Today I am kicking off my Inspiring All Readers with Books from A-Z blog post AND video series, where I will share with you a different story that begins with each letter of the alphabet. In each post, I will share with you some different reading strategies and skills that correlate with the story and discussion questions to ask your students after reading. I also have a FREE reading response journal AND FREE graphic organizers for you to use with each and every book A to Z…keep reading to snag your free copy!
For 26 days, one day for each letter of the alphabet, I will share with you 26 different multicultural books and authors that I recommend, which all have similar themes- each book promotes inclusion, diversity, justice, empathy, compassion, love.
Creating an inclusive classroom starts from day one of the school year and continues to the last day of school. So although these stories and lessons can certainly be used at any time of the year, I recommend that you start reading them on the first day of school, just like I will be with my own second graders! My goal in this books from A-Z series is to create a class community of engaged readers who love to read!
When choosing what books I wanted to read aloud in the first month of the school year, where there is a primary focus on building and establishing classroom routines but also creating an inclusive and welcoming classroom environment, I considered the mirrors and windows analogy.
Mirrors represent each child to being able to see themselves, and windows represent allowing each child to learn about people who are different from themselves. As we read aloud these books to our students, we will focus on developing and deepening children’s understanding of the books and discussing important messages and lessons that lie within.
I have two super special books to share with you today, which represent letter A in Inspiring All Readers with Books from A-Z series. But, before I get started, would you rather watch my video instead? If so, click below to watch my YouTube video, where I share all my fun ideas for these two AWESOME books that begin with the letter A!
A is for All is Welcome a New York Times bestselling picture book about a school where diversity and inclusion are celebrated. In this story, a group of children goes through a day in their school, where everyone is welcomed with open arms. All are welcome here shares a timely and important message- no matter what, young children have a place and space and are loved and appreciated at this school. Page after page introduces different types of race, religions, ethnicity, and body types.
After reading the story, some discussion questions include:
- What is one thing that you can do every day to be welcoming to others?
- Tell us about a time when someone was welcoming to YOU. How did this person make you feel?
One comprehension reading strategy that you can teach with this book is author’s message.
Ask students “What is the author’s message? What does the author want you to know from reading this story?” Encourage students to find evidence to support their answer. My students LOVE to write their textual evidence on sticky notes. I mean, who doesn’t love to use sticky notes?
This is also the perfect time to pass out the author’s purpose printable (which is a FREEBIE for you, find the link down below!)
A is also for A Letter from your Teacher, which is from the author and illustrator of Our Class Is a Family, Shannon Olsen. This beautiful picture book is THE perfect book to not only kick off this video series but also to read on the first day of a new school year, because it helps teachers in welcoming their new group of students on the first day of school. The story is written from the teacher’s point of view and in a letter format. It shares a beautiful message that we are there to help them grow academically but also social and emotionally in caring and safe classroom learning environment.
I love how the books ends with a blank space on the last pace for the teacher to sign their own name, so that students know that the letter is coming straight from them!
After reading the story, some discussion questions include:
- What makes you, you? Tell students you want to learn more about them, just like in the book! Encourage your students to share some things about themselves. Don’t forget to give yourself a turn…your students are dying to learn more about YOU!
Continue to get to know your students by….
Asking your students to fill out a student survey or sending home parent homework!
One more thing you do NOT want to forget to do??
Take your class picture on the first day of school, just like on the last page of the story! Grab your teacher bestie when it is class picture time so that he or she can take the picture and YOU can also be in the picture! You can then enlarge and print the class picture, and post it in the classroom. I love to have my class picture next to our class promise, as a special way to display our expectations for our behavior.
Like this blog post? Be sure to check back tomorrow! I have 25 more posts where I will share book ideas, free printables, and lesson plan ideas!
Don’t forget to download your free copy of the reading response journal and graphic organizers for each and every story in my Books from A-Z series! Look at the sign up form at the end of this blog post!
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