10 Best Books to Read [for the First Weeks of School]

 

These books are the best books to read aloud to your students during the first weeks of school.  Children listen and ask questions. They will ask if you can read it again.  They ask when you will read another book.  

10 favorites for the first week of school will bring about class discussions about school, kindness, citizenship, and community.  

Set the tone and read about Chrysanthemum... she loved her name until she got to school.  Read how she solves her problem.  Read Each Kindness to show your students they should never miss an opportunity to be kind.  One Smart Cookie will teach new vocabulary about citizenship.  Words like organize, create, inspire and prompt.   Display the words and refer back to them often.  

The Story Blanket  tells the reader that every question has an answer.  Babba Zarrah shows kindness and learns how that makes a difference in her own life. 

Big Al is not so cute but he is a true friend. Poor Big Al wants to make friends and he learns the perfect way to do so!  Every child needs a friend. 
 Red, a Crayon's Story, finds out he is really blue no matter how much he tries to be red and match his label.  He is true blue!  Tops and Bottoms will show Bear, not-so-hard at work, and Hare working hard to feed his rabbit family.  This book will be a natural springboard to discuss work habits, laziness and what we beget by being either. Illustrations are magnificent! 

Splat the Cat in 

Back to School, Splat is entertaining and fun!  Some books entertain and this one hits the mark for entertaining.  Teach your children that books and reading are entertaining and that is why we love our books at school, at home and of course, in the library! Read this book to your students, then just close it and lie the book in your lap.  Pause... and that is Splat, the Cat! Listen to your students talk about the book.  Characters like Splat, the Cat are joyous!

And If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, Don't ! will get your student's attention at the cover. This book is perfect for teaching book cover reading strategies.  READ this book! 

And we are all unique!  Only One You is the perfect book to share with your class during the first weeks of school.  You could spend an entire morning on the inside pages alone. And you just might decide to do an art activity after reading this book.  Keep the rocks in a special place all year long.  The messages in this book are important to know for today, tomorrow and always! 

Get Your Reader Response Pages Here 

Writing Prompts HERE

Writing Prompts HERE

Writing Prompts HERE

Writing Prompts HERE

The Story Blanket

Writing Prompts HERE


Reading is the heart  of elementary school curriculum.  Finding good books is the first step to a community of readers and writers that engage in the activity with smiles on their faces.  And, as Frank Smith's research states "we improve our skills in the activities we engage in"  engage your students in reading, writing, speaking and listening in an authentic way with children's literature.  Trust that the authors can model good writing and listening skills.  Check back here to find more excellent book choices. 

This is an easy writing prompt for The Story Blanket.  4-square and it's FREE just click above and get yours.  

Open House - Meet the Teacher Slideshow Presentation - [Editable]

Make Your Meet the Teacher Night Professional and
Easy to Do Get this Editable Slideshow HERE

Slideshow Presentation for your Open House or Meet the Teacher Night.  There are 39 slides and they are EDITABLE  for you to type in your specific information.  Fun Fall Colors and clip art!

You can make the perfect slideshow for your parents.
Your presentation will be organized, well thought-out, and extremely helpful to your parents.  Makes the night stress free as you will have all the information at a simple click of the mouse.  There are a few blank files also with matching fall border so you can add other topics if you needed to...

Slides Include:
*Welcome
*Our Schedule
*Times to Know
*All About Breakfast
*All About Lunch
* Daily Snack
*Healthy Snacks
*Learning About Reading
* Writing Daily
*Math Wizards
*Super Scientists
*Social Studies
*Homework
*Reading At Home
*Practicing Sight Words
*Expectations (class rules)
*Grading and Report Cards
*Playing at Recess
* Transportation
* Field Trips
* Birthdays
*Class Celebrations
* This Year's Projects
*Technology
*School Supplies
* Important Reminders
* Additional Notes
*Highlights
*Blank Topic Slides (with clipart)
*Blank Topic Slides (without clipart)

These slides will make your presentation perfect!  Teacher directions are included.  You won't forget anything as you will have prepared your slides and information before hand.
Have a fabulous Meet the Teacher Night!

