Creating a classroom community

Twenty bright eyed students stare up at you. You want to make this year memorable for each and every one of them. You want to cherish each child's individuality, challenge them to their potential. But most of all you want to meld them into a classroom community where the students inspire each other to be the best they can be both individually and as a whole. The five books below might help you create that cohesive classroom.

The Lyrical Choice: Pete the Cat by Eric Litwin

Pete rocks his way through the school in his "new school shoes". He discovers all the coolest places in the school - the library, the lunchroom, the playground, and the classroom. The upbeat rhythm and tempo of the book makes it perfect for exploring the school as a classroom team.

Lesson: Get the free song from the website and have students sing it as they go on a field trip around the school. When students return to the classroom, they can draw their "school shoes" in the favorite place in the school.

The author whose characters we recognize: Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes

Kevin Henkes' Wemberly, Chrysanthemum and, of course, in this book, Lilly, are characters kids can identify with at school. Lilly loves school. She loves the "pointy pencils," the "squeaky chalk," the "privacy of her own desk," and most of all her teacher. That is, until she gets in trouble for playing with her purple plastic purse in class. Then she's not so-in-love with school. With the help of her teacher and a note that said, "Today was a difficult day. Tomorrow will be better," Lilly realizes some days might be a little tough but, overall, school is pretty great.

Activity: Have the students help make a "lightbulb lab" (like the one in the book) where they can share their thoughts and feelings.

A chapter book that celebrates the "almost" in all of us: Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff

This book celebrates the "almost" in all of us - almost smart enough, almost cool enough, almost ready. Albie struggles with math, reading, being cool, just about everything. But his friends, his babysitter, his parents and his teachers help him learn to enjoy being himself rather than an almost-Albie. This is a great book for helping students understand and accept each other.

Lesson: After referencing this book's most repeated quote, "You couldn't get where you were going without knowing where you'd been," have students journal before and after they've read the book about where they're going and where they've been. This would give students a chance to reflect on their goals and how they could accomplish them.

Also: Albie becomes very interested in creating superheroes in this book. Share the book Ten Rules of being a Superhero (Deb Pilutti 2014) and allow students to create their own superhero who reflects their personality.

The Before Recess Book: The Recess Queen by Alexis O'Neill

Mean Jean was the recess queen. She was a bully who ruled the playground. That is, until Katie Sue (who didn't seem to know better) came to school. Katie Sue didn't do what Mean Jean told her to do which confounded Mean Jean. Eventually, Katie Sue won Mean Jean over by inviting her to play. The rhythm, rhyme, and playful wording will help students identify a positive way to deal with bullies.

This would be a great book to read and discuss before going to recess the first week of school. Teachers could refer back to it when problems arise during the school year.

The told by the students chapter book: Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea

In some ways Mr. Terupt's class is like every other elementary class. It has a class clown, a shy introvert, a bully, a brain and other typical students. It is through seven of these students' voices that the story is told. However, Mr. Terupt isn't quite like other teachers. His unconventional style brings fun in the classroom and the best out in the students. That is, until a pretty awful accident happens that changes the kids and makes their classroom a very different place.

Lesson: Students could integrate themselves into the story by creating their own chapter with their voice and personality. They not only would have to use descriptions, actions, and thoughts to create their chapter, but they would need to reflect on what kind of classmate they are.