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Back to School Book Companion Activities

Children’s literature is literally one of my favorite things and so of course I’m all about bringing great read alouds into the classroom. With an amazing book, a companion activity is a sure fire way to ramp up the fun even more and continue fostering a love of reading! Back to school time is the perfect time to start read alouds as a core part of your classroom so your students know just how integral reading will be throughout the school year. 

These companion resources are typically activities that guide students to practice an important skill that ties into the integral lesson of the story. Most of these activities may be geared towards primary grades, but I believe that there is also value for older grades. The best part is that many of these activities can be found for FREE on Teachers Pay Teachers! And if you’d like to check out more awesome back to school read alouds, head over to this post HERE!

Back to School Book Companion Activities

You’re Finally Here!

This adorable and funny book by Melanie Watt is about a bunny going through an abundance of emotions while waiting. It’s a great story to show your students how hard it’s almost been for YOU waiting to meet them! Aroundthekampfire has the BEST resource for this book! Snag the cutest bulletin board to accompany the read aloud and get into TONS of wonderful activities including a retelling activity, first day writing, and of course, an ADORABLE craft!

You're Finally Here classroom activities

First Day Jitters

I love to end the first day of school with this book. There are so many great activities that can be done with this book, but one of my favorite community building activities is to use a first day feelings chart. We’ll enjoy great discussions on how we felt on our first day. I also love to use the poem pictured below because the students get a kick out of it. We also complete some engaging and interactive activities to help identify and discuss our feelings and emotions from THIS bundle. It has digital and print versions of some really great games, journal entries and crafts! The best part is ending with a refreshing glass of Jitter Juice made by them! 

Jitter Juice Poem

Teamwork Isn’t My Thing, And I Don’t Like to Share 

This is a great book by Julia Cook to introduce the class to working together as a team and why it is so important. After reading, we chart what a good teammate looks and sounds like. Then we get to the really fun part…The Cup Stacking Challenge! We get to practice BEING a good teammate in groups of 4 or 5. Each group is given a stack of cups and a rubber band with 4 or 5 paper clips (based on the number of students in the group). They are NOT allowed to touch the cups or rubber bands, only their paperclip, and they have to work as a group to stack the cups into a pyramid! Students love the challenge and although some get super frustrated, it’s a great way for them to practice great teamwork skills! You can find more team building activities HERE!

Classroom Team Building Acivities Cup Stacking Challenge Cup Stacking Challenge

The Name Jar

Your name is something to be proud of, but sometimes kiddos need a reminder! Some kids may even need a little encouragement to absolutely love their name. The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi is the perfect read aloud to show how one Korean student learns to appreciate her name. Couple this book with a fun STEM activity to challenge, engage, and encourage some critical thinking for your students. THIS resource is the perfect way to get your students to collaborate and engineer during back to school while also learning to be proud of their name. This resource also goes great with Your Name is a Song by Jamiyah’s Thompkins-Bigelow and Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes.

Name STEM Activities

Name STEM Activity 

David Goes to School

David is always a fun and entertaining character. He always shows us the WRONG things to do and kids love it. One of my favorite things to do after reading David is discuss good choices vs. poor choices. I’ve created THIS comprehensive resource that includes some great social and emotional practice for students as a whole group, partner, or individual. It also includes a fun book for students to create about making good choices!

Making Good Choices Activity Making Good Choices Activities Making Good Choices Activity

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Good Choices Book Freebie

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Chrysanthemum

I have been reading this book since my first year of teaching and completing the same activity that I believe is super powerful for students. I cut out as many little red hearts as I need for each student to have one. Before reading I explain that we will crumple our heart every time we hear a hurtful thing said in the book. This not only keeps their attention, but it also gives them something to do while listening. After reading, we discuss what was said and I challenge them to try and un-crumple the heart to get it back to what it started as. When they can’t, I tell them that all of those bends and marks represent how hurtful things leave scars that we cannot see or undo. We then make a class promise to be kind to one another and I have each student write their name on their crumpled heart. We tape them all to our promise as a reminder and I keep this up most of the year. If you’d like to extend this, check out THIS jam packed resource that includes tons of hands-on activities to practice and reinforce what it means to be a good friend! Want something digital? Check out these Being a Good Friend Boom cards!