Find Your Slides HERE

Find Teaching Resources for BACK-TO-SCHOOL  ... 

save time...

and you also might like to make an OPEN HOUSE brochure for your parents to read and learn about your classroom

get yours HERE

Teaching Resources - Summer Sale - NOW! [lesson planners and more!]

I am not throwing tomatoes! But I am throwing a summer sale on all my products at TPT!
Get your teaching resources at a lower price.  Everything, Everything is 20% off and some items are marked down even more just for this beautiful summer week of  

August 1st - 4th.

Read to the end to learn how you can receive your free classroom teaching resource for this coming school year. 

Here are some things you might like.... to be ready for the next school year:

Teacher Binder - Editable

Everything, Everything Teacher Binder- Editable and FREE updates for Life! - this teacher binder includes an editable weekly lesson planner so you can build your teacher binder and be organized and set for the school year.  Also includes all the important forms you will need for the school year, monthly calendars in 2 styles, and monthly newsletter templates for each month.  This teacher binder resource can be yours this week for 20% off the regular price!  Get yours now and then relax for the remaining summer days!

Brag Tags

Brag Tags - I created the most adorable brag tags and your students will love earning these.  Over 1500 different tags with clip art and did I mention these little tags can motivate your students to be good citizens and work quietly and diligently on their academic studies.  Get yours this week for the sale price!

Back to School Writing Prompts

Back-to-School Writing Prompts and activities to invite your students back to school and to your classroom.  These pages will get your students off to a great beginning in your classroom.  Yes, these are also on my summer sale list for this week.  These writing pages will promote activities during the first week of school to encourage friendship, team work and excitement for the school year.  21 pages for Grades K-2.

Class Rules for Display

Classroom Rules and Anchor Charts - Also on sale! Fun, bright and colorful clip art to brighten your classroom and encourage student behavior the entire school year! In this download, you will receive 5 important classroom rules and 4 different styles to choose from.  Owls and bumblebees... oh, what fun!

Oh, and lots of reader response pages to encourage writing about children's literature...also on sale this week.  You will find reader response pages for many wonderful stories in children's literature... picture books and chapter books.  Here are a few you can find in my
TPT store.

• Charlotte's Web [2 resources for this book; Grades 2-3 and  Grades K-1]
• Red, a Crayon's Story
• One Smart Cookie
• The Little Red Hen
• Henry Huggins
• Big Al 
• The Giving Tree
• The Lorax 
• Trumpet of the Swan
• Wake Up, Wake Up
• One Monday Morning
• Kristina Katerina and the Box
• The Garden
• Frances Books [4 different books - all in one resource pack]
• Frog and Toad [5 different books - all in one resource pack]
• Island of the Blue Dolphins
• Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh
• The Wild Christmas Reindeer

Other teaching resources for literacy instruction... on sale

• I am ME booklet [for first week of school - Pre K-1]
• graphic organizers for literacy and math
• literacy and math activitiy packs
• all about birds literacy-math pack
• all about whales literacy-math pack
• all about pumpkins literacy-math pack
• reading logs
• graphic organizers to respond to informational text [this one is FREE]
• Informational Text Literature Circles 
• Multiplication-USA Geography Activity
• Landforms Interactive Powerpoint
• Multiplication - [I Have, Who Has}
• Sight Words
• Reading for Meaning
• Beginning Sounds

You will find classroom decor items on sale....

• alphabet displays with photographs [both manuscript and cursive]
• numbers for display [with tally marks]
• posters that show good manners
• classroom rules
• anchor charts that motivate good learning practices
• hallway anchor chart
• classroom labels
• helper charts and labels 
• name tags for desks

Those mentioned above are a few teaching resources on sale but there are MORE!  

Over 125 teaching resources that will save you time, motivate students and all are 

child-centered.  

