Ready or not, it is that time again! Back-to-School is just around the corner for me, and although I am soaking up these last few weeks of summer bliss with my little man, I am starting to think of those first few days!
Several of us bloggers have come together to give you some awesome ideas for Back to School Books! These books can be used to set up your classroom community, begin a good lesson, or just as a fun read-aloud.
The book I’d like to share with you is…
It’s a great book for teacher character, acceptance, and understanding differences!
The first 3 days of school are crucial in developing relationships and making my classroom feel safe and loving. Classroom environment is my top priority, and I want my students to be set up for success!
Have you read this book? I have to warn you, it is an emotional one. Each year my heart warms watching my students’ reactions to this book. When I read to them the dedication page and they learn it is a true story, their eyes fill will wonder, awe, and understanding. THAT’S when the magic happens!
I use one of my FAVORITE resources for my classroom with this book: Jivey’s Mentor Sentences & Complete No Prep Better than Basal Unit!
I set this book up from the moment my students walk into my room on the second day. (I promise to take pictures of this this school year, I always forget with the beginning craziness!)
I have 4 containers of scents at the front of the room: vanilla, mint, lemon, and licorice (I use oil scents from Walmart.) Students silently pick their favorite, write it down with their name on a piece of paper, and give it to me. They of course look at me like I’m crazy when I ask them to smell them. ๐
After reading the book that part of the book, you can see them look around and start to understand.
When the book is finished, without further discussion or instruction, I put students into their “tribes” for the next few weeks based on their scent choice. Once they are in their tribe, I give each group a big piece of poster board. They divide it up into as many squares as there are students in their group + 1.
Each student writes all the things that makes them unique and different in their individual square. Then, working as a group they write down all the things that they have in common and share interests about (I let them draw, too!)
We share these with the class and have a long discussion about community, respect to differences, and originality. It is one of my favorite days and I learn SO much about my students.
I highly recommend reading this with your kiddos at some point during the year!
I also start of the week training my students with our centers rotation. I use my monthly centers and love seeing their excitement about them!
And have you heard? Teachers Pay Teachers is having a site-wide Back to School Sale August 3rd and 4th, so you will be able to get [this product] 28% off using the promo code BTS15!
Love your idea! I have had this book in my classroom library for many years when I taught 2nd grade and never thought it was appropriate for that grade level. I just began teaching 4th grade last year and I am very excited about reading this book. Thanks so much for the idea and sharing it. I do have a question: Do the students (tribes) do anything else together that relates to this book?
I absolutely love Junkyard Wonders. I have a unit in it for my store because it has been one of my favorites for years. ๐
~April Walker
The Idea Backpack
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