Teach your preschooler the letter E with these 25 preschool book recommendations.
A HUGE collection of back to school free resources just for school librarians! These free resources can help make the transition back just a bit easier!
A HUGE collection of back to school free resources just for school librarians! These free resources can help make the transition back just a bit easier!
If you’re looking for freebies…you’ve come to the right place! As a How Does She newsletter subscriber, you’ll have access to our library of exclusive free printables that were designed by Heather from Chickabug! You can join our newsletter by clicking on the subscribe and download link beneath each printable. Once you’re on our mailing list,…
Choose from 15 unique book trackers to track books you've read, books in a series, or books you've checked out from the library. All FREE! Print from home!
I've stressed this from the very beginning of my blog writing days and I will continue to do so! It's so important that readers feel like they are part of a reading community in your classroom. This not only builds confidence and excitement, but it also creates lifelong readers. I've come up with a new list of books that I recommend adding to your classroom library. Reading these books at the beginning of the year and then coming back to them throughout the year will help establish a community of readers! The main purpose behind reading these is to share a love of reading with your readers. These books all show a character interacting with books in a positive way, even if some struggle with the idea at first.
Amazing things can happen with just one dot.
A HUGE collection of back to school free resources just for school librarians! These free resources can help make the transition back just a bit easier!
? Pick 3rd grade reading books that are engaging and fun-to-read! Plus grab Books for Third Graders printable with FREE 3rd grade reading list!
Learning about exercise doesn't have to be a lecture -- make it fun with these engaging children's books encouraging exercise!
Now that it's time for the kids to go back to school, why not use these free book covers.
January is rolling along and my kids (both my school and actual kids) are finally readjusted to our routine after winter break. While in real life, I find January-March the three most difficult months to
This list of must have picture books for your classroom library includes a wide range of titles from seasonal to teaching points. Free activities too!
Looking for some fabulous Christian picture books for your children? Be sure to check out the picture books on this list!
October is Dental Health month. Your students will learn aboutdental health with this FREE activity! Read about our visit from the Tooth Fairy too!
Ready to build your STEM library with the best picture books? Start Here! Check out my Top 10 all time favorite read alouds for elementary STEM
Applying for library grants is a great way to leverage your library and get more resources. Check out these 10 library grant suggestions!
Check out which speech and language goals you can target in speech therapy using Triangle by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen
Studying the Ancients this year? Even if you aren't you're going to want to check out this big list of the best ancient history picture books!
Ready for one of my favorite ways to teach students about writing, reading, creativity, and even kindness? It’s something that elementary teachers have known all along…it’s the picture book! The picture book is a powerful instructional tool that can work in any classroom…and I thought I’d share some examples of my favorites with you today. I’ve put the collection of books in a simple (and free) PDF with links that you can download by clicking this LINK. I’ve also paired each book with a ready-made unit that you can easily teach in your classroom too. Feel free to download the PDF at any time. In the meantime, let’s take a look at some of my favorite picture books for any classroom. First, I’m sharing a book that is great for the beginning of the year as you’re building a positive classroom community. Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts taps into a child’s innate need to have what everyone else has. In this case, the main character longs for the “cool” shoes even though they are too expensive for his grandmother to purchase. After finding a pair that is much too small, the main character makes the ultimate sacrifice for a classmate. It’s a touching story that celebrates kindness and classmates…perfect for any time of year. (Click HERE to check out the book.) Picture books are also wonderful examples of creativity. Since learning to be creative has shown to be one of the most powerful skills for helping students thrive in life, it’s important to celebrate creativity in the classroom. These two books do just that… Not a Box by Antoinette Portis is fairly simple at first glance. A box shape is turned into everything expect a box – a robot, a hot air balloon, even a rocket ship. It’s a fun example of “thinking outside of the box,” just imagine all the creative lessons you could do as an extension to this story. (Click HERE to check out the book.) The Three Pigs by David Wiesner is another example of creativity. This time students see how a traditional story can be flipped on its head and come to life with a little imagination. This book is the perfect springboard for lessons about thinking in new and creative ways. (Click HERE to check out the book.) Picture books are wonderful for adding a little humor and whimsy into the classroom. You can keep these two books on your shelf for a rainy day and pull them out when students can use a laugh. And…as a major bonus, humor produces psychological and physiological benefits that help students learn. One of my favorite funny books is The Book With No Pictures by B.J. Novak. While there are no pictures in the book, there are plenty of silly words and crazy sentences