Books Make the World a Better Place

Although this book is about going to preschool, I think this would be helpful to read the first day of kindergarten.  Students are so nervous and scared those first few days that it could be really helpful and maybe make the laugh.  A perfect book to help break the first day of school nerves.

I would use this book in either a Kindergarten and/or First grade classroom to teach an appreciation of others no matter what.  Everyone has strengths and weakness.  Sometimes what is seen as our weakness is our greatest gift.  This is very much one of those "moral of the story" books.

This is a book I would use in a sixth grade classroom.  It would be a great book to keep the students engaged and even watch the movies afterward to note the differences.  Further, the Hunger Games could be utilized for an analysis of characterization, symbolization, and plot structure.  It could be the book to break down and look at all the individual parts.

I would utilize this book in a second grade classroom.  I think this would be a great book to begin a discussion on inference.  The class would have to infer from the writing who is writing the to do list.  Plus, I think the students would find the story very funny and several may have a real life connection to farm animals.

I would use this book in a fifth grade classroom.  An A from Miss Keller is an amazing picture book.  It is also a great book to discuss shades of meaning and its importance in writing. Beyond the teaching benefits, it is a story with heart and teaches us to appreciate those in our life. 

Tuck Everlasting is the perfect book for fifth grade students.  It is provides an excellent source to teach new vocabulary.  Further, this book provides a clear examples to teach all the elements of plot and inference.   

A great book to be introduced the first week of Kindergarten.  It would be a great book to use to do an early assessment to see what students know and can recognize the alphabet.  It could also be a great book to use for struggling readers. 

This book would be perfect for Kindergarten and introducing the math lesson of subtraction.  The rhythm or song of the book would keep student engaged while helping them learn mathematics. Pete the Cat books are also amazing at helping students understanding that things happen that are out of our control, but we keep moving forward and not to let it get you down.  I love the positivity of these books.  

Ghostlight is a perfect book for 5th graders.  It is a ghost story mixed with young romance and suspense.  It is also the perfect book for a prediction lesson.  I  loved that this book comes with a set of discussion questions and worksheets from the author.  This would be a great book to start the month of October.  The chapters are short and easy to read.  A wonderful asset for a whole group reading and activity. However, the book is newer and not many libraries carry the book.

A great book to incorporate into a second grade science lesson on plants or a lesson on the seasons.  The beautiful colors are engaging and the verbiage is simple making it easy to read. Further, I think this could be a good book for any age to discuss perseverance and/or patience.     

A perfect first day of school book!   Especially for students entering kindergarten, The Kissing Hand will help make them feel safe and secure on the first day of school. Students are scared and miss their families those first few weeks.  The Kissing Hand would be a good reminder to them that even know they are not with their families while at school, their family is always with them.  The book also provides beautiful illustrations that bring the reader into the story.  Overall, a very sweet and loving story.

An awesome collection! Student's love Pete the Cat!!  This is a great book to teach kids colors.  The rhythm of the story keeps the student engaged while teaching students not to get upset with the little things. Very much "look at the bright side" story.  The predictable patter of the book helps students read along.   My son loves this book! He sings it all the time. 

The Splat the Cat collection is wonderful! Students will fall in love with the character and will stay engaged.  This book could be read before a field trip to discuss appropriate field trip behaviors or even a discussion about needing to impress others.  Overall, this book is perfect for kindergarten and even first grade.  The words a simple and the story is predictable. 

Each character in this book has an individual color part within the story.  This can be utilized during guided reading or in whole group with students having individual parts. The book also allows students to read as a play would be read in the older grades.  Further, the books leads to discussions of working to together and team work for a common goal.   As a bonus, it helps students understand how important the teacher is to them and the process.  This really a great book with many uses.

Great kindergarten book!   It is a good conversation starter about patience.  I am sure most students have heard from someone that they need a moment of peace.  The background knowledge can then be used to discuss the importance of patience in the classroom and understanding that we can not always get our way.

I love Dr. Seuss!  This is a great book to get students excited about reading.  A perfect book for Kindergarten!  The words are repetitive and simple.  Further, the rhyming helps the reader with words they may not know while keeping them engaged.  This is also a book that is commonly read at home and therefor familiar to the student.