Our Class Is A Family Because

Our Class Is a Family Because: Fostering a Supportive and Inclusive Learning Environment

Introduction:

Ever walked into a classroom and felt an immediate sense of warmth, belonging, and shared purpose? That's the magic of a class that truly feels like a family. This isn't just about fluffy feelings; it's about creating a learning environment where students thrive academically, emotionally, and socially. This post delves into the reasons why fostering a "class-as-family" atmosphere is crucial for success, exploring practical strategies teachers and students can employ to build strong, supportive relationships within the classroom. We'll examine the impact on academic performance, social-emotional development, and the overall classroom dynamic. Get ready to discover how to transform your classroom from a group of individuals into a thriving, collaborative family unit.


1. Shared Goals and Mutual Support: The Foundation of a Class Family

A family, at its core, is built on shared goals and mutual support. In a classroom setting, this translates to a shared commitment to learning and a culture of helping each other succeed. Instead of viewing classmates as competitors, students learn to see them as collaborators, offering assistance, celebrating achievements, and providing encouragement during challenges. This collaborative spirit fosters a sense of belonging and reduces the pressure associated with individual achievement. Teachers can cultivate this by:

Implementing cooperative learning strategies: Group projects, peer tutoring, and collaborative problem-solving activities encourage interdependence and teamwork.
Establishing clear class goals: Involving students in setting classroom rules and expectations fosters a sense of ownership and shared responsibility.
Promoting positive peer interactions: Encouraging empathy, respect, and kindness through classroom activities and discussions helps build strong relationships.


2. Open Communication and Trust: Building Bridges of Understanding

Trust is the bedrock of any strong relationship, and a classroom family is no exception. Open communication, where students feel comfortable expressing their thoughts, feelings, and concerns without fear of judgment, is essential. Teachers can create this environment by:

Creating opportunities for open dialogue: Regular class meetings, informal chats, and one-on-one conversations provide avenues for students to share their perspectives.
Actively listening to student concerns: Showing genuine interest in students' lives and addressing their issues demonstrates empathy and builds trust.
Establishing clear communication channels: Regular updates, newsletters, or online platforms keep parents and students informed and involved.


3. Celebrating Successes and Offering Support During Challenges: A Family's Unwavering Bond

A family celebrates its successes and offers unwavering support during challenges. In the classroom, this means acknowledging individual and collective achievements while providing a safe space for students to navigate difficulties. Teachers can achieve this by:

Celebrating successes both big and small: Acknowledging effort, improvement, and accomplishments boosts confidence and motivates students.
Providing individualized support: Recognizing students' unique learning styles and needs allows for targeted interventions and support.
Creating a culture of resilience: Teaching students coping mechanisms and problem-solving skills helps them navigate challenges effectively.


4. Inclusive Practices: Embracing Diversity and Individuality

A true family embraces diversity and celebrates individuality. A classroom family should reflect this by creating an inclusive environment where every student feels valued, respected, and accepted for who they are. This involves:

Promoting inclusivity in classroom activities and discussions: Using diverse examples and materials, and ensuring all voices are heard.
Addressing bullying and discrimination proactively: Establishing clear policies and procedures to create a safe and respectful learning environment.
Celebrating diversity: Highlighting different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives through classroom activities and events.


5. Building Relationships Beyond Academics: Connecting on a Human Level

A classroom family extends beyond academic pursuits; it's about building meaningful connections on a human level. Teachers can foster this by:

Getting to know students personally: Showing genuine interest in their lives, hobbies, and aspirations creates a stronger bond.
Creating opportunities for social interaction: Organizing class outings, games, or social events provides opportunities for students to connect outside of academic settings.
Promoting empathy and compassion: Encouraging students to support each other and understand different perspectives cultivates a caring classroom environment.


Article Outline: Our Class Is a Family Because

I. Introduction: Hooking the reader and setting the context.

II. The Pillars of a Class Family:
A. Shared Goals and Mutual Support
B. Open Communication and Trust
C. Celebrating Successes and Supporting Challenges
D. Inclusive Practices
E. Building Relationships Beyond Academics

III. Practical Strategies for Building a Class Family: Specific techniques for teachers and students.

IV. The Benefits of a Class Family: Impact on academic performance, social-emotional development, and overall well-being.

V. Conclusion: Reiterating the importance of a supportive classroom environment.


(Detailed explanation of each point in the outline is already integrated into the main body of the article above.)


FAQs:

1. How can I tell if my class is truly a "family"? Look for signs of mutual support, open communication, a sense of belonging, and celebrations of both individual and collective achievements.

2. What if I have students who are resistant to this approach? Address concerns individually, focus on building trust, and highlight the benefits of collaboration.

