December is an exciting month for many folks, with lots of holidays to celebrate. It’s also the time when wintry weather sets in, making it perfect for cozying up with a new book by the fire. While December isn’t a big month for new releases, there are still plenty of upcoming books we’re excited to check out. In addition to the best new books for December 2025, we’ve included some of this year’s top new holiday-themed choices. Merry Reading and Happy New Books!
Get your free printable December reading log to share with students so they can keep track of their books and pages all month long! Just fill out the form on this page to get it.
New Picture Books for December 2025
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Sparkles for Sunny by Sylvia Chen, ill. by Thai My Phuong
Sunny is excited to celebrate Lunar Near Year with her family, but she’s not as enthusiastic about the matching qipáo dresses she and her sisters will wear. For once, Sunny would like to stand out in something that’s just her style—but one of her family’s rules is “don’t waste anything.” Can she come up with a solution that makes everyone happy?
Show kids all the different ways we show love to one another, from listening and sharing to hugging, dancing together, and more. Featuring photography of real families, siblings, and friends, this board book is the perfect fit for preschool and kindergarten classrooms that value diversity and kindness.
Paper Chase by Julia Donaldson, ill. by Victoria Sandøy
James and Ginger spend a wonderful afternoon playing together after her paper airplane lands on his open book, all under one big beautiful tree. But when Ginger looks for James under that tree again, she finds a surprise instead—the tree has been cut down! Follow the tree’s journey and learn how it’s made into the paper that will one day unite the two new friends once more.
The Snowman Code by Simon Stephenson, ill. by Reggie Brown
This unique new middle grade book tells the story of a 600-year-old snowman and a 10-year-old girl. Blessing is dealing with bullies at school and mom suffering from severe depression at home. Meanwhile, the unusually long winter has trapped Albert in England, though by now he should have melted and reappeared elsewhere in the world. Can the two help each other find solutions to their problems?
The Stolen Songbird by Judith Eagle, ill. by Jo Rioux
In 1950s London, Caro loves her unusual life with two moms and a beloved white rabbit. But a series of events upends her world, sending Caro to live temporarily with a stern great-aunt. While unpacking her suitcase, she discovers a valuable stolen painting that soon has art thieves on her tail. With the help of her unusual collection of friends, Caro must find a way to return the painting and restore her life to normal.
Ten years after surviving a childhood kidnapping, Maggie Atkins reluctantly joins a school trip to the same mountains where it happened—alongside the friends who once abandoned her. When a storm traps them and a mysterious figure begins hunting them down, Maggie realizes the nightmare she thought was over has only just begun. Teens who love thrillers won’t be able to put this one down.
Seventeen-year-old Will Arrex, a sheltered noble destined to inherit her father’s power on the Eden space station, shocks everyone by joining the deadly Lottery that sends youths into space to search for habitable worlds. Forced to pilot a ship alongside her rival Paige Tarrant, Will uncovers a devastating secret: Their mission was never meant to return home.
Growing up in an “influencer” family, Rosalie’s days are a series of on-camera moments—many of which don’t even accurately capture her life. Rosalie is tired of it and beginning to worry about her (and her younger sister’s) physical and mental safety. But reclaiming her life means finding the bravery to take drastic action in this new novel in verse.
Cosmo takes an amazing journey to other planets when his new jetpack malfunctions. As he travels from place to place, he encounters a series of fun new environments and friends. But the real magic of this creative graphic novel happens when a magician casts a spell to send Cosmo back home—to finish the book, readers flip it upside down and experience it all over again from back to front! (Grades K–2)
The Case of the Heartbreak Heist by Christee Curran-Bauer
The Private Pigeon Detectives are back! In the latest entry in the series, they must figure out who’s stealing all the baking tools from the town’s Valentine’s Day baking competition. Could the groundhog who refused to answer his door on February 2 have something to do with it? (Grades 1–4)
As a member of the Buffalo Bill Wild West show, Martha Jane Cannary gained fame as Calamity Jane. Learn more about the story of her life on- and off-stage in this intriguing new graphic nonfiction book, and find out whether the legend of Calamity Jane is more than just a tall tale. (Grades 3–7)
Quincredible: A Better World by Rodney Barnes, illustrated by Selina Espiritu
In the latest entry in this teen superhero series, the indestructible Quincredible must solve the mystery of the contaminated water supply of his hometown, New Orleans. This crisis hits close to home—his mother is one of those made sick and hospitalized. Quinton continues to be one of the most likeable superheroes out there, thriving with the support of his family and friends. (Grades 9+)
Through the Telescope by Charles R. Smith Jr., ill. by Evening Monteiro
When young Mae Jemison first looked through a telescope, it started a journey that would culminate in her becoming the first Black female astronaut. This nonfiction picture book explores what Mae might have seen, and shares the thoughts of a young girl learning about the wonders of space. (Grades pre-K to 2)
The Amazing Generation by Jonathan Haidt and Catherine Price, ill. by Cynthia Yuan Cheng
Jonathon Haidt’s book The Anxious Generation addressed the sharp rise in teen mental illness in recent years. Now he’s back with a book aimed specifically at tweens, teaching them practical ways to deal with today’s unique challenges, including the overuse of screens. This is a must-read for any kid about to get their own cellphone and/or social media account, or those who feel overwhelmed and anxious before they’ve even started high school. (Grades 4–7)
Abolition and the African American Story by Patricia Williams Dockery
By the mid-1800s, African Americans had spent centuries shaping the nation’s economy and culture, even as the question of their rights threatened to divide it. During the Civil War and Reconstruction, their struggle for freedom and equality played out across battlefields, homes, and political arenas—with young people playing key roles in redefining what it meant to be American. (Grades 5–8)
Fans of The Word Collector will be thrilled with this new story of Jerome’s search for inspirational holiday words. When those words turn out to be harder to find than he expected, he decides that this time, it’s his turn to share his collection of wonderful words with the whole town!
The gorgeous cover of this new picture book evokes the magical story inside. Dasher the reindeer wants nothing more than to give her new polar bear friend George the ability to fly, but it seems his paws are destined to remain on the ground. Unless, of course, Santa Claus can find a way to make George’s dream come true! (Grades pre-K to 2)
The Book of Candles by Laurel Snyder, ill. by Leanne Hatch
In eight evocative poems, one for each night of Hanukkah, this book shares the traditions of the Jewish winter holiday through one family’s eyes. The family enjoys traditions old and new, like family meals and decorating for the holiday, but the most important moment comes when they gather together and light the candles on the menorah each night. (Grades pre-K to 2)
Interrupting Chicken Saves the Nutcracker by David Ezra Stein
The irrepressible little Chicken is back and headed to the ballet. Can she watch quietly without interrupting? Of course not. After a series of interruptions, she and Papa are kicked out—but not before Chicken steals the Nutcracker! In order to return it, she’ll need to rewrite the classic ballet, and readers will enjoy the new version as much as the audience. (Grades pre-K to 2)
Once Upon a Kwanzaa by Nyasha Williams and Sidney Rose McCall, ill. by Sawyer Cloud
Join a variety of families as they celebrate Kwanzaa, and learn about the Nguzo Saba (Seven Principles) behind this holiday that’s special to many members of the African diaspora. Explore the history of Kwanzaa through beautiful illustrations and text that’s perfect for the youngest learners. (Grades pre-K to 2)
“On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me …” The flow of gifts is all well and good, but what happens on day 13, when the recipient finds themselves with hundreds of birds, not to mention dancing lords, maids milking cows, and more? Find out in this fun new holiday read! (Grades K–3)
C.J. the mouse never expected to become friends with a family of cats. But when he spots their menorah and chocolate gelt, his curiosity gets the best of him. As he learns about their holiday traditions, he also learns that this is one cat family who poses no threat since mice aren’t kosher! (Grades pre-K to 2)
Fa La La Family by Scott Hoying and Mark Hoying, ill. by Steph Lew
Just like “family,” the word “Christmas” means something different to everyone. But ultimately, it all comes down to love. Join a variety of diverse families as they share their holiday traditions, plus learn a brand-new Christmas song—a QR code provides a recording to go along with the included sheet music. (Grades pre-K to 3)
Weiwei once spent the winter solstice (Dōngzhì) surrounded by palm trees and hummingbirds. But now she’s moved to a much colder place. A family walk helps her see the beauty in her new wintry surroundings, and the family Dōngzhì traditions are the same no matter where she goes. (Grades K–3)
With most holiday books aimed at the picture book crowd, this middle grade graphic novel is a welcome addition to the genre. Virginia has just moved to a new city after losing her mom. When she spots what seems to be a flying reindeer, it sends her and new pal Benny on an adventure to reunite the magical animal with Santa, who it seems might just be real after all. (Grades 3–7)
Be sure to download your free printable December reading log!
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Grab your free reading log to share with students—they can use it track their books and pages over winter break and keep up their reading habits over the holidays. Just fill out the form on this page to get yours!
Do you like to keep inexpensive gift ideas for students on hand to celebrate holidays, birthdays, or special accomplishments? Do you like to have small rewards to serve as incentives for good behavior or good work? Then look no further! This big list is full of fun, affordable little things (most are less than $1) your students will flip over.
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Student Gift Tags
These printable gift tags are perfect for attaching to simple and inexpensive DIY student gifts to make them extra special. Grab our free printable bundle of 10 tags.
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1. Scratch-and-Sniff Bookmarks
Not only do these humorous bookmarks look good, they smell good too!
Put together mixed sets of sheets of these colorful rainbow origami papers in zipper bags and add them to your treasure box. Purchase includes a free e-book tutorial for creating all kinds of shapes.
Want to encourage your students to write? Gift them these invisible-ink pens with built-in black light, and they’ll be motivated to compose secret messages.
Give each of your students a fun card game to pass the time at home over a holiday break. This set of 24 decks comes with an assortment of games, including Old Maid, Go Fish, and Monster Hearts.
How about a fidget toy that doubles as a fashion accessory? Your students will love these push-pop bracelets, and you’ll love that these inexpensive gifts for students are only about 50 cents apiece.
These adorable craft sets come in a variety pack of 24, featuring four different themes: Secret Clubhouse, Unicorn House, Butterfly House, and Space Center.
Hand sanitizer is a must-have, so give your students a whimsical way to carry theirs around. Grab a set of these refillable bottles for a fun and useful gift for students.
These bright-hued lanyards include a safety breakaway mechanism, so they’re even safe for younger kids. It’s the perfect way for them to wear their school ID.
Kids love stickers and they really love 3D puffy stickers. With themes of food, animals, hearts, and more, there’s sure to be a sheet every one of your students will love.
Help your students build fine motor and problem-solving skills with these adorable mini puzzles that feature an assortment of wild animals. Best of all, they cost less than a dollar each.
Amazon has lots of terrific children’s e-book options for a dollar or two each, and they make it easy to send a selection to a large group. Plus, check out our big list of free e-books.
Have you seen our calm-down jars? These are such a good experiment, and they can also make a good gift for students. You can use miniature jars to save money.
DIY fidget toys are inexpensive gift ideas that are always a hit with students. Plus, they’re a cinch to create when you’re binge-watching your favorite show.
Grab our free printable game boards and use them to create personalized games for your students. Pair them with some colorful dice and you’re ready to gift!
Younger kids especially love to color pretty pictures. Snag these adorable coloring books (only $1.50 for 112 pages!) and hand out pages as rewards. Or keep a supply of books on hand for special birthday gifts.
Kids can sketch whatever strikes their fancy, then swipe to erase with these mini doodle pads. Best of all, they’re less than a couple of bucks each when you buy in bulk.
Inspire future paleontologists in your class with these super-fun faux dinosaur eggs. The set even comes with excavating picks and species guides. Divvy up the set and package each egg plus supplies for 12 special rewards.
Gratitude truly is the secret to a happy life. Train your students to develop the habit by giving them a place to jot their happy thoughts and fun memories on a consistent basis.
These are so popular with kids of all ages. Your students will love choosing one, or you can choose it for them along with a special note. Consider using them as desk pets too!
Yum! These adorable little erasers in the shape of different foods will inspire your students to start a collection of their own. Consider using them in conjunction with your desk pets as well.
Choose your inexpensive gift ideas for students with learning in mind. These inflatable globes are fun to throw around but can be used for reference and exploration too.
Have you met a kid yet who doesn’t love LEGO? These mini building block kits are basically the same thing, but you can get 12 of them for less than a couple of dollars apiece.
Just knowing that their teacher sees them for who they are can make all the difference for some kids. Instead of a tangible gift, why not put your gratitude into words?
Another version of the Pop-It fidget. These colorful bumpy balls are fun to toss around and also to fidget with when your student needs to get some energy out.
Print out these free mask templates and create a little DIY kit for your students. You can also include colored paper and a pack of crayons or markers if you’d like.
One gift of February is that it allows teachers and students to learn something new about Black Americans. February begins the first 28 days of a 365-day celebration of African American history. I love Black History Month because it is an opportunity to celebrate the incredible contributions of Black Americans to history, science, art, culture, and civil rights through Black History Month activities. Black Americans are making history every day and it is important to provide opportunities and Black History Month activities for all to learn more about these accomplishments.
As teachers, it’s important to use diverse and engaging resources to help students understand the complexities of Black history in a respectful and meaningful way. I have compiled ideas and Black History Month activities for teaching about Black History Month so that everyone can learn together in our inclusive, culturally rich classrooms.
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Free Printable Black History Month Quote Posters
Fill out the form on this page to grab our bundle of five free Black History Month quote posters for your classroom.
When teaching Black History Month activities, it’s crucial to approach the topic with respect, openness, and inclusivity. Here are a few key tips, plus check out more Black History Month tips for schools here.
Foster Open Dialogue
Encourage students to ask questions and express their feelings about what they are learning.
Avoid Simplification
While stories of struggle are important, also highlight stories of achievement, creativity, and the contributions of Black individuals in various fields.
Incorporate Multiple Perspectives
Acknowledge the diversity within the Black community, focusing on the different experiences of Black people throughout history.
Promote Action and Empathy
Encourage students to take action on issues of equality, justice, and human rights, both in and out of the classroom.
When reading, create space for discussion on themes like perseverance, equality, resilience, and the importance of representation. Encourage students to connect the stories with their own lives.
Resources for the activities below:
1. Hold read-aloud sessions
Adrienne Hathaway for We Are Teachers
Choose a selection of age-appropriate poetry and stories featuring important figures and events from Black history. Examples include The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles (grades K-2) and Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly (grades 3-5).
2. Organize literature circles
For older students (grades 6-12), organize literature circles where small groups of students read different books about significant Black historical figures (e.g., Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention by Manning Marable for high school) and discuss key themes.
3. Write short stories and biographies
Ask students to create a “Black History Month Book” by researching a famous Black figure and writing a fictionalized short story or biography based on real events.
4. Conduct a famous African American military member research assignment
Assign students Black History Month activities to research notable African American military figures (e.g., Colonel Charles Young, the Tuskegee Airmen) and create presentations or posters highlighting their achievements. Highlight the bravery and perseverance of African American military figures who served in segregated units or fought against racial injustice in the armed forces. Teach students about the pivotal role these figures played in changing military policy and advancing civil rights.
5. Conduct a famous African American Olympian research assignment
Have students research famous African American Olympians (e.g., Jackie Robinson, Wilma Rudolph, Simone Biles) and explore their achievements both in and out of the sports arena. Use these athletes as examples of excellence, perseverance, and breaking barriers. Discuss how African American athletes have used their platform to advocate for social justice and equality.
6. Read up on famous African American educators
Have students research famous African American educators (e.g., Mary McLeod Bethune, Booker T. Washington) and their contributions to education. Discuss how these educators advocated for systemic changes in education, and have students debate how education should change today.
Analyze Quotes and Speeches
Encourage students to analyze quotes for the historical context behind them. Explain why these figures spoke these words and how they reflect struggles or triumphs in Black history.
Resources for the activities below:
7. Design a quote wall
We Are Teachers
Have students choose a meaningful Black History Month quote each week to display on a bulletin board. They can write a short reflection on what the quote means to them and how it connects to today’s world.
8. Conduct a literary analysis
Have students read a book by an African American author (e.g., The Color Purple, Beloved, The Hate U Give) and watch the film adaptation. Ask them to compare and contrast the two versions, analyzing themes, characters, and historical context. Use the opportunity to explore themes of adaptation, representation, and the different ways stories can be told through various mediums. Encourage critical thinking about how films may either amplify or dilute the messages in the original books.
9. Hold a daily quote challenge
Share a quote each day and have students respond in a journal or on a class blog, reflecting on its impact on their thinking.
10. Create quote displays
Decorate the classroom with student-created artwork and/or quotes from Black leaders, poets, and activists.
11. Interview family members
Have students interview older family members about their personal histories or notable achievements. Students can create family timelines or digital recordings of their interviews. Encourage students to reflect on how family histories tie into broader historical narratives, such as the Civil Rights Movement or the Great Migration. Teach them the value of oral histories in preserving culture and understanding personal connections to the past.
12. Interpret famous quotes
We Are Teachers
Present famous quotes (e.g., “The time is always right to do what is right.” —MLK Jr.). Ask students to interpret the quote, identify the historical context, and discuss its relevance today.
Watch, Visit, and Discuss
Ensure films and documentaries are age-appropriate and accompanied by a pre-screening discussion about the historical accuracy and context of what students will see. Consider the accessibility of videos for all students, providing captions, translations, or alternative formats where necessary.
Resources for the activities below:
13. Screen films
Screen films such as Selma (about the Civil Rights Movement) or The Pursuit of Happyness (about the life of Chris Gardner). Follow up with a guided discussion on the historical significance and impact of these events.
14. Watch documentaries
Show educational videos on topics like the Harlem Renaissance or the life of Harriet Tubman. Follow up with guided questions and group discussions.
15. Write movie reviews
Have students write movie reviews or journal entries after watching films, discussing what they learned and how the movie changed or deepened their understanding of Black history.
16. Host comparative film studies
Show films that explore the same topic (e.g., different portrayals of Rosa Parks in The Rosa Parks Story vs. Selma) and ask students to compare and contrast the ways these stories are told.
18. Discuss the significance of HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities)
Organize a virtual tour of an HBCU campus, or arrange for a guest speaker from an HBCU to talk about the experience and opportunities at these institutions. Encourage students to reflect on the significance of HBCUs in shaping Black culture, identity, and history. Incorporate discussions on how HBCUs serve as cultural, social, and intellectual hubs for Black students. Connect this to the broader African American experience, emphasizing how education has been a tool for empowerment.
19. Take a virtual art tour
Take students on a virtual tour of cities known for their African American murals, such as Philadelphia or Detroit. Discuss how murals serve as a visual form of storytelling, activism, and cultural pride. Encourage students to think about the symbolism and themes of murals, and how art can be a powerful tool for social change.
20. Host a guest speaker
If possible, invite a local Black leader or community figure to speak to the class or conduct a virtual interview.
21. Analyze historic photos
Have students analyze historic photos from the Civil Rights Movement, Harlem Renaissance, or Black Power era. Ask them to write or discuss the context, emotions, and historical significance behind the photos. In small groups, students can reenact iconic scenes from Black history based on historic photos, then present their interpretations to the class.
Create and Share
Encourage students to incorporate multimedia, such as music, video clips, and images, to create more engaging presentations that reflect the richness of Black culture. Ensure students understand that Black history is not just about struggle—it is also about achievement, creativity, and community building. Focus on celebrating the diversity of experiences within the Black community.
