Picture Books to Build Classroom Community

Whether it's the first few weeks of school or during the middle of the year, teachers play a critical role in creating a classroom where students feel comfortable and safe.  Picture books are a valuable resource when setting up and building classroom community.Students need and deserve to feel safe, nurtured, and supported by their peers and teacher. The most important message a teacher can convey is "You are welcome here!" Each year, teachers welcome students with vastly different backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints into their classroom.  Just as intentionally as the content is taught, teacher need to model how the students should interact with one another.

Why should a teacher spend time creating and strengthening the sense of community in their classroom?

It is simple.  Students who are a part of a positive classroom community are more likely to take risks academically and take ownership for their learning.    A positive classroom environment also reduces behavior issues.Teachers understand the importance of establishing a supportive classroom community, but struggle with a full plate and not enough time to fit it all in.  Fortunately, picture books are the perfect way to initiate meaningful conversations with your students.

How can you use picture books to build classroom community?  What values can be taught using picture books?

Tolerance, Perseverance, Honesty, Friendship, Compassion, Courage, Forgiveness, Empathy, Teamwork, Kindness, Respect, Patience, and the list goes on and on.Are you looking to build the classroom community that you want and your students deserve?

Grab the printable list of 10 picture books for building a sense of classroom community so that you have it handy when needed.

Read More About:
Big Al, Listen Buddy, Crazy Hair Day, Horace and Morris but Mostly Dolores, Ordinary Mary’s Extraordinary Day, Farfallina and Marcel, Sylvie, Sonya’s Chickens, Amos and Boris, Ricky the Rock that Couldn’t Roll

Would you like to use these books as interactive read aloud lessons with your class, but you don't have the time to plan the lessons yourself?  Check out complete interactive read aloud lessons for these books and more HERE.

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