Great Books to Start Your School Year

There's nothing better than a good book to kick start the school year!  Books can set teacher expectations, model writing lessons, and motivate students to read.  I have gathered my favorite school year starters and presented ideas to use for the teaching standards while enjoying the story.

1. First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg (K-5th Grade)

I love irony. It's the ironic story that sticks with me. This picture book finds a way to connect to everyone in the classroom that first day of school. 

Suggestions:

A. For a pre reading strategy have students jot down (on post-it notes or with a chalk talk) what makes them nervous on the first day of school. You may want to share these before you read. A great way to get the students moving is to make a target in your reading area on the floor. Read each post-it note aloud.  Students who stand in the middle are really nervous about that thing. In the second ring they are kind of nervous and the third ring it's no big deal to them. This is a great way for you to get a quick assessment of the personalities in your classroom. I always find that if I participate and let my students know what makes me nervous then they are more honest with their fears and worries. You can always ask students to explain why something is a big deal to them or not that big of a deal. 

B. Completing a story map as you read the book can help preview or review the story elements.
C. Journal Writing Ideas:
1. What was your first day of school like today?
2. Have you ever been new to a school?  Describe your fears and worries.
3. Opinion Piece - Do you think teachers really get nervous about the first day of school?  Why or why not?

2. There's A Boy in the Girls's Bathroom by Louis Sachar (3rd-5th Grade)

This is a great chapter book to help students discuss how to get along with others. Louis Sachar does an excellent job of developing the characters in this book.  Most students can identify with the traits of the students in this book and understand the frustrations.
A. Create a character chart of each of the main characters in the book.  List traits of these characters.  (You may want to do a mini-lesson on character traits as a preview or review).  As you read have the students suggest ways they could deal with the issues presented by the characters.
B. Play charades of some ways to handle situations in the classroom.  (Ex: Someone bumps into you.  Someone hurts your feelings.  Someone moves away.)

3. Love That Dog by Sharon Creech (3rd-5th Grade)

This is the perfect book to kick off a year long poetry unit. The narrator is a boy who doesn't like poetry, however he comes to love and appreciate it.  This book is good to use at the beginning of the year because it doesn't have a lot of words.  I always found poetry to be the best way to start the year and assess my students reading and writing abilities without the stress of reading a lot of words (especially in 4th and 5th grade).  Another great thing about this book is it is written in free verse and for students who have trouble reading, this is great!  Why?  Because there are no rules!
1. Have students keep a summary journal where they reflect or retell what you read that day.  Have them write the reflection in free verse style.
2. Study the poems that were used and are located in the back of the novel.
3. Kick off a poem of the day activity.
4. Use along with a poetry unit.  Check out my second, third, fourth, and fifth grade units on Teachers Pay Teachers. 

4. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo (1st-5th Grade)

This is my all time favorite book. I have read it aloud to students from first through fifth grade. I would have thought a story about a china doll rabbit would not interest my boys, but the journey of Edward Tulane brings in all of my students. I have recommended this book to many other teachers and they say their students are immediately drawn in.
Suggestions:
A. For second and third grade this would be a great book to make a story map.
B. You could also look at the sequence of events  as both readers or at looking at how to organize a story to write.
C. With the upper grades I uses this to introduce theme. It doesn't take long for students to understand that this book is trying to teach us to love and think of others. And of course a book where the ending makes your students gasp is always a huge bonus!
D. I also found this great FREE resource online at http://www.edwardtulane.com/.

5. My Garden by Kevin Henkes (K-3rd Grade)

The beginning of this book is pretty realistic and then the imagination of the narrator takes us into a garden that is truely her alone.  

Suggestions: 

A. This a great book to use for a beginning of the year writing lesson.  Students can write about what they might find in their garden.  I found that this was a great piece of writing to allow for students to add artwork and complete pretty quickly.  I typically used this as the first writing piece I posted for a display of student work. 