Resources for the activities below:
22. Share a fact of the day
We Are Teachers
Share a daily fact about a prominent Black figure or event. Ask students to create posters or presentations based on these facts.
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23. Play a trivia game
Host a trivia game based on historical facts about Black history. Divide the class into teams and reward correct answers with small prizes or recognition.
24. Encourage journaling
Have students compile a Black History Month fact journal, where they note interesting facts about Black historical figures or events they encounter throughout the month.
25. Decorate your classroom door
Have students help decorate your classroom door with representations of Black leaders, artists, or scholars. Each student can take a part in creating a symbol or image that represents the contributions of Black Americans.
26. Use multimedia to learn about Black sororities and fraternities
Have students create posters or multimedia presentations that showcase the history, values, and impact of organizations like Alpha Phi Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, or Omega Psi Phi. Highlight the service and leadership aspects of these organizations. Focus on their community outreach, activism, and scholarship programs. Encourage students to think critically about the role of Black fraternities and sororities in shaping Black history and culture.
27. Cook for the class
Have students research famous African American chefs (e.g., Marcus Samuelsson, Edna Lewis, or Leah Chase) and then try to re-create one of their recipes in class. Discuss the cultural significance of African American cuisine, such as the influence of Southern cooking, soul food, and African influences on American cuisine.
28. Write a song
Have students research the history of protest songs (e.g., “Lift Every Voice and Sing”) or the role of music in the Civil Rights Movement. Students can then write their own songs inspired by these movements.
29. Host a Black history STEM fair
We Are Teachers/Illustrated by Kim Holt
Host a class project where students create presentations on famous African American inventors, scientists, engineers, and tech innovators (e.g., George Washington Carver, Mae Jemison, or Dr. Shirley Jackson). Discuss the challenges and contributions of Black individuals in STEM fields, emphasizing how they’ve overcome barriers and broken new ground. Encourage students to explore STEM careers and the importance of diversity in the field.
Kim Holt
30. Create your own animated character
Have students create their own animated characters that reflect their cultural identity. Encourage students to think about the importance of representation in media and how animated films like The Proud Family or Black Panther have helped to normalize and celebrate Black culture in mainstream media.
31. Create a state map
Have students create a map or infographic that shows the unique ways each state observes Black History Month. Encourage students to explore the diversity of Black experiences across the United States and how each region may approach the celebration of African American history differently. Discuss the significance of the month’s designation and its cultural impact.
32. Hold a fashion show
Students can research and present famous African American fashion designers (e.g., Patrick Kelly, Tracy Reese, Dapper Dan) and hold a fashion show showcasing their styles or influence on contemporary fashion.
Research and Present
There’s so much great information out there about Black history. Have students research a famous person or event and present their findings in writing, a Google Slideshow, video, or any other clever way they choose. Check out all of our ideas for research and presentation below.
Resources for the activities below:
33. Make a collaborative Google Slides project
Students can work together to create a presentation on a Black historical figure using Google Slides. The presentation can include images, text, and even short video clips.
34. Assign a Black history research assignment
Have students research a famous Black American (e.g., Maya Angelou, Booker T. Washington, or W.E.B. Du Bois) and create a report or multimedia presentation about their life and contributions.
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35. Utilize an interactive timeline project
Have students create a timeline highlighting key events in the lives of notable Black leaders and activists.
36. Compare and contrast a trailblazer to a new history maker or difference maker
Have students choose a historical trailblazer (e.g., Harriet Tubman, Martin Luther King Jr.) and a new history maker (e.g., Amanda Gorman, LeBron James). Students can debate who has had a greater impact, using evidence and research. Assign students to write essays or create presentations that compare the contributions of these two individuals to society and history.
37. Research Black Wall Street and Black billionaires or New Black Wall Street in Atlanta
Have students research the rise and destruction of Black Wall Street in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and compare it to modern developments like the New Black Wall Street in Atlanta. Invite a local business leader or entrepreneur who is part of the New Black Wall Street to discuss modern-day economic empowerment in Black communities.
38. Conduct state research
Assign each student a state and have them research the history of how Black History Month is celebrated there, including events, significant figures, and local traditions.
39. Research an invention
Have students research everyday products invented by African Americans (e.g., the traffic light by Garrett Morgan, the hair straightener by Madam C.J. Walker).
40. Research a small business
Research successful African American–owned businesses (e.g., Essence, Uncle Nearest whiskey) and have students create business proposals for their own ventures.
Be sensitive and thoughtful when discussing segregation and racism. Provide students with safe spaces to ask questions and express their thoughts. By using these resources creatively and thoughtfully, we can ensure that our Black History Month lessons are engaging, meaningful, and respectful of the rich legacy of Black Americans.
Get your free printable Black history quote posters!
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Be sure to get your free bundle of five Black History Month quote posters. They’re perfect to decorate your classroom in February and throughout the year!
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Fenyx Blue, M.A.Ed., Reading Specialist, Certified SEL Facilitator
Nora was created by real estate investors who wanted to blend history with modern touches to attract shoppers, diners.
Nora District shops, eateries, hotel progressing in West Palm Beach
The Nora District construction is progressing for the new dining, shopping and entertainment section north of downtown West Palm Beach.
The $1 billion project transformed a rundown area north of downtown West Palm into a trendy neighborhood with a mix of old warehouses and new buildings.
Retailers, restaurants, and fitness centers are set to open in Nora in phases, with a hotel and apartments planned for the future.
The West Palm Beach project gained momentum during the pandemic as businesses and residents relocated to Palm Beach County.
More than seven years in the making, the $1 billion Nora development is the culmination of an ambitious plan by a small group of real estate investors willing to take a chance on a rundown part of the city.
Starting in 2018, these investors began buying up old warehouses, boarded-up properties and vacant sites just north of the downtown. These were the properties in and around North Railroad Avenue facing the Florida East Coast Railway, which was built by industrialist Henry Flagler in the late 1880s.
The investment group envisioned something special: a hip, new neighborhood blending history with modern finishes.
The investors designed the district around North Railroad Avenue, the area’s western boundary and the district’s designated Main Street. Then they named the entire project Nora, short for the avenue’s name. The Nora District is just west of North Dixie Highway between 7th Street and Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard.
Nora features buzzy retailers, restaurants in downtown West Palm Beach
Using a mix of old warehouses and new construction, Nora’s partners created ground-floor spaces for buzzy and in-demand retailers. This includes casual and upscale restaurants, activities for families, and a smattering of luxury stores.
Nora also includes the hottest players in boutique fitness centers, plus several beauty retailers and services.
A few of the project’s 20 retailers plan to open in late August and September, while others will open by year-end, and more stores and eateries will open in 2026.
Eventually, people will be able to stay and even live at Nora.
In the fall of 2026, look for the opening of the 201-room Nora Hotel by Richard Born and Ira Drukier of BD Hotels, along with acclaimed hotelier Sean MacPherson.
The Nora Hotel will feature a rooftop pool and bar. It also will feature a signature restaurant, Pastis, the famed New York City Parisian-style brasserie.
Meanwhile, Nora’s developers are seeking approval from the City of West Palm Beach for an 11-story, 350-unit apartment complex along 10th Street at North Railroad Avenue.
In addition, Nora hopes to build an 11-story condominium at 1105 N. Dixie Highway.
If Nora sounds like an overnight sensation, it is not. Backers said the project required timing, creativity, patience − and a large dose of luck.
How a simple plan for West Palm turned big after a global event
The property purchases began around 2018, with a plan by NDT Development to rehabilitate a couple of old warehouses into new restaurant spaces.
But the redevelopment plan grew bigger, and over time, the group bought more and more property. Eventually, NDT joined with Place Projects, an early developer of Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood, and Wheelock Street Capital to create the Nora District. The 40-acre district is the city’s largest redevelopment since CityPlace, which opened in 2000.
Soon several Northeast restaurateurs and retailers expressed interest in following their customers to Palm Beach County, said Francis X. Scire, Nora’s leasing director. These include eateries from New York and Boston.
During the past three years, Scire said he’s charted the growing interest, and the caliber, of the companies wanting to be what some consider one of the hottest cities in the country.
“We’re a thriving metropolis and they needed to get a flag down here,” Scire said. “Nora was the best product coming online. It was the obvious choice.”
Coffee, cars and a big bet on the future of the Nora District
Sunday Motor Co. is one example. The coffee shop from Madison, New Jersey, has launched a soft opening in a converted warehouse at 7th Street and North Railroad Avenue, the southern corner of the Nora District.
Sunday Motor is among the first restaurants to open at Nora. With its auto-themed accessories and memorabilia, it promises to be a welcome gathering spot for coffee and car aficionados, non-car lovers and everyone else.
A daytime menu featuring breakfast and lunch items will be offered at first. Then, about a month after opening, Sunday Motor will launch evening service, featuring a different menu as well as beer and wine, according to Nick Vorderman, who owns the coffee shop with his wife, Renee Mee.
The expansion to Florida began in 2023 when the Vorderman family bought a house in West Palm Beach’s Flamingo Park to visit with relatives in Jupiter.
Soon after, the couple began taking a look around West Palm Beach. This was about the same time that Nora’s leasing director was trying to find a coffee shop.
Scire said he wanted the perfect “third place,” a location that isn’t home or work but another setting for gathering. After sifting through 37 possible coffee shops, he settled on Sunday Motor’s creative and welcoming vibe.
In a brief telephone interview on Aug. 13, Nick Vorderman was busy putting the finishing touches on the new Nora location.
But in between the last-minute frenzy, Vordeman said he was looking forward to the shop’s opening. “We’re all very excited,” he said. “It’s been a long road to get to this point.”
Nora’s eight other eateries range across a broad spectrum of cuisine. Several hail from the Northeast, too. Coming from Boston is Loco Taqueria & Oyster Bar. From New York, look for H&H Bagels, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream and Juliana’s Pizza. New York’s The Garret Group also plans a sports bar. Also opening at Nora are Indaco, a restaurant featuring rustic Italian-inspired cuisine; Del Mar Mediterranean; and local operator Celis Juice Bar.
In the beauty and wellness space, Nora will feature Sweat440 and SolidCore fitness facilities; service retailers such as Sana Skin Studio, The Spot Barbershop and IGK Salon hair care; Le Labo Fragrances; and ZenHippo early childhood activities.
Finally, three other retailers also are in the mix. They are Warby Parker eyewear; and two women’s clothing boutiques, Pompanos and Mint.
A new use for old West Palm Beach buildings
In a 2021 interview, back when Nora first was being sketched out, Place Project’s Joe Furst said the land assemblage by NDT was complicated, rare and vital to create an area with thoughtful planning and design.
A lot of times, developers either can rehabilitate old buildings or build new ones in an area, but not both, Furst said.
However, at Nora, rehabbed warehouses complement newly-built places, so “you still have that Main Street feel,” he said.
Indeed, historical flourishes are a part of making it feel authentic, said Damien Barr, a partner in the NDT Development group.
“We were very intentional,” Barr said during a recent tour of Nora.
Visitors to Nora need only look down for proof. Lining the district’s sidewalks are railroad ties, a nod to the nearby railway that first breathed life into the city and continues to inspire new uses for this old part of town.
Social-emotional skills like identifying and regulating feelings, kindness, sharing, and empathy are all skills that kids learn in early childhood, and they have a huge impact on later success. In fact, one study found that the social-emotional skills that kids display in kindergarten correlate with success in early adulthood, making SEL activities worth including in every classroom. Here are some of our favorite social-emotional learning activities to use with your preschool and kindergarten students.
SEL Activities for Self-Awareness and Self-Management
These SEL activities are all about learning to recognize, understand, and manage feelings, emotions, and behaviors. This is a major SEL focus for preschool and kindergarten, helping kids learn to understand how they’re feeling, why they’re feeling that way, and how to cope with those big feelings. When you teach self-awareness and self-management at this age, kids get better at responding to challenging situations, now and in the future. Try some of these activities with your preschoolers and kindergartners.
1. Post a feelings chart
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Start your day with a morning meeting. When you talk about the weather and schedule for the day, also include a few minutes to talk about how everyone is feeling or explore a specific emotion in more detail. Kids can also refer to these charts when they’re struggling.
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2. Use real faces to learn emotions
Create a slideshow with faces of your students showing different emotions or of photos of kids making feelings faces. Kids will get a kick out of seeing their classmates making different faces, but it also gives them practice recognizing emotion in real humans.
3. Make affirmation bracelets
Set out cups of colored beads. In front of each cup of beads, add a sticky note with a positive affirmation. For example, red may be “I can do this,” orange is “I am smart,” yellow “I am special.” Have each student make a rainbow bracelet with pipe cleaners and beads. Remind them to use their positive affirmations throughout the day when they touch the red bead and tell themselves they can do it!
4. Teach feelings vocabulary words
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Talking about big feelings takes a big vocabulary! Our free printable chart is a terrific tool for helping kids find the words they need to make their feelings clear (to themselves and others). You can also use the words to create a word wall in your calm-down corner.
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5. Sort emotions pictures
Print out pictures of emotions, either the basic emotions or the basics plus more (anxious, disgusted, afraid, etc.). Print images that could go with each emotion. You could print a picture of a spider to go with “afraid” or a birthday cake to go with “happy.” Have students sort the pictures with the emotions. How does each picture make them feel? (Note that not all students may have the same reaction to each picture.)
6. Play a game of musical feelings
Draw feelings faces on paper plates and lay them out on the ground in a circle. Play music and have students move around the circle until the music stops. Students look at the card closest to them and hold a pose that demonstrates that feeling until the music starts again.
7. Hang an emotions bulletin board
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Teach emotions using our free printable bulletin board set! Kids can move their names to the appropriate place on the board to share how they’re feeling each day. This can be easier for some kids than talking out loud, especially in front of the whole class.
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8. Make a feelings collage
Collect magazines or old books for this group project. Start by choosing one feeling, like “happy.” Ask kids to tear or cut out images from the materials that represent that emotion for them. Write the emotion in the middle of a piece of chart paper, and attach the pictures they find to create a collage. Continue with other emotions to make a whole set of collage posters. (This is another activity that shows that people can have different emotions about the same thing. For instance, one student might say pickles make them happy, while another finds them disgusting.)
9. Encourage “I” statements
Encourage students to be mindful about how they’re feeling by helping them practice how to articulate their thoughts without lashing out at others. Give them starters such as “I feel angry when …,” “I feel happy when …,” “I feel frustrated when …,” etc. Once they are able to articulate their feelings, help them strategize ways to handle those emotions.
10. Match emotion cards
Print two sets of our free “Today I Feel …” cards. Cut them apart, mix them up, and lay them face down on the table or floor. Kids take turns turning over two cards to see if they match. If they do, the player keeps the cards. If not, the next player takes a turn. Be sure to name each emotion as you turn it over to give kids practice recognizing feelings.
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11. Make emotion masks
Make emotion masks using paper plates, markers, and other art supplies. Then, have kids sit in a circle, and invite one student into the middle. They call out an emotion, and the other students hold up the appropriate masks to match. Verify everyone has chosen the correct mask, then pick another student for the next round.
12. Paint gratitude rocks
Use river rocks and paint markers, and ask students to paint the rocks to express what they’re thankful for or something they care about. Create a jar or garden display using their finished rocks, and encourage others to check out the display and add their own rocks to the collection!
13. Teach the characteristics of feelings
This easy (and free!) lesson plan helps kids recognize what feelings and emotions look like, both in themselves and in others. Kids will have a great time adding play dough features to their face work mat to represent the different emotions.
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14. Play with a feelings tower
Pick up a set of colorful Jenga-style blocks and assign an emotion to each color (red = happy, blue = sad, orange = angry, etc.). As kids pull the blocks to play the game, they name something that evokes that feeling for them. For example, if a student pulls a blue block, they might say that they’re sad when their grandparents go home after a visit. SEL activities like this not only help kids identify feelings, they help them become more comfortable talking about them with others.
15. Try a Zones of Regulation activity
This simple concept assigns colors to emotions: red (angry), orange (overwhelmed, frustrated), yellow (worried, anxious, confused), blue (sad, disappointed), and green (calm, content, happy). Once students have identified which zone they’re in, they can learn the appropriate strategies to manage their feelings.
Deep breathing reduces stress and anxiety—it’s an incredible tool for managing emotions at any age. The concepts are simple and can become automatic when you practice them early and often. Check out our collection of five breathing exercises that are perfect for preschool and kindergarten, like Bunny Breathing and Box Breathing. Be sure to print and share our free posters too!
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17. Sing feelings songs
Songs can help teach emotional vocabulary in a fun and relatable way. You’ll find all sorts of songs for kids about emotions and feelings on sites like YouTube. Put together a playlist to share with your class with picks like the “Feelings Song” by The Singing Walrus on YouTube
18. Keep a feelings journal
Most preschoolers and kindergartners aren’t able to do a lot of writing on their own, but they can draw pictures to illustrate their feelings each day. Teachers can add a few emotion words to each page for kids not old enough to write on their own yet.
19. Create a cozy calm-down corner
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Set aside a separate cozy space where kids can go when they’re having trouble handling big feelings of any kind. Make it comfy and calming with beanbag chairs or a soft rug, and include tools and toys to help kids find their inner calm. Hang a feelings chart, provide stuffed animals for hugs, stock up on fidget toys, and don’t forget noise-cancelling headphones to help them block out distractions.
Kids are never too young to try some yoga poses! They can help kids find their inner calm when they’re upset or overexcited. Teach and practice a new pose each day during your morning meeting, or use them for brain breaks or transition times.
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21. Use a feelings spinner
Hand out white paper plates, and have students draw eight circles representing faces around the edge. Then, they give each face a feeling (happy, sad, angry, tired, surprised, afraid, hungry, excited, calm). Once the faces are complete, create a spinner using a brad and arrow. Students point the arrow at the face that represents how they’re feeling today. This is also a good social-emotional learning activity to do with students who would rather point to how they feel than talk about it.
22. Try emotions charades
Here’s another fun way to use our free printable emotions cards! Kids draw an emotion card from the pile, then act it out for others to guess. For example, if they draw “angry,” they could stomp around with a mean face, pretending to yell. This one is great for encouraging the imagination too!
23. Make calm-down jars
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Make these mesmerizing calm-down jars for your classroom using just water, oil, and food coloring. Add glitter for a little extra pizzazz. When students are feeling overwhelmed or upset, give them a few minutes to focus on the jar as they turn it upside down and back. Focusing on the movement and colors will help students calm down so they can get back to work.
Take social-emotional learning activities outside with a nature walk that uses students’ five senses. Explore the changing color of leaves, different leaf shapes, pine cones, and more. Listen for birds and other critters. Lie down on the grass and feel the earth beneath you as you look up at the blue sky. These mindfulness activities remind kids of the emotional importance of getting outside to “touch grass” on a regular basis.
25. Set up sensory stations
Sensory bins or tables engage the senses, giving students something to focus on besides their roiling emotions. Teach students that they can spend time at the sensory station any time they feel overwhelmed and need to calm down. Switch out your stations regularly to stimulate new feelings, physically and emotionally.
SEL Activities for Social Awareness and Relationship Skills
At this age, kids are just learning how to navigate social relationships and becoming more aware of the differences and similarities between themselves and their peers. SEL activities for preschool and kindergarten emphasize the need for empathy, kindness, and cooperation with those around us. Teachers and parents should model good behaviors, as well as teach them directly and indirectly with social-emotional learning activities like these.
