Back to school is here and this week we are spotlighting the book First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg. This book is the perfect read for your first day of school as students settle into their new classroom! It serves as a great reminder that everyone gets nervous on the first day of school. Including this as a read aloud on your first day will give students a chance to reflect on and share their feelings towards a new school year. - Jodi and the Starts With a Story Team
SUMMARY
The story First Day Jitters tells the story of Sarah, who is very nervous for her first day of school. Her dad tries to get her out of bed and Sarah says she is not going. She is worried about starting her new school and not knowing anyone. As Sarah gets ready for school, she becomes increasingly nervous; even her hands are clammy.
Sarah’s dad drives her to school and she begins to feel sick with nerves. When they arrive at the school, Sarah’s principal is there to greet her and show her where to go. The principal leads Sarah through the crowded halls to her new class. When the principal enters the room she introduces the students to their new teacher, Mrs. Sarah Jane Hartwell!
Students will love the surprise at the end of the story when they discover that teachers also get nervous on the first day of school!
USE THIS BOOK TO TEACH:
- First Day Jitters lends itself to teaching a variety of reading, writing, grammar and social emotional concepts.
- Students will make connections to Sarah as they read the story.
- Practice discussing the author’s purpose.
- Work with compound words, contractions and action words.
- Opinion and expository writing as well as poems and letters.
- The importance of positive self-talk and understanding the impact of feelings.
NO-PREP PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES:
If you are looking for “ready to go” activities for the first day of school, be sure to check out the First Day Jitters book companion. With it you’ll receive all of the following resources to align with this specific book:
- comprehension questions
- 30 writing prompts with themed paper
- vocabulary activities
- word study print & go activities
- ideas for grammar lessons with focus sentence printables
- social emotional learning discussion topics
- graphic organizers to target specific comprehension skills and strategies
Thanks to First Day Jitters, your students will leave the first day of school excited about reading and writing!
GET THE PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES
ADDITIONAL BOOK SUGGESTIONS
You and your students will also love these similar books:
- Miss Nelson is Missing by Harry Allard
- Field Trip Fiasco by Julie Danneberg
- A Bad Case of Tattle Tongue by Julia Cook
- School’s First Day of School by Adam Rex
Get a FREE Book Companion
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