that you, the reader, must read out loud. Students love how “powerless” you become against the words Novak makes you say. You’ll all be laughing together with this book! (Click HERE to check out the book.) Another funny book filled with voice (and a sweet message) is Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great by Bob Shea. Not only is the book funny as the goat laments about the new Unicorn in town, it’s also cleverly written. There’s a lesson in this book along with a few laughs. (Click HERE to check out the book.) What about using picture books to teach critical ELA skills? That’s a genius idea. For instance, if you’d like to teach theme, try The EmptyPot by Demi. It’s one of my favorite stories because the reader learns its themes of honesty and integrity along with the main character that shows up to a gardening challenge with an empty pot. Not only is it a great way to teach theme, it’s a lovely way to showcase important character traits too. (Click HERE to check out the book.) The next time you’re putting together a writing unit, have students begin by reading mentor texts in the form of pictures books. It’s a super engaging and quick way for students to learn about the critical elements of the genre. I always started my memoir writing unit with a review of several picture books like The Baby Sister by Tomie dePaola. (Click HERE to check out the book.) Want to each about figurative language? It’s easy with picture books. Send students on a figurative language hunt in a book like WhiteSnow Bright Snow by Alvin Tresselt. The story has a poetic quality as it tells about the first snowfall of the year. (Click HERE to check out the book.) Alright, I could go on for days…but I better stop right here. I just love how picture books are a powerful way to help students learn about critical ELA topics and build character. Remember, you can check out a list of all my favorites in this FREE download. Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope some picture books make an appearance in your classroom! See you soon! Mary Beth *This post contains affiliate links.
Applying for library grants is a great way to leverage your library and get more resources. Check out these 10 library grant suggestions!
Discover what makes our marketplace the best source for school library curriculum and librarian professional development.
A book review of James Clear's book "Atomic Habits." Here are a few good habits that I have built in my music studio and personal life.
This ultimate guide list of beginner reader books is perfect for helping you navigat all the way to chapter books.
This year is the 10 year anniversary of International Dot Day and the 15th anniversary of the publication of The Dot. People all around the world celebrate creative expression, inspired by Peter H. Reynolds’ picture book, The Dot. Every year, Dot Day falls on or near September 15. I’d like to share how I helped my K-2 students explore their own creativity this year for
Your students will have fun retelling the story “There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly!” (versions by Simms Taback and Lucille Colandro) with our interactive old lady and animal pictures to put in her belly! Comprehension questions and several writing response journals have also been included for students to recall, reflect upon, and/or extend the story too! This pack helps address the following Common Core standards: Reading: RL.K.2, RL.K.3, RL.1.2, RL.1.3 Writing: W.K.1, W.K.3, W.1.1, W.1.3 * * * * * If you love this “old lady” pack, please check out all the others in our store here: Retelling We would love to hear how you implemented this activity in your own classroom and how your students liked it! Remember, you can earn TpT credits when you leave feedback and comments for your purchases. Thank you for visiting Kelly and Kim’s Kreations! Please feel free to follow our TpT store, check out our blog at http://www.kellyandkimskreations.com, and visit us out on Facebook at Kelly and Kim's Kreations too!
Library Orientation can be engaging and fun when you choose the best picture books to share with your elementary school students! Read this blog post to learn more!
As I've mentioned before, I try to always be in the middle of several books at once so that I've got a pick to fit every mood that might come up. My "ideal four" genres to always have going on? An adult fiction, a young adult fiction, a nonfiction (often a self-help or religious title),
Talk about a difficult concept with the help of a book! Plus, check out our tips for reading to your kids to increase comprehension.
Need to teach theme but not sure where to start? I've gathered my favorite mentor texts you can use to teach theme in literature! Check these out!
This interactive lesson teaches preschool, PreK, and Kindergarten students all about making good choices. It is perfect for teaching and reviewing class rules and expected behaviors. ✨ THIS RESOURCE INCLUDES: ✅ Instructional posters that teach students the difference between "Good Choices" and "Sad Choices" ✅ A sorting game with 28 scenario cards that let's students practice differentiating between Good Choices & Sad Choices. I love using a pocket chart for this activity, but you can use it however you'd like! ✅ A mini half-page coloring book that reviews 9 good choices ✅ Alignment to ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors ⭐ Like what you see? Check out my website and follow me on social media! ⭐ Follow Music City Counselor on Instagram! Follow Music City Counselor on Facebook!
Time to refresh those first grade shelves!
Teaching students how to make predictions starts with great mentor texts. This post includes book suggestions and lessons to get you started.
Check out these teaching ideas for the novel Wonder by RJ Palacio and grab free Wonder Novel Study samples and discussion questions.
We’ve put together the perfect guide to Colleen Hoover books and series so you can choose where to start or which to read next.
