It’s hard to believe that our summer reading program is coming to an end. Our final program is this Saturday, and school starts in nine days!
We tend to go light on programming after SRP ends, but we always have a “Kindergarten Kickoff” story time for children entering kindergarten. We read stories about kindergarten or the first day of school, do fingerplays about school/counting/colors/other concepts, and give them a “Kindergarten Star” certificate. It’s a low-key but fun way to acknowledge a big step in our young patrons’ lives.
Over the years, I’ve accumulated several favorite read alouds about kindergarten or the first day of school:
Where is Tommy? The animals on the farm are missing their friend, who never fails to visit them on a daily basis. When Dog tells them that he is at a place called “Kindergarten,” they are even more worried: will he ever return? Luckily, Tommy returns and tells them all about his big day. Kids will love the hilarious repartee between the concerned beasts. Tommy’s excitement over school is a welcome relief to stories overly focused on a character’s trepidation about school.
The traditional circle song is turned into a charming “first day of school” story featuring a young pig reluctant to start his school career. Beginning with greeting the teacher, hanging his hat, and building a tower, we follow our nervous hero as he eventually warms to his new routine after making a new friend during outside play. Pigs of all colors and shapes, as well as one in a wheelchair, alos enjoy snack time, dress up play,story time, show and tell, and clean up before being picked up by their parents at the end of the day (which indicates that this is a preschool setting).
Who says a buffalo can’t go to kindergarten? Well, one special buffalo certainly can in this offbeat and funny kindergarten tale. If your buffalo has a backpack, he is on track for being ready for school. Even if he’s shy–that’s OK, too. Learning how to hold scissors, not grazing during reccess, and finger painting are all things that a buffalo can learn to accomplish. Expect lots of giggling with this one!
Do you have any favorite back to school/starting school stories? Talk about them in the comments!