B. Use this book to begin an author study on Kevin Henkes.  I am still amazed at how many different populations of students love Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse. 

6. Sideways Stories From Wayside School by Louis Sacher (2nd-5th Grade)

The characters in this book are ones your students will love. The great thing about this book is you don't have to read it in order to follow what is happening. I find each time I read this book all my extra copies get checked out. Many times this is the dollar book in the Scholastic book orders.
Suggestions: 

A. This is a great book to use for character traits. You can create a chart with adjectives describing each character.
B. Teach students how to summarize by modeling (with student help) writing summaries of each character.  At the end of the book, students could make trading cards of their favorite character. On the front draw a picture of the character.  On the back list character traits and have the students write their own summary of the chapter.  Remind students that summaries are not long and only focus on the important points.  

7. When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead (4th-5th Grade)

I'm am not a science fiction lover. The only other scifi I really enjoyed was A Wrinkle In Time. And lucky for me the main character of this book always keep a copy of it with her. A book to motivate and keep you students on the edge of their seats.
Suggestions:
A. Just read and enjoy. The book itself will keep students engaged and spark discussions.
B. Read back to back with A Wrinkle In Time and compare and contrast the stories.
C. Record characters, setting, and plot with specific details.  

8. Joey Pigza Loses Control by Jack Gantos  (3rd-5th Grade)

I loved the audiobook version of this story. The author is the reader and he makes Joey jump off the page! In my opinion the best audiobooks are the ones read by the author. They know the characters better than anyone.  Joey works really hard at being his best, but spending the summer with his dad makes it really hard.  The dad is this book has a drinking problem, so you may want a heads up on this topic in case questions arise.
Suggestions:
A. This would be a great book to use along with There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom.  Students could compare and contrast Joey and Bradley.
B. Several sections of this book show the worries and anxiety of Joey.  This would be a great chance to discuss ways to deal with worry.  Create a chart or slide with student suggestions of how Joey could/does deal with worry.  Health seems to have taken the backseat in the curriculum these days.  With more and more pressure put on some students this would be an important talk for students.  

If you need time to squeeze in running records or organize all of the paperwork coming in, preview the audiobook of each of these books and let an actor read aloud. I always found adding some audiobooks allowed my students to hear more readers so they could enhance their fluency and expression. 

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Blogging in the Classroom with Kidblog

Want an easy way to blog with your students.  Check out Kidblog.org.  It's great for elementary students - no student email needed! 

Time and Money: 10 Ways to Make a Teacher Smile Before Winter Break!

Time and Money:

10 Ways to Make a Teacher Smile before Winter Break

By: Jessica Zannini

Over the summer, schools are cleaned, students relax, and teachers start planning for the new school year.  The beginning of the school year is the time to put excitement to work and start making plans to save time and money.  You will be glad you did it on those busy weeks when you need to type weekly plans, grade papers, and inspire learning. 

1. Get to know the standards: Print a copy of your standards and search the textbooks, supply closets, your cabinets, and the media center to find materials that you can get your hands on for free. For those standards that need new materials shop around for the best price or see what you can make.

2. Spending your money right: After searching for materials at the school talk with the secretary and PTA president to see what money the school will provide you for supplies.  Make a list of what you still need.  Use that school money to buy consumable products.  For those items you know you want to keep and use wherever your teaching takes you, use your own money. 

3. Shop around at the beginning of the school year: During tax-free weekends and Back to School sales you can find great deals.  Think through your school year.  Do you need class sets of colored pencils, clipboards, or markers?  It is cheaper now to stock up on paper than to buy more in January. 

4. Make copies now: For those quizzes, notes, etc that you already know you want to put in the hands of your students, go ahead and make them now.  Be sure you know you copy limit for the year.  Maybe you have a friend, family member, or parent volunteer that has access to a copier and can make some of these for you. 

5. Laminate those weekly folders and posters: Anything you know you want to keep – laminate it. Create two folders per student so that you can have fresh ones after the holiday season.  Laminate those store bought and teacher created posters so they will last over the years.  You will appreciate it the following school year when you already have one thing checked off the list.

