Back to School Book Companions with Free School Scavenger Hunts

Welcoming students back to school can surely be stressful and you want to be well prepared so that first day students leave feeling excited about coming back the next day and you feel the day was well planned and a success. Here are three book companions that will help you meet the above expectations. First Day Hooray and Froggy Goes to School both include lesson suggestions and all three include FREE School Scavenger Hunts for exploring the school.

My passion is teaching using Literature and Text with a Theme and then linking the theme and text to cross curricular activities. I feel students are more engaged and retain information longer when curriculum is connected to the theme of the day. Day One begins with First Grade Hooray! I love this story because it provides an opportunity to see that all the “school helpers” are feeling a little nervous. There is a lot to get done. What a marvelous opening to characters, text to self, vocabulary and writing about our first day. With data collections students get a chance to meet with other students and with the school scavenger hunt you will tour the school and meet some of those “school helpers”.

As you peek at the slides below notice that each area…word work, comprehension, writing and even the math activities are differentiated to meet expectations for students K to 2 or even different leveled students in your classroom. I also allow for choices in each of the specific area. You will always find VOCABULARY!! I like to post it on a small pocket chart and put the book with it as well.

The FREE scavenger hunt is fun as well. Ivy invites the students to tour the school and find the different helpers marked with a bright colorful picture. Each clue is read by the teacher and then the travel begins to find the place. Movement and a chance to share important rules about the hall, office, bathroom and so much more!!

And finally look at the adorable Google Slide My First Day Book. Easy for students to create their own version with click and drag and SIMPLE typing. They can be completed at home, computer time or your idea. Parents can then send the slide show to Grandparents or other interested individuals or save it for reading again later.

Day Two features Froggy Goes to School. This can also be shared on the first day but I save it for day two because it provides a perfect opportunity to talk about our names, class rules and sharing a little about ourselves with All About Me. I also am in love with the Froggy craft. I have a parent volunteer cut the pieces out ahead of time and then place them in a baggie for each student. We put them together as a whole group. I admit it is extra work BUT he is so adorable and worth hanging in your classroom. SAVE those baggies as we will use them again soon for the next craft. Again all activities are differentiated to meet different academic levels of students and there are choices!!

Look at this cute FREE scavenger hunt. This time Froggy gives clues. I do not use this on day two but if you decide to begin the year with Froggy the scavenger hunt is perfect.

This story is so precious. I would definitely use it with your K or 1 students. The little mini book for the first day of school is so cute and simple. There is a science connection with nocturnal. Your parents will love the handprint for “A piece of me I give to you, This special picture because I love you! The heart is you, The hand is me,It shows that we are a family!” There is also Chester to make. Again cut pieces out ahead, put them in baggie and create Chester as a whole group.