3. Is it possible to create this environment in a large class? Yes, but it may require more strategic planning and potentially incorporating peer mentoring or group work more frequently.

4. How can I involve parents in building this classroom family? Regular communication, parent-teacher meetings, and collaborative projects can foster a strong home-school connection.

5. What if a conflict arises within the "family"? Address conflicts promptly and fairly, using them as opportunities for conflict resolution and empathy building.

6. Does this approach work for all age groups? Yes, but the strategies need to be adapted to suit the developmental stage and needs of the students.

7. How can I measure the success of this approach? Observe student interactions, track academic performance, and gather feedback through surveys or class discussions.

8. Is this just about being "nice"? While kindness is essential, it's about fostering a supportive learning environment that prioritizes collaboration, respect, and mutual success.

9. What if I'm a new teacher? Start small, focus on building trust, and gradually implement strategies that feel comfortable and effective for you and your students.


Related Articles:

1. Building a Positive Classroom Culture: Strategies for fostering a supportive and respectful learning environment.

2. Cooperative Learning Activities for the Classroom: Practical ideas for encouraging teamwork and collaboration.

3. The Importance of Social-Emotional Learning: The role of social and emotional skills in academic success and well-being.

4. Creating an Inclusive Classroom: Strategies for ensuring all students feel valued and respected.

5. Effective Communication Strategies for Teachers: Tips for building strong relationships with students and parents.

6. Conflict Resolution Strategies for the Classroom: Techniques for resolving conflicts peacefully and effectively.

7. Promoting Resilience in Students: Helping students develop coping skills and navigate challenges.

8. The Power of Positive Reinforcement in the Classroom: Strategies for motivating students and building confidence.

9. Building a Strong Teacher-Student Relationship: The importance of connecting with students on a personal level.


  our class is a family because: Our Class is a Family Shannon Olsen, 2020-04-07 Family isn't always your relatives. It's the ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile, and who love you no matter what. -Unknown Teachers do so much more than just teach academics. They build a sense of community within their classrooms, creating a home away from home where they make their students feel safe, included, and loved. With its heartfelt message and colorfully whimsical illustrations, Our Class is a Family is a book that will help build and strengthen that class community. Kids learn that their classroom is a place where it's safe to be themselves, it's okay to make mistakes, and it's important to be a friend to others. When hearing this story being read aloud by their teacher, students are sure to feel like they are part of a special family. And currently, during such an unprecedented time when many teachers and students are not physically IN the classroom due to COVID-19 school closures, it's more important than it's ever been to give kids the message that their class is a family. Even at a distance, they still stick together.
  our class is a family because: A Letter from Your Teacher Shannon Olsen, 2022-03 From the author and illustrator of Our Class is a Family, this touching picture book expresses a teacher's sentiments and well wishes on the last day of school. Serving as a follow up to the letter in A Letter From Your Teacher: On the First Day of School, it's a read aloud for teachers to bid a special farewell to their students at the end of the school year. Through a letter written from the teacher's point of view, the class is invited to reflect back on memories made, connections formed, and challenges met. The letter expresses how proud their teacher is of them, and how much they will be missed. Students will also leave on that last day knowing that their teacher is cheering them on for all of the exciting things to come in the future. There is a blank space on the last page for teachers to sign their own name, so that students know that the letter in the book is coming straight from them. With its sincere message and inclusive illustrations, A Letter From Your Teacher: On the Last Day of School is a valuable addition to any elementary school teacher's classroom library.
  our class is a family because: The Family Book Todd Parr, 2009-11-16 Represents a variety of families, some big and some small, some with only one parent and some with two moms or dads, some quiet and some noisy, but all alike in some ways and special no matter what.
  our class is a family because: A Family Is a Family Is a Family Sara O'Leary, 2020-07-10 When a teacher asks her class to think about what makes their families special, the answers are all different, but the same in one important way ... When a teacher asks the children in her class to think about what makes their families special, the answers are all different in many ways — but the same in the one way that matters most of all. One child is worried that her family is just too different to explain, but listens as her classmates talk about what makes their families special. One is raised by a grandmother, and another has two dads. One has many stepsiblings, and another has a new baby in the family. As her classmates describe who they live with and who loves them — family of every shape, size and every kind of relation — the child realizes that as long as her family is full of caring people, it is special. A warm and whimsical look at many types of families, written by award-winning author Sara O’Leary, with quirky and sweet illustrations by Qin Leng. Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.1 With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2 Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.6 Identify who is telling the story at various points in a text. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.9 Compare and contrast the adventures and experiences of characters in stories. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.6 Acknowledge differences in the points of view of characters, including by speaking in a different voice for each character when reading dialogue aloud.
