Sunday, June 23, 2013

Picture Book Party


If you're like me, the current school year is barely over before you're making plans for the next one.  Lately, I've been thinking about all the books I enjoy reading to students the during the first week of school.  I wanted to share a few of them today.  

First Day Jitters:  This is a great story about the first-day-of-school jitters with a surprise twist at the end.


Wemberly Worried:  Use this story to spark a discussion about worries and put student-fears to rest.


This Is the Way We Go to School:  This story is great when used as a springboard for building a class transportation graph.


The Name Jar:  This is one of my favorite books for the first day of school.  After reading it, consider playing a game to introduce students to one another.  I love "Hello Bingo".  It's a variation on the classic name bingo - as students names are called, they must stand up, wave, and say hello to their classmates. 


How I Spent My Summer Vacation: I think we all use a writing activity like this at the beginning of the school year. :)  This boy's tall tale about his summer vacation will make you giggle.


Froggy Goes To School:  Who doesn't love Froggy?!  

Do you have a few of your own favorite back-to-school picture books?  Link up with First Grade and Fabulous to share what you'll be reading during the first week of school.



8 comments:

  1. We both picked First Day Jitters! Love that book! I almost included two of your other picks too- Wemberly Worried and How I Spent My Summer Vacation. I think we must think alike!
    Lori
    Conversations in Literacy

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I had to come by your blog and I'm excited to announce I'm one of your newest followers too. I love Kevin Henkes. He is one of my favorite children's authors! I've heard lots of great things about The Name Jar, but I've never bought it. I guess I need to reconsider. Thanks for all the suggestions.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love all of these ideas! I forgot to put Froggy on my list, but I love him. Also, I never thought to use This is the Way We Go To School during the first week. What a great idea!

    Thanks for sharing!

    Becky
    Compassionate Teacher

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great book choices! Glad you commented on my blog so I could come over and say hello!
    I'm now your newest follower!
    :-)
    Susanna
    Whimsy Workshop

    ReplyDelete
  5. "The Name Jar" looks like one I need to add to my wish list! Thanks so much for sharing!

    Smiles,
    Sarah @ Hoots N Hollers

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have never heard of The Name Jar. I'm going to have to check that one out! Gotta love Froggy! He's everybody's favorite frog! Glad to be your newest follower!

    Karen
    An Apple a Day in First Grade

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great book choices. Thanks for lining up!! :)

    įƒ¦DeAnne
    First Grade and Fabulous

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wendy, I just love the idea of that Name Jar book and the activity you suggest to go with it! I think I might try that this fall. The book about children around the world also sounds intriguing to me. I love helping my children learn about international customs. Some years, I do a multicultural birthday party where we focus on birthday traditions from lots of different countries, and it's a wonderful celebration that the kids love.

    If you have a moment, come and visit my blog! :)

    Your latest follower,

    Sharon Dudley, NBCT
    Teaching with Sight

    ReplyDelete