Search the blog

Skip to content

Tales From a Very Busy Teacher

A Teaching Blog

Home
Subscribe
About Me
Formative Assessment Handbook
Teacher Leadership Community

Home
Subscribe
About Me
Formative Assessment Handbook
Teacher Leadership Community

16 Picture Books for the Beginning of the School Year

July 25, 2023 in Back to School, Teaching Ideas

No matter which grade level I taught, I always found time to read aloud to my students. From 2nd graders up to 8th graders, my students loved listening to stories. I would read a wide array of books to my students, but I always made sure to end the day with an engaging picture book. I have a whole list dedicated to 180 days of picture books, but I’ve created this blog post for special books that will help you start your school year off right.

Here are 16 of my favorite beginning-of-the-school-year picture books that your students will really enjoy.

Find each book in my Amazon Store Front by clicking on the image.

Check out these wordless picture books and lesson ideas to continue to engage your students as you start the new school year.

81

2682 Views

Marine

You May Also Like

2023 Writing Goals Sample Picture

Three Classroom Activities to Ring in the New Year

6-Word Stories

target responses with language frames

6 Ways to Practice Teacher Clarity in Your Classroom

Posts navigation

Previous Post

A End-of-the-Year Student Gift Idea for Elementary School

Next Post

10 Teacher Clarity Ideas for the First Week of School

SEARCH THE BLOG

Instagram

For many of our students, the week before winter b

For many of our students, the week before winter break is brimming with joy, excitement, and anticipation—Santa visits, family gatherings, and holiday cheer.

But let’s not overlook the students whose experiences are very different.

Some will face anxiety, uncertainty, and even fear.
Some are in foster care or between homes.
Some won’t wake up to gifts under a tree.
Some will lack warm meals or a safe place to sleep.
Some will lose the structure and stability they rely on in school.
And some won’t see or hug their parents at all.

If our students’ behavior feels “off the wall” this week, it’s not just holiday excitement. For some, it’s the weight of what the break may bring.

Let’s choose to give grace. Celebrate their wins, reward their efforts, and remind ourselves not to take their struggles personally.

We can’t control everything our students face at home, but we can create a space where they feel safe, loved, and seen.

Let’s be the light they need this holiday season (and every season). ❤️

#teacherlife #teachersofinstagram #teachertips #teacherinspiration #teacherssupportteachers #holidayseason #winterbreak #holidayteaching #teacherlove #teachwithgrace #teacherheart #teachersmakeadifference #bethelight #studentsfirst #kidsmatter #buildingrelationships #supportingstudents

Here are 10 classroom management tips to consider

Here are 10 classroom management tips to consider for the days leading up to winter break!

🎁 Engage in Festive Activities
Incorporate holiday and winter-themed lessons and activities that are both educational and exciting.

🎁Set Clear Holiday Expectations
Clearly communicate expectations for behavior during holiday-related activities. Emphasize the importance of maintaining a positive and respectful atmosphere, even during excitement.

🎁Plan Interactive and Hands-On Lessons
Design lessons that involve movement and interaction. Allow students to be more physically active, fostering engagement and utilizing their extra energy productively.

🎁Frequent Brain Breaks
Incorporate short, energizing breaks between lessons to allow students to release pent-up energy. Consider incorporating quick physical activities or holiday-themed games.

🎁Celebrate Achievements
Acknowledge and celebrate students’ achievements and positive behaviors leading up to the break. This positive reinforcement can motivate students to maintain good behavior during this energetic period.

🎁Create a Countdown Calendar
Build excitement for the upcoming break by creating a countdown calendar. Each day, engage in a short activity related to the countdown, adding an element of anticipation and fun to the classroom. You can also set a behavior goal each day for the class to accomplish.

🎁Incorporate Cooperative Learning
Plan group activities that encourage cooperation and teamwork. Students can work together on holiday-themed projects.

🎁Flexible Lesson Plans
Be flexible with lesson plans and be prepared to adjust based on the energy levels of the class. If students seem particularly energetic, consider incorporating more interactive elements.

🎁Mindful Moments
Give students time to be mindful by drawing, coloring, listening to stories, or by having intentional quiet/think time.

🎁Embrace the Energy
As the old saying goes, “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em!” Play holiday music, engage in the activities with your students, and have fun.

#classroomsetup #classroomideas #elementaryteacher #elementaryschool #teachingideas

Here’s a cute Santa craft you can make at home w

Here’s a cute Santa craft you can make at home with your kids or at school with your students! 🎅🏻

If you’re looking for other winter and holiday-themed activities, I’ve got other resources in my shop that celebrate the season in different ways!

