Our Class is a Family Picture Book Companion Activities

Description

Build a positive classroom community from the very first day of school with Our Class is a Family Picture Book Companion Activities! This resource is filled with meaningful SEL, reading comprehension, writing, art, and relationship-building activities that help students develop kindness, empathy, friendship, respect, and classroom connection skills in a fun and memorable way.

Perfect for back-to-school season, morning meetings, classroom community lessons, SEL instruction, counseling lessons, literacy centers, and whole-group discussions, this resource encourages students to see their classroom as a safe, welcoming family environment.

Perfect For

• Back to School Activities
• SEL Lessons
• Morning Meetings
• Classroom Community Building
• Counseling Lessons
• Read-Aloud Extensions
• Writing Centers
• Literacy Centers
• Whole Group Discussions
• Independent Practice
• Small Groups
• Early Finishers

What’s Included

This resource includes over 14 engaging activities designed to strengthen classroom relationships while building literacy and social-emotional learning skills. Activities include:

• Kindness and Respect Reflection
• Classroom Community Writing
• Story Summarizing
• Vocabulary Activities
• Family Writing Prompts
• “Our Class Is a Family Because…” Activities
• Friendship & Encouragement Cards
• Color-by-Number Activity
• “All About You” Activity
• Teacher & Classmate Interview Activities
• Coloring Page
• Writing Extensions
• Discussion Activities
• Printable and Digital Components

Skills Students Will Practice

Students will:

• Build classroom relationships
• Practice kindness and empathy
• Strengthen communication skills
• Develop reading comprehension
• Summarize story elements
• Respond to text through writing
• Expand vocabulary knowledge
• Participate in SEL discussions
• Express thoughts and feelings creatively
• Practice listening and speaking skills

Why Teachers Love This Resource

Teachers love this resource because it:

• Creates a welcoming classroom environment
• Encourages positive peer relationships
• Supports social-emotional learning
• Includes engaging hands-on activities
• Works well for beginning-of-the-year routines
• Includes both printable and digital options
• Encourages classroom discussions
• Requires minimal prep
• Helps students feel included and valued

Digital Learning Friendly

A digital Google Slides option is included so teachers can easily assign activities through Google Classroom or other digital learning platforms.

Common Core Standards Alignment

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.1
Ask and answer questions about key details in a text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2
Retell stories and determine their central message or lesson.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.1.1
Write opinion pieces supporting a point of view.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.1.3
Write narratives recounting events with details.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.1
Participate in collaborative conversations with peers and adults.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.1
Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners.

Health/SEL Connections

• Relationship Skills
• Self-Awareness
• Social Awareness
• Responsible Decision-Making
• Communication & Cooperation Skills

 

Teachers build a sense of community within their classrooms, creating a home away from home where they make their students feel safe, included, and loved.

With its heartfelt message and colorfully whimsical illustrations, “Our Class is a Family” is a book that will help build and strengthen that class community. Kids learn that their classroom is a place where it’s safe to be themselves, it’s okay to make mistakes, and it’s important to be a friend to others. When hearing this story being read aloud by their teacher, students are sure to feel like they are part of a special family.

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