26. Choose your daily greetings
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Daily greeting routines build community and confidence. They can also be used as a social-emotional learning check-in. Use this daily greeting printable to give students ideas for how they can greet you. You can use the ideas on the printable or create your own with your class.
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27. Draw helping hands
Talk about how our hands can help others. Then, students trace their own hands and reflect on what their helpful hands can do. You can create a class bulletin board using the students’ drawings. Over the next weeks, take photos of students helping and add them to the bulletin board.
28. Plant seeds of kindness
Have students write or draw one kind act they can do today on a paper “seed,” then hang it in a kindness garden bulletin board or place it in jar.
29. Hang leaves on a kindness tree
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Draw a large tree trunk on a sheet of chart paper. Then pass out different-colored leaves made from construction paper (or use our printable leaf template linked below) and ask each student to write or draw an act of kindness they can do on their leaf. After they’ve finished, help them tape their leaf to the tree trunk as reminders of how they can show kindness and respect for others. Add more leaves to the tree as you notice students being kind.
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30. Play Kindness Bingo
Create bingo cards showing different ways to be kind or show kindness, and use them to give an SEL twist to the classic game. Have students help you brainstorm the various squares on the card and come up with pictures that represent the actions.
31. Hold a compliment circle
Have students sit in a circle with their legs out so that everyone’s feet are in the circle. Ask for a volunteer or start the circle. The first person says a compliment for a peer. The peer says “Thank you!” and pulls their legs in so they are sitting crisscross-applesauce. Then, they give the next compliment. The compliment circle continues until everyone has received a compliment and is sitting crisscross-applesauce.
32. Use conversation starters
Learning to talk to others, especially new people, is vital for developing healthy friendships. Get the conversation started with questions like “What is your favorite thing to eat at lunch?” or “What was the funniest thing that happened to you today?” Pair students up and have them take turns asking the questions and giving answers to start a conversation.
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33. Practice sharing with ice cream cones
Sharing is one of those skills that can be really hard for kids to develop. Practice the idea of sharing by making paper ice cream “cones” and passing the “ice cream” (a lightweight ball that will fit in the cone) from one person to another. As students share their ice cream, have them practice saying please and thank you.
34. Teach whole body listening
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Teach students what their bodies should look like when they are listening. Use these whole body listening posters to reinforce this skill. Note you can always make accommodations for students since kids with ADHD, autism, and sensory-processing challenges may not be able to perform whole body listening in the same way other students do.
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35. Practice listening daily
Learning to listen, not only to themselves but to one another, is a critical skill for preschoolers. Set aside time each day to sit quietly with your students and listen for sounds in and around the classroom for increasing lengths of time. Or ring a chime and ask students to see how long they can hear the sound it makes. Intentional listening exercises like these give kids practice with this sometimes-challenging skill in a low-risk setting.
36. Play listening games
Practice listening skills with a game like Simon Says, Telephone, Freeze Dance, or Musical Chairs. Players must listen closely and pay attention if they want to win!
37. Watch friendship videos
Learning to get along with others takes a lot of practice. A video can be a conversation starter for students or a way to talk about how to handle tough friendship situations.
As young children learn about different ways we express ourselves, use poetry to talk about friendship. After you’ve read poems about friendship together, write a class poem or challenge older kindergartners to write their own friendship poems.
Listen to friendship songs with your students and talk about the lyrics. What does it mean when Woody sings “you’ve got a friend in me?” or when the Beatles sing they “get by” with a little help from their friends?
Have students think about what kind of friend they want and want to be by creating friend paper dolls. Draw an outline of a person on paper and give one to each student. Students decorate their “friend” and then share what they included. Does their friend have a pet to take care of together? Does their friend like gymnastics, just like them?
41. Fill buckets with positivity
The book Have You Filled a Bucket Today? has become a hit in preschool and elementary school classrooms, teaching kids how their words and actions affect others. Read this book, then give each student buckets and pom-poms representing positive comments. Encourage students to fill each others’ buckets with kind words and deeds!
Social stories are simple narratives that teach rules, expected behaviors, and how to handle various situations. For example, you may use a social story with students to teach them what to expect and how to behave during a fire drill. Or you may use a social story with a student who wants to learn how to make a friend or handle a social situation. The goal of social stories is that students learn clear actions they can take to solve common social situations.
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43. Let kids work out their own problems
As your students engage in play and collaboration, conflict will occur. When it does, help them solve their problems by observing and modeling rather than solving their problems for them.
Role-play is a wonderful way to teach your preschoolers and kindergartners social behaviors, rules, and expectations. Rehearsing these skills in a safe space, with a teacher’s guidance, helps them learn social norms. Pretend how to act in a restaurant, assembly, or in other spaces they’ll need practice with. Or practice how to handle situations that kindergartners will come across, like not wanting to share a toy or asking someone for help.
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45. Get a classroom pet
This is definitely a lot of work for teachers, but the benefits for students can be unbelievable. Even students who are uncomfortable around other children can often empathize with animals, helping them develop a better understanding of humans too. When kids help take care of a class pet, they have to make good decisions and demonstrate responsibility too. Not ready for the commitment in your classroom? Consider bringing in your own dog from time to time for students to play with.
In any social situation, conflict will happen. Teach students what to do beforehand with strategies like saying “stop,” ignoring the behavior, walking away, and getting help.
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47. Play with dolls
Imaginative play with dolls helps develop social-emotional relationship skills in every child, regardless of gender. Be sure to provide dolls that ensure every student sees themselves represented in your classroom, and include different styles and sizes too. As kids play, praise them for good social skills (“You did a good job helping your doll get dressed”) and guide them to kinder, more responsible behaviors (“How do you think the doll feels when you throw it down and step on it?”).
When kids play games that require them to work together to win, they build all sorts of SEL skills. They need to make smart decisions and think ahead to plan their strategy. Plus, they need to cooperate and function as a team to decide what to do next. Keep some of our favorites on hand in your classroom for quick and easy SEL activities!
Thoughtful book choices turn story time into learning time! Many books for kids are written with social-emotional learning in mind. Look for relatable characters that kids enjoy to help make the messages more meaningful to your audience. Here are some of our top picks for SEL books for preschool and kindergarten.
49. Mindfulness books for kids
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Mindfulness can be an abstract concept. Teach students what mindfulness is and what it looks like in our lives through read-alouds.
A chill is in the air, costumes are filling the stores, and Halloween is right around the corner. That means spooky season is upon us! Celebrate the season with these fun and creative Halloween activities and games. You’ll find party games perfect for a class Halloween celebration as well as more educational finds like writing prompts and STEM and math challenges. There are enough Halloween activities on this list to do something different every day in October and then some!
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Quick and Easy Halloween Activities
Try these activities as part of morning meetings or bell ringers, or to fill in when you have a few extra minutes at the end of a class or day. They’re all simple to pull off, with minimal (or no) prep needed!
Tell Halloween jokes
What’s a witch’s favorite subject in school? Spelling, of course! Share some belly laughs with our favorite Halloween jokes for kids.
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Share Halloween quotes
Post a new quote daily to greet students (we’ve got 101 of them to choose from, with images that are all ready to display). Or ask students to choose their favorite quote and create an illustrated poster you can display in the classroom or hallway.
Snag our free printable word searches, with options for easy, medium, and hard. They’re perfect for early finishers and extra credit!
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Pose Halloween trivia questions
Whether you set up a class competition or just use these trivia questions as bell ringers or morning meeting openers, they’re sure to challenge students of all ages.
Solving coded messages is fun, but it also teaches valuable skills like pattern-matching and logic. Grab our free worksheet to try it with your students.
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Watch a Halloween video
Check out our roundup of terrific educational Halloween videos. Get some math practice, learn about Halloween around the world, or try some spooky yoga. You’ll find options for every subject and grade level.
This crossword is just right for elementary students. Pair up younger kids to make it a little easier, or assign this as a fun seasonal homework or enrichment activity.
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Solve a Halloween word scramble
We scrambled 20 themed words for kids to unscramble. The worksheet is designed at an elementary school level, but it makes a fun timed challenge for middle or high school students too!
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Color Halloween coloring pages
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Let’s face it, Halloween is a tough day to teach, especially by the afternoon. It’s totally OK to give yourself a break and pass out these coloring pages to end the day!
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Halloween Books, Poems, and Read-Alouds
Use the seasonal picks in these roundups for story time, reading comprehension practice, book talks, reading groups, and more!
Best Halloween books for kids and teens
This collection includes all the classics (Room on the Broom or Bunnicula, anyone?) as well as new reads to discover. Our list includes picture books, chapter books, and even middle grade and young adult options.
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Popular pumpkin books for kids
With both fiction and nonfiction options, this list gives you lots of choices for learning about Halloween’s unofficial mascot!
Whether you prefer the classics like Poe (“Once upon a midnight dreary …”) or are looking for cute new options to share with little ones, you’ll find the perfect poetry picks on our list for all grades.
Halloween isn’t just about ghosts and witches—it’s also time for monsters to shine! From silly to scary, this roundup is full of Halloween-ready tales to share with kids.
Pumpkins are round … right? Well, not always! The Spookley books are really popular with kids, and there are so many fun (and educational) ways to use them in the classroom. Check out our roundup and activity ideas to learn more.
When you don’t have time for a whole book, short stories are the way to go. In short fiction, writers have to make good use of every word to capture the mood and draw readers into the tale. That makes this format perfect for horror and suspense tales, like the ones in our roundup.
Looking for some ways to bring the spooky season to your ELA classroom? We’ve got you covered! These activities help kids learn and polish their reading and writing skills.
Hang a Halloween word wall
Add a new word to your wall every day, or spend the whole month using spelling and vocab words from our huge list (225+) of Halloween words.
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Give fairy tales a Halloween twist
How would the story have changed if Little Red Riding Hood were a werewolf, or it turned out that Cinderella’s Prince Charming was a vampire? Challenge your students to think outside the box and give new (spooky) life to old fairy tales.
Hold a Monster Adopt-athon
This is part art project, part writing practice, and totally fun! First, kids draw a picture of their very own monster, any way they like. Then, they write up a description of the monster, including its favorite things, where it was born, and the proper care and feeding to keep it healthy. Finally, kids present their monsters to the class, and other students choose the ones they’d like to “adopt”!
Hop on pumpkin letters
Use our free pumpkin templates to create a Pumpkin Hop course. Simply write a letter on each and tape them to the floor. You can add obstacles in between if you like, or simply have kids jump from letter to letter saying the name and sound it makes as they go. We love this for active learners!
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Free Pumpkin Templates
Create a Pumpkin Hop with our templates! Kids can jump from letter to letter, calling out names and sounds.
Who would win in a fight: a vampire or a werewolf? Are kids ever too old to go trick-or-treating? What’s the best design for a jack-o’-lantern? Divide kids into teams and let them prepare their arguments using our free printable organizers. Then, hold a face-to-face debate or fishbowl discussion and let them (civilly) argue it out!
A ghostwriter helps someone else put their story into words (though they don’t usually receive any credit as an author). Pair students up, then challenge one to come up with the detailed plot for a spooky story, while the other “ghost writes” the story itself, adding description and dialogue as needed. This is the perfect writing activity to use with our free ghost templates!
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Compose a Halloween poem
If your students groan when you ask them to write a poem, you need our poem-writing worksheet bundle! This free collection will walk students through writing seasonal poems like limericks, odes, haiku, couplets, blackout poetry, and more.
This quick and easy free printable activity is great for helping kids learn how to alphabetize. You can also use this list for spelling or vocab words.
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Inspire with Halloween writing prompts
What is your favorite Halloween costume and why? Would you spend a night in a graveyard for $100? Why or why not? We have 18 more Halloween writing prompt ideas plus free printable writing paper for students to use!
One of the best ways to work on writing clearly and concisely is by asking kids to create a set of instructions on how to do something correctly. Let them choose from seasonal topics like “How To Carve a Pumpkin,” “How To Trick-or-Treat,” or “How To Create a Haunted House.” Bonus tip: Choose one or two essays to read aloud in class, trying out the directions to see how well they work!
Assemble a Halloween acrostic
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In an acrostic, the first letter of each line spells out a word or message. These are a lot of fun for kids to create, and we’ve made the process easier with our free printable worksheets!
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Cook up cauldron sentences
You’ll need a large plastic cauldron for this activity (and if you like, a big mixing spoon and a witch’s hat!). Ask each student to write a Halloween-themed word or phrase on a piece of paper and toss it into your cauldron. Mix up all the “ingredients,” then draw them out one at a time and ask kids to use each one in a sentence. For more of a challenge, try to incorporate each sentence into a larger story.
Complete a Halloween vocab worksheet
Here’s another simple, no-fuss Halloween printable activity you can use anytime you need it. The vocab words are ideal for the elementary crowd.
Writing messages in code takes some patience and creativity, but it’s so much fun to receive and decode them. Use our free printables to help kids practice writing and cracking codes, then have them send messages to each other through a classroom post office box decorated with ghosts!
Picture prompts give writers a lot to work with: They can help set a plot in motion, create an atmosphere or mood, and inspire writers to include more details in their work. Take a look at our big collection of picture writing prompts to find some for the spooky season, or browse the web to find the perfect picks for your class.
Write a persuasive essay about the best Halloween candy
Kids have a LOT of opinions when it comes to this topic, and it makes a fun, low-stakes topic for learning how to write a persuasive essay. You can also have them make the case for their favorite scary movie or the best Halloween costume. Plus, we’ve got graphic organizers to help them get started!
Give your science and math lessons a bit of seasonal flair with these fun Halloween learning ideas.
Work on Halloween-themed math word problems
There are so many spooky situations that could easily be turned into math word problems. Our collection includes free slides you can share with your students. Try using them as problems of the day all throughout October.
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Sort flash cards into pumpkins
Pick up some plastic pumpkin buckets and label them with flash card answers. Then, see how quickly students can sort flash cards into the right ones!
Use candy corn for Halloween math activities
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Pick up a few bags of candy corn and grab our free printables, then engage your students in meaningful Halloween math activities, from matching to multiplication.
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Solve spider equations
Cut one large and one small circle from black construction paper to form a spider’s body and head. (Don’t forget the googly eyes for fun!). Then, cut and attach eight strips for legs. Use white crayons or chalk markers to write a target number in the middle of each spider. Finally, have kids brainstorm various equations that equal the target, and write them on the legs. For instance, if the target number is 8, kids could write 5 + 3, 4 x 2, 32 ÷ 4, etc. This is a fun way to work on fact families too.
Color Halloween math mystery pictures
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Solve the equations and color the pictures. We love this free printable worksheet as an enrichment activity or Halloween week homework assignment.
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Brew up some math potions
For this fun Halloween early math activity, you’ll need a plastic cauldron and “ingredients” like colorful pom-poms, plastic spiders, googly eyes, etc. Make up a set of “potion” cards with recipes like “3 spiders, 2 red pom-poms, 5 green pom-poms, and 5 eyes.” Little ones drop the correct ingredients into the cauldron and give it all a stir. This is such a fun way to practice counting!
Color in a Halloween coordinate grid picture
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Teach coordinate grids for math or geography. Use the given coordinates to color in the squares and reveal a Halloween picture. Kids can also create their own pictures and give coordinates to their classmates.
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Take a candy survey and graph the results
Survey your class to determine what their favorite trick-or-treat candies are. Then, use the results to make graphs: bar graphs, line graphs, pie charts, etc. This makes a fun homework assignment too: Ask kids to survey 20 people and create their own graph.
Tackle a Halloween STEM challenge or two
Our collection of free printable cards is perfect for grades 2 to 5, though older kids will enjoy them too. Challenges include options like “Build a spiderweb out of pipe cleaners,” “Make a brain with play dough,” and “Build a bone bridge with Q-tips.”
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Make ghosts “dance” with static electricity
This simple little demo is so much fun! Cut small ghosts from white tissue paper, and blow up an orange or black balloon. Show kids how to rub the balloon on the right type of surface to create static electricity, then hold it over the ghosts to draw them up and make them dance.
Explode a pumpkin volcano
Carve a jack-o’-lantern, then use baking soda and vinegar to make it overflow with “lava.” Kids never get tired of this one! Get all the directions you need in our video.
Put a Halloween spin on this traditional STEM project. Give kids wood craft sticks, rubber bands, plastic bottle caps, and some glue. Then, challenge them to build a catapult that will launch candy pumpkins into a target.
Mix up some Halloween slime
Kids LOVE slime. Fortunately, it makes a really fun science experiment, and you can give it a Halloween twist with food coloring and mix-ins like googly eyes or pumpkin mini-erasers. Get four different slime recipes plus worksheets for the classroom at the link.
Ask kids to do some research about bats, and make a list of their favorite facts. Then, cut out bats from black construction paper and use white crayons or chalk markers to write in the facts. Turn one of your bulletin boards into a cave with some gray paper, and hang your bats for a truly fun and educational Halloween display!
Explore the pumpkin life cycle
Pumpkins take a long time to grow, and it’s not really practical to try this in a classroom (unless you’ve got a school garden, of course). Instead, watch our free video on the pumpkin life cycle to help kids learn more about it. And if you’ve got a strong stomach, you can try leaving a carved pumpkin out in the elements to watch it decompose!
Use the same principles and method from our dancing popcorn video to see gummi worms twitch and writhe instead! Mix baking soda with water and drop in some candy worms. Then, slowly pour in vinegar and watch as the carbon dioxide bubbles make the candy rise and fall. Creepy and cool!
Here’s one more baking soda and vinegar experiment you can easily turn into a Halloween science activity. Follow the instructions in the video. Use orange balloons, and before you attach them to the bottle, use a black permanent marker to draw a jack-o’-lantern face on them. It’s so exciting to watch the pumpkin balloons expand like magic (except it’s science, which is even better)!
These games make terrific choices for a class Halloween party, and they’re fun to play at home too!
Halloween Bingo
Everybody knows it, everybody loves it! Use our free printable Halloween bingo boards for a class-wide game. Each kid gets to cut out the cards and place them anywhere they like on their card, so no two boards will be the same!
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Ghost and pumpkin bowling
Collect 10 empty plastic bottles and paint them white, then add ghostly faces. Line them up as pins. Use an orange ball (you can use a black permanent marker to add a jack-o’-lantern face if you like) to knock them down!
Freeze Dance, Halloween style
Start the music and dance, dance, dance! When the music stops, freeze in place. Anyone still moving is out for that round. Play until just one dancer is left standing. Our spooky Halloween playlist has all the tunes you’ll need!
Give this challenge a seasonal spin by adding ghosts faces to white paper cups. Give each player 10 cups in a stack, and ask them to stack them into a pyramid and then back down into a stack as fast as they can. If the pyramid falls over, they have to start again. This one is always a crowd favorite!
Pin the spider on the web
Draw a spiderweb on your whiteboard, and give each student a paper spider with tape or a magnet on the back. One at a time, blindfold the players, start them about 10 feet from the board, and spin them around three times. Their goal is to make their way to the board and get the spider as close to the middle of the spiderweb as possible.
Witch hat ring toss
Grab some small plastic cones from the dollar store. Paint them black and add some silver or gold buckles with a paint pen, so they look like witch’s hats. Line them up and see if kids can toss rings around them to win a prize.
Halloween Make-a-Word
This one is fun and simple: How many words can you make using the letters in HALLOWEEN? Grab our free printable to make this game even easier.
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Wrap the Mummy race
Break kids into pairs, and give each pair a roll of toilet paper. At the word “Go,” one player wraps the other in toilet paper as fast as they can, turning the player into a “mummy.” When they’re fully wrapped, the mummy races for the finish line.
