So the first book I read every year is "The Top 10 Ways to Ruin The First Day of 5th Grade"which is about a 5th grader and his obsession with David Lettermen's Top 10 lists. It even takes place in Kansas City, Missouri and talks about MIZZOU - it couldn't be more perfect, plus my kids absolutely love it! However, it wasn't until I started writing this entry that I realized the book is apparently now out of print and has become crazy expensive. I guess I do have some comfort in the fact that I suddenly have a little financial security blanket sitting on my bookshelf! So I apologize if you don't have this book or can't get your hands on it, because then this is really of no use to you. However, if you can get a copy, I like to make it my theme for the first couple of days. I show my kids a "Top 10 About Mrs. Alferman" power point that I made, then I have them create their own "Top 10 Things You Should Know About Me" paper. Here is a link to the book just in case you need to know what you're looking for or you want to make a classroom investment :)
http://www.amazon.com/The-Ways-Ruin-First-Grade/dp/0823418510
I fell in love with the "Swindle" series from the very beginning! These books follow a group of kids that first came together in order to prove a point and correct something that the adults would never figure out on their own. I love these books, and my kids can't wait to hear the next chapter everytime I start them!
http://www.amazon.com/Swindle-Gordon-Korman/dp/0439903459/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345502346&sr=1-2&keywords=swindle+series
These next two books both came from recommendations by other teachers. My friend Cheryl recommended "The Wednesday Wars", and it is honestly a book that I look forward to reading every year! My friend Nikki recommended "Abduction" after she said her 5th graders loved it and mine would too, and I couldn't believe how right she was! These are both definite musts every year!
http://www.amazon.com/Abduction-Peg-Kehret/dp/0142406171/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345502542&sr=1-1&keywords=abduction
http://www.amazon.com/Wednesday-Wars-Gary-D-Schmidt/dp/054723760X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345502560&sr=1-1&keywords=wednesday+wars
I hope you guys enjoy the books above!!
Does anyone have any other recommendations? I know I would love some new read alouds and I am sure others would too! Let me know!
-Amy
Loved this post! Thanks for sharing. You should link up over on my blog in the Read-Aloud Round-up! http://educatorslife.blogspot.com/2013/06/read-aloud-round-up-book-share.html
ReplyDeleteI would LOVE to have you stop by.
Have a wonderful day-
Mr. Hughes
You should read Wonder!! Its such an awesome book!
ReplyDeleteI agree, Wonder is my new favorite. My kids stood up and clapped when i finished it.
DeleteI read Wonder as I teach genetics...perfect match!
DeleteWonder......AMAZING BOOK! My class clapped and clapped and clapped when I finished. So great what this read aloud does to classroom community. I can't recommend enough!!
DeleteTo boost social studies understanding in my classroom I base my novel studies on books relating to the time period we study. Books my students have loved:
ReplyDeleteAcross Five Aprils
Letters From Rifka
Number the Stars
A Long Way From Chicago
A Year Down Yonder
My students love Wonder and I usually read Yellow Star during the 3rd quarter.
ReplyDeleteI always start with Where the Red Fern Grows. It is sad, but my class loves it! I have read it every year I have taught...36 years and I still get choked up, but I like to have my class realize that long books are great books too.
ReplyDeleteI use it as a reference for figures of speech, characterization, everything! , all year long. Give it a try if you can get through it!:)
The Shredderman, by Wendelin Van Draanen, series is a great choice. It depicts how to deal with bullies in humorous and non-violent ways.
ReplyDeleteTwo I absolutely love are The Summer of the Monkeys and The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your list. There are a few new ones here I'd love to try! :)
My students loved when I read "Cheaper by the Dozen," and "By JINGO!" became their favorite exclamation.
ReplyDeleteWe love "Holes" and "City of Ember". I am always looking for something new and exciting to read to my kids that they haven't read before. Keep the ideas coming!
ReplyDeleteBecause of Mr. Terupt is another GREAT read aloud!! And set in a 5th grade classroom. Many sad parts but really pulled each of my classes that I read this aloud to much closer together. Hint....do not read aloud it's sequel....puberty hits some....I suggest to my students that they read it when they go off to middle school, lol!
DeleteI have a couple of these books! Thank you for posting. This August I will begin teaching 5th grade ELA!
ReplyDeleteAmazon has the Top Ten Ways To Ruin the First Day of 5th Grade. The publisher has printed 124,000 paperback copies for a 10 year anniversary celebration. The cover has changed but it's the same book. Paperback ONLY. The price is $7. Here is the link http://www.amazon.com/Top-Ways-Ruin-First-School/dp/0615974198/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid= Hope this will be helpful to someone. Thank you for the post. My two kiddos start 5th grade this year. I've been working on our special time reading list. Your list has been VERY helpful.
ReplyDeleteThanks Maggie! I recently found out I'm moving to 5th grade. I was looking at read alouds for the first week of school. I came across your post about The Ten Ways To Ruin The First Day Of 5th Grade and was able to get a copy from Amazon for the $7. Thanks so much for posting!!
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