8. Make a Wish List: Decide on materials you would like to have throughout the year such as tissues, snacks, pencils, and copy paper.  Put the list on your website.  This will eliminate shopping during the school year and help save a few dollars. 

6. Use Parent Volunteers: Create a list of help you will need throughout the school year.  For those parents that can come in during the school day have them make copies, create bulletin boards, be reading and math tutors, or study buddies.  For those parents who work full time and can’t get in the room, have them cut out laminated materials or donate supplies and snacks.  If you ask for help, the parents will come running. 

7. Let Students Choose Their Own Seats: Don’t spend time on a seating chart before you know your students.  You will learn that first day, your talkers, friends, and responsible students.  Let this information guide you in making seating charts in the future.  You may just find that the students will be able to handle this arrangement and you don’t have to make time for rearranging.  This knowledge can also be used for cooperative grouping activities.

9. Create Book Lists: Find great read alouds and have them handy.  Look in your classroom and the school media center.  What books do you already have that match standards and the interest level of your students?  Make a list for those units and standards to pull out when you teach each unit.  The media specialist can pull the books for you or students can use their research skills to find the books and place them at your fingertips.

10. Go Through Those Permanent Records: Look at past scores.  Are there students you could already plan for reviewing and strengthening skills?  Find out how you school district wants the records organized and go ahead and make sure they are accurate and have the right materials.  Some may get disorganized throughout the school year, but you will be glad this is done in May.

Side Bar:  Want to keep them on track?   Research popular songs appropriate for school and make a CD of the songs to have on hand.  Push play anytime you need to motivate the students.  This is also a great discipline tool to get students on task and working at a pace to get you through a busy day. 

Find a way to eliminate road blocks you face in a school year, and there will definitely be more time and money. As one of my former students told me while plopping a peppermint in my hand, “Keep up the good work and there’s more where that came from.”

Common Core Connection: Using Nonfiction Series In the Classroom

Need ideas on how to teach nonfiction?  Check out Nonfiction Series at:

http://nonfictionseries.weebly.com/

When You Reach Me: Book Review and Teaching Ideas

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead is the first book that as soon as I finished the last page, I turned back to page one and started reading it all over again.

It's sixth grade and Miranda is discovering life without her best friend, Sal.  He no longer wants to be her friend and she is faced with the challenge of making new friends, navigating past the laughing man on the street corner alone, and discovering why things must change.

I haven't enjoyed reading a book this much in a while.  When You Reach Me is the kid of book that sticks with you, runs through your mind, and makes you think.  I can't wait to use this book to teach.

For more information check out: http://www.rebeccasteadbooks.com/

Create a year long unit with this book in mind to meet all of the needs of Common Core standards.  Pairing When You Reach Me with A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle and several nonfiction texts on New York City, the seventies, and science will meet the needs of all Literature and Information Text standards.  

Why I Teach?!?

There are times (especially when I get my paycheck) that I question "Why do I teach?"  Why did I choose a job that follows me home, wakes me at night, and has me reviewing the day as I shower, dry my hair, and drive to work.

Each and every time I question my choice, I get to school and find the answer, in the "I Got It!" moments, the smiles, and my coworkers.

A few years ago in the middle of independent reading, I had one of my best moments.  It was the first week of school and I was setting up the procedure of independent reading.  When I do this I have all students reading at the same time (later in the year this changes), and as they are reading, I model by reading as well.  One student was having difficulty staying focused and kept talking to his neighbor.  I had corrected him once and on the second occurrence asked him to return to his seat.

He came up to me with something in his hand and held it out for me to take.  I hesitated, not 100% sure what was being placed in my hand, but curiosity won over and I held my hand out for the "gift."  Into my palm dropped a peppermint.  The student smiled up at me and said, "Keep up the good work teaching, and there's more where that came from."

And that is why I teach.