I always start the year with First Day Jitters and then (because I teach 3rd) Judy Moody. What is your favorite book to read at the start of the new year?
My last group of kiddos had the reputation of being yappers, and they also had a pretty clear divide between the boys & girls. As our first read aloud, I decided to read No Talking by Andrew Clements. After a few chapters one of my kids said "wow, this is a perfect book for us!" :lol:
Last year it was Mrs. Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten, but this year I'm teaching third so I'm looking for something different.
A Place Called Kindergarten--the animals on the farm don't understand what the kid means when he says he's going to 'Kindergarten'. Many of my students don't really understand what it's going to entail either-so it's a good way move into that introduction!
I start with a mouse theme, so we read Chrysanthemum, Lily's Purple Plastic Purse, 7 Little Mice Go to School, If You Take a Mouse to School, Mouse Shapes, and others that I can't remember off the top of my head.
I Like Me... I had circles made up and a mirror to have the students draw their own pics of themselves and hang them up!!!
I love David Goes to School and Ish. But this year, I'd like to begin with Alvin Ho. I read Alvin Ho: Allergic to School, Girls and Other Scary Things this summer and I absolutely fell in love with the main character.
Last year my class loved a mouse book about "Wolfgang Ammadeus Mouse" -cannot remember the title, tho.
I had fourth graders so last year we delved right into a chapter book, Pippi Longstocking. The kids loved it so I'm thinking of maybe starting with the same book this year. It's not too long so we'll finish it quickly. Definitely something silly/funny. The Sandwich Swap is another one that will definitely get read some point in the first few weeks- one of my all time favorites!
Harry Potter I love how Professor McGonagall is the perfect mix of tough, flexible, and loving. I aim for that every year. Re-reading the books is a good reminder to myself about how I strive to be. (But secretly I'd love to be like Professor Snape. Many of my students probably think I'm just like him. Muahahahaha!)
I love reading Elmer. We talk about how everyone is unique, and then the students make their own Elmers, glue them to colored paper, and name them. They can design the elephants any way they want to, so that they are all different. They always turn out so cute, and look great hanging in our hallway.
Last year, we started with Hunger Games (my read aloud to my 7th graders). This year, I have a feeling they all will have read/seen it, so I'm thinking of going back to Skeleton Creek. It's been a few years since it was popular so maybe this group hasn't read it. ETA: I WISH I could read Harry Potter to my kids, but they've decided it's uncool. Maybe in a few years, it'll be new again.
What history are they learning? That's often how our 6th grade teachers choose. Other all-around good books are Skeleton Creek (only if you have a way of projecting video, since there are short clips you have to show along the way). The Joey Pigza series (SO popular with my "active" children) The Sacrifice (my 7th graders surprised me by liking this one, even though there wasn't much action) Vladmir Tod (non-sparkley vampire) Really, they love to listen at that age, so whatever you choose, they'll probably really like that time!
Oh, I meant that I read Harry Potter. For myself. I don't do any reading to students at the beginning of the year. :lol:
My Teacher is an Alien! I may try No Talking by Andrew Clements this year, though. My Teacher is an Alien is really popular though.
I saw a cute venn diagram on pinterest with an activity using Miss Nelson is missing. I think this might be perfect for my 3rd graders this year. The first three days of the year before our reading/writing pacing calendars kick in would be perfect for this. I might have them do their own at their seats first and then come back and share. Then we can use this to make the classroom rules. http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ga_bnYjz55Y/T...U/35XZ9XeQvjc/s1600-h/IMG_1640%255B4%255D.jpg
I have so many!!! First Day Jitters, The Night Before First Grade, Chrysanthemum, David Goes to School, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, My Mouth is a Volcano, A Bad Case of Tattle Tongue, A Bad Case of Stripes, I Love Me!, I Wish I Were a Butterfly, Geoffrey Can't Dance... these are just some of the books I will read the first week. I also start our first chapter book the first day - always, always, always Junie B. Jones, First Grader (at Last). I'm sure there are others I have forgotten, lol.:wub:
Fourth Grade Rats by Jerry Spinelli. It was fun and the kids loved it. But they love Spinelli and so do I. My teacher is an Alien is another good one.
I always read the short story "A Tale of Three Ralphs." The kids think it's hysterical, and it's a great way to discuss what it means to be fair. I found a scanned copy online! www.ljhs.sandi.net/faculty/clecren/writing/units/unit2/The Three Ralphs.pdf
Here are my favorites to help with back to school jitters--I use these on the 1st day of school depending on the grade I'm teaching. The kids love them as well, Favorite picture book: Some Things are Scary Favorite chapter book: There is a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom by Louis Sachar
My Teacher's Secret Life and First Day Jitters Some years I start with Frindle as our first chapter book, other years I use some of the stories from Wayside School.