  our class is a family because: Speak Up Miranda Paul, 2020 Illustrations and easy-to-read, rhyming text encourage the reader to speak up about everything from their own name being mispronounced to someone bring a weapon to school. Includes author's note about real people who have found their voices, when to speak up, and how to express oneself without speaking--Provided by publisher.
  our class is a family because: The Power of the Past Jessi Streib, 2015 Drawing upon interviews with adults married to a partner of a different class background, The Power of the Past reveals the intimate connections between love and class and how enduring class attributes shape who they love and how their marriage unfolds.
  our class is a family because: Me and My Family Tree Joan Sweeney, 2018-09-18 Where am I on my family tree? A beloved bestseller that shows children how to understand their place among their relatives, now refreshed with new art from Emma Trithart. Who is part of your family? How are they related to you? In this edition of Me and My Family Tree, with new art by Emma Trithart, a young girl uses simple language, her own childlike drawings, and diagrams to explain how the members of her family are related to each other and to her. Clear, colorful, detailed artwork and a fill-in family tree in the back help make the parts of the family--from siblings to grandparents to cousins--understandable to very young readers.
  our class is a family because: Our Kids Robert D. Putnam, 2016-03-29 The bestselling author of Bowling Alone offers [an] ... examination of the American Dream in crisis--how and why opportunities for upward mobility are diminishing, jeopardizing the prospects of an ever larger segment of Americans--
  our class is a family because: There was an Old Mummy who Swallowed a Spider Jennifer Ward, 2015 Welcome, Little Monster, to your first day of school. Little Monster is going to school for the very first time. That means he ll be meeting all the other little monsters, including one who has really big teeth and draws scary pictures. Who will ride the ogres and dragons with Little Monster at recess, and listen with him during story time? And what happens when gulp Little Monster realizes he forgot his lunch? It s a good thing Mr. Drool is there to guide Little Monster the whole day through. Helen Ketteman s soothing rhymes and Bonnie Leick s sweet watercolor illustrations combine to create a reassuring first-day-of-school story that s perfect for little monsters everywhere.
  our class is a family because: Love Makes a Family Sophie Beer, 2018-12-24 This fun, inclusive board book celebrates the one thing that makes every family a family . . . and that's LOVE. Love is baking a special cake. Love is lending a helping hand. Love is reading one more book. In this exuberant board book, many different families are shown in happy activity, from an early-morning wake-up to a kiss before bed. Whether a child has two moms, two dads, one parent, or one of each, this simple preschool read-aloud demonstrates that what's most important in each family's life is the love the family members share.
  our class is a family because: Fly! Mark Teague, 2019-09-17 “Teague proves that a picture can be worth a thousand words—and almost as many laughs.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) “Engaging illustrations and the baby bird’s wild ideas will entertain audiences of all ages.” —Booklist (starred review) “Funny, feathery finesse.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Mama bird thinks it’s time for Baby bird’s first flight, but Baby bird has other ideas in this humorous wordless picture book from New York Times bestselling author-illustrator Mark Teague. It’s a big day up in the tree that Mama bird shares with her baby. Mama bird thinks Baby bird is finally ready to leave the nest and learn to fly so he can migrate south with the rest of their flock. But Baby bird isn’t so sure. Can’t his mother keep bringing him worms in their nest? Can’t he migrate in a hot air balloon instead? Or perhaps a car? This silly wordless picture book will keep young readers giggling as Baby bird figures out that he must flap his wings and learn to fly—whether he likes it or not!
  our class is a family because: School is More Than a Building Kelley Donner, 2021-05-20 A great school is so much more than a building? It is a place where children feel accepted for who they are. It is a place where kindness and empathy are commonplace. It is a place where children know and feel that people are there for them and that they are safe and loved. With its delightful watercolor illustrations of school life, School is More Than a Building paints a positive picture of a school environment where children know and understand that the people who work there care and look out for their best interests. When read aloud, children are reminded that they are part of a very special community and that schools are there for them. The pandemic made it painfully clear just how sensitive children are to the world around them and how important schools are for many children's health and well-being. Unfortunately, for some children, schools are more than just a place for learning, they are also a place of refuge and escape. It is important that children are aware that schools are a safe place where there are people that they can trust and go to if they need help. School is More than a Building, it is a place where people listen.In addition to celebrating schools and everything they do, School is More Than a Building is a great book to generate discussion about the many aspects of school life. At KelleyDonner.com/school-is-more-than-a-building you will find lesson plans, bulletin board ideas, activities and more that can be used on a school wide-level, in the classroom, or in your library. School is an integral part of a child's life. School is more than a building, it is a place where?
