In today’s post, I want to share with you the best back to school books for upper elementary students that I typically read aloud to students throughout the first week of class. Classroom read alouds are most often associated with younger students, but reading aloud to older students is just as important.
According to Edutopia, research shows that reading aloud to older students has proven benefits such as “improved comprehension, reduced stress, and expanded exposure to different types of materials.” Use this list to help you start the year by reading aloud using these back to school books.
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The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson
This is one of those back to school books where the author and illustrator work together to create a story about how it is sometimes difficult to feel like you belong, especially when you are in a new environment. Whether it be the color of your skin, the way you talk, the food you eat, or the games you play, there are many reasons why walking into a classroom for the first time can feel scary and lonely.
The story continues by celebrating the fact that taking steps outside our comfort zones to tell our own stories, no matter how different they may be, is a very brave and courageous act. And how showing up and sharing our perspectives and viewpoints helps us connect with people who are different.
How I Spent My Summer Vacation by Mark Teague
Having kids write about their summer is a classic activity, and this is one of my favorite back to school books because it puts a unique twist on that activity. What I like about this book is that instead of telling the usual “What I Did Over the Summer” story, the boy in this book tells the class about his summer by starting out realistically, but eventually, he weaves it into a very tall tale that your students will enjoy.
This makes a great springboard for your students to do a different kind of summer vacation writing activity instead of the traditional one they may have done before. Students who may not have taken a “real” vacation will be able to get creative with a story they could share with their classmates.
Because You Are My Teacher by Sherry North
This is a fantastic book about a teacher who takes her students on an amazing adventure around the world. You can use it to share with your students all of the places (topics/themes) that you’re excited to share with them or perhaps use it to talk about how books take us places.
Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco
Patricia Polacco’s autobiographical story tells about her struggles with reading and all of the frustrations that came along with it. She also shares how that all changed when her 5th grade teacher, Mr. Falker, helped to encourage her. You could even bring other Patricia Polacco books into your classroom throughout the year and do an author study because her books are so powerful and many students can relate to them.
Decibella and Her Six-Inch Voice by Julia Cook
This is one of my absolute favorite back to school books. It is a cute book about a girl with a very loud voice. I enjoy reading this book at the beginning of the year because I always have very loud students and also very quiet students, as I’m sure we all do. This book is perfect for setting the expectations for voice levels throughout the various school day activities. I always use this book to make a voice-level chart that my students and I can refer to throughout the school year as needed. This book will also entertain students when Decibella gets in trouble for talking too loud in various settings throughout the book.
Looking for more read alouds other than back to school books? Click the links below to head to other blog posts!