Oh my goodness! This post is so bittersweet. For many of us, next month marks the end of another (hopefully amazing) school year. I know, it’s so interesting that for some of us this is the end of the year, and for others, it is the beginning of a new year with students. This is also the time of the year where almost everyone is trying to keep the peace, remain calm, and teach on to the best of our abilities. Let me say, a great read-aloud is one of the best ways to keep your classroom flowing and under control as the days together wind down.
I wanted to share four of my favorite read-alouds to end the school year with you, plus a few that other teachers have recommended. I included active links so that you can grab copies for yourself. These are my Amazon Affiliate links.
Book # 1
If you are looking for companion resources to help extend learning and keep your students engaged as we round out the year, click here.
Book # 2
Letter to My Teacherby Deborah Hopkinson
Confession time. I have not read this book aloud to my students-yet. I tried to read it, and began to cry from a combination of the summary on the back and the beautiful sentiment on page 1. I simply couldn’t do it. It’s a thank you message from a grateful student to the Second Grade teacher that really made a change in her life. Need I say more? Bring on the tissues. I literally began to cry almost unconsolably (not the ugly cry, but that flow that comes on its own) in FRONT of my class. Let’s just say that I put the book down and tried to pull myself together. I love my kids like I gave birth to them myself, so this one is going to be tough. But, I am determined to read it!
Book # 3
If You Plant a Seed by Kadir Nelson
Well, the author is Kadir Nelson, so need I say more?! You know how much I love Kadir Nelson! This book is really lovely and offers a different content than what you initially think after reading the title. Originally, I purchased the book several years ago to go along with my unit on plants and animals. To my shock (at first, disappointment and then actual delight), it was a wordless picture book about your character and actions. It’s really delightful, and it is so thrilling to see how well created illustrations can convey such phenomenal meaning. This book is perfect for character education, and on how the behaviors that we choose impact outcomes for ourselves and others.
Sidebar: Technically, since this book is wordless it’s not exactly a “read-aloud”. : )
If you are looking for companion resources to help extend learning and keep your students engaged as we round out the year, click here.
Book # 4
The Last Day of Kindergarten by Nancy Loewen
This is another “I love it” book! I actually bought this book as an end of the year gift for all of my students the last year that I taught Kindergarten. You may notice an emotional theme here. Yes, I cried as a read it. No worries, I was home alone at this time. ha ha. It’s a truly sweet story. But, that wasn’t what touched me the most deeply about this great read-aloud. The teacher that is featured in this book is African American. She was lovely and kind and had meant so much to her students.
This was the first time that I had seen a book that prominently featured an African American teacher. She was an African American teacher and so was I. I could actually gift my students a true sentiment from me that might really remind them of me! This beauty of this books is two-fold, it would be a sweet read-aloud and a great end of the year gift for your students if you are a Kindergarten teacher.
More Teacher Recommended Books
Miss Kindergarten Celebrates the Last Day of Kindergarten by Joseph Slate
Last Day Blues by Julie Danneburg
The Night Before Summer Vacation by Natasha Wing
First Grade’s Forever by Robin F. Johnson
No More Pencils, No More Books, No More Teacher’s Dirty Looks! by Diane deGroat.
Junie B. Jones is a Graduation Girl by Barbara Park
Did any of your favorites make the list? Do you have any suggestions of books that I should add? Share your favorite end of the year read-alouds in the comment section!
Enjoy your final moments with your students!
Tania
