Reading & Writing Activity Ideas for the Beginning of the School Year

Beginning of the school year activities for elementary students

Welcome to our collection of engaging reading & writing classroom activities perfect for the beginning of the school year! Each activity is designed to take approximately one hour, making it ideal for integrating into your daily schedule during those crucial first weeks. Here's how it works:

1. Read Aloud: Begin by selecting one of the ten featured books and reading it aloud to your class. This sets the stage for an immersive storytelling experience, fostering a love for reading and sparking students' imaginations.

2. Interactive Activities: After the read-aloud, choose one of the suggested projects or writing prompts related to the book. These activities are crafted to deepen students' understanding, enhance their creative skills, and encourage self-expression.

Let's dive into the details of each book and the associated activities!

Book 1: Scribble Stones by Diane Alber

Summary: A rock goes on a journey to spread happiness by becoming a part of art and inspiring creativity in others.

Projects/Writing Prompts:

1. Art Project: Have students paint their own "scribble stones" and write a story about where their stone goes and how it spreads happiness.

2. Creative Writing: Ask students to imagine and write about a day in the life of their scribble stone, including the different people it meets and how it changes their lives.

Book 2: The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds

Summary: Vashti, who believes she can't draw, learns to express herself through a single dot, discovering her artistic talent.

Projects/Writing Prompts:

1. Art Activity: Encourage students to create their own art starting with a single dot and then write a short description or story about their artwork.

2. Personal Reflection: Have students write about a time when they tried something new and discovered they were good at it, just like Vashti.

Book 3: First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg

Summary: Sarah is nervous about her first day at a new school, only to reveal that Sarah is actually the teacher.

Projects/Writing Prompts:

1. Narrative Writing: Have students write a story about their own first-day jitters and how they overcame them.

2. Role Play: Create a skit where students act out different first-day scenarios and how to handle them positively.

Book 4: A Letter From Your Teacher by Shannon Olsen

Summary: A heartfelt letter from a teacher welcoming students to the new school year and encouraging them to embrace learning.

Projects/Writing Prompts:

1. Letter Writing: Ask students to write a letter back to their teacher, sharing their hopes and goals for the school year.

2. Classroom Activity: Create a class "Welcome Book" where each student writes and illustrates a page about themselves to share with the class.

Book 5: The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson

Summary: This book addresses the feelings of being different and the courage it takes to share your story and connect with others.

Projects/Writing Prompts:

1. Personal Narrative: Have students write about a time when they felt different and how they found the courage to share their story.

2. Class Discussion: Create a classroom "tapestry" where each student contributes a piece of their story to show how diverse experiences make the class stronger.

Book 6: The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

Summary: Chester Raccoon is nervous about starting school, but his mother gives him a kiss on his hand to remind him of her love.

Projects/Writing Prompts:

1. Craft Activity: Have students trace their hands and write or draw something that comforts them when they feel nervous.

2. Story Writing: Ask students to write a story about a character who receives a special gift from a loved one that helps them feel brave.

Book 7: Our Class is a Family by Shannon Olsen

Summary: This book explores the idea that a classroom can be a supportive, caring community where everyone belongs.

Projects/Writing Prompts:

1. Class Project: Create a "class family tree" where each student adds a leaf with their name and something special about themselves.

2. Reflective Writing: Have students write about what makes their classroom feel like a family and how they contribute to that feeling.

Book 8: David Goes to School by David Shannon

Summary: David's antics disrupt the classroom, but he learns about the rules and how to be a better student.

Projects/Writing Prompts:

1. Behavior Reflection: Ask students to write about a time when they broke a rule and what they learned from the experience.

2. Classroom Rules Poster: Have students work together to create a poster of classroom rules and discuss why each rule is important.

Book 9: How I Spent My Summer Vacation by Mark Teague

Summary: Wallace Bleff's imaginative recounting of his summer vacation involves wild adventures in the Wild West.

Projects/Writing Prompts:

1. Imaginative Writing: Have students write their own imaginative stories about their summer vacations, including fantastical elements.

2. Illustrated Story: Ask students to create a comic strip or illustrated book of Wallace Bleff's adventures based on the book.

Book 10: We Are All Connected by Alexandra Penfold

Summary: This book emphasizes the importance of community, kindness, and the ways we are all connected to each other.

Projects/Writing Prompts:

1. Class Collage: Create a large mural or collage that represents the diverse connections within the classroom and community.

2. Kindness Journal: Have students keep a journal of kind acts they do or witness over a week and share how these acts contribute to a connected community.

We hope these activities create memorable and enjoyable learning experiences. Get ready to kickstart your school year with creativity and fun!