Embracing the New School Year
It's hard to believe, but summer break is officially coming to an end. That’s right, you blinked and it's time for the kids to start a brand new school year.
While more seasoned students might be entering middle school or high school, which comes with its own challenges, the early years—ages K-5—are particularly significant. These formative years are when school is still a new concept, kids are developing and growing into who they are as individuals, and they simply need some guidance on basic skills that parents might struggle to explain in a digestible way for young children.
As parents, we understand that parenting is hard, and we know teachers experience firsthand the trials and tribulations at school. With this in mind, we thought it would be helpful to hear directly from teachers about lessons your young students should know. From kindness and inclusion to personal growth and being true to oneself, this month’s book blog is a great resource for parents seeking insight from professionals on how you can help teach your kids these valuable lessons for a more successful school year.
We caught up with Kylie Kern, a first-grade teacher at Wallace Elementary School of Integrated Arts, to provide us with some insights and resources on books she personally recommends to help shape your child during their early school years. Kern has been teaching first grade for eight years, and has spent nine years coaching the Kokomo High School girls’ golf team, giving her a broad perspective on child development from early childhood through the teenage years.
“I truly love this community and working with kids,” Kern said. She has provided her top five book picks for elementary-aged students that fit well with the back-to-school season and the challenges of being in a classroom full of new friends.
1. ‘The Bad Seed’ by Pete Oswald
“This book is a great book about showing kindness, especially because we don’t always know what others are going through. As students are coming back into the school its great to talk about how not everyone has the same experiences. It’s also great to talk about how sometimes people may have a bad day and the best thing you can do for them is to be kind.”
2. ‘The Invisible Boy’ by Trudy Ludwig
“The importance of including others is displayed throughout this book. It helps to teach students to never make others feel alone or less than. Its another great one to teach kindness. It also offers the perspective students on the other side of unkindness.”
3. ‘The Most Magnificent Thing’ by Ashley Spires
“Everyone’s mind is full of great ideas, and sometimes that can be a hard thing to remember when you are back in a room full of new faces and learning new things. This book helps to encourage students to be creative and persevere. It teaches that even though one idea may fail it could lead to the success of another.”
4. ‘Sprout Branches Out’ by Jessika von Innerebner
“This super cute book focuses on growing at your own rate. This is especially important for students at school as they try to learn new things. It’s a great reminder to not give up, sometimes it takes time, and everybody has their own personal strengths that make them special!”
5. ‘Gaston’ by Kelly DiPucchio
“Being true to you is the theme of this book. When the dogs think they are with the wrong family based on way they look they switch places. But, they quickly learn that the way they look is not what is important love and being true to you is what matters most. This is great to help students remember to be themselves.”
Here’s to a successful school year full of love, learning, and happy reading!