If you go to MrsQuimbyReads.com and add your email to my newsletter list, you will receive my newest product FREE... it is still in progress.  I am creating anchor charts for classroom display that depict good classroom behaviors and practices.  These could take the place of posting class rules. Flip it and try these.  12 anchor charts will be included in this set and each will show a good school trait for children to achieve and practice.  Great way to start your year with positive thoughts and practices.  These can be posted on a key bulletin board space and then sit back, watch and listen as the compliments start!  

Be sure to find these at MrsQuimbyReads.com.  I am planning to have these completed by the end of July and I will be sending yours out FREE if you sign up for my newsletter.  

Thanks for reading my post!  And be sure to find my summer sale at my TPT Store  

Check back and follow me as I am creating new products all the time.  My goal is to brighten the school day for your students and give you your weekends back to relax and be with family.  

3 Must-Have BACK-TO-SCHOOL- Teaching Resources - Get Yours Now and [Enjoy Summer!]

Back to School Teaching Resources

3 Back-to-School Teacher Resources to find NOW

... so you can relax and enjoy summer!


#1 Editable Teacher Binder with Important Forms, Calendars and Letter Templates

 Everything, Everything Teacher Binder includes:

•monthly calendars

     26 cover designs to choose from

 Everything, Everything Teacher Binder 

•6 templates for weekly lesson plans to build your binder

•important forms to use the whole school year

Get Your Teacher Binder  HERE because It Saves Time and
Keeps You Organized All Year Long
FREE Updates for Life!

Forms for Important Information 

 Everything, Everything Teacher Binder 

•important forms to use the whole school year
everything will be right where you can find it
easy templates for you to use
back-to-school letter templates

Your ‘Everything, Everything’ Teacher Binder Includes Everything!!

                      

When you purchase this teacher binder, you will get FREE updates for LIFE!!!

This teacher binder is currently dated through August 2018.  As I add new forms and update the calendars, you will be notified so you can access the update and new pages for FREE!  Your editable teacher binder can be used this year but also year-after-year without ever purchasing a new one! 

Your teacher binder will be fun to build as you have many covers, colors and designs to choose from... you can even change them whenever you 'd like! 

Brighten Your Day!  Save Time!  Get Organized! Stunning clip art!

200 essential pages to keep your school year running smoothly!

Your  Editable Teacher Binder includes:

ØCovers and Dividers for your teacher binder – 26 Designs

ØColorful spine covers for your teacher binder

ØWeekly Lesson Planner - [4 styles]

ØWeekly Lesson Planner for 6-day rotation

ØMonthly Calendars - 2 styles

ØOne page daily schedule – at- a-glance

ØNumber Circles for Class # Assignments

ØMonthly Newsletter Templates with clip art

Forms for Important Information include: [keep these forms in one place and ready to use]

one page daily routine at- a- glance

class roster

birthdays

student medical information

Individual Student form

IEP student form

Small Group Lesson form

Guided Reading Student Snapshot form

Guided Reading Lesson Plan

Guided Math Lesson Form

Writing Lesson Form

Writing Conference form

Guided Reading Notes (individual student)

Parent Communication Log

Meeting Notes

To Do List

7 recording sheets for grades

Transportation Home List

Emergency Plans - Fire Drill and Lockdown

Seating Charts

Labels for Tables

Codes and Phone Extensions

Website Log-In Form

Behavior Forms - Think Sheet, Action Plan

Year-at-a-Glance!

ØEditable Letters for parent communication: [these letters save time! And they are editable to place YOUR information within the context of the letter]

-Back-to-School Parent Information Letter

-Parent-Teacher Conference Form

-Field Trip Permission Slip

Do You Love Collections?

Your “Everything, Everything” Editable Teacher Binder is organized [of course] in 7 different collections.  This is by design so you can find the pages you need instantly.  This is all about being organized and me , helping you, do just that!  Make your beautiful “Everything, Everything” Editable Teacher Binder your own style.   Everything is here for a simple click, download and print.     You may wish to print out your daily schedule or lesson planner on 2 sides… it is the best format to make your notebook.  However, these are yours to use in the way that makes you happy! 