  Empathy Activities

CHRYSANTHEMUM ACTIVITES

This is Not a Box

This book by Antoinette Portis is such an amazing story to encourage students to use their imagination to the fullest. The activity that goes along with it is one that challenges and pushes some students out of their comfort zone. The book shows how creative this little bunny is and we discuss it before putting on our own imagination caps. Afterward, each student is given one bottle cap and a piece of paper and I tell them that it’s not a bottle cap. They are then given time to create something out of their bottle cap. Students can use glue, markers, and crayons with the only requirement being that they have to incorporate their bottle cap somehow in their creation. When their creative time is up, together we write about what we created. The length of the writing will depend on their grade. For beginning of the year first graders, I like to use the sentence stem, “This is not a bottle cap it is a __________.” Check out some of their awesome creations below! This is also apart of the First Week of School Mega Kit!

Not A Box Activity Not A Box Activity Not A Box Activity Not A Box Activity Not A Box Activity

Rainbow Fish

This book by Marcus Pfister tells a sweet message that allows students to see why they are special, why sharing matters, and how to be kind. Check out this fun writing activity and craft for students to complete to accompany this story. I love hanging them in the hallway when completed because they all turn out so unique. What better way to start your year off by celebrating the special qualities of each of your new students!

How Full is Your Bucket?

I love using this book at the beginning of the year for many reasons, however the most important is that I believe it is such a great analogy for students. After reading, we complete a sort of different behaviors that could be considered as Bucket Fillers vs. Bucket Dippers. This is language that we use for the entire year to help students understand how their actions impact others whether it be in a positive or negative way. Students then write about how they will be a Bucket Filler throughout the school year.

how to be a bucket filler activities

These resources are both apart of the First Week of School Kit!

back to school activity kit and lesson plans

Leo the Late Bloomer

Leo is such a loveable character brought to us by Robert Kraus that many students can relate to. His friends can all do things that he can’t… yet! This is one of my favorite books to use for goal setting. We discuss how everyone blooms at different times and how we will all learn a lot throughout the year together. We all set goals, including me, and we hang them up as a reminder of what we want to strive for. HERE is the template I like to use and it also has a bulletin border banner for display!

goal setting activities Goal Setting Activity

Giraffes Can’t Dance

This is another great book to talk about goal setting and open up student’s minds to having a growth mindset. We discuss what a growth mindset is and watch the VIDEOS from Class Dojo. These videos go super in depth about what it feels like to have a growth mindset. The website also has discussion guides and activities to accompany the videos. I typically do different writing activities to go along with the videos and we watch them over a few days. We have a lot of discussions about having a growth mindset and continue that over the year. You can also check out THIS growth mindset resource, including bulletin board sets, anchor charts, and activities that have students practice using the power of yet, training their brain, and the difference between growth and fixed mindset.

growth mindset activities

Growth Mindset Pack

Officer Buckle and Gloria

Let’s talk SAFETY! This is super important to discuss with students and this book by Peggy Rathmann is a fun way to do that! Officer Buckle’s dog Gloria helps make safety more entertaining and we can have some serious discussions after about it and why it’s important. After our conversations, the students can create their own safety tips and they LOVE this activity. You can check out this activity and more in the First Week Kit Mega Bundle so you can have the stress of back to school melt away with every detail, lesson, and activity planned for the first week of school!

The Most Magnificent Thing

This story written by Ashley Spires is another great book for discussing the importance of having a growth mindset. I love using this to introduce and set up our classroom expectations for STEM. We discuss what STEM is and how we are all engineers. I use these posters from my Pigeon STEM resource to help establish expectations and then we get busy creating our own most magnificent thing. I love using this FREEBIE from Buzzing for Books! It is so fun to see their creativity AND their struggle!

