AUGUST
Books about going to school:
School Bus by Donald Crews
The Day the Teacher Went Bananas by James Howe
If You Take a Mouse to School by Laura Numeroff
First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg
Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar
Matilda by Roald Dahl
The School Mouse by Dick King-Smith
Writing Ideas:
Make a list of all the things you take with you to school each day
Write a directions for making your favorite sandwich
Write a letter to your teacher and tell him/her how excited you are or how nervous you are
SEPTEMBER
Books to Read:
All about Owls by Jim Arnosky
Raccoons and Ripe Corn by Jim Arnosky
Fresh Fall Leaves by Betsy Franco
Why Do Leaves Change Color by Betsy Maestro
Johnny Appleseed Goes A'planting by Patsy Jensen
The Seasons of Arnold's Apple Tree by Gail Gibbons
Writing Ideas:
Draw a fall picture then write 3 sentences describing it
Make a list of all the clothing you will need on a crisp, cool, fall day
Write a story about a worm who lives in an apple
OCTOBER
Books to Read:
I Will Chomp You by Jory John and Bob Shea
The Little Shop of Monsters by R. L. Stine and Marc Brown
Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds
The Ugly Pumpkin by Dave Horowitz
Pumpkin Jack by Will Hubbell
At the Old Haunted House by Helen Ketteman
Bone Soup by Cambria Evans
There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves! by Lucille Colandro
Apples and Pumpkins by Anne Rockwell
How Big Could Your Pumpkin Grow? by Windell Minor
Leaves by David Ezra Stein
Writing Ideas:
What's your favorite fall event? Explain why you look forward to it and how you take part.
Describe your favorite Halloween costume.
Write a story from the perspective of a maple leaf in the fall.
NOVEMBER
Books:
If You Sailed on The Mayflower in 1620 by Ann McGovern
The Story of the Pilgrims by Katherine Ross
Three Days on a River in a Red Canoe by Vera B. Williams
Arthur's Thanksgiving by Marc Brown
Writing Ideas:
Write a menu for Thanksgiving Dinner
Write the steps for setting the table
Draw a turkey, write a descriptive paragraph
Pretend you are a turkey, write a persuasive essay persuading the farmer to spare you from the dinner table
DECEMBER
Some of our favorite Christmas books are:
Olive, the Other Reindeer by Vivian Walsh
Santa's Stuck by Rhonda Greene
Santa's Book of Names by David McPhail
The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsberg
Writing Ideas:
Design a sleigh for Santa that includes modern technology like GPS and computerized devices. Draw the sleigh and write a paragraph describing it.
Taking a ride in Santa's sleigh.
Baking cookies with Mrs. Claus
A wonderful Christmas memory
Write a letter to Santa describing someone who has been extremely kind and good this year.
Write/draw the steps to decorating a Christmas tree
Rudolph's nose turned green
Change the ending to a Christmas story you have read
JANUARY
Books to Read:
Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin
The Mitten by Jan Brett
The Hat by Jan Brett
Winter Story by Jill Barklem
Writing Ideas:
Create a SNOW acrostic poem
Does falling snow make a sound?
Every snowflake is unique. I am unique....
If I were a snowflake.....
The best snowday ever....
When it snows I like to .....
Oh no, it snowed, I can't.....
Write the steps for building a snowman, snowfort, having a snowball fight etc.
My favorite winter sport....
FEBRUARY
Books to Read:
Hedgehog Needs a Hug by Jen Bett
Love Is by Diane Adams
Hug it Out by Louis Thomas
Hug Machine by Scott Campbell
Writing Ideas
Make a list of the people you love and write the reasons you love them.
Write about the ways you can show your mom and dad that you love them.
Write a poem called "Love is..."
Describe the best Valentine's Day you have ever experienced.
Describe a book that you love reading.
Write about a famous person you would love to meet and tell why you want to meet them.
I love to eat….
MARCH
Books to Read:
Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert
In Like a Lion Out Like a Lamb by Marian Bauer
Puddles by Jonathan London
The Curious Garden by Peter Brown
The Wind Blew by Pat Hutchins
Writing Ideas:
March 2nd is “Read Across America Day” in honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday. Explain to a younger student why it’s important to learn how to read.
Write a narrative story about finding a flour-lear clover. Where were you? What did you do with it?
Would you rather be a lion or a lamb? Explain why.
The wind blew so hard that…
I found a pot of gold and...
APRIL
Books to Read:
A Seed is Sleepy by Dianna Aston
Up In the Garden and Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner
We are the Gardeners by Joanna Gaines
The World is Awake by Linsey Davis
Plant the Tiny Seed by Christie Matheson
If You Plant a Seed by Kadir Nelson
Ava's Poppy by Marcus Pfister
Writing Ideas:
I know It’s spring when…
People think about spring as a time for new beginnings – what is something you would like to start doing this spring?
Why does spring symbolize birth?
Describe something you experience with each of your senses in spring
What changes could you make beginning in spring?
Fresh starts at spring are a great time to…
If you could plant a garden of anything, what would be in it?
When everything turns green, I think about…
Why do you think baseball is an American tradition?
MAY
Books to Read:
Boy Plus Bot by Ame Dyckman
Little Bot and Sparrow by Jake Parker
The Invisible Boy by Patrice Barton
Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes
Misunderstood Shark: Friends Don't Eat Friends by Ame
Writing Ideas:
It's Teacher Appreciation Month! What qualities make someone a great teacher?
If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?
Describe someone in your class who knows how to be a good friend.
Mother's Day is this month. List the qualities that make your mom special.
List three important things you've learned in school this year.
Describe your favorite day of the school year.