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Use these Sounds Like School Spirit back-to-school activities to pair with this adorable picture book during the first week of school.
This would also be a great book and activity set for celebrating Read Across America Day!
And if you’d like to find additional lesson plans for K-1 like this one, be sure to check out and download my free reading activities for picture books.
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Sounds Like School Spirit is beautifully written and illustrated by Meg Fleming and Lucy Ruth Cummins. It is told in a sing-songy rhyme, essentially taking the reader through a day at school. Here are some activities you can use as you head back to school.
For the following activities, you may need these supplies:
The story is told in rhyme, so it’s an excellent way to incorporate some phonological awareness right off the bat! Students can listen for the rhyming words and then use these picture cards alongside the book afterwards.
The story also includes chants, so it’s an excellent book to model echo-reading with your students. Echo reading is a modeling strategy that helps struggling readers identify words, express emotion while reading, and strengthen decoding skills. The “We say, you say!” format is especially engaging and fun for students, making this book the perfect basis for practicing echo reading.
I love the big, bold fonts used throughout the story – especially in the chants. This is a good way to point out letters and words to students, and have them locate them within the book and on the activity sheet. It’s also a great way to practice following directions!
As I mentioned, the illustrations in this story are divine! I love them! You could even start the book with a picture walk to have your students predict what the story is about. Then, follow it up by introducing students to ‘reading the pictures.’ This method is a beautiful way to make sure everyone knows – first thing in the school year – that they *ARE* readers!
Your students will likely note that they can relate to what they see and hear while reading the story (text-to-self/world connection…hola!). Be sure to point out what they have in common with what they see and read in the book.
There is a cute little class pet who hops his way through the book. Ask your students why they think this little guy was drawn into almost every page? A great way to generate discussion and higher level thinking questions!
These Sounds Like School Spirit (affiliate link) activities are great for back to school! I have several other great resources to use the first week of school, too!
I hope you’ll be able to use the Sounds Like School Spirit back-to-school activities shared in this post! You can download them for free by filling out the form below!
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Abby is a former kindergarten and first grade teacher who channels her passion for education into creating engaging activities and resources for the kindergarten and first grade classroom. When not dreaming up or working on her next project, you’ll find her enjoying her family – most likely in her minivan on the way to a soccer field.
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