Most Magnificent Thing STEM Activity STEM activity for back to school STEM activities Beginning of the year STEM activity Most Magnificent Thing STEM Activity Most Magnificent Thing STEM Activity

Kindness is Cooler Mrs. Ruler

This book by Margery Cuyler helps set up the expectation of kindness in our classroom. In the book, Mrs. Ruler gives the students an assignment of doing 10 kind things. I typically read this book on the Friday of the first full week of school to end with a weekend task. Each student receives 10 hearts to fill out with 10 kind things they do at home over the weekend. The following week, students get to present the kind things they did and I hang them up outside our room! It’s the perfect reminder every time they walk past, feeling proud and kind of the things they’ve done. 

kindness activity for elementary school students Kindness is Cooler Mrs. Ruler activity classroom community activity

Kindness Activity

These are just SOME of my favorite back to school activities. Just like with books, there are so many more activities out there. Don’t forget to couple these with some great team building activities!! The First Week Kit is jam packed with team building, community building, management, and social emotional activities to make back to school a breeze!

editable first week of school lesson plans and activities

First Week of School Kit

I really hope you enjoyed learning more about back to school activities and how to make it fun and enjoyable for your first days together! You can check out ALL of my back to school resources HERE! Don’t forget to subscribe to my email list! Not only will you get the most up to date tips, tricks, and classroom projects… and of course more fun FREEBIES including The Good Choices Book FREEBIE! But you will also have exclusive access to tons of digital how to videos! If you would like to learn about this and other things happening in my classroom follow me  @sweetnsauerfirsties on Instagram.

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  1. Erik Ammon says

    August 11, 2019 at 9:28 pm

    Oh, I love the sound of the ‘I Don’t Like Teamwork and Sharing is Not My Thing’ cup stacking challenge. I’m going to give that a shot this year! I do a Back To School search to practice asking questions and listening for the response (you know, instead of asking a question, then they walk away while you’re answering 🙂 ). I’m going into my 20th year, and I haven’t been this excited in so long (long story short, we got a new principal last year after 6 with the last one).

    Reply
    • sweetnsauerfirsties says

      August 12, 2019 at 1:16 am

      Love the cup stacking! It’s one of their favs too! That sounds like an awesome activity I love that! That’s so exciting! I’m at a new school with a new principal and pretty excited too.

      Reply

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It’s time for #tptfreebie Friday! 🥳 Grab thi It’s time for #tptfreebie Friday! 🥳

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Bahahah accurate! 🤣 • • • • #elementar Bahahah accurate! 🤣
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Have you ever tried using stations for the 100th d Have you ever tried using stations for the 100th day of school?!

They can help make what could be a chaotic and overwhelming day really fun and well planned out. 

There are so many engaging station ideas that are easy and low prep like 

🌟Reading 100 books
🌟 Writing 100 words we know
🌟 Building with a 100 items
🌟 And so many more! Swipe left to see some examples!

Not only do the students love every second but it gives you more time to go around and be with each group of kiddos as they go through the stations and reflect on all their great learning in the first 100 days of school!

Learn more now with the link on my profile or drop a 🤩 and I’ll share the link!

Have you ever tried stations for the 100th day? Let us know below! ⬇️ 
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Have you tried would you rather with students?! I Have you tried would you rather with students?!

It’s an easy, engaging, and NO PREP activity for the 100th day. 

You can easily build in movement by having students jump for answers or run to a side of the room for their choice. 

This is a great activity that can be used as a morning meeting activity or as a timer filler throughout the day. 

The students LOVE the 100th day themed prompts and have a BLAST!

Learn more about this and other easy and engaging 100th day activities with the link on my profile or drop a 🥳 and I’ll share the link!