Ghost and pumpkin hunt
Print and cut out ghosts and pumpkins from our free printables, then hide them around the room. Divide players into two teams, Ghosts and Pumpkins. Each team works together to try to find all of their ghosts or pumpkins first.
It’s a snap to give these classic games a Halloween twist when you use our free printable Halloween word lists! Whether kids want to act it out or draw it, we’ve got hundreds of words you can use for these games.
Make or buy orange beanbags, and draw jack-o’-lantern faces on them with permanent marker or a paint pen. Line up some buckets (pumpkin trick-or-treat containers or plastic witch’s cauldrons make this extra fun), then give each player a chance to toss as many as they can into the targets. Tip: Add different point totals to the buckets to give the game a bit of a strategic element.
Pro-tip: Use our free templates to make the most impressive pumpkin carvings for your classroom. If you’d like to carve pumpkins with students as a class activity, consider using artificial mess-free craft pumpkins for a keepsake kids can display for years to come.
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Draw a pumpkin
Use our free video to teach students how to draw a pumpkin. Once kids have this skill down, they can include pumpkins in all their Halloween art projects! Try having students draw their own pumpkin patches, adding their own creative flair.
Draw a monster, but let the dice make the hard decisions! Roll a single die or pair of dice to determine how many of each of these body parts to include: head, arm, leg, eye, ear, mouth, nose, finger, and toe. This is a clever way to sneak some counting practice into art time.
Beaded pipe cleaner pumpkins
You’ll need orange and green pipe cleaners and pony beads for this Halloween craft. Take four orange pipe cleaners and twist them together in the middle, then fan them out so you have eight “spokes” of a wheel. String orange beads onto each spoke, then curve them up to meet in the middle, forming a pumpkin shape. Twist the ends to hold them in place, then add a green pipe cleaner with beads for a stem, and some green curlicues if you like.
Jack-o’-lantern lacing plates
This cute craft also provides excellent fine motor skills practice. Use a hole punch to punch even-spaced holes around the edges of orange plastic disposable plates. Cut out jack-o’-lantern faces from black construction paper and glue them in the middle. Give kids orange yarn and show them how to lace the yarn in and out of the holes.
Halloween painted rocks
You’ll need river rocks, craft paint, and brushes (or paint markers) for this creative Halloween activity. Decorate rocks to look like ghosts or jack-o’-lanterns, or paint them with spooky messages and pictures of witches, monsters, vampires, and more.
Drinking-straw skeletons
Cut white paper drinking straws into smaller pieces for “bones.” Give each student a handful, along with some black construction paper and glue. Ask them to create a skeleton in any pose they like, gluing it in place. For a fun expansion on this project, skip the construction paper and glue and use pipe cleaners instead. Kids string the “bones” onto the pipe cleaners, putting them together to form poseable skeletons.
Cotton ball ghosts
Try this cute activity with younger classes. Print and cut out our free ghost templates using white card stock. Spread the ghosts with a thin layer of glue, then have kids glue cotton balls in place to fill in the shape. When they’re finished, attach ghost faces made of construction paper.
Lite Brite pumpkins
Raid an old Lite Brite set for the colorful plastic pegs. Use a skewer to poke holes in a hollowed-out pumpkin (for a mess-free option, use craft pumpkins instead), and drop a battery-operated light inside. Push the pegs into the holes to create all sorts of spooky designs.
Yarn tassel ghosts
These ghosts are so easy to make! Cut a piece of cardboard about 5 inches wide, and wrap white yarn around it at least 20 times. Use a small piece of yarn to tie the top loops of yarn together, then slide the yarn off the cardboard. Tie a second small piece of yarn about an inch below the top to form the head. Finally, cut the yarn loops apart at the bottom and trim them if needed. Glue on small black beads for eyes and mouth, then hang your spooky creations!
More Halloween Activities for the Classroom
Rock your own Halloween costume
Courtesy of Gabriella S.
Need some creative ideas for Halloween costumes? Check out our roundups for inspiration from real We Are Teachers readers!
Watch Halloween movies
These kid-friendly picks are the perfect way to finish out Halloween in your classroom. Everything here is a no more than a little bit spooky or scary, but you’ll definitely want to watch in advance to make sure your choice is appropriate for your audience.
Set up an artificial “campfire” in your classroom using orange and yellow streamers attached to a box fan lying flat on the floor. Turn out the lights and give everyone flashlights instead, then gather around the “fire” and tell scary stories. Check out our free collection to get things started!
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Dig into Halloween sensory bins
Assemble sensory bins full of the sights, sounds, scents, and textures of Halloween. Include some of these: popcorn or rice dyed orange and black; black beans; slime; cooked spaghetti noodles; water dyed orange and black; cinnamon sticks; candy corn; candy pumpkins; letter beads or magnets spelling “Halloween;” mini-erasers of ghosts, pumpkins, etc.; plastic spider rings; large googly eyes; plastic skeletons; mini pumpkins or cauldrons for scooping; or Halloween-themed confetti.
Create a Halloween escape room
This one takes some dedication, but your students will absolutely love it! Our free printables will walk you through the process step-by-step. If you’re not up for crafting your own puzzles, buy a ready-made escape room game (there are plenty of them available), then add your own decorations to customize it for your class.
What better way to get your students interested in reading than to dress as their favorite book character? Whether it’s for Halloween or you need ideas for a Book Character Spirit Day, we’ve got you covered with these fantastic book character costume ideas for individuals and groups!
Jump to:
Individual Book Character Costume Ideas for Teachers
Courtesy of Amy B., PreK-6 Librarian
1. Mo Willems’ Pigeon
Dressing like this beloved mischievous bird is easy with a clever knit cap. Attach the sign to a yardstick and stick it in your back pocket, and you’ll have a “caption” all day long!
We love the idea of being the coconut tree from this adored alphabet book! Add letters to a brown tunic and make yourself a headdress from construction paper.
Courtesy of Presley, 2nd Grade Teacher
3. The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Want to make this costume even funnier? Spend the day constantly eating some of the items from the book!
Add big colorful buttons to a yellow shirt, add some cat ears, and you’ve got a Pete the Cat costume! If you can do the different-colored sneakers, even better.
Those fly eyes made from paper plates are totally cute and easy enough for any teacher to make. You can also make your own wings, or buy a pair to make the costume even easier.
If you really love putting effort into your costumes, take inspiration from this incredible Around the World in 80 Days costume! A giant beach ball balanced in a Hula-Hoop forms the “balloon,” and a pair of steampunk goggles adds an authentic touch.
This adorable penguin onesie costume is practically like wearing jammies to school. Just attach some question mark cutouts to transform it into the beloved book character.
Here’s another movie favorite that actually got his start in a book. Fortunately, you can pick up an easy all-in-one costume for the lovable green guy.
Spread an environmental message with your teacher Halloween costume! “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”
This is an amazing costume idea for two teacher besties. They’re friends forever, just like Frog and Toad!
Courtesy of Brittany G., 3rd Grade Teacher
25. Charlotte’s Web
Want something the entire school can get in on? Try the farm animals and other characters from Charlotte’s Web!
Courtesy of Stephanie Gable
26. Laura Numeroff Characters
If you give a teacher a Laura Numeroff book, they’ll turn it into a Halloween costume! Each teacher can pick their own favorite.
Courtesy of Gabriella S.
27. The Magic School Bus
Where would Ms. Frizzle be without the rest of the gang? Extra points if you can convince someone to dress up as the bus itself.
Courtesy of Gabriella S.
28. Junie B. Jones
This childhood favorite has been through dozens of adventures and looks a little different each time. That makes this a fantastic group costume, with each teacher dressing as their own version of Junie.
Courtesy of Brooke B., 4th grade Teacher
29. Winnie-the-Pooh
You can go all out with Pooh-themed costumes, but you don’t need to. These simple T-shirts and headbands get the idea across perfectly and are much more practical.
Pick up some big sheets of poster board and create your own costumes for the characters from the popular picture book series. These kids made their teacher dress up as the Bad Seed!
Courtesy of Hilary Statum
32. Room on the Broom
This book is absolutely perfect for group teacher Halloween costumes. We especially love the teacher dressed as the broom itself!
Courtesy of Stephanie Gable
33. The Avengers
We all know teachers are superheroes, so this group comic book costume seems especially appropriate.
Courtesy of Brooke B., 4th Grade Teacher
Courtesy of Amy, PreK-6 Librarian
35. Seuss Characters
Every kid knows their Dr. Seuss characters, and the huge array of books gives you so many to choose from.
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Photo Credit: Craig Dudek
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Photo Credit: Craig Dudek
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Short stories are a perfect teaching tool for middle schoolers. They’re quick, fast-paced, and pack a punch with lots of action and drama. And because they require less time to read, they’re an easy way to expose your students to new authors and genres.
This list of short stories is great for teaching middle schoolers. Links to each story are included below (they are sometimes scanned reproductions). Always remember to check in advance for typos, and be sure to respect copyright protections. Finally, before you bring these short stories for middle schoolers to your classroom, make sure the material (and whatever twist ending is in store) is previewed and appropriate.
You can get free printable copies of the short stories by simply filling out the form on this page.
1. Recitatif by Toni Morrison
“The minute I walked in and the Big Bozo introduced us, I got sick to my stomach. It was one thing to be taken out of your own bed early in the morning—it was something else to be stuck in a strange place with a girl from a whole other race.”
Why we love it: Morrison’s stated goal in this short story, which begins in an orphanage, was to remove “all racial codes from a narrative about two characters of different races for whom racial identity is crucial.” Also, it’s perfect for studying style and spurring conversation.
2. Stone Animals by Kelly Link
“Carleton was serious about how he played. Tilly sat on the landing, reading a book, legs poking out through the railings. Whenever Carleton ran past, he thumped her on the head, but Tilly never said a word. Carleton would be sorry later, and never even know why.”
Why we love it: It’s a longer short story that is rich with stylistic and narrative elements and can serve as a novella. So, save time to teach this short story over a few weeks.
3. Hearts and Hands by O. Henry
“Among the newcomers were two young men, one of handsome presence with a bold, frank countenance and manner; the other a ruffled, glum-faced person, heavily built and roughly dressed. The two were handcuffed together.”
Why we love it: Middle school readers are often ready for the classics, and even though O. Henry’s language can be tough for kids today, “Hearts and Hands” is quick and clear and hits exactly as you want his stories to hit.
4. The Fir Tree by Hans Christian Andersen
“And the Wind kissed the Tree, and the Dew wept tears over him; but the Fir understood it not.”
Why we love it: It’s a poetic fairy tale, and it’s great for teaching theme. Use this story to teach literary elements and figurative language.
5. The Diamond Necklace by Guy de Maupassant
“The sight of the little Breton peasant who did her humble housework aroused in her despairing regrets and bewildering dreams.”
Why we love it: “The Diamond Necklace” is a great story to use to teach character development. Scaffold this older text for students by providing supports for background knowledge and vocabulary.
6. The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin
“Knowing that Mrs. Mallard was afflicted with a heart trouble, great care was taken to break to her as gently as possible the news of her husband’s death.”
Why we love it: It’s a perfect anchor text for a discussion assignment.
7. The Library of Babel Jorge Luis Borges
“Like all men of the Library, I have traveled in my youth; I have wandered in search of a book, perhaps the catalogue of catalogues; now that my eyes can hardly decipher what I write, I am preparing to die just a few leagues from the hexagon in which I was born.”
Why we love it: Welcome to Borges’ world of magical realism. Read this story as an example of magical realism, or as part of a unit about authors whose work bent reality in all kinds of ways.
8. The Circuit by Francisco Jiménez
Why we love it: We enjoy doing this as a read-aloud, to lead into reflective writing or discussion.
9. Daedalus and Icarus by Ferdinand Scmidt
“Daedalus of Athens was a son of Metion, grandson of Erectheus. He was the most skillful man of his time–an architect, sculptor, and stone worker. … But skillful, zealous, and active as he was in his work, he had vices which brought him into trouble.”
Why we love it: “Daedalus and Icarus” is a great way to introduce middle schoolers to mythology. It’s a simple enough story, but with enough complexity to strengthen students’ ability to focus and read line-by-line to fully grasp the story about the dangers of being overconfident.
10. The Paper Menagerie by Ken Liu
“I didn’t know this at the time, but Mom’s breath was special. She breathed into her paper animals so that they shared her breath, and thus moved with her life. This was her magic.”
Why we love it: Liu writes a subtle story, which makes it exciting for students to uncover elements of craft. Use this story as a practice in close reading and assign students to small groups to read aloud and talk about how the story unfolds.
11. The Boastful Bamboo from Japanese Folk Stories and Fairy Tales
“Beneath the gleaming snows of Fuji lay a great forest. There many giant trees grew, the fir, the pine, the graceful bamboo, and the camellia trees. The balmy azaleas and the crinkled iris bloomed in the shade. The blue heavens were fleecy with snowy clouds, and gentle zephyrs caressed the blossoms and made them bow like worshipers before a shrine.”
Why we love it: This story injects Japanese folktales into the curriculum so students can learn more about Japan, and see how storytelling and fairy-tale elements are similar and different across cultures.
12. The Open Window by Saki (H.H. Munro)
“Framton shivered slightly and turned towards the niece with a look intended to convey sympathetic comprehension. The child was staring out through the open window with dazed horror in her eyes.”
Why we love it: It’s a story that’s great to read anytime for setting, theme, and characterization, or a wonderful themed story for a Halloween read-aloud.
13. The Masque of the Red Death by Edgar Allan Poe
“When the eyes of the Prince Prospero fell upon this spectral image (which, with a slow and solemn movement, as if more fully to sustain its role, stalked to and fro among the waltzers), he was seen to be convulsed.”
Why we love it: Poe should be on every middle school reading list. In this story, Death is a character and Poe creates a fantastic personification of Death with his descriptive writing.
“We chose for our victim the only child of an influential citizen named Ebenezer Dorset. … The kid was a boy of ten, with bas-relief freckles, and hair the colour of the cover of the magazine you buy at the new-stand. … Bill and me figured that Ebenezer would melt down for a ransom of two thousand dollars to a cent. But wait till I tell you.”
Why we love it: This story is Home Alone but set in the Old West and written by O. Henry. Help students appreciate how even older stories can be hilarious.
15. An Old Acquaintance by Leo Tolstoy
“The infantry picket, stationed on the knoll at the left, stood in perfect silhouette against the light of the sunset; no less distinct were the stacks of muskets, the form of the sentry, the groups of soldiers, and the smoke of the smouldering camp-fire.”
Why we love it: This story is a great chance to talk about how authors bring their own experiences (in this case, historical events) into their work.
16. Fixed Income by Sherman Alexie
Why we love it: Filled with Alexie’s trademark style, it’s a quick look at the generation gap and perfect for a read-aloud or studying characterization. Like his other story on this list, the text we chose is edited to be more school-appropriate.
17. The Wife’s Story by Ursula K. Le Guin
“It was the moon, that’s what they say. It’s the moon’s fault, and the blood. It was in his father’s blood. I never knew his father, and now I wonder what became of him.”
Why we love it: Students savor the slow realization that the people in the story might not be exactly what they seem.
18. First-Day Fly by Jason Reynolds
“How were you supposed to know geometry is apparently more important than your drip? How were you supposed to hear anything Mrs. Montgomery had to say about triangles and diameters and whatever a hypotenuse is when your sneakers are practically bleeding to death?”
Why we love it: In this story, the narrator reflects on his younger self as he prepares to go to school. It’s an adventurous reflection, rich with details and style, just what you’d expect from Jason Reynolds.
19. On the Sidewalk Bleeding by Evan Hunter
“He lay on the sidewalk, bleeding, and he thought only: That was a fierce rumble. They got me good that time, but he did not know he was dying.”
Why we love it: We learn how it ends right in the beginning. This piques students’ curiosity so they continue to read to find out how the character got here. A good example of an intriguing story structure.
20. The Bet by Anton Chekhov
“Execution kills instantly, life-imprisonment kills by degrees. Who is the more humane executioner, one who kills you in a few seconds or one who draws the life out of you incessantly, for years?”
Why we love it: You can’t read short stories without including Chekhov. “The Bet” raises ethical questions for the reader in the way that all great Russian literature does.
21. My Favorite Chaperone by Jean Davies Okimoto
“It’s like that in America. It’s a place where things can change for people, and many people always seem to have hope. At least that’s how it seems to me. Maybe I was beginning to think this way, too, although my hope was very small.”
Why we love it: This story about immigration is long enough for a mini-unit, and it’s great for teaching the basics of storytelling and style. It’s also a great story for helping students think about the immigration experience.
22. The Treasure of Lemon Brown by Walter Dean Myers
Why we love it: Walter Dean Myers’ universe is immediately accessible for many middle school kids, and this story gives us a chance to expand the unit into a study of the blues and all the musical genres it inspired. The project possibilities are endless!
23. The House and the Brain by E. Bulwer Lytton
“A friend of mine, who is a man of letters and a philosopher, said to me one day, as if between jest and earnest, ‘Fancy! Since we last met I have discovered a haunted house in the midst of London.’”
Why we love it: The first line of this story brings us to a haunted house, and students are hooked!
24. Seventh Grade by Gary Soto
“On the way to his homeroom, Victor tried a scowl. He felt foolish, until out of the corner of his eye he saw a girl looking at him. Umm, he thought, maybe it does work. He scowled with greater conviction.”
Why we love it: This story captures the middle school experience so well, and Soto always does such a great job integrating diverse voices into his work.
25. Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
“Then I said if I had my glases I coud see better I usally only ware my glases in the movies or TV but I said they are in the closit in the hall. I got them. Then I said let me see that card agen I bet Ill find it now.”
Why we love it: The story of an intellectually disabled man who is temporarily able to blend into “normal” society brings out great questions, even for today’s students.
26. The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe
“During the whole of a dull, dark, and soundless day in the autumn of the year, when the clouds hung oppressively low in the heavens, I had been passing alone, on horseback, through a singularly dreary tract of country; and at length found myself, as the shades of the evening drew on, within view of the melancholy House of Usher.”
Why we love it: No one paints a dreary, spooky picture like Poe. Read this story to analyze how Poe creates mood one dreary word at a time.
27. Everyday Use by Alice Walker
“In real life I am a large, big-boned woman with rough, man-working hands. In the winter I wear flannel nightgowns to bed and overalls during the day. I can kill and clean a hog as mercilessly as a man.”
Why we love it: Walker’s story is a great model about how authors create descriptive characterizations.
28. Lamb to the Slaughter by Roald Dahl
“The room was warm and clean, the curtains drawn, the two table lamps alight—hers and the one by the empty chair opposite. On the sideboard behind her, two tall glasses, soda water, whiskey. … Mary Maloney was waiting for her husband to come home from work.”
Why we love it: Students already know Dahl from his whimsical (if slightly dark) novels like Matilda and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but this short story will show students another side of the author. Talk about the story and how versatile an author can be.
29. One Friday Morning by Langston Hughes
Why we love it: Hughes tackles race and discrimination in a story about a community that reverses a decision to award a local teen a scholarship when they learn that she is Black. It’s a compelling and troubling story that ends with a note of inspiration and is rich for discussion.
30. A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings by Gabriel García Márquez
“The light was so weak at noon that when Pelayo was coming back to the house after throwing away the crabs, it was hard for him to see what it was that was moving and groaning in the rear of the courtyard. He had to go very close to see that it was an old man, a very old man, lying face down in the mud, who, in spite of his tremendous efforts, couldn’t get up, impeded by his enormous wings.”
