Classroom Read Alouds to Start the School Year

As we enter another school year, I can't help but to reflect on the books I have read, the workshops and conferences I attended over this past summer. The summer work and summer reading I engaged in yielded one constant idea. The idea of classroom culture. I ask myself the question, how can I support teachers in creating a classroom where kids feel seen and accepted? I found the answer in books.

The following book list has been created by the Lower School Librarians to encourage conversations around empathy, identity and inclusion. It is our hope that students will see a reflection of themselves in these books or be given a window into another world that will foster a sense of compassion and empathy. Most importantly we hope these books can serve as a starting point for teachers and students to get to know and understand each other in the most sincere way. 

All of these titles will be on display in the main area of the Lower School Library or in the Story Room. You can also reach out to librarians for other suggestions that might not be on this list. We are here to support you on the journey of another successful school year!

~The Library Team