Reasons Why Books Make Great Gifts
Birthdays, holidays, and milestone celebrations happen all year round. Looking for the perfect gift? Here are 10 reasons why books make great gifts.
Santa’s Stuck Freebies
On Christmas Eve, many families leave cookies and treats for Santa and the reindeer. Have you ever imagined what might happen if Santa ate too many cookies and treats? Santa’s Stuck by Rhonda Gowler Greene does just that. Here are a few free activities you can pair with this story.
Books about Christmas Trees
Christmas is my favorite holiday of the year. There’s something magical about curling up under a blanket with the glow of the lights from the tree. Sometimes we watch movies and other times we enjoy books. Here are some picture books about Christmas trees that we love.
Red and Lulu Activities
Red and Lulu is a beautiful story that combines Christmas cheer with the magic of New York City. Within its pages you will find a message about how important it is to be surrounded by love. Here are some printable and digital Red and Lulu activities you can use in the classroom or at home.
Benefits of Nonfiction Texts in the Primary Classroom
If you’ve been around for awhile, you know how much I love to share picture books and chapter books with kids. There’s something so exciting about getting caught up in the characters and storyline. But I also know how important it is to share nonfiction texts with students. Here are several reasons why children need nonfiction in the primary classroom.
My Fantabulous Brain Activities
Kids do not learn at the same pace or in the same way. So when learning doesn’t comes easily, some kids internalize their struggles and question their abilities. So how can we help? We can teach kids the tools and strategies needed to help make their brains stronger. My Fantabulous Brain by Julia Cook shows kids how this works. I even have some activities you can pair with this book.
Picture Books about Elections
With election day around the corner, kids are getting curious about what is happening. Here are some picture books about elections to help start a conversation. These stories help explain why it is important to vote, how voting rights have evolved over the years, and show how kids can start taking action from a young age.
Aaaarrgghh! Spider! Activities
Aaaarrgghh! Spider! is a short and sweet story about a spider who finds a family. Here are a few activities you can pair with the book.
The Little Books by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
If you need some stories to engage and entertain your young readers, look for The Little Books by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. This trio includes Little Pea, Little Hoot, and Little Oink. These books put a fun spin on some common childhood predicaments that your students will enjoy! Keep reading to find some fun activities you can pair with each book.
Crayon-Themed Picture Books
The beginning of the school year is a busy time filled with teaching expectations and procedures. However, it is also a time to celebrate just how diverse and important each student is to your classroom! Just like a box of crayons, each student plays an important role in the overall picture. For this reason, I love to read crayon-themed picture books to help set the tone and build classroom community.
Read Aloud Tips
Reading aloud to children of all ages is so important. Some teachers and families don’t make time for read aloud because of busy schedules, lack of books, or because their kids can already read independently. If that sounds familiar, here are some read aloud tips to make this time work in the classroom or at home.
Library Lion Activities
Library Lion is a great book to share at the beginning of the year. Not only will this book help start a conversation about library rules and caring for books, but kids will absolutely love and root for this friendly lion! Here are some printable and digital Library Lion activities you can use in the classroom or at home.