Comment WINTER and I’ll send you the link to find them in my TpT store! ⛄️

#teachersofinsta #iteachtoo #teachergram #lessonplanning #elementaryteacher #elementaryschoolteacher

Behavior management this time of year can be rough

Behavior management this time of year can be rough. 🫠

Here are a few tips to help keep things on track:

👉🏻Stick to your routines and schedules as much as possible—consistency helps everyone.
👉🏻Keep reviewing and modeling your expectations—students need reminders, especially now.
👉🏻Use positive reinforcement to highlight what’s going well.
👉🏻Aim for 5 positive interactions for every 1 negative—it really makes a difference!

I’ve got a full blog post with even more info about behavior expectations. 💫 Comment BEHAVIOR, and I’ll DM you the link!

#teachertips #iteachtoo #teacherlife #classroommanagement #behaviorexpectations #teachergram #elementaryschoolteacher

Tired of guessing what your students understand? I

Tired of guessing what your students understand? In-the-moment formative assessment can revolutionize your teaching! By collaborating with colleagues and using effective strategies like structured group discussions, peer feedback, and targeted questioning, you can gather valuable insights into student learning, identify misconceptions, and tailor your instruction to meet individual needs.

These strategies will help you:

💫Create a culture of collaboration that fosters student engagement and critical thinking
💫Implement a variety of formative assessment techniques to monitor student progress and provide timely feedback
💫Use data-driven insights to inform your instruction and improve student outcomes

Ready to take your assessments to the next level?🚀

Comment FORMATIVE to learn more about my book, “The Formative Assessment Handbook,” and discover even more strategies to enhance student learning! 📚

#edchat #teacherlife #professionaldevelopment #formativeassessment #teachertips #iteachtoo #elementaryschool #lessonplans

This lesson was such a meaningful and memorable wa

This lesson was such a meaningful and memorable way to kick off the new year with my students. ❤️

Each January, I’d have my students write about their goals for the new year, but one year we started late, so I decided to try something different.

We read Martin’s Big Words and celebrated Dr. King’s powerful message of using words, not fists, to make a difference. Inspired by this, I asked my students to choose a “BIG word” that would guide them through the year.

Here’s how it worked:
We discussed what BIG words mean and created an anchor chart with our ideas. Each student picked their own BIG word, designed it on a special template, and paired it with the year. Then, they turned their words into magical agamographs.

Want the step-by-step directions? Comment ONE WORD below, and I’ll DM you the link to my blog! 😍 It’s also in my bio!

#teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #iteachtoo #teacherlife #teachersofig #tpt #iteachfourth #education #teaching #iteachfirst #iteachthird #teacherproblems #iteach4th #teachergram #teachersoftpt #thirdgrade #secondgrade #teacherfriends #iteach345 #lifeofateacher #classroomsetup

Keep your students engaged and learning with this $Keep your students engaged and learning with this Christmas Tree Math activity—a festive, hands-on way to practice key math skills. Whether it’s addition, subtraction, multiplication, or fractions, this activity is perfect for adding some holiday cheer to your math lessons. 🎁 Easy to prep 🎁 Fun for centers or whole group 🎁 Engaging and educational! 🎄 Ready to bring the joy of the season into your classroom? Comment TREE and I’ll DM you the link or use the link in my bio! #teachingideas #iteachtoo #teachertips #mathlessons #elementaryschoolteacher #teachersofinstagram #lessonideas$

Ring in the New Year with creativity! 🥳 Lookin

Ring in the New Year with creativity! 🥳

Looking for the perfect activity to engage your students after winter break? This Happy New Year Writing lesson is just what you need!

This lesson:
✅ Combines writing and hands-on crafting
✅ Encourages goal-setting and reflection
✅ Helps kick off the new year with your class

Your students will love personalizing their project and sharing their New Year goals! It’s an easy, meaningful, and creative way to start the year on a positive note. Plus, it makes a great bulletin board!

Grab it now and make your January lesson plans a breeze!
Comment HAPPY NEW YEAR and I’ll DM you the link -or- use the link in my bio. 🎉

#teacherideas #lessonplans #elementaryschoolteacher #iteachtoo #teachergram #teachertips #lessonplans

Looking for a fun and engaging project to wrap up

Looking for a fun and engaging project to wrap up before winter break?

