Honestly, there are so many creative ways to use picture books in the classroom! For instance, they are a fantastic tool to help build a classroom community. Additionally, they are helpful when teaching Social-Emotional skills. On top of this, they are a creative way to teach classroom expectations. Since there are many fantastic options, let’s explore some of the best school rules books! This is a powerful way to ensure students understand the expectations and are ready to have a great year!
I’m sharing all of these books on video as well! Check out the School Rules Books on my Youtube channel.
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Do Unto Otters by Laurie Keller
This story is all about manners. So, it talks about the different ways we can treat others. It shows the importance of taking turns, sharing, and being considerate of others. Best of all, it shows the importance of respecting others inside the classroom and everywhere! It even addresses how students should expect respect as well. Honestly, this is one of the essential school rules books when bringing so many students together in one building!
Get the lesson plan for Do Unto Otters
Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein
This book addresses an issue that comes up in classrooms all the time! While Chicken’s dad reads a bedtime story, she keeps interrupting him. It is a silly story that students will laugh at, but they will see how Chicken is constantly interrupting. Students will know the importance of listening to their teacher and classmates with this story.
Get the lesson plan for Interrupting Chicken
What if Everybody Did That? by Ellen Javernick
Honestly, this is one of my favorite school rules books to teach responsibility. It is all about taking care of our own things as well as Earth. Students will travel through different situations they may see as not a big deal. For instance, they will see someone throw a single wrapper on the ground and not think it is a big deal. However, students will constantly think about everyone doing that and the resulting mess. This is an excellent story to show there are consequences to every action. So, we must think about our actions- big or small- because everything adds up.
While the situations in this story mainly deal with home and community, it provides a great conversation starter. Students can review expectations in the classroom, such as not shouting out to avoid a loud environment. Additionally, if everyone leaves their books and supplies on the ground, the classroom will be messy. I love reviewing expectations and why it is important we follow them with this book!
Get the lesson plan for What If Everybody Did That?
Quiet Please, Owen McPhee! by Trudy Ludwig
Owen McPhee will not stop talking. All day, every day, Owen is talking! He will talk to his classmates, teachers, parents, and dog. Honestly, he will even talk to himself. Unfortunately, Owen struggles to stop talking when it is time to listen. This means he often misses out on what those around him are saying. On top of this, everyone gets frustrated with him because he does not let anyone else talk.
When Owen wakes up with laryngitis, he has to take a break from all his talking. While this seems awful at first, he realizes how much he is missing by not listening to others. Thankfully, Owen learns the importance of hearing what others say. This is one of my favorite school rules books to remind students to listen to others.
Get the lesson plan for Quiet Please, Owen McPhee
We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins
This is one of my favorites! Penelope Rex is a new student in her class. However, she realizes that her classmates are not all dinosaurs like her. Some are actual humans- who dinosaurs think are delicious! So, she just wants to eat her classmates. She tries to do this even when her teacher and classmates tell her not to.
Everything changes when the class goldfish tries to eat Penelope! After getting a taste of her own medicine, she realizes how she needs to treat others. Thankfully, this helps her change her behavior, and she treats her classmates with respect. This silly, fun story is a perfect choice when looking for a school rules book about how to treat others.
Get the lesson plan for We Don’t Eat Our Classmates
Clark the Shark by Bruce Hale
Clark the Shark loves to celebrate and makes tons of noise. So, instead of walking into the classroom, he zooms in! He does the same when it is time to zoom out to recess! Additionally, he eats all the other kids’ lunch, yells during story time, and makes it hard for others to pay attention. Honestly, Clark is loud and distracting wherever he goes.
Clark’s rambunctious outlook is difficult for his friends to handle. However, he does not realize he is being loud or doing things he shouldn’t. Luckily, his teacher helps him understand when it is time for indoor voices and calm behavior.
Clark the Shark is the perfect person to teach students about social cues and being aware of our own actions. This is such a silly yet fun book that has a powerful message.
Get the lesson plan for Clark the Shark
Strega Nona by Tomie de Paola
I love setting expectations at the beginning of the year with this story!
Nona has a magical pot that makes pasta. However, Big Anthony is not allowed to use it. When Nona goes away, he decides to use it anyway, making a mess of the town. The spaghetti will not stop coming out of the pot! Students learn all about taking responsibility for their actions with this story because actions have consequences.
Get the lesson plan for Strega Nona
Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes
I always love this story when selecting school rules books!
Lily loves everything! She loves school, playing dress up, and being the best big sister.
One of the items she loves most is her special purple plastic purse and movie star sunglasses. So, when her class has sharing time, she knows exactly what to bring! Sadly, the excitement results in some issues in the classroom. Lilly has a hard time listening, waiting until it is time to share, and being respectful to others. This causes the teacher to take away her favorite items to help her focus on learning.
When Lilly loses her items, she is unhappy about it and has difficulty handling her emotions. This causes her to draw a mean picture of her favorite teacher. However, when her teacher gives back her items with a caring note and special snacks, Lilly realizes she has made several mistakes.
Get the lesson plan for Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse
The best part of making mistakes is being able to make corrections! So, Lilly admits her mistakes and apologizes to her teacher.
This is a fantastic story to help students understand that everyone makes mistakes! The critical part is understanding what went wrong and how to make it right.
Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev
Honestly, this is one of my favorite picture books! It does an amazing job of teaching students the expectation to include others.
It is about a young boy excited to take his elephant to the pet club. However, when he arrives, he sees a sign that says “Strictly No Elephants” and is so sad. He doesn’t understand why elephants are not part of the club. After meeting up with a young girl, she assumes she will be left out because she has a skunk. So, they decided to form a pet club where everyone is welcome!
Get the lesson plan for Strictly No Elephants
This is such a heartfelt book about friendship and inclusion!
Social Emotional Lessons
Picture books are an amazing way to incorporate learning with an amazing story. Luckily, I have the perfect resource for you! My Social Emotional Learning Read Aloud Bundle has incredible lessons for these books. There are discussion questions and activities to help students internalize the message of the school rules books. These lessons are a great way to set classroom expectations at the beginning of the year and review throughout.
The school rules books are an incredible way to create a nurturing environment while reviewing expectations. Students always love connecting with characters and listening to amazing stories. Whether using these books at the start of the year or reinforcing them in the middle, students will love being in a supportive classroom.
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