I love to have holiday-themed storytime classes for my kindergarten, first grade, and second grade students. The right combination of fiction and nonfiction books, along with a song and a fun activity builds enthusiasm and positive connections for my students. One of my favorites is Halloween Storytime! I’d like to share my favorite Halloween picture books to use in the primary grades in your elementary
Books for Kids
Fun Books and Songs for Leprechaun Storytime!
March is definitely the time for a fun Leprechaun Storytime in your elementary library or classroom! I’ve got some fun picture books and lively songs to share that will help you plan your own St. Patrick’s Day storytime session for your kindergarten and first grade students. This post contains Amazon affiliate links for your convenience. This means that if you click on a link and
Energize Your School Community with Harry Potter Week!
A couple of weeks before Halloween, our school library was transformed into Hogwarts as our whole school celebrated Harry Potter Week! Over the past couple of years, I’ve teamed up with the music and physical education teachers in my building to integrate our subject areas around a theme for a week or so. Our Harry Potter Week has been our most exciting so far! This
Celebrate Chinese New Year With These 7 Picture Books
Chinese New Year is a fun time for our students to learn about the traditions of a culture that may be unfamiliar to them. It can be a bright spot in the middle of winter, a reason to celebrate in your classroom or school library. I’d like to share my favorite read alouds for Lunar New Year and Chinese New Year. I recommend pairing an
9 Picture Books for Christmas with Free Resources
December is hitting my school library with the usual excitement of winter programs, parties, ski days, assemblies, gift making, and the unpredictability of schedules that can change at a moment’s notice! It can be a challenge to make sure your December library lessons are meaningful and engaging. I do love this time of year, especially now that I make sure I have extra Christmas picture
Engage Your Readers with the 2019 Young Reader’s Choice Nominees (Junior Division)
Each year I promote the nominated books for the Pacific Northwest Library Association’s Young Reader’s Choice Award in my 4th and 5th grade classes. My students are eligible to vote for their favorite book in the Junior Division, which covers grades 4-6. I use book trailers and a library catalog review activity in my library classes to get the kids familiar with the books and
Promote Fire Safety Education for Kids with These 6 Books
Fire Prevention Week is the first full week of October. It’s a great time to review fire safety education concepts with our young children and to help them learn about firefighters. I’ve been collecting the following books to read with my Kindergarten, first, and second grade classes. This post contains affiliate links. If you click through one of them and make a purchase I may
Get Creative With Your Students on International Dot Day!
This year is the 10 year anniversary of International Dot Day and the 15th anniversary of the publication of The Dot. People all around the world celebrate creative expression, inspired by Peter H. Reynolds’ picture book, The Dot. Every year, Dot Day falls on or near September 15. I’d like to share how I helped my K-2 students explore their own creativity this year for
Become a Better Friend with Nerdy Birdy!
I don’t read picture books to my upper elementary students very often, but I’ve found a pair of books that hold their attention and teach some valuable lessons about friendship and the role of technology in our lives and friendships. This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. I
Inspire Young Activists With These 7 Earth Day Books
Earth Day is a day to take action. Children in schools across the country will be setting up recycling stations and picking up garbage. They’ll be making posters and remembering to turn off the lights when they leave a room. Earth Day is a great time for a fun school wide event, special library storytime, or some engaging lessons. Here are seven books to motivate