Book Suggestions for the Beginning of the School Year

The new school year will soon be approaching in August. During the first week back, students are preparing for a new school year with a new teacher and new classmates. One of the ways to ease students back into the classroom routine and a new school year is by reading aloud to them. These are several book suggestions that I think students will enjoy their teacher reading during their first week back!

 1. The First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg

The story follows a very reluctant character who does not want to go back to school because she is scared of being at a new school, with a new principal, and new kids in the room. The reluctant character turns out to be a teacher. There are countless activities on the internet to do with this book. Even if you choose to just read it, students will enjoy the surprised ending.

 

2. Back to School Rules by Laurie Friedman

Follow Percy Isaac Gifford as he informs the reader about how to have a successful new school year by following several important school rules. This book is excellent to read shortly before you go over your classroom rules and expectations.

 3. Second Grade, Here I Come by D.J. Steinberg

This rhyming story explores different events that occur in this second grade classroom during a whole year, and is told in different classmate perspectives. 

 4. Splat the Cat: Back to School, Splat! by Rob Scotton

Splat has to tell about his summer vacation for his show and tell project. He remembers doing a lot of great things, which makes it difficult to choose just one activity. Therefore, he chooses to share the common thing that happened within each event. 

 5. Second Grade Holdout by Audrey Vernick

The main character doesn't want to go to second grade because he has heard that it will be different and hard, so he decides to stay in first grade...until he hears cool things about second grade that makes him reconsider his decision.

 6. Back to School with Bigfoot by Samantha Berger and Martha Brockenbrough

In this hilarious story, Bigfoot explains how "back to school time" is always difficult for him. He begins to worry about starting a new school year until he remembers all of the great things he would miss out if he didn't go back to school. 

 7. My Mouth is A Volcano! by Julia Cook

Luis is a student who has a difficult time not blurting out his thoughts. He learns how to be patient and control his blurting out. This book is good for the beginning of the school year because it allows the teacher to discuss procedures for sharing ideas and what to do when classmates are sharing their ideas and you want to interrupt them. There are great activities on Teachers Pay Teachers to go along with the book. 


If you're like me, you'll want to buy these books to have every year at the beginning of the school year. Or, consider visiting the library and check out a copy of each book!