A Few Good Reads for the First Week

I have to admit that there is a twinge of jealousy as all of my teacher friends are preparing their classrooms, organizing materials, and preparing to welcome students back from the summer holiday.  When I was in the classroom, this is the time every year that I would have to decide which books to read for the first week back.  There was never time enough for all of my favorites in the first week, but they are great stories to read any time during the school year!

Here are some of my favorites:

1. First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg.  This book’s surprising twist ending always made my elementary students smile and begin to realize that their apprehensions are normal and that others feel the same way.  Don’t forget Danneberg also has the Last Day Blues to end your year!

2. The Black Lagoon Series by Mike Thaler.  When I taught second grade in Austin ISD, my teaching partner-in-crime, Mrs. Bentley, and I read these stories to the students.  Then the students all wrote their own about us and all the scary things they thought about and then realized how truly amazing we were! (All Mrs. Bentley’s idea)  The students loved it and their book was ready in time to showcase for back-to-school night.

3. Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox.  This beautiful story is about a little boy who loves an older lady who lives in an assisted living facility next door.  He is upset to find out that she has lost her memory, so he begins to search for it.  After asking many people what a memory is and getting answers such as, “it’s from long ago,” “it’s something that makes you laugh,” “it’s something warm,” he finds objects that represent each definition he was given.  He brings the items to his friend and she begins to remember.  After reading the story, have the students bring in their own items that fit into the categories and share their stories.  Make sure to turn this in to a writing assignment!

4. The Matchbox Diary by Paul Fleischman. This is another great read and can take the place of Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge for older students.  Check out my review of this book for more info and integration ideas.

5. Have You Filled Your Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud.  This book is such a beautiful metaphor for students to teach them kindness and compassion.  This book might be the beginning of year long effort for students to “fill their buckets” and make sure everyone in their class has a full bucket.

6. Wonder by R.J. Palacio.  Yes, this is a novel and will take some time, but it is such a heartwarming story that helps students wrap their minds around acceptance.  If you don’t read this aloud in the beginning of the year, please read it at some point!

7.  Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes. An oldy but goody.  In this story, Chrysanthemum is teased by classmates about her name.  In the end, she realizes the beauty in her name and is once again proud.  A book that is similar, but a little more mature is…

8. The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi.  This book tells the story of a girl coming over from Korea.  Her classmates tease her and can’t pronounce her name, so they create a jar where everyone can choose a new name for her.  Of course, she realizes the beauty of her name and keeps it.  With either one of these books, create an interview for students to complete for homework.  The interview should question where their name comes from and how it came to be.  Older students can write how important their name is and even shapes their identity.

9. My Teacher’s Secret Life by Stephen Krensky. This is a story about a boy who begins to realize that his teacher has a secret life!  She does not live her entire life in the school!  She goes to the mall, she skates, she has someone with her!  This amusing story always gets the students talking. It would be fun to begin the class with this book, and see what the students think you do in YOUR secret life before you introduce yourself completely!  You could also have the class use this book as a way to introduce themselves to each other by writing about their “secret life” outside of school – family, pets, hobbies, etc.

What are some of your favorite #firstweekbooks?