Thanks for capturing this @mrs.rappsclass 😍
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This though. ❤️ • • • • #elementarytea This though. ❤️
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Want an easy and super engaging activity for the 1 Want an easy and super engaging activity for the 100th day?!

Have students practice recognizing,  writing numbers, and seeing patterns within 120 with a pocket chart seek and find game. 

There’s a special hidden picture students have to work together to find. (Swipe left to see) they LOVE it and get great practice!

This could easily be a whole class activity or a 100th day station.

Learn more about this and other easy and engaging 100th day activities with the link on my profile. You can also drop a 🤩 and I’ll share the link with you! 
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Bahaha I am definitely teacher number 2! 😂 Whi Bahaha I am definitely teacher number 2! 😂

Which are you?!
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Lindsay Sauer

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Lindsay Sauer
It’s time for #tptfreebie Friday! 🥳Grab this adorable and no prep color by code activity.It’s an easy and engaging QUIET activity that students can enjoy as morning work, a time filler, fast finisher, or even as homework!Grab your FREEBIE now with the link on my profile or drop a 🤩 and I’ll share the link!When is your 100th day? Let us know below! ⬇️••••#elementaryteacher #teaching #classroom #teachingideas #classroomideas #education #handsonlearning #teachertribe #teacher #teachers#teacherlife #teacherproblems #firstgrade #firstgradeteacher #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #teachersofig #iteach #iteachfirst #teacherhacks #numbersense #makelearningfun #teacherspayteachers #weareteachers #colorbycode #teachershare #teacherinspiration #100thday #100thdayofschool ... See MoreSee Less

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Lindsay Sauer

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Bahahah accurate! 🤣••••#elementaryteacher #teaching #classroom #teachingideas #classroomideas #education #handsonlearning #teachertribe #teacher #teachers#teacherlife #teacherproblems #firstgrade #firstgradeteacher #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #teachersofig #iteach #iteachfirst #teacherhacks #teacherquotes #teachingtips #teacherspayteachers #weareteachers #teacherhumor #teachershare #teacherinspiration #teachermemes #teacherfunny #classroommanagement ... See MoreSee Less

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Lindsay Sauer

2 days ago

Lindsay Sauer
Have you tried would you rather with students?!It’s an easy, engaging, and NO PREP activity for the 100th day. You can easily build in movement by having students jump for answers or run to a side of the room for their choice. This is a great activity that can be used as a morning meeting activity or as a timer filler throughout the day. The students LOVE the 100th day themed prompts and have a BLAST!Learn more about this and other easy and engaging 100th day activities with the link on my profile or drop a 🥳 and I’ll share the link!Thanks for capturing this @mrs.rappsclass 😍••••#elementaryteacher #teaching #classroom #teachingideas #classroomideas #education #handsonlearning #teachertribe #teacher #teachers#teacherlife #teacherproblems #firstgrade #firstgradeteacher #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #teachersofig #iteach #iteachfirst #teacherhacks #teacherideas #teachingtips #teacherspayteachers #weareteachers #teachershare #classroomcommunity #teacherinspiration #makelearningfun #100thdayofschool #100thday ... See MoreSee Less

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Lindsay Sauer

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This though. ❤️••••#elementaryteacher #teaching #classroom #teachingideas #classroomideas #education #handsonlearning #teachertribe #teacher #teachers #teacherlife #teacherproblems #firstgrade #firstgradeteacher #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #teachersofig #iteach #iteachtoo #igconnect4edu #teachingideas #teacherspayteachers #weareteachers #primaryteaching #teacherblogger #teachermomlife #teachermom #teachershare #teacherquotes #kindergarten ... See MoreSee Less

