If you are new to teaching first grade, last week I wrote about 18 picture books you need for back to school.
To sum up my last post, here are the books I display that
first week of school, but usually don't get to read until week 2, 3, or 4:
You can read about these in my last post. Because today I want to introduce you to 5 more
books that I read aloud during our first month:
Have You Filled a Bucket Today? I've heard about bucket filling for many years. I knew the concept. But I'm embarrassed to say I never read the
ACTUAL book until this year. If you're
like me, it IS worth getting. It's not
too corny for first grade. It turns the
idea of being nice into something magic.
Peanut Butter and Cupcake This book has fun, realistic images of
anthropomorphic foods (I don't know about you, but that appeals to me and most
of my students right away). It also has
a great story about persevering when the first few kids you try to make friends
with isn't working well for you. It's
worth it to find that one friend you really gel with. And at the end, everyone gets together to
play, so it's not like the others are all bad after all. 
Wemberly Worried Some of your worriers let you know
immediately in a very obvious way that they are overwhelmed with starting first
grade. Some of those kids are perfectly
fine once they get into the routine.
Then there are your chronic worriers.
I read this book so they know I see them, and I'm here for them for as
long as they need me. 
Benny's School Trip Funny story: the first year I taught first grade, I was
going over the rules the morning of our first field trip of the year. When I thought I was reminding them
"listen to your chaperone," one asked me, "what's a
chaperone." I did not see that
coming (they had field trips in kindergarten so I made an assumption). This book isn't a back to school book, but if
you go on a field trip at the beginning of the year, this is great to help them
prepare. 
Bubble Gum Brain I
bought this book after taking a course on growth mindset. It is a little preachy, but they make the
anti-hero likeable. I was so happy when
the fixed mindset character learned that he had a bubble gum brain too, all
along. As with everything else, it takes
practice to change your mindset, but it improves his mood. If you love Amazon as much as I do, here's a tip I have for you. Put ALL the books that interest you in their own wish list called First Grade Books. If you use my affiliate links I will receive a commission at no cost to you. Buy a few that you feel like you will definitely want to read next month. Leave the rest and revisit it every few weeks to watch for price cuts. Depending on how badly you want a book, set a specific price goal in mind, and when a few drop below your threshold make your purchases and make your book wishes come true!
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