This is the 2nd book I read in kindergarten. Honestly, I tried “No, David” (from a reading program) for the start of school and they didn’t accomplish what had hoped. The books felt more like a chore and that does not work for my classroom. 🤷🏻♀️
My second son was in my class a couple years ago and he is obsessed with dinosaurs, so I decided to give this book a try. SO GLAD I DID!
How do Dinosaurs Go to School? will continue to be shared at the start of the year because it is engaging and fun for my students! Plus it leads into our behavior discussion. 🙌🏼 A Win-Win for everyone!
At the beginning of my book I have my vocabulary to remember to go over before reading. I also ask my students to give me a THUMBS UP when they hear that vocabulary word while I am reading! This is one of my engaging tactics. 😉
We clarify and check for understanding throughout the book which introduces by students to expectations of them as readers. They learned that I expect them to be listening so they can help clarify for the other kids in the class. 😏
After reading How Do Dinosaurs Go To School we do a simple art project. The students get to pick what color they want their dinosaur they get some scrap paper and turn into little pieces.
I show my students how to use a glue stick and how important it is that they don’t put glue all over the dinosaur but instead to put it on the small piece so the dinosaur doesn’t get ruined from drying up too fast!
The next day (since were a half-day and don’t have a ton of time), we review the story using retelling cards that came with the program. Then we talk about good and naughty behaviors that work in our classroom as people not just dinosaur behaviors. 🤣 I thought the cards and the students take turns standing up to share their card and deciding if it was a good or a not so good behavior. This helps connect them a little bit more about how to act and not act in the classroom.
Depending on the day and schedules I let the kids play with toy dinosaurs during one of our rotations. Which is great for developmental play and social skills.
This is definitely a needed book in the classroom for the beginning of the school year! You can order one on Amazon and sometimes Scholastic carries it. I have lots of classroom books on my Classroom Books Amazon Idea List that you may be interested in as well.
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