Back To School

Throughout the pages of Our School is a Family, various members of their school community are represented. Here’s a little sneak peek of just a few of those important school staff members, illustrated by Sandie Sonke.

The book can be helpful in introducing the different roles of school staff. Especially to younger students, or students who may be new to the school.

And even for the students who are already familiar with certain staff members, it reinforces that secure feeling of having multiple grown-ups who are there to help and support them in various ways.

The book could even help lead to an increase in positive interactions between students and staff.

Upon reading the page above, students may feel more inspired to show extra appreciation for the helpers at their school. You could possibly re-visit some of the pages in the book during certain appreciate days during the school year. For example, during Librarian Appreciation Week, it’d be helpful to re-read the page about the school librarian. You might do this prior to having your class make thank-you cards for him/her.

And when seeing many of these same figures from the book at their own school in “real life,” students might go out of their way to say hello to someone they wouldn’t have otherwise. While that’s a seemingly small action, it’s those kinds of things that add up to a big “win” when it comes to school community-building.

Big Fun for little learners! With 96 pages engaging, age appropriate activities, the SMART TO SCHOOL takes the "work" out of "workbook" and keeps leaning fun!

SMART TO SCHOOL
A fun variety of activities specially designed to help young children learn to write, count, think logically and develop observation skills. The bright and clear illustrations make each activity easy to understand, inviting young children to delve into them and learn with ease. Task-specific learning objectives are listed at the top of every page. As a bonus a wipe-clean page is included, encouraging children to practice again and again.

A book for all preschoolers-to-be from the author of Kindergarten, Here I Come! Now includes a sheet of stickers!

From saying goodbye to parents on the very first day of school to watching butterflies hatch in spring, D. J. Steinberg celebrates all the landmark moments of preschool. Because the year is full of so many firsts, this collection of funny, joyful poems is a must-have for all small scholars in the making.

Collaboration Station is the newest picture book from Shannon Olsen and Sandie Sonke, the author and illustrator of "Our Class is a Family" and both "A Letter From Your Teacher" books.
It is focused around working together as a team in the classroom. Getting students in the best mindset for collaborative learning- in partners, small groups, and as one big class family.
As educators know, there’s a lot that goes into laying the groundwork for productive teamwork at school. For example: clear guidelines and modeling, behavior expectations, cooperative learning strategies, job roles, talking stems, etc.
And as educators also know, collaborative learning doesn’t always go seamlessly in the classroom.
This book can be read aloud whenever introducing or reviewing class procedures for collaborating in partners and groups. It addresses the common challenges that can arise when students work together, and will help inspire kids to want to be a valuable member of their team.
Working well with others is one of the most important skills that children can learn, and continue to apply for years to come. With its beautifully whimsical illustrations and engaging text, Collaboration Station serves as a useful teaching tool in helping students to build that skill.

Mittens the sweet little kitten makes trouble when Nick brings him to school for show-and-tell. Just right for little ones getting ready to go to school for the first time or for a new school year!

At the math table, Mittens pushes the counting beads until they crash to the floor. On the piano, Mittens runs across the keys until the piano lid slams down. Mittens even tries to look at a book, until it falls from the bookshelf! Mittens is finally happy when he gets to meet the other students in Nick’s class.

This My First I Can Read Book is perfect for shared reading with toddlers and very young children. Basic language, word repetition, and whimsical illustrations make this book just right for the emergent reader.