Teacher Binder Collection 1 - Cover for Teacher Binder, Dividers for Schedule and Forms

         Spine covers for your notebook

Teacher Binder Collection 2 - Weekly Lesson Planners, editable and there is also one weekly lesson plan grid that was made for a 6-day rotation if your school were following that type of schedule.  These weekly planners spread across your teacher binder.  They are fully editable on your computer, but you can also print them out and hand write in the grid as you wish.

Teacher Binder Collection 3 - Curriculum Assessment Forms and Grading Recording sheets.

  I personally keep a 2nd teaching binder for my grading forms.  Simply type in your class list on the form; then print out.  Keep these in your notebook and add grades as you go.  Forms include those for student evaluation, guided reading, small group instruction, writing conferences, math groups, IEP information.

Teacher Binder Collection 4 -  Classroom Management Forms for behavior, seating charts, labels for tables, number circles, field trips, medical information, codes for copy machine, birthdays, transportation home, emergency procedures meeting notes, and more.  Many of these forms are helpful when you have a substitute as it shows important information in one ready-accessible place.  

Teacher Binder Collection 5 - Letters to Parents - Back to School letters, field trip permission, parent communication log, schedule summary, letterheads, templates for letter for back-to-school.  All of these teaching resource pages are so helpful when starting a new year at school.

Teacher Binder Collection 6 - Calendars – There are 2 Calendar designs - Choices of a calendar with lines at the bottom for notes, or grid style calendar.  I insert the month before my weekly lesson plans in that way I have a glance at the entire month and more details in the weekly schedule pages. Here you have the choice of a 1 page calendar or 2 pages that spread across your binder.

Teacher Binder Collection 7 - Monthly Newsletter Templates - Each month you will have a one page newsletter template that you can easily edit and type in your news! Fun clip art can be used, deleted or copied!  Keep your parents informed of the valuable and wonderful things that happen in your classroom! and be sure to put a copy in your Principal’s box!

I continue to make more updates and revisions for this teacher binder as I need them and you will receive all the updates --FOR LIFE-- as I create them.  You will also find that you have more time when you are organized with an editable teacher binder.

And I am happy to take requests if you really need a specific form for your binder,

I will zip-zap, zap it right over to you.  You can email me at MrsQuimbyReads@gmail.com or write your request in the feedback. 

You can grab YOUR EDITABLE TEACHER BINDER HERE ... THEN RELAX!      

BECAUSE YOU HAVE GOT THIS!

#2 Back-to-School Pages, Activities and Writing Prompts for the First Week  Grades K-2 [21 pages]

You Can Grab These Pages HERE

 Back-to-School pages, activities and writing prompts for Grades K-3. These pages will give your students “get-to-know-you” pages for the first week of school.  It will give you the bit of time to acquaint yourself with your new class. 

These pages are suitable for Grades K-3.  They are perfect for the first week of school.  You will be happy to have these!  I place 2 pages on their desks on the first day.  They like to settle in and get started.  I like to see them happy back at school.  These pages give me the time to circle the classroom and say hello to each student, also collect any forms needed, lunch $, and see if we are all in the right classroom.  Right next to these pages are brand new crayons, pencil and ruler! Great way to have a terrific first week of school and meet and greet each other. Some of the pages require the students to walk about a bit so choose the pages you like for the very first day.  I like having them seated as we can establish a very quiet and organized work environment... which is exactly how I want my students to feel about the upcoming school year! See the preview of this back-to-school teaching resource here.  

       #3 Brag Tags - Everyone is Bragging About Them!                                        Get YOURS Here!

Everyone’s Bragging about Brag Tags! So I made some!!! You can get yours here.

This is a great way to improve behavior in your classroom. Students strive for excellence in academics and citizenship. It’s a collection of ‘good deeds’ and academic achievements… rewarded with a small tag to place on their backpacks or keep in a collector’s notebook! So fun!

Characteristics and Attributes in this set:

Super Reader

Quiet Writer

Act of Kindness

Helping Friends

Responsible Classmate

Respectful Classmate

Math Wizard

Excellent Speller

I am read to learn

Good Listener

Listened with Your Heart

Asking Thoughtful Questions

Science Inquiry

Problem Solver

   Independent Worker

I love to Read!