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Lindsay Sauer

4 days ago

Lindsay Sauer
Kids love celebrating with crowns! 👑 They are a great quiet or morning activity that students love to decorate. The best part is they can wear them around and show them off all day. Bonus!! They are also a great keepsake to take home to remember the special day. 🥰Learn more easy and fun 100th day activities now with the link on my profile or drop a 🤩 and I’ll share the link!••••#elementaryteacher #teaching #classroom #teachingideas #classroomideas #education #handsonlearning #teachertribe #teacher #teachers#teacherlife #teacherproblems #firstgrade #firstgradeteacher #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #teachersofig #iteach #iteachfirst #kindergarten #igconnect4edu #teachershare #teacherspayteachers #weareteachers #100thday #classroomfun #makelearningfun #100thdayofschool #classroomcommunity ... See MoreSee Less

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  • Have you been looking for end of year classroom community activities? These classroom community building activities are perfect for your K-2 classroom! I love creating an end of year anchor chart so students can write down their favorite memories of first grade. K-2 students will love the balloon bulletin board countdown with themes. Early elementary students enjoy creating a reflection writing craft, first grade end of year memories, would you rather end of school year game, and much more!
  • If you need some graphing activities for your K-2 classroom, I’ve got some fantastic ideas for you! I love using the CRA Math Model to help with concrete ideas and engagement in math. One of my favorite graphing lessons in first grade is to do real data collection activities for kids. These graphing lessons are perfect to use in math whole group lessons, math center activities, math independent activities, morning work, fast finishers, and more!
  • Do you hear indoor recess and get nervous? Today, I’m sharing my best teacher tips and tricks! These indoor recess ideas in elementary are easy things like GoNoodle brain break or hands on activities. You can easily get play dough activities, pattern blocks activities, or drawing for kids. Don’t forget your childhood favorite games too! Elementary students love freeze dance game for kids, Simon Says game, four corners game, Heads Up 7 Up game, and more. Set your classroom expectations too!
  • In your early elementary classroom, do you need classroom management strategies? It’s never too late for classroom management ideas to be implemented. I’m sharing classroom management hacks in early elementary. One basic classroom management idea is to review your rules. Shake it up with whole class rewards. Don’t forget kind classroom activities. Fun learning activities for kids can really help. Learn more about my whole group, small group lessons, and center ideas!
  • Are you looking for ways to teach kindness to kids in the classroom? Today, I’m sharing my favorite teacher tips on helping your early elementary students understand kindness in the classroom. Some of my favorite kindness activities for kids is setting expectations and modeling kindness. We love reading, How Full Is Your Bucket? By Tom Rath and more. It’s important to role play ideas for kids in the classroom. Kindness anchor charts are great to create during whole group and small group lessons.
  • Do you hear indoor recess and get nervous? Today, I’m sharing my best teacher tips and tricks! These indoor recess ideas in elementary are easy things like GoNoodle brain break or hands on activities. You can easily get play dough activities, pattern blocks activities, or drawing for kids. Don’t forget your childhood favorite games too! Elementary students love freeze dance game for kids, Simon Says game, four corners game, Heads Up 7 Up game, and more. Set your classroom expectations too!
  • Are you looking for ways to teach kindness to kids in the classroom? Today, I’m sharing my favorite teacher tips on helping your early elementary students understand kindness in the classroom. Some of my favorite kindness activities for kids is setting expectations and modeling kindness. We love reading, How Full Is Your Bucket? By Tom Rath and more. It’s important to role play ideas for kids in the classroom. Kindness anchor charts are great to create during whole group and small group lessons.
  • Do you need some ideas about teaching money to your first grade students? Check out my favorite teaching tips on money for kids. First, have your students watch some BrainPop Jr. videos and books about money for kids. Money anchor charts are fantastic to use during math whole group to better K-2 students' understanding. The CRA Math Model is perfect for understanding money for kids. I also share my favorite math centers like money puzzles, money bingo, and math money games!
  • Have you been looking for end of year classroom community activities? These classroom community building activities are perfect for your K-2 classroom! I love creating an end of year anchor chart so students can write down their favorite memories of first grade. K-2 students will love the balloon bulletin board countdown with themes. Early elementary students enjoy creating a reflection writing craft, first grade end of year memories, would you rather end of school year game, and much more!

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