Check out this list of excellent Back-to-School Books list that is perfect for Kindergarten and lower elementary classes. I want to strongly encourage teachers to grab some actual books and read them to their learners. Students need to see the parts of a book, see how to turn pages, and learn how to track text. But the reality is, even if you read aloud to students, you can use a video or two along the way.
Back-to-School Books List for Before Kindergarten
Another option is to record yourself reading one of these books and sending it via email to your families before the first day of school. Your students would love to see you and hear you reading to them. What a fun way to get to meet their teacher.
Next, check out this initial list of books. These are great to dive into before school starts. When possible, I love to send a book from this list home with students at Meet the Teacher to read before the first day of school.
Countdown to Kindergarten by Alison McGhee (here on Amazon)
Kindergarten Here I Come by DJ Steinberg and Mark Chambers (here on Amazon)
The Night Before Kindergarten by Natasha Wing (here on Amazon)
Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph State (here on Amazon)
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Back to School BundleProduct on sale$20.30 -
Color Words Activities$5.00
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Classroom Rules / School Rules$5.00
First Day
Then, we have to talk about great books to read on the first day of school or over those first few days of school. You can never have enough books on this topic to start the year because this is generally the ONLY time a Kindergarten teacher has complete control of the classroom. My students who can’t do must still love to listen to books and we want to share the joy of books with every single learner. You will need many book titles from this back-to-School Book list.
Adventure Annie Goes to Kindergarten by Toni Buzzeo (here on Amazon)
A Letter from Your Teacher on the First Day of School by Shannon Olsen and Sandie Sonke (here on Amazon)
First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg (here on Amazon)
Froggy Goes to School by Jonathan London (here on Amazon)
Kindergarten Rocks (here on Amazon)
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn (here on Amazon)
On The First Day of Kindergarten by Tish Rabe (here on Amazon)
The Pigeon HAS to Go to School by Mo Willems (here on Amazon)
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Shapes Math Activities$5.00
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Brown Bear Mini BundleProduct on sale$5.60
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Choices$5.00
School in General
Next, this list of books is ideal to use through the first few weeks of school. I love to read books from this list during gathering moments and to settle learners down after transitioning. Don’t forget that these books are also ideal ways to go a quick but critical review of school rules or classroom procedures.
12 Days of Kindergarten by Jenna Lettice (here on Amazon)
Biscuit Goes to School by Pat Schories (here on Amazon)
David Goes to School By David Shannon (here on Amazon)
How to be Kind in Kindergarten DJ Steinberg and Ruth Hammond (here on Amazon)
I Got the School Spirit by Connie Scholfield- Morrison (here on Amazon)
If You Take a Mouse to School by Laura Numeroff (here on Amazon)
The King of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes (here on Amazon)
Lola Goes to School by Anna McQuinn (here on Amazon)
Pirates Don’t Go to Kindergarten by Lisa Robinson (here on Amazon)
On the Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson (here on Amazon)
Our Class is a Family by Shannon Olsen and Sandie Sonke (here on Amazon)
The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi (here on Amazon)
Turkey Goes to School (here on Amazon)
This is a brand new release and there isn’t a video on the book yet.
What Should Danny Do? By Adir Levy (here on Amazon)
Finally, I also have to mention the strength and power that social stories can play in Kindergarten. I strongly suggest you look at this list of social stories for Kindergarten as well.
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