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Best Back to School Books This post may contain affiliate links |
The back to school season is one of my absolute favorite times of the year. Yes, it can be incredibly stressful and difficult to find the time to get every little thing done, but I absolutely love the smell of freshly sharpened pencils, a new back to school outfit, and the promise of new smiling students walking through my classroom door.
The Top 10 Best Back to School Books for the Elementary Classroom:
1. First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg
2. Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes
3. Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes
Another classic by Kevin Henkes, this one is always a classroom favorite! Perfect for establishing rules and proper behavior while still celebrating the love of school.
4. No, David! by David Shannon
If your students aren’t familiar with David already, they are sure to fall in love with him after hearing this silly story. This book lends itself to a wonderful discussion about good and poor choices both at home and in the classroom.
5. David Goes to School by David Shannon
Another opportunity to discuss good choices and poor choices with one of your students’ favorites! This story shows David at school getting into all kinds of mischief. I love to use this book as an opportunity to show what NOT to do at school that David learns the hard way.
6. The Night Before Series…by Natasha Wing
The Night Before First Grade was always a favorite amongst my students and I to get the school year started on the right foot. Whether we read it together on the first day of school or I asked them to listen to the story before they came to school on the first day, it was a wonderful way to discuss our feelings and emotions about starting school.
7. The Best Seat in Second Grade by Katharine Kenah
Sam is a sweet new second grader looking to make it his best year yet. Your students will love hearing about the mishaps he gets into with his new class pet!
8. Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann
Your students are sure to find Officer Buckle and his sidekick Gloria funny and entertaining! This story lends itself the perfect opportunity to discuss classroom and school rules as well as appropriate behaviors. Have your students review classroom rules or help to establish your own.
9. Giraffe’s Can’t Dance by Giles Andraea
Giraffe’s Can’t Dance is a beautiful story of Gerald the giraffe who only wishes to dance even though it’s a struggle for him. Watching Gerald keep going without giving up will surely inspire students to dream big. It will set up discussion for your class to set big goals for things your students hope to accomplish this school year, even if they haven’t been able to…yet.
10. Everyone Can Learn to Ride a Bicycle by Chris Raschka
Everyone Can Learn to Ride a Bicycle is the perfect story to share with your students at the beginning of the school year. Your students will come across a lot of difficult tasks as the school year moves along and this story is inspiration showing how if you keep working hard at something you will get better and meet your goals! Your students will see what it’s like to fall down and get back up and you will be able to reference this throughout the entire school year when your students come across something that feels too hard for them to keep going.
First Week of School Reading Comprehension Worksheets



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Reading Comprehension Worksheet Bundle |
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