This week I was surrounded by passionate educators–educators giving up their last days of the summer break to better their practice at the Summer Literacy Symposium. The symposium was put on by the LCEEQ: the Leadership Committee for English Education in Quebec.
The week was one of learning, yes. But what stays with me is how the committee worked hard to build community. The learning was grounded in fun and connection. The emotion was that of joy and excitement. We laughed often! Because of the safe, inclusive environment, there were also moments of vulnerability and some of us may have shed a tear or two. (I will not reveal names…)
If we want student learning to occur at the highest level, it is essential that we provide an environment where students find joy and have fun as they learn. We also want them to feel safe enough to take risks and be vulnerable. How will you build community in your classroom? What books will you share that first week of school? What conversations and activities might surround the reading of these books?
A few of my go-to favourites to begin the school year:
- The Big Umbrella by Amy June Bates
- Be You! by Peter H. Reynolds
- A Letter From Your Teacher: On the First Day of School and Our Class is a Family both by Shannon Olsen
- The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson
- All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold
- School’s First Day of School by Adam Rex
- Elmer by David McKee
- Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller
- Stick and Stone by Beth Ferry
- You Matter by Christian Robinson
- Just Ask by Sonia Sotomayor
And remember… picture books are not only for our primary classrooms!