Indeed, the reality is that students spend almost as much time with their teachers and classmates as they do their own families. Therefore, the people they interact with at school truly are like another little family.
However, when students start a new school year they may not know everyone that is in this little family. This is why it’s important to introduce students to the different members of their school family. Author Shannon Olsen knew how important this was and created two wonderful books to help teach students about their school family.
The first book, Our Class is a Family focuses on introducing students to the immediate members of their new classroom. The second book, Our School is a Family expands beyond the classroom. It introduces students to other members of the school (like the principal, cafeteria worker, and custodian).
Further, to support teachers in implementing these books during back to school, we created a read aloud lesson unit for each of these books. Today, we are going to focus on what you will find in the Our School is a Family Read Aloud. But if you read to the end, you will learn where to find the Our Class is a Family read aloud plus several other back to school read aloud book companion lessons.
Our School is a Family Activities
The read aloud activities we created for Our School is a Family follows the same structure we use for all of our read aloud units. This includes providing teachers with 3-4 days worth of carefully curated lessons that address a variety of reading and writing standards.
For example, over the course of the week students will engage with rigorous text dependent questions to demonstrate understanding and improve comprehension. In addition, they will practice their writing skills using a writing to text prompt.
Our lessons offer rigorous activities that engage students in developing their reading and writing skills in traditional ways. Along with that, we have also created some fun and creative activities. This includes a craft for Our School is a Family.
Whether students are interacting with the book through text dependent questions, writing, or a craft you can guarantee that they will be engaged in the book. Furthermore, they will be learning through every activity.
Our School is a Family Summary
We want to dive deeper into the specifics of each reading activity for this book. Before we do, let’s take a look at what the book is about. That way, if you are new to this book you will have a better understanding of how the reading activities connect to the story.
Our School is a Family by Shannon Olsen celebrates the sense of belonging and unity within a diverse school community. The story follows a group of children from various backgrounds as they navigate the challenges and joys of school life together.
One of the things we appreciate about this book is how diversity is represented, celebrated, and embraced. In fact, children from various cultural backgrounds, ethnicities, and abilities are showcased, highlighting the beauty of differences.
In addition to the students, Olsen introduces several other important school members. The teachers and staff are highlighted for the essential roles they play in fostering a nurturing environment where everyone’s individuality is valued.
For example, the kind custodian shares stories of the school’s history. The enthusiastic cafeteria worker prepares delicious meals. Every member of the school contributes to the sense of unity. Moreover, every member of the school community is represented and recognized as a family member.
Through the interactions between students, teachers, parents, and other staff members, the book beautifully illustrates how this diverse community comes together to learn, grow, and build meaningful connection.
In short, it sends a powerful message that regardless of our differences, we can all find a place where we belong. We all have a place where we can be ourselves within the embrace of a caring and inclusive school family.
Our School is a Family Reading Comprehension Questions
These text dependent questions will guide your students through varying levels of comprehension. Through close reading, they will get to develop a deeper understanding of the book from each question posed.
Sample comprehension questions from the lessons are included below.
- Does the title give us clues as to what the story is about?
- At the beginning of the story, what were you thinking about what a family is? How does your thinking change as you read to the end of the story?
- What is the author’s message? What does the author want us to learn?
Our School is Family Writing Activities
Coupled with reading, writing is an essential part of literacy development. This writing to text activity will assist students in making the reading and writing connection as they explore Our School is a Family further.
Craft for Our School is Family
Remember, first and second grade students are kids. That means it is important to incorporate some fun and creative activities into their learning. This is why we provided a craftivity template that can be used as an extension activity. We suggest using this at the end of the week to wrap up your study of the book.
Our School is Family Lesson Plans
In addition to each of the activities provided in this ready to teach read aloud you will also find detailed lesson plans. These lesson plans will easily guide you through implementing this read aloud in your classroom with ease.
Back to School Reading Activities
As mentioned above, this read aloud is designed to be taught over the course of 3-4 days. Therefore, providing you with enough activities to cover a week’s worth of lessons.
If you are interested in extending this lesson you can pair the Our School is Family read aloud with the Our Class is Family read aloud. Pairing these two books together will give you reading lessons for two weeks of school!
Looking for even more back to school read alouds?! We have plenty!
Depending on how many read aloud lesson plans you need to begin the year you can pick and choose from any of the above to match what you like to teach as you start. Of course, you can also choose one of our bundles to make things even easier.
And, once the school year is in full swing don’t forget to check back for our other read alouds. We have something for every season of the school year!
We'd like to send you a free interactive read-aloud that is easy to use in either a print or digital format!
