Pete the Cat Rocking in My School Shoes

Who's ready to go back to school? 

 

Maybe I can help you get ready for school with another one of my favorite children's books! 

If you haven't already discovered the Pete the Cat books by Eric Litwin and James Dean you definitely need to check them out!  The adorable cat, predictable language, and rockin' songs are a favorite for children and adults alike!

I am sharing one of my personal favorites today, Pete the Cat Rocking in My School Shoes.  It is a great back to school book that helps you teach many of your beginning of the year routines and procedures.  It also offers an opportunity to discuss the feelings children might have as they begin the new school year.  Children may find that they have a lot in common with Pete!  

 

I like to begin by using the free download of the author reading the story to the children.  I hold the book and turn the pages, but I let the author work his magic with the rhythm and song!  This way, each additional time we read the book, the children know the rhythm and they can sing along!

The story begins when Pete arrives at school on the bus.  After reading the story, we discuss the various ways that children come to school.  There are usually walkers, car riders, and bus riders.  The children use art materials to draw a picture and "write" about how they get to school.  They share their drawings and we compare this information by making a bar graph. 

 

Eventually, we turn their drawings into a class book about all the ways we come to school.  When you help children see how they are alike and appreciate their differences, you are building Unity among your students.  "We all come to school, but we may get here different ways."   

 

I also make arrangements with a bus driver to bring in a bus for us to tour and explore.  I have a Pete the Cat stuffed doll that went with us for the bus tour!

We had so much fun exploring the bus!  We covered language, math, motor, and social-emotional skills and had so much fun doing it! 

We made comparisons with the tires to see how BIG they are.  We discussed the colors, shapes, letters, and numbers on the bus.  The driver let us get on the bus and practice the procedures for being safe.  And of course the tour wouldn't be complete without a roaring rendition of "The Wheels on the Bus!"

 

 

When we arrived back in the classroom, we gave the children the supplies to make a "bus" for their snack.  They used Twinkies, mini Oreos, and some icing for glue.  Yes, it was full of sugar, but it was a special treat and we didn't do things like that very often!  Sometimes you have to splurge!  :)

 

 

 

To conclude our fun with Pete on the bus, we made a thank you card for the bus driver.  We used yellow paper to cut out the shape of a bus and added some tires and windows.  The children made thumbprints in the windows to represent themselves.  They added facial features and, of course, we added a little Pete the Cat to the bus as well! 

 

Remember, what you offer to others you strengthen in yourself.  Practicing an attitude of gratitude and appreciating the help of others, helps children feel appreciated.  Always take time to be thankful!

 

 

Follow this link to my previous Back to School with Pete the Cat post!  See you soon!!!  Until then, I wish you well!

 

 



How Do Dinosaurs Go To School?

The brain loves contrast.  Contrast helps the brain pick up patterns and focus attention.  At the beginning of the school year I spend about six weeks helping my students learn the patterns/routines and expectations of our classroom.  This enhances feelings of safety.

One of my favorite teaching tools during this time is  the book How Do Dinosaurs Go to School.  There are several other similar books in this series by Jane Yolan and Mark Teague.  They are so much fun!  Through the use of contrast and humor they teach valuable social-emotional lessons.  Follow the link below to learn more about this book and others!

After reading this story with the children we make a class book titled:  How do Preschoolers Go to School. 

By this point, all of the children know our classroom agreements.  They look something like this...

We repeat them day after day, we sing about them, and even include movements to help us remember the agreements to keep our classroom safe.


When we make the book, the preschoolers act out what it would look like if they were NOT doing these things.  We take pictures of each scene.  There is a picture of them fighting over toys, looking away while the teacher is reading a story, running through the classroom, and screaming and yelling.  Here is an example...

 

Looking away while the teacher reads a story.

 

 

Screaming and yelling while they play at the table.

 

They have an absolute blast making this book!  It is their chance to act naughty without any consequences.  They really ham it up!

 

Once we take pictures of what NOT to do.  We go back and take pictures of what TO DO.  Once all the pictures are printed we make them into a class book.

 

The beginning of the book says...

"How do preschoolers go to school?" 

"Do they run through the classroom and crash into walls?" 

"Do they scream and yell at the top of their lungs?" 

"Do they turn their back and not look at all?"

 

Then in the very middle of the book you put a big NO!!!!! 

 

The second half of the book illustrates how preschoolers go to school safely.

"They walk through the classroom and in the halls."

"They talk quietly with voices so small."

"They look at the teacher when she shows a book."

 

...And so on until you have included all of your class agreements in the book.  I like to end the book with a photo of our entire class including teachers and something like, "My job is to keep you safe, your job is to help keep it safe.  THAT'S how Preschoolers Go To School!" 

 

 

Picture rule cards are also helpful.  These are images that you post around the classroom, school, or home to show children two positive options and one that is not an option.  You can print images off of the internet or take photos.  Conscious Discipline also has a premade pack of Shubert's Picture Rule Cards that you can purchase. 

 





As in the example above, these images show children what you want them to do.  "You may clean up your workspace by yourself."  "You may clean up your workspace with a friend."  "You may not leave a messy workspace."

When a child has trouble remembering your classroom expectations, the first consequence is to choose again.  Send the child back to the pictures for a reminder and guide them in making a different choice. 

Self-regulation is a right brain job.  The right brain needs images to help govern behavior.  The best thing about images is that they don't get tired of reminding children what to do!  :)

Until next time, I wish you well!