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.

Are you teaching goal setting to elementary students? These goal setting picture book stories and activities will help you set goals with your students this back to school season. Freebies included!

Need to know how to help students write summaries? These lesson ideas and summarizing ideas and tips for the upper elementary classroom will help you teach summarizing and help your students write summaries as they read.

What is citizenship? Is it the ability to vote? Does it mean having the right documents? Is being a citizen about being part of a community? And what does it mean to be a good

Teachers and parents, use picture books as mentor texts to teach perspective. Stories like these help you model for your students and children that our perspectives and the perspectives of different characters, including the narrator, is how we see the world and the events in it.

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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!

Imagine going through an entire day, unable to understand what anyone is saying. You have no idea how to ask to use the restroom or how to find your way around. Sadly, this happens to students worldwide as they move to an area with a new language. Additionally, there are students with different cultures and

Making inferences worksheets and activities aren't always easy for students, but there are fun ways to teach this challenging reading skill.

Use mentor text children's books to teach sensory description and model for our kids how good writers use all their five senses in their writing to show, not tell.

Back to school season is a time to get to know students and build classroom community . What better way to do that than by diving deep into writing personal narratives? Right from the start of the year, students learn that writing a personal narrative is an opportunity for them to share a small

3 visualizing activities for first grade

10 great picture books for goal-setting with your students. Perfect for teaching kids to set goals, even in kindergarten and first grade!

Download my FREE Reference Guide here! Happy Monday, Friends! I'm back with another list of my favorite picture books to teach certain skills and this time we are focusing on PLOT. Be sure and check out my post about picture books to teach THEME and download the free reference guide for that skill here. Now,

I love using picture books to teach plot. Here are four of my favorites that I use when it comes to teaching about plot.

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!

Use picture books personification examples as mentor texts for your writing workshop in the classroom at home to introduce figurative language.

"It was like herding cats!" That was my answer to my husband the other day when he asked how my day had gone. Seriously, the days I have first and second graders are just hard - fun, but exhausting. That is until I found the SECRET to STEM and the littles! Are you ready for

Picture Books in Middle School | Using picture books in your classroom can engage reluctant readers, help introduce a lesson, and build community. Check out tips & resources for using picture books in middle school from The Hanson Hallway at The Secondary English Coffee Shop.

Do you need chronological order picture books? This post will show you exactly how I use one picture book to teach one specific skill like chronological...

Use these 35+ Books to Teach Rules and Procedures for the classroom. Helpful for any teacher. Combat blurting out, tattling, lying, stealing, and bullying.

Use informational picture books in your middle or high school classroom. Really.

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Kindness Picture Books and Children's Literature for Upper elementary classrooms with free activities to use with each book.

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Do you hate to teach poetry? Do you want your students to learn and enjoy poetry? Try these simple ways to learn how to teach poetry...

These books explore character traits, helping students develop a deeper understanding of characters even if not explicitly stated.

Teachers and parents, use picture books as mentor texts to teach perspective. Stories like these help you model for your students and children that our perspectives and the perspectives of different characters, including the narrator, is how we see the world and the events in it.

Upper elementary blog with practical, rigorous, classroom tested ideas to implement with your students.

Using Animated Shorts to Teach Perspective If you are looking for some high interest activities to enhance your lessons, try using animated shorts to teach reading skills. This post contains the anima

I remember the first time I was introduced to the term “Picture Study”. It was ten years ago when I had been contemplating the monumental question, “What is the best way to educate my kids?”. I had come across two transformative books, For the Children’s Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay, an

Disney movies have some very deep lessons to teach kids. Zootopia lesson plans are perfect for teaching kids about bias vs. sterotypes.

If you are looking for some high-interest activities, try using animated shorts to teach inference. Free handouts focus on student learning.

Enhance your circle time lessons with these activities tailored to some of our very favorite children's books.

Today I wanted to share some of my favorite books to support your lessons on respect. Having strong read-alouds makes it so much easier to introduce and reinforce social-emotional skills. […]

Teach internet safety to primary students with these picture book suggestions, lesson plans, printables, activities, and online activities.

These children’s books about perseverance show how grit and determination help us push through challenges and try again after setbacks.

Explore the BEST picture books that teach about Art or Inspire Art Making for kids to use for art infused lessons in your classroom, to teach art history and about making art and the creative process to your art students, or to use for creating an art-themed section in your home library. This comprehensive list explores famous artists, artworks, and the art making process through fun and creative, easy-to read picture books. It will provide you with ideas and inspiration for creating art lessons and projects that you can pair with these amazing books to help you teach about art making in depth in your classroom.

Teaching plot with picture books. Picture books are the perfect medium when explicitly teaching the elements of plot to older student.

Discover how picture books help teaching main idea and using books to teach theme, including specific examples for many books.