Learning Through Literature
This series was developed to be utilized after sharing read-alouds of popular children’s books.
Each book companion provides fun ways to extend stories by connecting with standards-based literacy skills practice activities.
Tops and Bottoms: A Spring Tale of Determination and Persistence
Janet Stevens’s book Tops and Bottoms is a great spring read-aloud for introducing a planting unit, but there are also some valuable character lessons within the charming tale. Hare learns that even if you have made a mistake in the past, hard work and persistence can...
Too Many Carrots: Being Greedy and Learning to Share
The story, Too Many Carrots, has wonderful illustrations and gives many opportunities to talk with students about what a good friend should and shouldn’t do.
Spring Is Here: A Delightful Tale Celebrating Friendship and Spring
Spring is Here by Will Hillenbrand is a perfect read-aloud choice for the classroom during the spring season. The book’s charming illustrations and simple text make it an ideal choice for young children.
One Is a Feast for a Mouse: A Thanksgiving Tale and Helpful Ideas Students Will Enjoy
This fun cumulative Thanksgiving story of One Is a Feast for a Mouse becomes a bit of a cautionary tale when a little mouse quickly changes from grateful to greedy.
Fletcher and the Falling Leaves: Finding Happiness in Change
Fletcher and the Falling Leaves reminds us that change doesn’t need to be worrisome and that there is beauty in every season of life.
What Could Make November Read Alouds More Fun Than A Turkey For Thanksgiving?
A Turkey for Thanksgiving by Eve Bunting has been one of my favorite Thanksgiving picture books for many years. My students have always been engaged by the story and love the surprise ending.
The Scarecrow’s Hat: A Circular Story of Clever Problem Solving and Grateful Friends
In the story The Scarecrow’s Hat, when Chicken meets Scarecrow and he says he would swap his hat for a walking stick she quickly sees a great opportunity. But solving Scarecrow’s problem takes solving the problems of several friends in the barnyard along the way. After many trades, all the characters end up with just what they wanted thanks to clever Chicken.
Too Many Pumpkins Became the Perfect Number of Jack-o-Lanterns
Too Many Pumpkins is one of my favorite fall books to share in the classroom. I love how this story starts with too many pumpkins but ends with just enough seeds. It is a great lesson in problem solving.
Pumpkin Soup a Fabulous Fall Tale of Friendship and Learning to Cooperate
Pumpkin Soup is a fall favorite for the story and illustrations. It also leads well to talking about friendship and working together when not everyone agrees.
Turkey Trick or Treat in Search of the Perfect Classroom Halloween Costume
This silly series by Wendi Silvano is a first-grade favorite and Turkey Trick or Treat is a great read-aloud choice to add to your Halloween week lesson plans!
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything A Classic Halloween Read Aloud
If you have ever taught on Halloween, you know the excitement to come can be very distracting. The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything is a perfect read-aloud to combine movement and keep students engaged.
Click, Clack, Boo! A Tricky Treat Read Aloud for Classroom Halloween Fun
Halloween stories don’t have to be scary. Doreen Cronin has written one with the barnyards friends of Click, Clack, Moo. Farmer Brown’s pajamas are sure to bring a few giggles too!
Room on the Broom Fun Rhyming Read Aloud Halloween Alternative
Although Room on the Broom doesn’t mention Halloween, the main character is a witch, so it fits in nicely with your October read-alouds.
The Pigeon Has to Go to School Will Have Students Laughing
The Pigeon Has to Go to School uses humor to ease the first day of school jitters. It is a good story to address fears. Some of the things Pigeon worries about could never happen. Some of his concerns could happen, and students may share those things; the story is an easy segue into “what if scenarios” at school and sharing possible solutions.
Chrysanthemum Discovers Uniqueness Is Something to Celebrate
Most classes have a few students with unusual names. If a child has a hard name for others to pronounce or that they have been teased about their name, it can add anxiety to meeting new people at the start of the school year. Chrysanthemum can help reassure students that unique names are special and help springboard discussion on kindness expectations for your students.
Wemberly Worried but a New Friend Made School Less Scary
We all worry sometimes, but most of the things we worry about will never happen. Wemberly Worried can help ease beginning of the year worries about the unknown by laughing together over some of the silly things Wemberly worries about and talking about those things that may be common worries among class members.
Rock Your First Day of School Like Pete the Cat Rocking in His New School Shoes
When students begin a new school year, they often have a little anxiety over not knowing just what to expect. In Pete the Cat Rocking in My School Shoes, Pete can help reassure students that there is no need to worry even if they encounter new things at school.
Turkey Goes to School with a New Clever Plan to Trick the Teacher
Turkey Goes to School is the fifth book in the Turkey Trouble series. This fun story will have students guessing what disguise he will try next so that he and his friends can spend the day at school!
Click, Clack, Quack to School with Farmer Brown’s Funny Barnyard Friends
Sometimes students are apprehensive about coming to school because the school rules are different from those at home. They may believe that rules will make school a boring place to be. Click, Clack, Quack to School has a fun twist at the end, and it leads nicely into talking about behavior expectations and how they are different depending on the school activity.
The Kissing Hand Chester’s First Day of School
Some children have difficulty separating from a parent, so knowing they will be apart the whole day at school can cause them anxiety. The Kissing Hand is a sweet book that can help that first day feel less scary for younger students.
If You Take a Mouse to School You Know Something Exciting is About to Happen
Reading fun fictional books in school settings can ease student anxiety about being in a new environment or with new people. It can also be a way to address proper behavior humorously. If you Take a Mouse to School is a great choice as a back to school read aloud for just this reason. For example, if we spill something on ourselves, we would not remove all our clothes as Mouse does.