Why we love it: Exploring Márquez’s magical realism is an exciting, eye-opening experience for students.
31. Charles by Shirley Jackson
“‘Why did Charles hit the teacher?’ I asked quickly. ‘Because she tried to make him color with red crayons,’ Laurie said. ‘Charles wanted to color with green crayons so he hit the teacher and she spanked him and said nobody play with Charles but everybody did.’”
Why we love it: Jackson’s must-read story validates the experience of students who don’t play by the rules, and it’s still got the perfect twist ending. Students will remember this story long after you’ve finished teaching it.
32. Rip Van Winkle by Washington Irving
“Every change of season, every change of weather, indeed, every hour of the day, produces some change in the magical hues and shapes of these mountains, and they are regarded by all the good wives, far and near, as perfect barometers.”
Why we love it: It’s important for students to know the reference behind Rip Van Winkle. They can discuss how references from literature make it into everyday language. Plus, this is an imaginative story with great description.
33. Click Clack the Rattlebag by Neil Gaiman
“We walked along the upper corridor in the shadows, walking from patch of moonlight to patch of moonlight. It really was a big house. I wished I had a flashlight.”
Why we love it: Students simply love this story. Period. Gaiman knows how to write for today’s kids, and this story never fails to hold their attention from the drop.
34. Names/Nombres by Julia Alvarez
“At the hotel my mother was Missus Alburest, and I was little girl, as in, ‘Hey, little girl, stop riding the elevator up and down. It’s not a toy.’”
Why we love it: This is less a short story than an anecdotal essay about the words we use to identify one another, especially our loved ones. It’s one of those short stories for middle schoolers that’s perfect for starting the school year.
35. To Build a Fire by Jack London
“The man flung a look back along the way he had come. The Yukon lay a mile wide and hidden under three feet of ice. On top of this ice were as many feet of snow. It was all pure white, rolling in gentle undulations where the ice-jams of the freeze-up had formed.”
Why we love it: London’s stories remain engaging. In this story, the pace is perfect for studying plot, and the style is a fun model for narratives.
36. The Fly by Katherine Mansfield
“The door shut, the firm heavy steps recrossed the bright carpet, the fat body plumped down in the spring chair, and leaning forward, the boss covered his face with his hands. He wanted, he intended, he had arranged to weep …”
Why we love it: “The Fly” is a riddle wrapped in a short story. It’s fun for students to untangle the story and meaning.
37. Geraldo No Last Name by Sandra Cisneros
“She met him at a dance. Pretty too, and young. Said he worked in a restaurant, but she can’t remember which one. Geraldo.”
Why we love it: This story is a great model to show students how authors use words both economically and effectively.
38. Rules of the Game by Amy Tan
“I was six when my mother taught me the art of invisible strength. It was a strategy for winning arguments, respect from others, and eventually, though neither of us knew it at the time, chess games.”
Why we love it: Tan uses the game of chess and the game of life. The themes of passion, dedication, and respect for family and tradition are built into this story, as in much of Tan’s work.
39. Liars Don’t Qualify by Junius Edwards
“Will Harris sat on the bench in the waiting room for another hour. His pride was not the only thing that hurt. He wanted them to call him in and get him registered so he could get out of there.”
Why we love it: It’s a small story about a very big issue, and it’s driven by compelling dialogue.
40. The Sniper by Liam O’Flaherty
“On a rooftop near O’Connell Bridge, a Republican sniper lay watching. Beside him lay his rifle and over his shoulders was slung a pair of field glasses. His face was the face of a student, thin and ascetic, but his eyes had the cold gleam of the fanatic.”
Why we love it: The video game generation connects quickly to the setting, and the moral questions are worth talking about.
41. Civil Peace by Chinua Achebe
Why we love it: This modern Nigerian story is a great way to introduce students to African literature, modern events, and point of view and theme.
42. The Friday Everything Changed by Anne Hart
“Tradition. In Miss Ralston’s class the boys have always carried the water bucket. Until one day, the girls decide it’s time to challenge the rule.”
Why we love it: What better way to empower young world-changers than a short story for middle schoolers about gender roles?
43. The Scholarship Jacket by Marta Salinas
“The next day when the principal called me into his office I knew what it would be about. He looked uncomfortable and unhappy. I decided I wasn’t going to make it any easier for him, so I looked him straight in the eye. He looked away and fidgeted with the papers on his desk.”
Why we love it The limited first-person perspective of the young narrator provides an interesting window on racial and social politics.
44. Amigo Brothers by Piri Thomas
Why we love it: It works as a great extension text if you’re examining sports fiction, friendship stories, ethical questions, or characterization.
45. And of Clay Are We Created by Isabel Allende
“In that vast cemetery where the odor of death was already attracting vultures from far away, and where the weeping of orphans and wails of the injured filled the air, the little girl obstinately clinging to life became the symbol of the tragedy.”
Why we love it: Allende does historical fiction like no other. Introduce students to her style, including the bold imagery and vivid voice with this story about the aftermath of a fictional volcano eruption (based on the 1985 volcano eruption in Colombia).
46. Hills Like White Elephants by Ernest Hemingway
“It was very hot and the express from Barcelona would come in forty minutes. It stopped at this junction for two minutes and went on to Madrid.”
Why we love it: Students can analyze craft, bias, and character development all in one story.
47. The Veldt by Ray Bradbury
“They walked down the hall of their HappyLife Home, which had cost them thirty thousand dollars installed. This house which clothed and fed and rocked them to sleep and played and sang and was good to them.”
Why we love it: Read and analyze this story about a child who gets revenge on their parents.
48. The Fun They Had by Isaac Asimov
“‘Gee,’ said Tommy, ‘what a waste. When you’re through with the book, you just throw it away, I guess. Our television screen must have had a million books on it and it’s good for plenty more. I wouldn’t throw it away.’”
Why we love it: This science-fiction story works wonderfully as a compare-and-contrast text or as a model for students’ own speculative narratives. It’s also a great way to bring what may be a new genre into the classroom.
49. Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
“George and Hazel were watching television. There were tears on Hazel’s cheeks, but she’d forgotten for the moment what they were about. On the television screen were ballerinas.”
Why we love it: The subversive genius of Kurt Vonnegut always provides essential lessons in style and critical thinking.
50. A Good Man Is Hard To Find by Flannery O’Connor
Why we love it: It really freaks out the kids when the grandmother meets her match in a twist that we see coming just in time to really feel the horror. If you’re looking for short stories that are engaging and rich for character study, this is the one for middle schoolers.
51. Eleven by Sandra Cisneros
“You open your eyes and everything’s just like yesterday, only it’s today. And you don’t feel eleven at all. You feel like you’re still ten. And you are—underneath the year that makes you eleven.”
Why we love it: Middle schoolers will appreciate the way Cisneros handles the theme of growing up, and the premise of a child being embarrassed is all too relatable.
52. Thank You, Ma’am by Langston Hughes
“It was about eleven o’clock at night, and she was walking alone, when a boy ran up behind her and tried to snatch her purse. The strap broke with the single tug the boy gave it from behind.”
Why we love it: It’s an example of an important lesson taught with firm grace and compassion. The beautiful characterization makes it a great text to study for technique.
53. Valediction by Sherman Alexie
“The next morning, we met up before school, and vowed to never do it again. One time was kind of innocent, but more than that would be criminal. But after practice that night, we did it again. Then again the day after that. We shoplifted for a week.”
Why we love it: Few writers do coming-of-age stories these days better than Sherman Alexie. And this is a great coming-of-age story with a solid lesson at the end.
54. Girl by Jamaica Kincaid
“Wash the white clothes on Monday and put them on the stone heap; wash the color clothes on Tuesday and put them on the clothesline to dry; don’t walk bare-head in the hot sun; cook pumpkin fritters in very hot sweet oil …”
Why we love it: This story is unconventional and accessible at the same time. I love exposing students to different types of narratives, because it really helps them extend their creative ideas.
55. When I Lay My Burden Down by Maya Angelou
“I remember never believing that whites were really real.”
Why we love it: Maya Angelou is a must-read for students. In this narrative, she takes the American perspective and turns it on its head, challenging students to really think.
56. All Summer in a Day by Ray Bradbury
Why we love it: Teaching this story in the 21st century means you can align it with historical events and help students imagine their own versions of what will happen in the future.
57. The Medicine Bag by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve
“I watched the group as it slowly came closer and saw that in the center of the strange procession was a man wearing a tall black hat. He’d pause now and then to peer at something in his hand and then at the houses on either side of the street. I felt cold and hot at the same time as I recognized the man. ‘Oh, no!’ I whispered. ‘It’s Grandpa!’”
Why we love it: Short stories for middle schoolers that highlight the wisdom and experience of elders are always welcome in my classroom. This one teaches students about having pride in their cultural heritage.
58. St. Lucy’s Home for Girls Raised by Wolves by Karen Russell
“We’d arrived at St. Lucy’s this morning, part of a pack fifteen-strong. We were accompanied by a mousy, nervous-smelling social worker, the baby-faced deacon, Bartholomew the blue wolfhound, and four burly woodsmen.”
Why we love it: Werewolves. Great literature. What’s not to like?
59. Sweat by Zora Neale Hurston
“Delia’s habitual meekness seemed to slip from her shoulders like a blown scarf. She was on her feet; her poor little body, her bare knuckly hands bravely defying the strapping hulk before her.”
Why we love it: While the dialect and culturally sensitive topics in this story are for more advanced readers, it’s also a wonderful way to engage students who are ready to tackle more complex text.
60. Mother and Daughter by Gary Soto
“Yollie’s mother, Mrs. Moreno, was a large woman who wore a muu-muu and butterfly-shaped glasses. She liked to water her lawn in the evening and wave at low-riders, who would stare at her behind their smoky sunglasses and laugh.”
Why we love it: In this story, the relationship between a mother and daughter is tested after a wardrobe malfunction at a dance. The story has themes of family and of what happens when we act thoughtlessly.
61. The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe
“If still you think me mad, you will think so no longer when I describe the wise precautions I took for the concealment of the body. The night waned, and I worked hastily, but in silence. First of all I dismembered the corpse. I cut off the head and the arms and the legs.”
Why we love it: This is a ghost story with an unreliable narrator, terrifying action, and (spoiler alert) no ghost. it’s a great start or end to a unit on short stories.
62. The Hitchhiker by Lucille Fletcher
Why we love it: This is a short story in script form that’s fun to perform in class. Also, you can pair this with the Twilight Zone version to analyze craft and perspective.
63. The Landlady by Roald Dahl
“He walked briskly down the street. He was trying to do everything briskly these days. Briskness, he had decided, was the one common characteristic of all successful businessmen.”
Why we love it: When the narrator, Billy, arrives in Bath, and it becomes problematic when he meets the landlady, even Billy seems to understand his predicament. I get the chills just thinking about this story. Students love that too.
64. The Smallest Dragonboy by Anne McCaffrey
“Dragonriders, even if they were still only hopeful candidates for the glowing eggs which were hardening on the hot sands of the Hatching Ground cavern, were expected to be punctual and prepared.”
Why we love it: It’s simply a beautiful story with science-fiction and fantasy motifs.
65. The Scarlet Ibis by James Hurst
“It was I who renamed him. When he crawled, he crawled backwards, as if he were in reverse and couldn’t change gears. If you called him, he’d turn around as if he were going in the other direction, then he’d back right up to you to be picked up. Crawling backward made him look like a doodlebug, so I began to call him Doodle.”
Why we love it: It’s one of those short stories for middle schoolers that’s straight-up heartbreaking, so be prepared for that, but it’s also rich with symbolism and character development.
66. My First Free Summer by Julia Alvarez
“I never had summer—I had summer school. First grade, summer school. Second grade, summer school. Thirdgradesummerschoolfourthgradesummerschool. In fifth grade, I vowed I would get interested in fractions, the presidents of the United States, Mesopotamia; I would learn my English.”
Why we love it: It’s Julia Alvarez, which means the kids will be so wrapped up in the story they won’t realize they’re reading. In fact, they’re just experiencing her engaging point of view.
67. The Lottery by Shirley Jackson
“The lottery was conducted—as were the square dances, the teen club, the Halloween program—by Mr. Summers, who had time and energy to devote to civic activities. He was a round-faced, jovial man and he ran the coal business, and people were sorry for him because he had no children and his wife was a scold.”
Why we love it: No short story list would be complete without “The Lottery.” It’s a wonderful story with interesting plot twists that forces students to pay attention and give it a close read.
68. The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry
Why we love it: It’s a classic story about a couple who give up their greatest treasures to buy gifts for each other. Students can discuss the themes of sacrifice and love and rewrite the story with their own updates.
69. The Gold Cadillac by Mildred Taylor
“‘We got us a Cadillac! We got us a Cadillac!’ Wilma and I proclaimed in unison.”
Why we love it: The story, and the idea of cars as a status symbol, is timeless.
70. Fish Cheeks by Amy Tan
“When I found out that my parents had invited the minister’s family over for Christmas Eve dinner, I cried. What would Robert think of our shabby Chinese Christmas? What would he think of our noisy Chinese relatives who lacked proper American manners?”
Why we love it: Use this story to analyze how the author develops a narrator’s point of view.
71. The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell
“An abrupt sound startled him. Off to the right he heard it, and his ears, expert in such matters, could not be mistaken. Again he heard the sound, and again. Somewhere, off in the blackness, someone had fired a gun three times.”
Why we love it: This story builds suspense and tension and provides space for students to discuss whether this story is meant to be read literally or allegorically.
72. Sol Painting, Inc. by Meg Medina
“Papi and I have a long-term business plan. I’m going to take over his company one day and turn it into an empire. Home Depot will eat my dust. I’ve already designed my business cards. They’ve got a sun rising and fancy gold letters: MERCI SUAREZ, CEO, SOL PAINTING, INC.”
Why we love it: Medina’s writing appeals to many students who have trouble connecting with content, starting with the narrator’s compelling voice.
73. Main Street by Jacqueline Woodson
Why we love it: This is a story about grief and loss, with a main character who recently lost her mother to cancer. Despite the sober premise, it’s a wonderful story to use for close reading.
74. Raymond’s Run by Toni Cade Bambara
“I don’t have much work to do around the house like some girls. My mother does that. And I don’t have to earn my pocket money by hustling; George runs errands for the big boys and sells Christmas cards. And anything else that’s got to get done, my father does. All I have to do in life is mind my brother Raymond, which is enough.”
Why we love it: Middle school students know what it means to stand by your family, and this story leads to great conversations about theme.
75. The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas by Ursula Le Guin
“Do you believe? Do you accept the festival, the city, the joy? No? Then let me describe one more thing.”
Why we love it: It’s more of a proposition than a story. As a result, students can explore meaning and consider the ethical questions Le Guin raises.
76. What’s the Worst That Could Happen? by Bruce Coville
“If thirteen is supposed to be an unlucky number, what does it mean that we are forced to go through an entire year with that as our age? I mean, you would think a civilized society could just come up with a way for us to skip it.”
Why we love it: This story explores what it’s like to be 13, and whether your middle schoolers are heading into 13 or coming out of it, they will love reading one perspective on the awkward teen years.
77. The Monkey’s Paw by William Wymark Jacobs
Why we love it: The story is written in a dialogue-driven way and the plot builds to an important lesson.
78. The Boo Hag by Veronica Byrd
“But Emmet had his eyes set on a beautifully mysterious young woman who lived alone in a small cabin deep in the marsh. She was incredibly beautiful, with long dark hair, smooth skin and piercing green eyes. But word around town was that she was a little strange, and it was best to stay away from her.”
Why we love it: This story connects with the tradition of oral storytelling. Read it aloud to students or assign them the challenge of making this story come to life through read-aloud.
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I teach high school, so when I get a gift from a student and their family, I’m fully screaming, crying, throwing up (as the kids say). I know that it sounds cliché, but I really mean it when I say that the handwritten notes that I’ve received from students are my most cherished gifts. I’d always recommend a handwritten card for your teacher. No matter which grade they teach, I know they’ll appreciate it.
We spoke with 120 teachers from around the country to learn what makes the best teacher gifts for every style and price range. Here’s what we found out.
Jump to:
Top 3 Gifts Recommended by Teachers
Don’t worry, we have plenty of gift ideas on the list, but these are the ones that educators told us they love again and again, regardless of the grade they teach or their personal interests.
Sherry B. via We Are Teachers
1. Thank-You Notes
“One of the teacher gifts that made me feel most appreciated is handwritten thank-you notes or cards from students,” shares a Texas math teacher. “The heartfelt words written by students convey deep appreciation and warmth, which makes me feel truly valued and encouraged.”
When I asked real educators about the best gifts for teachers, the number-one answer is always the same: gift cards. They don’t need to be for a huge amount: $5 at Starbucks will get most teachers a cup of coffee, and with $10 at Dunkin’, they can grab a snack too.
Many teachers told us they love getting special food or drinks delivered during the school day. Ask about their preferences and take orders in advance. Then bring teachers lunch or a delicious pick-me-up on a day and time that works best for them. No time to do your own deliveries? That’s why Grubhub and DoorDash exist!
Top 3 Gifts To Avoid Giving Teachers
1. Mugs
Honestly, I am writing this as a high school teacher who probably receives fewer gifts than an elementary school teacher, so I am not yet overwhelmed by mugs or even gifts in general. But most teachers I asked mentioned that their collection of “teacher” mugs has reached its quota.
2. Obscure Food Items
I’m talking about food that’s oddly unique, rare, and maybe not a traditional favorite of most people. I did once receive a grape salad that I LOVED, but I had raved about trying it at a PTO event and apparently talked about it so much that I got it again for Christmas. Just take inventory of what you know about the teacher and their preferences.
3. “Teacher” Decor
This section is not a blanket statement for all teachers. There are exceptions to every rule, but normally teachers are not decorating their actual homes with teacher decor. So if they seem to have decorated their classroom already and may not have space for a new sign, it’s probably best to pass on the teacher decor.
Best $10 and Under Gifts Recommended by Teachers
These gifts are perfect if you want to add a little something special to your heartfelt thank-you note. They’re also great choices if you want to surprise your teacher with something special on a random day during the year.
Target
Their Favorite Drink
This is an affordable but highly appreciated gift. Pair a case of their favorite potable with a thank-you note, and your child’s teacher will treasure you forever. Not sure what their favorite beverage is? Ask your child what drink they see on their teacher’s desk after lunch … they’ll know.
Most teachers will love any chocolate you give, but many of them stressed the benefits of quality over quantity. If you really want to make them feel special, splurge on a gourmet option like Godiva. These are perfect for savoring slowly while binging Netflix, or rewarding themselves after turning in their final grades on time!
Magnets are great for both fridges at home and whiteboards at school, making them one of our favorite little teacher gifts. This set is especially fun for English teachers and their fellow grammar geeks.
Hand sanitizer is a teacher must-have, and they can clip these holders to their lanyard or belt, refilling as needed. They come in a cute floral pattern too. Here’s what one reviewer had to say: “I’m a teacher and this product is perfect to keep on my backpack. I can easily use it entering/leaving school, with peace of mind for sanitation. We are buying more for my teacher friends and family.”
These adorable statement earrings are perfect to dress up any outfit, even on jeans day! When it’s a messy-bun day, your child’s teacher will feel more put-together with these fun earrings.