In this activity, your students will tackle multistep math problems while practicing how to justify their answers in a creative way! 🦌

Here’s how it works:
✨ Assign the word problems individually or in collaborative groups.
✨ After solving, students use ornament templates to show their work and write their justification statements.
✨ Once their math is complete, students assemble their very own Rudolph display to showcase their thinking!

Bonus: This download includes Math Justification Bookmarks and CUBES Strategy Bookmarks to support your students every step of the way. 🙌

Want the link to grab this for your class?
✨ Comment RUDOLPH and I’ll DM you the details!

#teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #teachertip #teachergram #classroomsetup #classroomideas #elementaryteacher #elementaryschool #teachingideas

Recent Pins

Shop My Resources

Facebook

Subscribe & Follow

Popular topics

Academic Vocabulary
1
Art
4
Back to School
12
Bulletin Board
10
Career
4

×

Recent

How to Teach Engaging Lessons with Chris Van Allsburg’s Stories
December 6, 2024

Popular Topics

Academic Vocabulary Art Back to School Bulletin Board Career Classroom Management Classroom Organization Design Direct Instruction End of Year English Language Arts Fashion Featured Growth Mindset Intervention Lesson Plans PBIS Social Emotional Learning Teacher Clarity Teacher Mom Teaching Ideas Uncategorized Visible Learning Writing

Search the blog

For many of our students, the week before winter b

For many of our students, the week before winter break is brimming with joy, excitement, and anticipation—Santa visits, family gatherings, and holiday cheer.

But let’s not overlook the students whose experiences are very different.

Some will face anxiety, uncertainty, and even fear.
Some are in foster care or between homes.
Some won’t wake up to gifts under a tree.
Some will lack warm meals or a safe place to sleep.
Some will lose the structure and stability they rely on in school.
And some won’t see or hug their parents at all.

If our students’ behavior feels “off the wall” this week, it’s not just holiday excitement. For some, it’s the weight of what the break may bring.

Let’s choose to give grace. Celebrate their wins, reward their efforts, and remind ourselves not to take their struggles personally.

We can’t control everything our students face at home, but we can create a space where they feel safe, loved, and seen.

Let’s be the light they need this holiday season (and every season). ❤️

#teacherlife #teachersofinstagram #teachertips #teacherinspiration #teacherssupportteachers #holidayseason #winterbreak #holidayteaching #teacherlove #teachwithgrace #teacherheart #teachersmakeadifference #bethelight #studentsfirst #kidsmatter #buildingrelationships #supportingstudents

Here are 10 classroom management tips to consider

Here are 10 classroom management tips to consider for the days leading up to winter break!

🎁 Engage in Festive Activities
Incorporate holiday and winter-themed lessons and activities that are both educational and exciting.

🎁Set Clear Holiday Expectations
Clearly communicate expectations for behavior during holiday-related activities. Emphasize the importance of maintaining a positive and respectful atmosphere, even during excitement.

🎁Plan Interactive and Hands-On Lessons
Design lessons that involve movement and interaction. Allow students to be more physically active, fostering engagement and utilizing their extra energy productively.

🎁Frequent Brain Breaks
Incorporate short, energizing breaks between lessons to allow students to release pent-up energy. Consider incorporating quick physical activities or holiday-themed games.

🎁Celebrate Achievements
Acknowledge and celebrate students’ achievements and positive behaviors leading up to the break. This positive reinforcement can motivate students to maintain good behavior during this energetic period.

🎁Create a Countdown Calendar
Build excitement for the upcoming break by creating a countdown calendar. Each day, engage in a short activity related to the countdown, adding an element of anticipation and fun to the classroom. You can also set a behavior goal each day for the class to accomplish.

🎁Incorporate Cooperative Learning
Plan group activities that encourage cooperation and teamwork. Students can work together on holiday-themed projects.

🎁Flexible Lesson Plans
Be flexible with lesson plans and be prepared to adjust based on the energy levels of the class. If students seem particularly energetic, consider incorporating more interactive elements.

🎁Mindful Moments
Give students time to be mindful by drawing, coloring, listening to stories, or by having intentional quiet/think time.

🎁Embrace the Energy
As the old saying goes, “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em!” Play holiday music, engage in the activities with your students, and have fun.

#classroomsetup #classroomideas #elementaryteacher #elementaryschool #teachingideas

Here’s a cute Santa craft you can make at home w

Here’s a cute Santa craft you can make at home with your kids or at school with your students! 🎅🏻

If you’re looking for other winter and holiday-themed activities, I’ve got other resources in my shop that celebrate the season in different ways!

