First Day of School

It's here! The first day of school has finally arrived... and we have survived!
School supply shopping is done, first day outfits have been picked out, and the night before jitters kept more than a few awake at night (teachers included) thinking about the excitement of a new year, a new grade, a new class, and a fresh start. But the worry was for naught as the first day went off without a hitch, and I already thoroughly love all my students! Let's hope that at the end of my time with them they can say the same about me!

It's the perfect time to break out some children's books about the first day of school and more... check out this link to posts with the label "school."

Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute

Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute
by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
Comic, graphic novel, nod to the secret lives of those working in our schools all in one! This book is a fairly quick read for fluent readers, but great to introduce to struggling readers who want to move into reading novels and chapter books. Readers will notice the creative, digital-style illustrations, done in black, white, and yellow ink, and will enjoy following a group of students determined to discover what the "lunch lady" does outside of work. Does she have a family? Maybe 100 cats? Or could she possibly by a secret agent? Lunch Lady is one part robots, another part spies, yet another part karate... entirely imaginative!

The Teacher from the Black Lagoon

The Teacher from the Black Lagoon
by Mike Thaler

"It's the first day of school. I wonder who my teacher is!" There are many common concerns about the first day of school, but wondering about what the teacher will be like may just be one of the most common causes of nerves among students. This is a cute story to read with students about the wild things their imaginations come up with when they are scared. No worries, though: all fears are squashed when the boy in the story discovers his teacher is not only normal but also nice (and beautiful)! I wonder... what are my students thinking before they meet me on the first day of school? I will most definitely use this as a read-aloud with future students of all ages on the first day of school.

Corn

Corn
by Gail Gibbons
As a native, born and raised to love the Hawkeye state and school (Go Hawks!), this book couldn't get any more spectacular! And the publisher's own synopsis of the book couldn't get any more accurate:

"Popcorn, corn on the cob, corn dogs, cornflakes--corn is used in many favorite foods. This book offers up the history of corn as well as the details concerning planting, cultivation, harvesting, and its many uses--a CORNucopia of information about a popular farm product."

And the illustrations... So colorful and educational! They appear to be done in ink pen and watercolor. Corn is packed full with facts, numbers, historical tales, beautiful and educational pictures, and uses for this book in the classroom!

Harold and the Purple Crayon

Harold and the Purple Crayon
by Crockett Johnson

Believe it or not, this book celebrated its 50th anniversary a few years ago! Though clearly a classic, Harold and the Purple Crayon may be one of the lesser known classic children's books. Crockett Johnson tells such a sweet story of a boy with an imagination and a purple crayon that has magical powers. Illustrations are entirely in black and white, except those things Harold draws in purple! Children would be thrilled to follow Harold's adventure one night which begins on a walk in the moonlight. There is one problem, though. There is no moon, and Harold needs a moon for a walk in the moonlight! Harold solves this problem and many more throughout the book.
I would recommend this book for children ages 3 through second grade, although it could serve a role in a lesson on creative writing and using one's imagination with students beyond this range.

Other Harold's Purple Crayon Adventures:
Harold's Fairy Tale
Harold's Trip to the Sky
Harold at the North Pole
Harold's ABC
Harold's Circus
A Picture for Harold's Room (contains a subtle lesson in art perspective)

Library Lion

Library Lion
by Michelle Knudsen

so many quality things to say about this book. From the soft color palette of the illustrations to the heart-warming text, I enjoyed every aspect of this book. In addition to its easy read-ability, this book offers readers a lesson, asking "could there ever be a good reason to break the rules?" Library Lion is a self-defined "ode to that wonderful place--the library," and I can see why! This book is such a cute story to read with children to share with them the pleasure one can derive from reading and language. The publisher suggests this book for ages 4-7, but given the length and difficulty of the text I believe this book can be used for a much wider age range: as a lap book or read-aloud for younger kids and those all the way into upper elementary. Every child could benefit from sharing this book with a parent, teacher, sibling, or friend!

Lunch Money (and Other Poems About School)

Lunch Money (and Other Poems About School)

by Carol Diggory Shields

Quite entertaining. This book is full of cute, creative poems about school... and poems of all sorts. I am glad that not every poem is written in the same style and not every one rhymes; it leaves room for lessons in class about different ways that authors express themselves through poetry. Additionally, it teaches the best lesson of all: that interesting writing takes inspiration from your life (writing workshop "gem"). As a student, school certainly seems like your entire life, so why not write about it! I would be open to using this book as a read-aloud in class, offering it as material for individual reading time, and typed up as decoration around my room! Illustrations are colorful and add to the meaning of the poems. I couldn't stop giggling during this book.

Simon says Sarah says Evan told Jaime
that Megan told Morgan that Mandy told Amy
that Kelsey told Casey, and Casey told Ryan,
and Ryan told Chuckie, and Chuckie told Brian,
and Bryan says Holly says Molly says Polly says
Hannah says Anna says she'll never tell.