This bag is trendy, and for good reason! It is a functional, fashionable version of a fanny pack. Your child’s teacher will love a gift that leaves their hands free while storing their phone, hand sanitizer, key card, and wallet. This one is simple but comes in tons of colors.
These shower steamers will make teachers feel a little more excited about their regular routine. They received great reviews and come in a variety of calming scents that promote relaxation.
If you’re looking to spend a bit more, teachers tell us these are some of the best gifts they’ve received.
Crumbl
Crumbl Cookies
California 5th grade teacher Nancy Cowan was once wowed by a gift of custom-decorated sugar cookies. Another great option is that iconic Crumbl Cookie pastel-pink box, full of the most decadent cookies around. No store near you? Crumbl Cookies ships nationwide!
Why is it that so many students never seem to have a pen handy? Teachers are usually willing to lend theirs out, but only if kids promise to return them at the end of class (except they never do). These flower pens solve the problem: It’s always easy to see who has a loaner!
These cute coasters are the perfect teacher gifts for those teachers who always have a mug or bottle on their desk. Even without the mug, teachers can display this personalized desk tchotchke to add some flair to their space. Right now, I am using sticky notes to collect the water ring spillage from my daily Dr. Pepper Zero. This would definitely be an upgrade.
Part of a teacher’s job (and one many of them absolutely love!) includes organization. Label makers will definitely upgrade their organization systems. Think of the endless possibilities!
These are all the rage right now, and they’re perfect for packing healthy and delicious teacher lunches. Personalize yours by adding their name with permanent vinyl lettering, and fill it with delicious snacks and candy for a practical, delicious gift they’ll love.
Teachers will want to make sure they hang on to these pencils for themselves! The clever sayings on each will make them giggle. One teacher shares, “So cute! Love the sayings because as a teacher, I have personally felt each one. One of the best gifts for teachers to brighten their day!”
Teachers build their classroom libraries with loving care. Help them keep their selections from disappearing with a personalized stamp like this one. Real teacher review: “This stamp is very sturdy. I have had other custom stamps fall apart after a long session of classroom library building, but this is still going strong.” (See more teacher stamps we love here.)
Tie-loving teachers likely have an impressive collection, but there are so many unique options out there that make fantastic teacher gifts! (Find more fun teacher ties here.)
Key chains are really practical teacher gifts, since they usually have lots of keys to keep track of. These simple personalized leather key chains are an easy and elegant gift for any teacher.
Many teachers shared that some of their favorite gifts were books, whether personal favorites from the person who gifted it or something chosen especially for them. Try asking your teacher if they have an Amazon Wish List with their favorite books on it so you know you’re buying something they’ll really love!
Plants make great classroom decorations and add some life even in the darkest months of winter. Choose a plant from a local nursery (ask for advice on good plants that need minimal care), or order an easy-care favorite like this fiddle fig from an online supplier.
Texas 1st grade teacher MQ loved this gift: “A beach bag full of summer fun that I still l use—towel, sunscreen, travel tumbler, and canned drinks.” When they’re not at the beach, the tote can double as an extra teacher bag.
Teachers and coaches love the gift of memories. Share your child’s favorite memory with their teacher in a personalized frame. This is a perfect gift to display in a teacher’s classroom for years to come.
Gather your favorite photos from the year (check social media or photos your child’s teacher shared in class emails or newsletters). Then, turn them into a keepsake collage. This one is extra adorable with a modern look and an LED light. Add your teacher’s favorite quote, a quote about teaching, or just their class and year.
Real teacher story: “A group of students gifted me a notebook this year. It meant so much to me that I wanted to use it for something special. I decided to write down funny moments that happen throughout the years and give it to them for a graduation gift.” This one is adorable, can be personalized, and is less than $15.
In the $30 and under range, here’s what teachers told us they love to receive.
Amazon
Cravebox
Real teacher story: “I know I’m not the only teacher who feels better having a stash of snacks in their cupboard. I like to know that I’ve got something there to offer a hungry student or grab if I forget my lunch.” Snacks have the power to transform my day. I am not exaggerating one bit.
Teachers rarely get to sit down and enjoy a whole cup of coffee in peace. That’s why insulated mugs are must-have teacher gifts. This YETI mug is a top-notch choice, keeping your brew hot for as long as it takes you to get to the bottom. It holds enough coffee to get a teacher from first bell to at least their lunch break!
If 4th grade teacher Caitlin Veise was giving a gift to a fellow teacher, she’d bake them one of their favorite treats. No time to bake yourself? Amazon will deliver this delightful assortment of sweet treats for you!
I wish I was grown-up enough to enjoy coffee. I know that I am in the minority here. For most teachers, coffee K-Cups are a safe bet. For others, like me, who want to still carry around a warm mug and look the part of a teacher, there are these K-Cups that cover all the bases. (I believe in hot chocolate all year round.)
If you can spend up to $50, teachers would love to receive one of the following gifts.
Pick Your Polish
Manicure and Pedicure
Real teacher story: “I consider it a real treat to get my nails done, and normally that happens for me just twice in a school year. I get my nails done at the start of the year and again when it is time to break out those toes for sandal season. Gifting your teacher a manicure will make them want to find an excuse to use the document camera and spend more time pointing at things on the smartboard!” A Pick Your Polish gift card can be used nationally at 15,000 different locations.
Everyone can use a little relaxation time. With this gift card, teachers can choose the services they are interested in and can use it at spas found nationally. (Check to make sure you have a location near you that accepts the gift card.)
Teachers tend to get a lot of bath and body products, so if you’re going to go that route, pick a high-quality, luxurious option so your gift will stand out. L’Occitane makes some of the best hand cream around, perfect for reviving hands that are dry and cracked from using sanitizer all day long. Buy this set and give it as-is, or split it up and pair each one with a gift card for three separate teacher gifts.
Smart speakers with voice search built in have so many uses in the classroom. The Amazon Echo Dot is one of our favorites, since it’s so easy to use and coordinates with other Amazon products.
Real teacher story: “I received a LEGO house built to resemble a school with a figurine that represented me and a dinosaur to represent the student who built it.” So personal and fun!
If you want to give teachers a relaxing activity they’ll enjoy themselves, consider a set of LEGO flowers. Designed just for adults, these sets are popular and make amazing classroom decorations.
This heated throw would be such a cozy addition to your living room. I love a cozy blanket. This one comes in multiple prints and is perfect this time of year.
Best Group Gifts Over $50 as Recommended by Teachers
These ideas are on the pricier side, so they’re great choices for group gifts from the entire class.
Target
Amazon
Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker
Need a good gift from the whole class? The Keurig K-Mini is one of those teacher gift ideas they’ll be thanking you for over and over again. (Check out more of our coffee station ideas.)
Healthy snacks can be delicious (and beautiful) too! Edible Arrangements are always popular, and they offer lots of yummy treats that are good for you too.
Want to become a teacher’s hero? Gift them their own personal laminator! This model from Scotch with Never Jam technology is one of our favorites. Here’s what one teacher thinks: “LOVE! It surpassed my expectations. It’s nearly silent! … It also laminates fairly quickly! I would absolutely recommend.”
Adding pictures of fun moments in the classroom around the room would be such a nice personal touch to any teacher’s classroom. Then when the year is over, they’ll have photographic tokens of the memories made that year.
You’ll definitely want to ask about this first, but tickets to a movie, show, game, concert, or other event can be a really cool teacher gift. Find out what they love, and offer to get them a pair of tickets to enjoy with a partner or friend. (Not sure what they’d like? Ticketmaster makes gift cards!)
If you’ve got a garden, put together your own bouquet. Otherwise, brighten a teacher’s day with beautiful blooms from Bouqs. Choose from a variety of sizes and styles. These flowers are sourced directly from farmers who use sustainable growing practices like minimizing waste and recycling water.
Give a lit-loving teacher plenty of audiobooks to enjoy during their much-deserved downtime. Audible gift memberships are available from one month to a year, so there are teacher gift options for all price ranges.
This would make an amazing group gift: a personalized blanket with a teacher thank-you note they’ll keep forever! You choose your text, so your recipient will think of their students every time they snuggle up with this blanket.
If you’re looking for specific gifts, we’ve curated thoughtful ideas for every type of educator—from preschool and kindergarten teachers to PE, music, art teachers, and more. Check out more of our teacher gift lists:
Note: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links, Schneps Media may earn a commission.
It’s time to secure the best of the best College Football betting promos as fans throughout the country get set to enjoy a host of high-stakes matchups. The regular season is nearing its mid-point, and the push for the College Football Playoff will soon come into focus.
Before today’s pivotal Week 7 games get underway, make sure to score a variety of bonuses for wagering on the action using the linked offers on this page.
College football betting promos for Week 7
College Football Betting Promos
Offer Details
ESPN BET
$1,000 First Bet Reset
Fanatics Sportsbook
Up to $1,000 in Bonus Bets
Caesars Sportsbook
$1,000 First Bet Bonus
Fanduel Sportsbook
Bet $5, Get $300 in Bonus Bets (if first bet wins)
BetMGM Sportsbook
$1,500 First Bet Offer
A full slate of Week 7 College Football games are about to get underway, and eligible users can click the linked offers on this page to score the best College Football Betting Promos to wager on the action. Don’t waste another moment and claim all the best promos for a full Saturday of high-powered CFB matchups.
ESPN BET: $1,000 First Bet Reset
The ESPN name and College Football have long gone hand-in-hand, and now that has been amplified thanks to the ESPN BET sportsbook. New users can claim the ESPN BET promo code AMNY to get a fantastic $1,000 First Bet Reset for wagering on today’s NCAAF action. With this promo applied, any first bet that loses on the ESPN BET platform will be paid back (up to $1,000) in bonus bets, allowing the new user to continue wagering without needing another deposit. Make sure to enter the promo code AMNY at the sign-up screen in order to claim the full promo code bonus.
Fanatics Sportsbook: Up to $1,000 in Bonus Bet Matches
New users at Fanatics Sportsbook can secure a bonus that will last for ten days, meaning all the way through the next week of Collge Football games. The Fanatics Sportsbook promo code unlocks up to $1,000 in bonus bets across the user’s first ten days on the platform. As a bet-match offer, this promo provides an equal amount in bonus bets (up to $100) to the first bet the user makes each day. This repeats for the first ten days after registration, providing a total of $1,000 in maximum bonus potential.
Caesars Sportsbook: $1,000 First Bet on Caesars
The Caesars Sportsbook promo code is a great option for Week 7 College Football bettors, as it guarantees new users a start in the right direction. The current promo code unlocks a $1,000 First Bet on Caesars, which pays back any losing first bet (up to $1,000) in bonus bets. That means the new user who claims this Caesars promo will either win their first bet or get a complete refund (up to $1,000) in bonus bets.
FanDuel Sportsbook: Bet $5, get $300 in Bonus Bets
The FanDuel promo code has been recently improved, and it’s now one of the best options for betting on Saturday’s College Football slate. Click the FanDuel promo links on this page to secure an offer to bet $5 and get $300 in bonus bets (if your first bet wins). This promo is very low-risk and user-friendly as it requires just a $5 winning first bet to score $300 in bonuses. Take advantage of the improved FanDuel promo today offering $300 in bonus bets.
BetMGM Sportsbook: $1,500 First Bet Offer
BetMGM is one of the most trusted names in the sportsbook industry, and the current new user promo code unlocks a huge $1,500 First Bet Offer. As one of the most valuable promos in the game, BetMGM users who select this bonus will have the ability to wager aggressively right out of the gate. That’s because any first bet that loses will be refunded (up to $1,500) in bonus bets. This guarantees that the new user starts with a winning first bet or a chance to wager again using bonus bets.
Note: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links, Schneps Media may earn a commission.
Photo Credit: Craig Dudek
The MLB Playoffs resume Saturday with a looming matchup between the Mets and Phillies perhaps the most compelling. Still, all four series will get underway, which means baseball fans across the country will be looking for the top MLB sportsbook promos.
Whether it’s bonus bets, first wager offers, or odds boosts on stars like Aaron Judge, Pete Alonso, Bryce Harper and Bobby Witt Jr., there’s plenty of ways to get big-time value Saturday.
MLB Sportsbook Promos: Best Offers for NLDS, ALDS matchups
MLB Sportsbook Promos
Offer Details
ESPN BET
$1,000 First Bet Reset
BetMGM Sportsbook
$1,500 First Bet Offer
FanDuel Sportsbook
Bet $5, Get $200 Bonus (if first bet wins)
Fanatics Sportsbook
Up to $1K in Bonus Bet Matches
Caesars Sportsbook
$1,000 First Bet on Caesars
The Tigers and Guardians will get things started early this afternoon followed by Mets-Phillies, Royals-Yankees and Padres-Dodgers, in order. That means we should expect to get a 10-hour straight shot of playoff baseball and plenty of opportunities to use the top MLB betting promos along with it.
ESPN BET: $1,000 First Bet Reset
ESPN BET is nearing the completion of its first year of operation after the sportsbook launched in November 2023 just a few weeks after the NFL and College Football seasons got underway. Helping new users get off to a fast start, the current ESPN BET promo code AMNY unlocks a $1,000 First Bet Reset, which pays back any first bet that loses (up to $1,000) in bonus bets. That means the new user will either win their first bet or get a complete reset of bonus bets up to $1,000 if that initial wager loses. To get the full bonus, users are required to enter the promo code AMNY at the time of sign-up.
BetMGM Sportsbook: $1,500 First Bet Offer
BetMGM Sportsbook features an extremely profitable welcome among MLB Playoffs sportsbook promos. Using the BetMGM promo code linked on this page, first-time users can secure an impressive $1,500 First Bet Offer to make a large first wager on the platform if they see fit. That’s because if that first bet loses, the BetMGM promo code will award an equal amount of the wager (up to $1,500) in bonus bets. Essentially, this offer guarantees that the new user starts their BetMGM experience with a winning wager or a refund in bonus bets up to $1,500.
FanDuel Sportsbook: Bet $5, get $200 in Bonus Bets
Fanduel is one of the most popular online sportsbook operators in the country with availability in over 20 states. The sportsbook features an extremely user-friendly welcome offer allowing new players to bet $5 on MLB postseason games and get $200 in bonus bets (if their first bet wins). With just a $5+ winning bet required to activate the promo, this welcome offer provides easy, low-risk access to an impressive balance of bonus bets to continue wagering on FanDuel Sportsbook.
Fanatics Sportsbook: Up to $1,000 in Bonus Bet Matches
Fanatics Sportsbook currently has one of the best MLB sportsbook promos for baseball fans to scoop up. The linked Fanatics Sportsbook promo code on this page will unlock a bet-matching offer that provides up to $1,000 in bonus bets across the user’s first ten days on the platform. After claiming the promo, every first bet of the day will be matched (up to $100) for the first ten days after registering for an account. With a total of $1,000 in bonus value, the Fanatics welcome offer will last from now all the way through Week 6 NFL action.
Caesars Sportsbook: $1,000 First Bet on Caesars
The Caesars Sportsbook promo code, our final option for the best MLB sportsbook promos, is another fantastic option for betting on Bucs vs. Falcons this evening as it provides a $1,000 First Bet on Caesars. After claiming the promo using the linked offer on this page, new users can wager with confidence knowing that their first bet will be backed (up to $1,000) in bonus bets in the event of a loss. In other words, the Caesars Sportsbook promo code will ensure the new user either wins their first bet or gets an equal amount of the stake back (up to $1,000) in bonus bets.
Note: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links, Schneps Media may earn a commission.
Photo Credit: Craig Dudek
ESPN BET promo code AMNY unlocks a fantastic signup offer for Sunday NFL Week 4 games. This offer gifts users a First Bet Reset promotion worth up to $1K in bonuses for Sunday games like Eagles-Bucs, Chargers-Chiefs and Bills-Ravens. Best of all, this bonus can be played on spreads, totals, player props and more. Think Saquon Barkley is poised for another big day against a banged up Bucs defense? Go in with a wager of up to $1,000 by using this bonus.
ESPN BET promo code AMNY: $1,o00 bonus for NFL Week 4
ESPN BET promo code AMNY unlocks up to $1,000 in bonuses with the latest First Bet Reset offer. Here’s how it works.
For starters, wager anywhere up to $1K after registering with ESPN BET.
If your original stake loses you’ll receive it back into your account in the form of 5 non-withdrawable bonus bets. That’s 5 bets at 20% your original stake.
Be sure to download the ESPN BET mobile app, too. This gives users the best access to everything ESPN BET has to offer, from parlays to specials to futures and so much more. Not to mention, it’s a far easier experience betting right on your phone.
ESPN BET specials for Week 4
One of the best elements of the ESPN BET app is how it supplies dozens of odds boosts, while also presenting users with boosts on topical news events and those that tie in the network’s personalities.
Here are some of the most notable options available for Sunday’s games:
Aaron Rodgers to record 2+ passing touchdowns, 275+ passing yards and a Jets win (+650)
Breece Hall to score 2+ touchdowns and Jets to win by 8+ along with the Bills to cover +2.5 (+1150)
Justin Jefferson, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Rashee Rice each to record 6+ receptions (+700)
How to activate ESPN BET promo code AMNY
ESPN BET promo code AMNY is a great way to get started with one of the fastest-rising sportsbooks in the country.
Here’s a guide on how to get started today in just a few minutes:
Click here or on any of the ESPN BET links you see on this page. You’ll be taken to ESPN BET’s page where you’ll be prompted to register an account.
Enter promo code AMNY and enter all relevant information to complete the signup process. This includes date of birth (21+), physical address, email address and phone number. You’ll also need to provide ID to prove you’re located in a legal betting state.
Download the ESPN BET mobile app.
Deposit the amount you want to stake on your first bet, up to $1K. If that wager loses, you’ll receive an equal amount back into your account in the form of 5 bonus bets, each 20% of your original stake.
Click here to get started with ESPN BET’s First Bet Reset offer, which unlocks a $1K first bet reset for Sunday NFL Week 4.
21+ and present in participating states. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
Note: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links, Schneps Media may earn a commission.
The second week of the NFL season is already underway and a full Sunday of games are now just hours away. As the matchups get set to resume shortly, there’s no question that sportsbook bonuses are in high demand as football fans throughout the country get set to wager on all the NFL action.
So before tomorrow’s games officially kick off, take up all the links on this page to get the best NFL sportsbook promos to bet on Sunday’s games.
NFL Sportsbook Promos: Best offers for Week 2 betting
NFL sportsbook promos
Offer deails
DraftKings Sportsbook
Bet $5, Get $250 Bonus
Fanatics Sportsbook
Up to $1K in Bonus Bet Matches
BetMGM
First Bet Up to $1,500
Bet365
$200 Bonus or $1K Safety Net
Caesars Sportsbook
Wager Up to $1,000
FanDuel Sportsbook
Bet $5, Win $200 Bonus With a Win
With only one Week 2 matchup in the books so far (Bills-Dolphins, Thursday Night Football) the NFL resumes Sunday with a 14-game slate for fans to enjoy. Further enhancing the excitement, fans throughout the country in available states can secure a host of lucrative sports betting bonuses using the links on this page. With the first set of Sunday’s game scheduled to kick off at 1:00 pm ET, don’t waste another moment and click the offers below to get the best NFL Sportsbook Promos.
Fanatics Sportsbook Promo: $1,000 in Bonus Bets
Sunday NFL bettors can score a great offer when they register with the Fanatics Sportsbook promo code linked on this page. The welcome offer will provide up to $1,000 in Bonus Bets across the user’s first ten days of betting on the platform. Operating as a bet-match offer, the Fanatics Sportsbook promo will match the user’s first bet of the day (up to $100) in bonus bets, every day for their first ten days on Fanatics.