I follow Directions

100% Super Day All Around

Hallway Excellence

Good Thinking

Playground Safety

Stellar Behavior for the Substitute

I did my homework!

1500 Brag Tags      100 pages 15 on each page download and print when you need them Kids Love These!

     Stunning Clip Art! 

     Students Collect Them

     For Good Citizenship

     For Quality Student Work

     Clip on to backpack with a link chain

     Keep in a Collector's Notebook

     Make a Classroom Display

5 for $5.00, Get 5 FREE [Children's Books]

 Teaching reading to elementary school children using children's literature is powerful and rewarding. It sets the stage for reading experiences to be enjoyable and meaningful.  I have always told my students that a good book will "make us smarter and nicer people". Teaching children to read starts with book choice

10 Reasons Why You Should Include Children's Literature in Your School Reading Program
1. Children's literature is authored by people that have a passion for stories.  Anthropologists always knew that storytelling is a universal feature of every country and every culture. People tell stories! Telling stories plays a vital role in our socialization.  Being passionate creates rich experiences.  2.  Reading literature cultivates the imagination.

5 Easy Practices In Reading Instruction [for Preschoolers]

     

                                               Some Food for Thought

Preschoolers are wonderful people.... they are just that ... FULL of wonder! If you listen, I mean really listen to your preschooler, you will hear comments that show evaluation and insights that rise high in the taxonomy of thinking. and most preschoolers CREATE!   They make things in the sand, they create with play-doh and clay, they make things with food.  It's a nice thought, don't you think, that these children are so capable!  Remembering this when reading with your preschooler is important!  Don't dumb it down, let them rise to the top of the pyramid!  

When you are reading The Three Little Pigs or The Little Red Hen, your preschooler can certainly evaluate which little pig was the wisest and why; and if the dog, pig and goose are lazy characters in The Little Red Hen.
Children can make evaluations about if the little red hen is justified in eating the bread all by herself.  These thinking skills start early on in book reading.  Ask questions, talk about the books with your preschooler and read books everyday.  It is this activity and the talk about reading that begins the literacy journey on a path of success. 

Ask yourself "why do I read?" To learn, to be entertained, to view another's point of view.  When you remember those 3 essential reasons for reading and bring those elements to your reading experiences with your child; your child will be at a wonderful beginning place when entering school.  

Here are 5 easy practices you might include when reading with your preschooler:

1.  Read Every Day - reading everyday shows your child that you value reading; it also teaches your child that reading is an enjoyable activity.  We tend to do things that we enjoy more often.  When we engage in an activity more often, we get better at it!

2. Choose Books Together - going to the library and the book store together to choose books allows your child to learn this important practice of becoming a reader.  Look at the covers, ask questions, peruse the pages, read snippets, look at the back.  Choosing books is a great way to find out that there are many, many subjects in the world to read about. That book choice can be personal; that book choice is the beginning of reading.  One book leads to another. 

3. Talk about the books, stories and characters - when reading with your child, talking about the books is essential.  Do you like the book? Why or why not? What events did you find funny, sad, happy ?  What characters do you admire? What characters would you like to be like?  Why or why not?  Talk, Talk, Talk.  Talking and writing about reading are important to understanding and comprehension of the text.  We talk about what we learned, what we think, what the author's message is.  Talking shows thinking. 

4. Compare events and characters - when we talk about the books, usually we make comparisons about events and characters in the books to our own events in life and characters we meet.  Comparing and contrasting can help us form our opinions and thoughts.  What do we what to do?  Who do we want to be with? Who do we wish to be?

5. Make text connections to your child's world - and making these connections between our books and reading and our own lives can be the pearl in the oyster.  

Why read?   Well, to become a smarter or a nicer person!

Fun Pages for Writing About The Little Red Hen HERE

 

Click HERE to download your End of School Year Memory Book...

rewarding writing prompts about the school year, for the end-of-school year, pages include cover page, favorites page, friends page, holiday and seasons, field trips, preview this teaching resource HERE