Comment WINTER and I’ll send you the link to find them in my TpT store! ⛄️

#teachersofinsta #iteachtoo #teachergram #lessonplanning #elementaryteacher #elementaryschoolteacher

Behavior management this time of year can be rough

Behavior management this time of year can be rough. 🫠

Here are a few tips to help keep things on track:

👉🏻Stick to your routines and schedules as much as possible—consistency helps everyone.
👉🏻Keep reviewing and modeling your expectations—students need reminders, especially now.
👉🏻Use positive reinforcement to highlight what’s going well.
👉🏻Aim for 5 positive interactions for every 1 negative—it really makes a difference!

I’ve got a full blog post with even more info about behavior expectations. 💫 Comment BEHAVIOR, and I’ll DM you the link!

#teachertips #iteachtoo #teacherlife #classroommanagement #behaviorexpectations #teachergram #elementaryschoolteacher

Tired of guessing what your students understand? I

Tired of guessing what your students understand? In-the-moment formative assessment can revolutionize your teaching! By collaborating with colleagues and using effective strategies like structured group discussions, peer feedback, and targeted questioning, you can gather valuable insights into student learning, identify misconceptions, and tailor your instruction to meet individual needs.

These strategies will help you:

💫Create a culture of collaboration that fosters student engagement and critical thinking
💫Implement a variety of formative assessment techniques to monitor student progress and provide timely feedback
💫Use data-driven insights to inform your instruction and improve student outcomes

Ready to take your assessments to the next level?🚀

Comment FORMATIVE to learn more about my book, “The Formative Assessment Handbook,” and discover even more strategies to enhance student learning! 📚

#edchat #teacherlife #professionaldevelopment #formativeassessment #teachertips #iteachtoo #elementaryschool #lessonplans

This lesson was such a meaningful and memorable wa

This lesson was such a meaningful and memorable way to kick off the new year with my students. ❤️

Each January, I’d have my students write about their goals for the new year, but one year we started late, so I decided to try something different.

We read Martin’s Big Words and celebrated Dr. King’s powerful message of using words, not fists, to make a difference. Inspired by this, I asked my students to choose a “BIG word” that would guide them through the year.

Here’s how it worked:
We discussed what BIG words mean and created an anchor chart with our ideas. Each student picked their own BIG word, designed it on a special template, and paired it with the year. Then, they turned their words into magical agamographs.

Want the step-by-step directions? Comment ONE WORD below, and I’ll DM you the link to my blog! 😍 It’s also in my bio!

#teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #iteachtoo #teacherlife #teachersofig #tpt #iteachfourth #education #teaching #iteachfirst #iteachthird #teacherproblems #iteach4th #teachergram #teachersoftpt #thirdgrade #secondgrade #teacherfriends #iteach345 #lifeofateacher #classroomsetup

Keep your students engaged and learning with this $Keep your students engaged and learning with this Christmas Tree Math activity—a festive, hands-on way to practice key math skills. Whether it’s addition, subtraction, multiplication, or fractions, this activity is perfect for adding some holiday cheer to your math lessons. 🎁 Easy to prep 🎁 Fun for centers or whole group 🎁 Engaging and educational! 🎄 Ready to bring the joy of the season into your classroom? Comment TREE and I’ll DM you the link or use the link in my bio! #teachingideas #iteachtoo #teachertips #mathlessons #elementaryschoolteacher #teachersofinstagram #lessonideas$

Ring in the New Year with creativity! 🥳 Lookin

Ring in the New Year with creativity! 🥳

Looking for the perfect activity to engage your students after winter break? This Happy New Year Writing lesson is just what you need!

This lesson:
✅ Combines writing and hands-on crafting
✅ Encourages goal-setting and reflection
✅ Helps kick off the new year with your class

Your students will love personalizing their project and sharing their New Year goals! It’s an easy, meaningful, and creative way to start the year on a positive note. Plus, it makes a great bulletin board!

Grab it now and make your January lesson plans a breeze!
Comment HAPPY NEW YEAR and I’ll DM you the link -or- use the link in my bio. 🎉

#teacherideas #lessonplans #elementaryschoolteacher #iteachtoo #teachergram #teachertips #lessonplans

facebook instagram pinterest shop email

Design by Laugh Eat Learn // Theme by Georgia Lou Studios

Go to mobile version