Caesars Sportsbook Promo: $1,000 First Bet on Caesars
Caesars Sportsbook is a well-known name in the online betting industry, and features a great option for football fans searching out NFL Sportsbook Promos in Week 2. After clicking the linked offers on this page, new bettors on Caesars can claim a terrific $1,000 First Bet Bonus allowing them to wager with confidence after creating an account. With the Caesars offer activated, any first bet that loses will be paid back (up to $1,000) in bonus bets that can be used to continue wagering on the Caesars Sportsbook platform.
ESPN BET Promo: $1,000 First Bet Reset
ESPN BET is in the mix this football season with an impressive welcome offer for new users to sink their teeth into. Clicking the links on this page and entering the promo code AMNY will unlock a terrific $1,000 First Bet Reset, allowing the new users to make a large initial wager on the ESPN BET platform. That’s because, with this promo activated, any first bet that loses will be refunded (up to $1,000) in bonus bets. Players can then use those bonus bets to continue placing wagers on the ESPN BET Sportsbook.
BetMGM Sportsbook Promo: $1,500 First Bet Offer
Last, but certainly not least, the BetMGM Sportsbook Promo for NFL is a great option for football fans in Week 2. The linked BetMGM promo on this page will activate a generous $1,500 First Bet Offer that allows new users to make an aggressive first wager when they get started. After activating the promo, any first bet that loses on the BetMGM platform will be paid back (up to $1,500) in bonus bets. With up to $1,500 in bonus bets assurances, BetMGM users are set up for success right out of the gate when they get started with the linked offer on this page.
FanDuel Sportsbook Promo: $200 in Bonus Bets + 3 Weeks of NFL Sunday Ticket
FanDuel is branded as “America’s Favorite Sportsbook” and it’s for good reason when you consider the welcome offer currently available to new bettors. Using the links on this page, first-time players on FanDuel can sign-up and get an offer to bet $5 and get$200 in Bonus Bets (if your first bet wins) + 3 weeks of NFL Sunday Ticket. The FanDuel promo code is extremely low-risk as it requires just a $5 winning bet to activate $200 in bonuses. As an extra bonus for the start of football season, the FanDuel Sportsbook promo also provides 3 weeks of access to NFL Sunday Ticket.
Every two years, we head to the polls to elect local and national leaders. Voting seems pretty straightforward—choose your candidate and vote. The electoral process and history of it is complicated, and ideas about democracy, equality, voting rights, and other election topics are complex. Whether you’re talking about elections with younger students who are learning about the idea for the first time, or engaging high schoolers in debate and discussion about the issues, here are the best books about elections to bring into your classroom.
Plus, be sure to fill out the form on this page to get your free printable list of books about elections.
26 Best Books About Elections
Amazon
1. Duck for President by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin
Duck for President is the story of how this familiar storybook character runs for president. This is one of the best books about elections to introduce young children to the concept of running for president in a fun way.
This book offers an engaging introduction to the tenets of democracy. It’s a playful but powerful primer about the importance of voting and activism. After you read this book, have younger students share what they feel are important issues and traits in a leader. Then, hold their first mock election!
Imagine if you ran for president! This book introduces students to the various aspects of elections—media, debates, etc. It’s a great one to kick off a writing assignment that asks students to imagine what they would stand for if they ran for president.
Parties, voter registration, campaigns, rallies, debates, Election Day, even a recount are all clearly presented in a graphic format as the story of a local election unfolds, with hilarious commentary by the candidates’ pets.
Have your students hold a vote for something like your next class pet or next year’s classroom theme. Ask kids on each side of the debate to make signs and hold mock rallies talking about their stance.
Is voting fair? How do elections work? In We Can Vote, readers will investigate the process of voting—in their own lives and in their future—from researching choices to tallying results. This is one of the best books about elections for students who know the basics and want to get into the details of voting. Have students create a timeline of the voting process after reading.
6. What’s the Big Deal About Elections? by Ruby Shamir and Matt Faulkner
Did you know that Election Day is on Tuesday because that was the best day for farmers to vote? Or that George Washington was our only elected president who ran unopposed? Or that Native Americans were only given the right to vote in 1924? This book about elections is filled with great facts for your lessons!
The book is wonderful to use when answering student questions about elections and as a reference when studying the process.
This charming story captures the excitement of Election Day and encourages readers to ask the big question: Who will be our next president? Will our leader be a he or a she? A young citizen gives her take on politics in this sweet book told in the style of Clement C. Moore’s holiday poem.
Use this book to generate excitement about elections and ask students what they can do to make sure their families vote.
When Grace learns that the United States has never had a women president, she decides that she will be the first and starts by running in her class’s mock election. Use this book to talk about why people run for president, and hold a mock election of your own.
9. Heart on Fire: Susan B. Anthony Votes for President by Ann Malaspina
This book tells the story of Susan B. Anthony’s illegal trip to the ballot box. It’s an introduction to the suffrage movement and the history of voting equality. This is one of the best books about elections and is a great introduction to voting rights through one famous suffragist.
10. Vote for Our Future! by Margaret McNamara and Micah Player
A story about voting told through Stanton Elementary School, which closes every two years on Election Day. This story is a great one to teach how voting impacts the future, and inspire students to get excited about their own school transforming into a polling station on Election Day.
This is the fictional telling of the first Black woman to vote. It includes back matter about Agnes Sadler, the first Black woman to vote in Knoxville, Tennessee. This is a great story to read with students who are just learning about voting equality.
12. Lillian’s Right to Vote by Jonah Winter and Shane W. Evans
As Lillian, a 100-year-old African American woman, makes a “long haul up a steep hill” to her polling place, she sees more than trees and sky—she sees her family’s history. She sees the passage of the 15th Amendment and her great-grandfather voting for the first time.
Read this book and ask your students to go home and ask their parents or grandparents about the first time they voted, record what they find out, and report back to the class.
13. Where Do Presidents Come From? by Michael Townsend
This tongue-in-cheek, comic book–style guide to presidential history contains fun facts and trivia. It’s the kind of addition to your classroom library that could have students crowded around it during silent reading time. A must-have!
Use this book to host an Jeopardy-style election game.
This book gives students a clear understanding of government and politics while teaching the voting process and democracy concepts. It’s a great book to work through as a class, with activity ideas such as analyzing and evaluating primary sources, participating in a mock election and debates, and evaluating the electoral college included.
15. She Was the First! The Trailblazing Life of Shirley Chisholm by Katheryn Russell-Brown
Shirley Chisholm, a woman of many firsts, was an unforgettable political trailblazer, a candidate of the people, and catalyst of change who opened the door for women in the political arena and for the first Black president of the United States.
Read this book to talk about people who pave the way in government and other areas.
Buy it:
Amazon
16. The Kids’ Complete Guide to Elections by Nel Yomtov, Cari Meister, Emma Bernay, and Emma Berne
This book has answers to all the questions students might have about elections written in a fun way. Use this book as a resource for students, and to help explain the intricacies of elections.
17. Evicted! The Struggle for the Right to Vote by Alice Faye Duncan
This powerful book tells one Civil Rights Movement story about the Fayetteville Tent City Movement in Tennessee in the late 1950s. This book is ideal for students who have some background knowledge about American civil rights and voting, and are ready to learn more about how African Americans fought for the right to vote.
18. For Which We Stand: How Our Government Works and Why It Matters by Jeff Foster
Written by AP government teacher Jeff Foster, this book is a student-friendly guide to government. Use it as a reference, or have students complete research projects about the questions they have about how our government works.
19. Equality’s Call: The Story of Voting Rights in America by Deborah Diesen
Read about the history of voting rights from the Founding Fathers to the present day. Use this book to introduce the topic or as an extension to talking about voting in general.
When 6th grader Olive learns that a school policy is preventing some kids from participating in a field trip, she decides to act and runs against two closest friends in the student council election. This graphic novel has themes of friendship and finding out that one person can make a difference. It’s a great recommendation for students who love reading about friendship, with some election mixed in.
21. History Smashers: Women’s Right to Vote by Kate Messner
This book explores the lesser-known details about women’s suffrage with stories, fun facts, and other information. Use it to challenge students’ thinking about women’s suffrage and expand their knowledge of how women got the right to vote. Talk about the strategies that women used to get the right to vote and what made them successful.
Buy it:
Amazon
22. The Election Book: The People Pick a President by Carolyn Jackson
This informative book has clear explanations of complex topics such as the electoral college and voters’ rights.
Use this book as a springboard to host a mock election between real candidates, or use stand-ins (e.g., Harry Potter vs. Percy Jackson).
23. Stacey Abrams and the Fight to Vote by Traci Todd
Stacey Abrams is a current politician, and this picture book biography explores her fight for voters’ rights in Georgia. It’s one of the best books about elections to show how previous voting rights activists continue to influence modern politicians.
A novel about a Mari, a Cuban American, whose father is running for president. His campaign helps Mari see her father with fresh eyes. Use this book to talk about what we see about candidates and how they can shape their public personas.
In this novel, Dean and Dre, 17-year-old sons of two rival political candidates, fall in love on the sidelines of their political campaigns. This book is a great recommendation for students who are interested in politics and love a good drama.
26. Drawing the Vote: A Graphic Novel History for Future Voters by Tommy Jenkins
This graphic novel shows the history of voting rights in the United States and how it impacts voting today. The format makes this book accessible to students who might not be interested in reading a novel or informational text.
Note: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links, Schneps Media may earn a commission.
Photo Credit: Craig Dudek
The first Monday night of the NFL regular season brings one of the best matchups of opening week. It’s Jets vs. 49ers, and given the quality of the matchup, NFL sportsbook promos will be in-demand tonight. With a stellar game on deck tonight and 16 games on the Week 2 schedule, there will be no shortage of action, so before the first matchups kickoff, use the links on this page to get the best Monday Night Football sportsbook promos to wager on this season’s first Sunday of football.
One of the most popular options for Monday Night Football betting promos will be. at DraftKings. It is the place to be for NFL fans in Week 1 and all season long. The current DraftKings promo code has been upgraded for the start of football season and will unlock an offer to bet $5 and get $250 in bonus bets and one month of NFL+ Premium. The bonus bets are paid out instantly and fully guaranteed, meaning no matter the win/loss result of the user’s initial $5+ bet they will receive $250 in bonus bets.
ESPN BET Promo: $1,000 First Bet Reset
Our next Monday Night Football betting promo is at ESPN BET, which is in the mix for its first full football season after launching in November 2023, just a few weeks after the last season had kicked off. Offering an impressive NFL Sportsbook Promo for new users, the ESPN BET promo code activates a $1,000 First Bet Reset allowing new players to wager with confidence. After claiming this promo, any first bet that loses will be backed (up to $1,000) in bonus bets.
Caesars Sportsbook Promo: $1,000 First Bet Bonus
New bettors at Caesars Sportsbook can get a great welcome offer for Sunday NFL Week 1 action when they click the links on this page. The Caesars promo code provides a generous $1,000 First Bet Bonus allowing new players to bet with confidence on the Caesars platform. After activating this offer, any first bet that loses will be refunded (up to $1,000) in bonus bets that can then be used on the Caesars Sportsbook platform.
bet365 Bonus: Your Choice of Welcome Offer
The bet365 bonus code provides new users with the ability to choose their welcome offer at sign-up. Option #1 provides a bet-and-get offer to bet $5 and get $200 in bonus bets, guaranteed. The second option is first-bet insurance in the form of a $1,000 First Bet Safety Net, this option pays back any first bet that loses (up to $1,000) in bonus bets. No matter which way new users choose, they are guaranteed to start their bet365 experience with a bonus.
FanDuel Promo: Win Bonus Bets & NFL Sunday Ticket
FanDuel is a great option for Week 1 NFL bettors, and the latest iteration of the welcome offer has been specially crafted for the start of football season. Using the FanDuel promo links on this page, new users can claim an offer to bet $5 and get $200 in bonus bets (if your first bet wins) + 3 weeks of NFL Sunday Ticket. The offer only takes a simple $5+ winning bet to activate, providing the new bettor with an impressive $200 in bonuses to continue wagering on the FanDuel platform.
BetMGM Promo: $1500 First Bet Offer
Our last Monday Night football sportsbook promos features one of the most profitable sign-up bonuses in the sports betting industry, new users at BetMGM can secure a profitable $1,500 First Bet Offer when they register with the links on this page. This offer is a great option for new bettors who intend to make a large initial wager, as they’ll have up to $1,500 in bonus bets backing for any first bet that loses on the BetMGM platform.
Do you and your work besties really want to impress your students this year with top-notch teacher Halloween costumes? This list has so many clever ideas for every kind of teacher! From easy, low-prep costumes to those that really go all out, these options will help you get into the spirit of the season.
Holly Herbertson, High School ELA, for We Are Teachers
Insta-Gram
You gotta love a good pun costume, and this one made us chuckle. Teacher Holly noted that she carried around a variety of “filters” to change things up, just like the app.
Willa Barron, 8th Grade ELA, for We Are Teachers
Jenn B., 4th Grade, for We Are Teachers
Olaf
This lovable guy loves warm hugs, just like a lot of the elementary school teachers we know! These Olaf sunglasses from Amazon would be a cool way to build this costume for yourself.
Danielle F. for We Are Teachers
Diction-Fairy
Who doesn’t love a good costume pun? Pick up an old dictionary at the thrift store, then use its pages to cover this set of wings from Amazon. Ta-da!
Jen E., Middle School ELA, for We Are Teachers
The Girl With the Green Ribbon
Remember that creepy tale from Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark? She’d never take off her ribbon, and never tell anyone why …
Dalissa Salinas, 4th Grade, for We Are Teachers
Box of Crayons
Is there anything better than a brand-new box of crayons? Teachers and kids know the answer!
Kathy G., High School Art Teacher, for We Are Teachers
8th Grade Social Studies Teacher for We Are Teachers
Jackie Kennedy
She might be one of the most famous first ladies of all time, and she has lots of terrific outfits to choose from.
Ms. Lupe Palacios for We Are Teachers
A Book
The teacher who crafted this clever costume notes that it opened up to a short story inside, while the back showcased “reviews” from students. So cool!
Liz B., Preschool, for We Are Teachers
Pete the Cat
Add big colorful buttons to a yellow shirt, throw on some cat ears, and you’ve got a Pete the Cat costume! If you can do the different-colored sneakers, even better.
Lisa Jacobs for We Are Teachers
Phileas Fogg
If you really love putting effort into your costume, take inspiration from this incredible Around the World in 80 Days costume! A giant beach ball balanced in a Hula-Hoop forms the “balloon,” and a pair of steampunk goggles adds an authentic touch.
Loretta O., 6th Grade, for We Are Teachers
World War I Soldier
This is an especially cool costume idea for a history or social studies teacher, but it works for any history buff.
Amy, Pre-K-6 Librarian, for We Are Teachers
Super Reader
Readers are the real superheroes! Make a cape from old book pages, or buy some book-printed fabric instead.
5th Grade Teacher for We Are Teachers
Beetlejuice
With the sequel coming out soon, this could be the perfect year to resurrect this mischievous old favorite!
Jenn B., 4th Grade, for We Are Teachers
Sully (Monsters, Inc.)
If you’ve got a teacher pal, they can dress as Mike for a cute duo costume. But Sully is fun on his own too. Use this Sully horns headband to get your costume started.
Presley, 2nd Grade, for We Are Teachers
Ms. Frizzle
This is one of those teacher Halloween costumes that’s become a perennial favorite. Don’t forget to attach a stuffed lizard pal to your shoulder!
Morgan M., 4th Grade, for We Are Teachers
Grumpy Librarian
Today’s librarians are nothing like the stern, grumpy book guardians of days past. That makes it fun to dress as one of them for a day! Don’t forget the reading glasses on a chain for a finishing touch.
Kimberly H., 8th and 9th Grade ELA, for We Are Teachers
Cereal Killer
Oh no! Look out, Captain Crunch! A cereal killer is on the loose!
Hilary Statum, Kindergarten, for We Are Teachers
Cindy Lou Who
If you’ve got long hair, put it up in a wacky style to become the adorable little tyke from How the Grinch Stole Christmas. No long hair? Try this fun wig from Amazon instead.
Daletta G. for We Are Teachers
Poison Ivy
It’s easy to find artificial ivy strings. Just dress in green, wrap yourself in vines, and you’ve transformed into the classic comic book character!
8th Grade Social Studies Teacher for We Are Teachers
Political Party
If only politics were always this much fun! This is an especially fun costume for a major election year.
Meenal P. for We Are Teachers
Jellyfish
The beauty of this costume is that you can put it down when you need to, you know, teach. A clear umbrella and iridescent streamers make this a super-easy costume too.
Amy, Pre-K-6 Librarian, for We Are Teachers
Josie M., 2nd Grade, for We Are Teachers
Joy (Inside Out)
Your favorite yellow dress and a bright blue wig are all you need for this costume. Oh, and a super-sunny personality, of course!
8th Grade Social Studies Teacher for We Are Teachers
Electoral College
OK, that’s not really what they mean by “college,” but this costume is hilarious … and educational! Just attach state silhouettes to a grad cap and gown.
Suzi Hanninen, Elementary Special Ed, for We Are Teachers
Carmen Class, 3rd Grade, for We Are Teachers
Amy, Pre-K-6 Librarian, for We Are Teachers
Queen for a Day
This teacher was dressed as royalty to celebrate a Kansas City Royals team day, but this costume works for Halloween too. Dress in your best, and don’t forget to sparkle!
Jenn B., 4th Grade, for We Are Teachers
Kevin (Up)
This silly bird stole the scene every time he was onscreen in Up! Creating his look using a multicolored tutu is a brilliant idea too.
Brianna Sayegh, High School, for We Are Teachers
Where’s Waldo?
This one works as a solo costume or one for you and your teacher BFF. Wear your own striped shirt, or buy a Waldo costume on Amazon.
Eleanor Z., High School History, for We Are Teachers
Social Scientist
This is another costume you can do on your own or with a teacher friend. Simply borrow or buy a lab coat and cover it with social media logos.
Megan Newman, 4th Grade, for We Are Teachers
Luxury Tax (Monopoly)
When a Monopoly app became a hit at this teacher’s school, they decided to dress up using a Monopoly, including the Luxury Tax card!
Denise H., SEL, for We Are Teachers
Mama Shark (Baby Shark)
If your students can’t stop singing this super-catchy tune, then this is the costume for you. Find some teacher pals to be Papa and Baby too.
Teacher Halloween Costumes for Duos and Groups
Kaitlyn H., Kindergarten, ESL, for We Are Teachers
Party Animals
Mix animal costumes with birthday hats and noisemakers, and you’ve got the whole cast of characters from Tara Lazar’s adorable book!
Elementary School Teachers for We Are Teachers
The Grannies (Bluey)
The Grannies might be the most popular of all Bluey and Bingo’s make-believe games. And the costumes are easy, requiring only a few blankets and accessories.
Defino Central First Grade for We Are Teachers
Anna L., 3rd Grade, for We Are Teachers
Naomi Meredith, K-5 STEM, for We Are Teachers
Brittany G., 3rd Grade, for We Are Teachers
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
The colorful tutus are fun, but it’s those headbands that really make this teacher team costume pop!
Brittany G., 3rd Grade, for We Are Teachers
Charlotte’s Web
Want something the entire school can get it on? Try the farm animals and other characters from Charlotte’s Web!
