It’s the first day of school and what book is ALWAYS in my plans? First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg. Always! This is a perfect read aloud for the first day of school and this interactive read aloud resource is the perfect companion. Starting your year with a First Day Jitters read aloud is sure to be. a great start to the year. Keep reading to see why.
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This is probably the most well-known first day of school book for any grade. We love it in elementary, but I know some middle level and secondary teachers who use it as well!
First Day Jitters is about a character named Sarah Jane Hartwell. She does not want to go to her first day of school at her new school. Mr. Hartwell is trying to convince her that it will be OK and that everyone gets nervous on their first day. There is quite a surprise at the end. If you don’t know this book, you definitely need to check it out!
This is such a great book for the very first day because Sarah Jane goes through so many emotions about going back to school, as do our students and even us, the teachers. It’s a great way to break the ice and let your class know that even we get nervous for the first day.
First Day Jitters Read Aloud
I am so excited about this resource because it is the perfect book companion to teach your students what an Interactive Read Aloud is and what they do during them. This resource is different because it has fewer stopping points, but during each stopping point, it teaches the students HOW to interact with the book. Whether it’s just a think out loud or turn and talk, stop and jot/draw or act it out, each one has its own poster to teach the expectations.
Like all of my other Interactive Read Alouds, this resource has all the best parts and has some great teaching tools as well.
Read Aloud Planner
These planners tell you everything you need to know for 2 interactive read alouds. It tells you which pages to stop at, what to ask for in-depth comprehension and the type of class response (turn and talk, stop and jot/draw, act it out, etc.). It’s a great overview of each reading of the book.
Vocabulary information is also on these pages.
Sticky Note Printables
The sticky notes are probably my favorite part. I love printing the notes from the planner onto sticky notes and sticking them on the page where you are to stop and interact with the book. Not sure how to print on sticky notes? No worries, I’ve got you covered! Check out this blog post >>HERE<<!
Print and Cut Notes
These are a newer addition to my interactive read aloud resources. Printing on sticky notes is not everyone’s cup of tea so I wanted to make it easy for teachers to print and cut the stopping points and in-depth comprehension questions. All you literally have to do is print, cut and put them in the book at the correct page. It would be kind of like a bookmark at each stopping point. No need to take the time to print on sticky notes, everything you need is right in these little paper slips of goodness. ????
When you’re done, all you have to do is pull them out, paper clip them together and stick them in a folder or little baggie.
Vocabulary
This resource includes resources to teach 2 vocabulary words: jitter and trudge. You will get sticky note and print and cut printables with just the vocabulary on it so you can keep those sticky notes or print and cut notes right in the book. I have also included a *NEW* vocabulary ideas and suggestions page as well as a worksheet that can be used independently or print a bunch and make vocabulary books for your students.
You know I love to have my sticky notes match my resource. Well, I’ve made it really easy for vocabulary. I couldn’t find red sticky notes, but I did find THESE saffron ones that are pretty close. So I made the vocabulary resources saffron to match the sticky notes I found. All the ???????? for matching stickies.
Retelling and Reading Connection Worksheets
Also included in every interactive read aloud resource are retelling worksheets that can be used for assessment and a connecting worksheet where kids are asked: “What does this make you think about?” Rather than asking them a specific question, they can make connections and write about what they think about. This resource also includes a first day feelings graph and a worksheet that asks how the students feel before coming to school and how they feel later. Just another worksheet you can use to assess or have them connect with the book.
The worksheet included in this resource is for individual students to complete. I was also wanting something to complete as a class, especially with firsties on the first day of school, so I just created this page. I plan on using this under the document camera and have students come up and color in a piece on the graph. That way we can do it together.
Interactive Read Aloud Expectations Charts
I am so excited about this part of the resource! One reason I love this resource so much is that it teaches your students what to do at the stopping points. Included in this resource are charts (8.5×11 in) for each of the ways we interact with this book: think out loud, turn and talk, act it out, stop and jot, stop and draw, imagine, and class poll.
These will come in handy for this read aloud, but also to review expectations for future read alouds as well!
Retelling and Story Elements
Also included in this resource are large cards and materials to teach your students how to retell and the basic story elements of character, setting, problem, and solution. These cards are big enough to use in a pocket chart. I would print on card stock or laminate for durability.
You can also create anchor charts with these cards, laminate the chart and then use dry erase markers to fill in on for other read alouds. These can be very versatile and I can’t wait to use them in my classroom.
As you can tell, I LOVE this resource for First Day Jitters read aloud. I think I say that about them all, but this might just be the best one yet!
Back to School Read Aloud Bundle
I also wanted to let you know that I just created a Back to School Interactive Read Aloud Bundle. It includes read aloud resources for First Day Jitters, Chrysanthemum, My Mouth is a Volcano, and Have You Filled a Bucket Today? All perfect read alouds for the first couple weeks of school.
Learn More About Interactive Read Alouds
Check out these other blog posts all about interactive read alouds
- 3 reasons why you need to be doing interactive read alouds
- The best tips for interactive read alouds
- 3 ways to prepare for an interactive read aloud
- How to print on sticky notes
Or check out >>THIS<< blog post that has everything you need to know about read alouds.
You may also be interested in my FREE Ultimate Read Aloud Guide!
That’s all I have for you today. Starting the year with this First Day Jitters read aloud will surely get your year off to a great start!
