1. First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg
Since the day I had my first class, I read my personal favorite on the first day of school:
This is a great book about a teacher that is too afraid to go to her new school. The best part about it is that your students will think it is a child who doesn't want to go to school until the very last page. It's a great way to let them know that you had first day jitters too! :)
Activity: Make JITTER JUICE!
You will need: Sprite, Hawaiian Punch Green Berry Rush,
Sherbert (optional), Large spoon to mix, Clear Pitcher, Cups & Straws
I brought in all of these materials without labels and called them crazy names instead. I had the students help me make the Jitter Juice. The bubbles made our butterflies go away for sure!
I wrote Abby Mullin's Jitter Juice poem on an anchor chart and had the kids practice this a few times with me. My students then repeated the words after me as we got ready to have our magical drink!
2. The Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordicai Gerstein
A great way to move into 9/11 discussion.
Talking about 9/11 with children is a really difficult thing but the last few years I have used this story to talk about what was and what is now.
In 1974, a man named Philippe Petit planned an adventurous and unforgettable moment in history.
“Once there were two towers side by side.” The story begins with an image of our country's loss, but then goes to talk about one of the most amazing things that ever occurred between the two towers when they were first constructed. Throughout the night, Petit set up a cable and prepared himself to tight-rope from one tower to another when daylight came in. In an hour's time, he walked, danced, ran, and lay across the cable as people watched and cops threatened to arrest him.
The story ends by showing the towers now gone, but the memory of that day will live forever.
As a winner of The Caldecott Medal, the paintings and fold out pages draw a really neat idea of what it must have been like to be in the air with Philippe that day.
Activity: "Tight rope" & Discussion
1.) Take a piece of colored tape and put it across the floor. Have students "tight rope" on flat surface or if you have a balance beam in your playground, even better. My 5/6 year old kids had such a difficult time following the thin colored tape and were amazed at how a real person could really tight rope!
2.) 9/11 Discussion based on age levels - This story helped me talk about positive things like Petit and all of the amazing helpers that reached out to people in need on such a tragic day.
3. The Ant Bully by John Nickle
Addressing one of today's biggest issues: bullying. This book is great to introduce the topic of bullying in a way that kids can see why people may bully.
A little boy named Lucas has been bullied by Sid for a pretty long time. Lucas decides that he will bully the ants since they are smaller than him and he can finally be a bully too. When Lucas sprays the ants with water, the ants decide to make a special potion to turn Lucas into the size of an ant. Lucas then discusses his punishment with the Queen Ant and must learn the life of an ant. He becomes a friend to the ants, works hard, and appreciates these little guys like never before. Lucas finally proves that he is no longer a bully, and is able to return back to his normal size. Poor Sid... something very strange happens to him by the end of the story thanks to the ants!
Activity: "Bully Discussion" & Shredder
1.) Bully Discussion: What is a bully (make a web chart), What we can do when there is a bully (write down a list of ideas that students come up with on chart paper)
2.) Have students write down on a piece of paper things that others have said or done that have hurt their feelings. Come together in a circle on the carpet and put a paper shredder in the middle (if you do not have a paper shredder, scissors will do). Take each student's paper into the shredder one at a time. Tell students this is a fresh new start of kind words and actions in the classroom. It is great when students are having a conflict to remind them of this activity.
4. The Crayon Box that Talked by Shane DeRolf
I use this book in the beginning of the year when it's time to talk about working together in the classroom! (partners, jobs, whole group)
A little girl overhears a box of crayons arguing at a toy store about who is the best crayon. She decides to take them home and help them learn to work together to see that not only one crayon is important. After drawing and coloring a picture using all of the crayons, they finally learn how great it is when they work together. "We are a box of crayons, each one of us unique. But when we get together, the picture is complete."
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