Naomi Meredith, K-5 STEM, for We Are Teachers
Barbie and Ken
Barbie has made a real comeback, and she has so many different styles it’s easy to find one that suits you. If you don’t know another teacher who can be your Ken, dress up your canine pal instead!
Kimberly H., 8th and 9th Grade ELA, for We Are Teachers
Morgan M., 4th Grade, for We Are Teachers
Dress Like Your Teammate
Even teacher besties usually have their own individual styles. Make your students laugh by swapping for the day, wearing what your teammate likes to wear.
J. Douglas, 4th Grade, for We Are Teachers
Museum Paintings
Art teachers, this one’s for you. Dress up as your favorite paintings and give your students a field trip without leaving the building.
Laura Ann Gryder, 2nd Grade, for We Are Teachers
Minions & Gru
You can be a Minion on your own, but it’s even more fun when you do it as a big group. Don’t forget to find someone to be Gru!
Stephanie Gable, 1st grade, for We Are Teachers
Laura Numeroff Characters
If you give a teacher a Laura Numeroff book, they’ll turn it into a Halloween costume! Each teacher can pick their own favorite.
Gabriella S. for We Are Teachers
The Magic School Bus
Where would Ms. Frizzle be without the rest of the gang? Extra points if you can convince someone to dress up as the bus itself.
Brittany G., 3rd Grade, for We Are Teachers
Holidays
What’s your favorite holiday? Everyone can choose their own with this super-easy group costume theme.
Katarina Lupson, 4th Grade, for We Are Teachers
Grammar Police
Stop, in the name of the Oxford comma! Don’t try to get away with any double negatives, either.
Amanda Mannino, 4th-6th Special Ed, for We Are Teachers
Zoom Buttons
Though these teachers used these costumes during their year of virtual classrooms, they’re still funny today!
Gabriella S. for We Are Teachers
Toy Story
Bring the Pixar classic to life, and watch your students’ eyes light up!
Hilary Statum, Kindergarten, for We Are Teachers
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
How cute is this idea? Brown overalls covered in letters of the alphabet topped with palm leaves and coconuts make an easy costume that works for groups or individuals.
J. Douglas, 4th Grade, for We Are Teachers
Uncle Sam and Lady Liberty
Give me your tired, your poor … it’s like it was written just for teachers! Find the Statue of Liberty and Uncle Sam costumes on Amazon.
Brooke B., 4th grade, for We Are Teachers
Winnie-the-Pooh
You can go all out with Pooh-themed costumes, but you don’t need to. These simple T-shirts and headbands get the idea across perfectly and are much more practical.
Alex Jackson, Middle School, for We Are Teachers
101 Dalmatians
Spend a day being spotted puppies, and don’t forget to find someone to be Cruella de Vil. You can grab her wig here on Amazon.
Hilary Statum, Kindergarten, forWe Are Teachers
Room on the Broom
The book Room on the Broom is absolutely perfect for group teacher Halloween costumes. We especially love the teacher dressed as the broom itself!
Stephanie Gable, 1st grade, for We Are Teachers
The Avengers
We all know teachers are superheroes, so this group costume seems especially appropriate.
Hilary Statum, Kindergarten, for We Are Teachers
Koo Koo Kanga Roo
Adults and kids both love this zany duo, and their costumes are easy to re-create. Don’t forget the gold fanny pack!
Brooke B., 4th Grade, for We Are Teachers
J. Douglas, 4th Grade, for We Are Teachers
Amy, Pre-K-6 Librarian, for We Are Teachers
Seuss Characters
Every kid knows their Dr. Seuss characters, and the huge array of books gives you so many to choose from. Try this Cat in the Hat accessory set for an easy idea.
Naomi Meredith, K-5 STEM, for We Are Teachers
Astronaut and Rocket
Could that dog rocket costume be any cuter? Paired with an astronaut suit, it’s the perfect duo costume for a teacher and her best doggie friend.
Stephanie Sanders, 2nd Grade, for We Are Teachers
The Day the Crayons Quit
Crayon costumes are always a hit, and you can even theme them to the popular book. Birthday hats in multiple colors make perfect toppers.
Jeanne Tholen for We Are Teachers
Ghostbusters
Who you gonna call? These teachers! These Ghostbusters jumpsuits come in sizes to fit every teacher on your team.
6th Grade Teacher Team for We Are Teachers
Camp Counselors
Camp counselors are really just the teachers of summer anyway, right? Love those tie-dyed T-shirts!
Naomi Meredith, 3rd Grade, for We Are Teachers
Starbucks Baristas
Coffee keeps teachers going, so this costume is the perfect nod to their favorite fix. Green aprons, white shirts, and black pants are all you need, but you can add Starbucks caps too if you like.
Brooke B., 4th Grade, for We Are Teachers
Trolls
We love this group costume for those especially wacky teacher teams. Buy troll wig headbands, or make your own with tulle and a few basic supplies.
Jeanne Tholen for We Are Teachers
6th Grade Teacher Team for We Are Teachers
Biker Gang
Feeling tough? Don some tattoo sleeves and round up your favorite black ensembles for this group costume.
Naomi Meredith, 3rd Grade, for We Are Teachers
Beanie Babies
With animal headbands and big hangtags made of cardboard, these costumes are a snap to throw together at the last minute.
Brittany G., 3rd Grade, for We Are Teachers
Wizard of Oz
This group costume idea is always a lot of fun, and there are lots of characters available for big teams.
Amy Flynn for We Are Teachers
Bee Kind
These Bee Kind T-shirts come in every size, and they’re the perfect base for this simple costume idea. Add antennae and wings, and you’re good to go!
6th Grade Team for We Are Teachers
The Biggest Catch
Choose one teacher to wear the shark costume, while everyone else rounds up fishing vests, hats, nets, and other gear. Such a great photo op!
Hilary Statum, Kindergarten, for We Are Teachers
’50s Girls
Poodle skirts and ponytails are always popular. Don’t forget the saddle shoes and neck scarves too!
Naomi Meredith, 3rd Grade, for We Are Teachers
Care Bears
One of the best things about this group costume is that it lets everyone pick a bear that best suits their personality. Personalize some colorful tees and add bear ears, and you’re all set.
6th Grade Teacher Team for We Are Teachers
Traffic Control
Sometimes it feels like teachers spend half their days directing traffic, whether in the classroom, in the halls, or on the playground. You might as well dress for the part!
Hilary Statum, Kindergarten, for We Are Teachers
Johnny Appleseed
If your students have been learning about Johnny Appleseed, they’ll appreciate these adorable costumes. Especially if you wear real pots on your heads!
6th Grade Teacher Team for We Are Teachers
Vampires
Go classic with vampire costumes. (Just remember not to go overboard with the scary aspect if you teach very young kids.)
Katina M. for We Are Teachers
Nerds Candy
Halloween is all about candy, making it a really fun costume idea. All you need are colorful shirts with the Nerds logo (make your own with a die cut machine) ironed on.
Heather Goudge, 2nd Grade, for We Are Teachers
M&Ms
Here’s another colorful candy group costume that’s easy to pull off. The tutus are optional but so fun!
Kids love to tell you all their stories—especially when you’re trying to talk about something else!—but teaching them how to effectively write down their narratives takes work. Mentor texts for narrative writing are a teacher’s best friend when it comes to showing students how to write engaging and powerful stories. These are the books you pore over together both to get familiar with the narrative genre and to give kids examples when introducing new writing craft moves.
Your writing curriculum probably includes some reliable favorites, but updated titles can bring fresh energy. We’ve done the work for you to find recent, appealing, diverse, (mostly) first-person mentor texts for narrative writing to add to your collection. You’re welcome!
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1. & 2. Together We Ride and Together We Swim by Valerie Bolling
This pair of books takes telling the stories of the classic experiences of learning to ride a bike and learning to swim to the next level. A sister and brother persevere through fears and challenges with the help of their parents. Add these to your mentor texts for narrative writing for younger students who use mostly pictures and a few words. There are so many small visual details to notice that can encourage students to add more to their own drawings.
A child discovers his old shoes are too tight and heads to the shoe store to pick out new ones. Use this to show new writers how they can tell a great story with just a few sentences. You can also introduce new techniques for illustrations—all these pictures are delightfully zoomed in.
4. One Day, the End: Short, Very Short, Shorter-Than-Ever Stories by Rebecca Kai Dotlich
“One day, I lost my dog. I found him. The end.” This collection of tiny tales is one of the most perfect mentor texts for narrative writing to introduce kids to the idea that a story is when something happens. Use it with your littles to teach them how to add a sentence or two to their illustrations that tell a story from their lives.
From the moment the narrator wakes up to the sun streaming into her apartment windows, it’s clear that it’s a pool day! Everyone’s at the city pool, stowing their stuff in the lockers with a CLANK and a CACHUNK, coating themselves in” slippery, slimy sunblock,” and cooling off in “an ice-cold bowl of “City People Soup.” We’re definitely adding this energetic book to our list of mentor texts for narrative writing that show kids how to use interesting language and details to bring a story to life.
Granny and Bean go for a walk on a cloudy day. They enjoy all the simple pleasures of the beach, like waves, shells, sand, petting dogs, and seaside snacks. Use this to share an attainable example of a strong narrative for younger writers. Each page has only a short sentence or two, but they manage to tell a beautiful story.
7. Bábo: A Tale of Armenian Rug-Washing Day by Astrid Kamalyan
We love this story of the author’s favorite summer chore—helping her grandmother clean the family’s rugs—to help kids see stories in their daily lives. From dancing in soap bubbles to scrubbing, sliding, and mopping, the author stretches the experience into a delightful tale. Help kids notice the mix of sentence lengths and unexpected details that give the story its fun energy.
This unique read-aloud stars a mother and child snuggled up at bedtime, trading favorite memories of picnics, special birthdays, and thunderstorms. As the story goes on, it becomes clear they’ve just experienced a sad move to a new city. The happy memories help them feel strong. While the text is written as a conversation, you can add this to your stack of excellent mentor texts for narrative writing that get kids talking and thinking about their own meaningful memories.
Dot is the smallest person in her family, but she doesn’t hesitate to stand up for the new kid when he’s bullied in the cafeteria. (Clearly, she is NOT LITTLE!) Use this to teach about strong, impactful sentences. Plus, introduce the technique of using a repeating line to show readers what’s important in your story.
Dot from Not Little is back in this endearing follow-up story. She has an experience that will be familiar to many kids: She has an amazing vision for a project that turns out to be hard to execute. Even though this story stars younger students, it has endless potential as part of a collection of mentor texts for narrative writing across elementary school. Use it to discuss describing characters, varying sentence lengths, conveying emotions, and engaging readers throughout a problem-resolution narrative arc.
11. Climbing the Volcano: A Journey in Haiku by Curtis Manley
We love showing kids how reading a variety of genres can strengthen their personal narrative writing skills. This series of haiku tells the story of one family’s volcano hike with so many helpful examples of bringing a story to life with rich details. Classrooms could practice retelling the book in traditional narrative form, or try out creating their own collection of personal narrative haiku.
This poignant story shares how a young boy uses a special cape to help him cope with his grief on the day of his loved one’s funeral. It will be a supportive mentor text for students trying to write about their own challenging experiences. It’s also a masterful example for all writers about how a few carefully chosen words and details can make a big impact on readers.
If you have kids eager to write “how I got my pet” stories, you’ll definitely want to include this one in your collection of mentor texts for narrative writing. When a girl moves to a new city, making new friends feels overwhelming—until she and her mom go to the animal shelter and meet Millie. Use this as an example of how to string together different significant events that tie to a powerful theme.
14. Mamá’s Magnificent Dancing Plantitas by Jesús Trejo
This story about Little Jesús’ efforts to take good care of his mother’s precious plants—and his ensuing panic when he knocks one over—makes for an extra-entertaining read-aloud. It’s especially great for modeling how to write in your own unique voice. We also love it for a fun lesson on incorporating speech bubbles into personal narrative stories, or a lesson about strong beginnings and endings. It’s also available in Spanish.
For years, Marley has wanted to attend their local Pride celebration with their grandparent Zsa Zsa, but the thought of all the noise, people, and chaos has always felt too scary. This year, though, Zsa Zsa’s getting a special award for their work in the transgender community, and Marley works hard to build up the courage to go. This personal narrative is a fantastic example for student writers of how to explain complex emotions within a story.
A granddaughter explains all the reasons she loves visiting her grandad’s house—most of all, it’s because of the stories he tells about the many adventures he and Gramps had in their camper. It hasn’t felt the same since Gramps died, but a granddaughter-grandfather camping trip to the beach turns out to be just what everyone needs. This story is lovely for studying how to establish setting in a narrative, and how to include flashback moments effectively.
17. The Secret Fawn by Kallie George and Elly MacKay
As the youngest sibling, a girl feels like she misses everything—including the deer her family saw in the yard. She heads outdoors to try to see it for herself and ends up having an even more special experience. Use this quiet little story to show kids how to focus their narrative on a small but significant event.
A girl and her parents take a local hike to enjoy all the sights and sounds of fall. Use this to teach about adding more to a narrative by including details, thoughts, sounds, and dialogue.
A boy and his mom take a walk in the city at night to look for the moon. Add this to the mentor texts for narrative writing you use to teach about bringing the setting to life. Also, show students how to stretch one brief experience into a story that feels important.
Race along with the main character as he dashes to the train station. (Spoiler: At the end, we discover it’s so he can be on time to chivalrously meet his grandmother.) This is one of the few mentor texts for narrative writing included on this list that isn’t written in the first-person, but it made the cut because it’s such a relatable title for showing kids how to bring a small moment to life using impactful verbs. Verbs are conveniently capitalized on every page!
A boy spends time before and after school with his grandmother each day. He describes his Baba, her tiny house, and her actions with gorgeous precision. This will be one of your new favorite mentor texts for personal narrative writing to show students how carefully chosen words and details can be so powerful.
Tap into the excitement so many kids feel about being reunited with a special family member. A girl and her parents meet her Iranian grandfather at the airport and bring him home for a family welcome dinner. Add this to your mentor texts for personal narrative writing that shows kids how to include their internal monologue and model “show, don’t tell.”
23. Abuelita and I Make Flan by Adriana Hernández Bergstrom
Anita is excited to help her grandmother make her birthday dessert—so excited that she breaks her grandmother’s special plate. Can she help enough to make up for it? Use this to show kids how to add flair to their narratives with speech bubbles, labels, and different types of text. Also use it to encourage kids to try to include the narrator’s internal monologue in their writing.
With rich detail, a girl describes how summer smells, tastes, and feels when her grandmother visits from the Philippines. Use this to teach about adding sensory details to narrative writing.
They arrive in a flurry of big purses and hugs, with their coconut scent, spit-polishing thumbs, and big dreams of seeing the Quilt Museum. This hilarious account of a visit from a kid’s over-the-top aunts is one of the most fun mentor texts for narrative writing you’ll find for teaching students how to bring characters to life in their stories.
City-dweller Ernestine is so excited to go camping with her cousin. It turns out there are a few parts of the great outdoors that take some getting used to, though. Use this to teach about experimenting with speech bubbles and different page layouts as a way to add interest and detail to narrative pieces.
Joy finds a beat-up bike and convinces her tinkering granddad to help her fix it up. But when her peers make fun of her new ride, she makes the impulsive decision to push the bike down a steep hill, and then must face the feelings that follow. Use this as a solid example of a more detailed personal narrative that includes dialogue, characters’ thoughts and feelings, and interesting language.
It’s the day of the tribal powwow, but River is worried. She’s been sick and can’t join in as she usually does. The healing dance her friends and family perform inspires her to keep getting better. Use this to model the impact of using different sentence lengths. Intentional line breaks and onomatopoeia make the text feel almost like poetry too.
A boy who loves birds meets a girl who love birds in this sweet tale. When Jon calls out to the owls and gets a response, it’s not from an owl but from a girl named Janet. The two share tales of their bird-watching adventures in detail and bond over their love for birds.
Every Sunday the whole extended family gathers at Granny’s for a big meal. Today, Granny invites her grandson to help prepare the family’s favorite dishes for the first time. From grating the cheese to washing the grit from the greens, he learns about each crucial step. Use this to model how to break down an experience into small parts and describe them in more detail.
31. The Electric Slide and Kai by Kelly J. Baptist
As his family prepares to attend a big wedding, Kai desperately wants to impress his granddad with his dance moves so that he’ll give him a “dance nickname” like other members of the family. Use this to teach students to add their thoughts, goals, and emotions to their narrative writing, and to show, not tell, using dialogue and characters’ actions.
32. A Thousand White Butterflies by Jessica Betancourt-Perez and Karen Lynn Williams
Isabella recently immigrated to the United States from Colombia and is eager to start school and make friends. But an unexpected snow day changes her big plans. Use this to model writing precise sentences and to show how a character’s emotions change during a story. If you have bilingual students, this is also a nice one to show how to weave in words from another language.
This is one of our new favorite mentor texts for personal narrative writing to share when we’re encouraging students to write stories about problems or challenges. When a child feels too anxious to sleep, their dad plans a camping trip in the family pickup truck. Their conversations under the stars help ease bedtime worries. Study excerpts to talk about the power of weaving dialogue into narrative writing.
This story of a girl’s afternoon spent with her grandmother is ideal for nudging upper elementary students to extend their narrative writing. From Granny’s phone chatter to the colors of the beads to the smells and tastes of their fry bread lunch, the sensory details bring Maggie’s time beading and chatting to life. Maggie’s experience making beaded earrings—including her frustration and, eventually, pride—is a helpful example for kids about how to describe a process within a narrative so readers can imagine it.
An older brother gets tired of sharing his room with his annoying little bro, so he decides to build his own space in his yard. Both brothers learn from the experience and end up finding common ground together. Use this to teach about sticking close to a meaningful theme to write a focused narrative.
A young girl tells the tale of a motorcycle ride around her neighborhood with her Papi. Use this to model ways to characterize an important person throughout a story. It’s also great for modeling how to use vibrant descriptions and for building energy across the arc of a narrative.
Two best friends spend a final day together before one of them moves away. This one is full of heart, with equal parts sadness and sweetness. Use this to teach … well, everything. Model strong leads and endings, how to use small details to create a mood, and how to do justice to a particularly emotional experience by telling it step-by-step.
A girl moves to a new house and welcomes twin baby brothers to her family. Next door, an elderly neighbor grieves the loss of his wife. Use this to show students how describing what each character does or says in a situation can help create a complete scene. Also explore strategies for conveying the passage of time.
When a girl’s parents spot watercress growing on the roadside, they pull over to pick it so they can make a meal reminiscent of their native China. The girl hates the whole experience but ends up appreciating it more as she learns what it means to her family. Add this to your mentor texts for narrative writing for when you work on revising for tighter, more precise language. Imagine how this narrative might have started out and compare that to its sparse but incredibly powerful final text. Also, share the author’s note, in which she describes the experience that led to this book, to teach about how to choose meaningful narrative topics.
40. On the Trapline by David A. Robertson and Julie Flett
A boy visits his grandfather’s old trapline in the northern wilderness, which is steeped in memories. Besides being a beautiful example of personal narrative, this is a fascinating exploration of Cree tradition for kids. Use this to model how to include details and dialogue to explain things to readers and for planning an interesting structure for your narrative. (In this case, it’s a repeating line at the end of each section that explains a Cree word.) It’s also a nice example of how to weave memories of the past into a present-tense narrative.
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Photo Credit: Craig Dudek
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