Our Class Is a Family is part of our Starts With a Story Collection, which includes more than 550 picture book companions based on high quality children’s literature that support you in delivering highly-engaging interactive read alouds with follow up activities. Learn more about this children’s book below! - Jodi and the Starts With a Story Team


 

SUMMARY

"Our Class Is a Family" by Shannon Olsen is a heartwarming children's book that celebrates the sense of community and togetherness within a classroom. The story follows a diverse group of students as they navigate their daily routines, support one another, and create a harmonious classroom environment. Through vibrant illustrations and relatable scenarios, the book emphasizes the importance of kindness, respect, and empathy in building strong relationships. The students learn to appreciate each other's unique qualities and backgrounds, fostering a sense of belonging and unity. With its uplifting message and inclusive representation, "Our Class Is a Family" teaches young readers valuable lessons about compassion, teamwork, and the power of embracing diversity.

 USE THIS BOOK TO TEACH:

Our read aloud lesson plans for this picture book come with reading comprehension questions (with sample student responses), 30 writing prompts, teaching ideas for grammar skills, social emotional learning discussion ideas, and more. Check out our list below to get a sneak peek at some of the skills this resource teaches.

  1. Discuss the author’s use of rhyme and rhythm in this book.
  2. Help students to analyze what the author’s purpose for writing the book might be.
  3. Practice identifying the main idea and key details.
  4. Identifying the theme, message, or moral is an important skill that takes a lot of practice. Use this story as an opportunity to help your students with this reading strategy.
  5. Teach a lesson on making connections to enhance comprehension.
  6. Introduce homophones and discuss the multiple meanings of homophones in this book.
  7. Discuss what it means to persevere and why it is important.
GET THE PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES

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 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

This book is a must have for your school or classroom library. Your students are going to love completing these activities for the book and you will be impressed with how much they learn. You will want to read this book to your class every year.

GET THE PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES

ADDITIONAL BOOK SUGGESTIONS

You and your students will love the similar books listed below, which can all be found in our free picture book list.

SEE MORE RECOMMENDED BOOKS

TRY OUT A SAMPLE COMPANION

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