementary #TpT #TeacherFeatures #distancelearningTpt
  • Digital lessons
Follow Me on Pinterest

Copyright © 2021 · Website Design By Jumping Jax Designs