  our class is a family because: I Got the School Spirit Connie Schofield-Morrison, 2020-07-07 Celebrate the new school year with this lively back-to-school read-aloud! Summer is over, and this little girl has got the school spirit! She hears the school spirit in the bus driving up the street--VROOM, VROOM!--and in the bell sounding in the halls--RING-A-DING! She sings the school spirit in class with her friends--ABC, 123! The school spirit helps us all strive and grow. What will you learn today? This exuberant celebration of the first day of school illustrated by award-winning illustrator Frank Morrison will have every kid cheering for school to begin! Don't miss these other exuberant titles: I Got the Rhythm I Got the Christmas Spirit
  our class is a family because: You're Finally Here! Mélanie Watt, 2011-02 A rabbit in a picture book is very glad when a reader turns up.
  our class is a family because: Funds of Knowledge Norma Gonzalez, Luis C. Moll, Cathy Amanti, 2006-04-21 The concept of funds of knowledge is based on a simple premise: people are competent and have knowledge, and their life experiences have given them that knowledge. The claim in this book is that first-hand research experiences with families allow one to document this competence and knowledge, and that such engagement provides many possibilities for positive pedagogical actions. Drawing from both Vygotskian and neo-sociocultural perspectives in designing a methodology that views the everyday practices of language and action as constructing knowledge, the funds of knowledge approach facilitates a systematic and powerful way to represent communities in terms of the resources they possess and how to harness them for classroom teaching. This book accomplishes three objectives: It gives readers the basic methodology and techniques followed in the contributors' funds of knowledge research; it extends the boundaries of what these researchers have done; and it explores the applications to classroom practice that can result from teachers knowing the communities in which they work. In a time when national educational discourses focus on system reform and wholesale replicability across school sites, this book offers a counter-perspective stating that instruction must be linked to students' lives, and that details of effective pedagogy should be linked to local histories and community contexts. This approach should not be confused with parent participation programs, although that is often a fortuitous consequence of the work described. It is also not an attempt to teach parents how to do school although that could certainly be an outcome if the parents so desired. Instead, the funds of knowledge approach attempts to accomplish something that may be even more challenging: to alter the perceptions of working-class or poor communities by viewing their households primarily in terms of their strengths and resources, their defining pedagogical characteristics. Funds of Knowledge: Theorizing Practices in Households, Communities, and Classrooms is a critically important volume for all teachers and teachers-to-be, and for researchers and graduate students of language, culture, and education.
  our class is a family because: This School Year Will Be the BEST! Kay Winters, 2010-07-08 On the first day of school, new classmates are asked to share what they would most like to happen in the upcoming year. Some kids' hopes are familiar while others are off-the-wall. Whether it's looking good on picture day or skateboarding at school, everyone's wishes are shown in humorously exaggerated illustrations. As the first day draws to a close, there can be no doubt—this school year will definitely be the best!
  our class is a family because: Ask a Manager Alison Green, 2018-05-01 From the creator of the popular website Ask a Manager and New York’s work-advice columnist comes a witty, practical guide to 200 difficult professional conversations—featuring all-new advice! There’s a reason Alison Green has been called “the Dear Abby of the work world.” Ten years as a workplace-advice columnist have taught her that people avoid awkward conversations in the office because they simply don’t know what to say. Thankfully, Green does—and in this incredibly helpful book, she tackles the tough discussions you may need to have during your career. You’ll learn what to say when • coworkers push their work on you—then take credit for it • you accidentally trash-talk someone in an email then hit “reply all” • you’re being micromanaged—or not being managed at all • you catch a colleague in a lie • your boss seems unhappy with your work • your cubemate’s loud speakerphone is making you homicidal • you got drunk at the holiday party Praise for Ask a Manager “A must-read for anyone who works . . . [Alison Green’s] advice boils down to the idea that you should be professional (even when others are not) and that communicating in a straightforward manner with candor and kindness will get you far, no matter where you work.”—Booklist (starred review) “The author’s friendly, warm, no-nonsense writing is a pleasure to read, and her advice can be widely applied to relationships in all areas of readers’ lives. Ideal for anyone new to the job market or new to management, or anyone hoping to improve their work experience.”—Library Journal (starred review) “I am a huge fan of Alison Green’s Ask a Manager column. This book is even better. It teaches us how to deal with many of the most vexing big and little problems in our workplaces—and to do so with grace, confidence, and a sense of humor.”—Robert Sutton, Stanford professor and author of The No Asshole Rule and The Asshole Survival Guide “Ask a Manager is the ultimate playbook for navigating the traditional workforce in a diplomatic but firm way.”—Erin Lowry, author of Broke Millennial: Stop Scraping By and Get Your Financial Life Together
  our class is a family because: People Who Help at School Janet Preus, 2015-03 A fun song and picture book help children recognize different people in their school and the role they play. Includes online music access.
  our class is a family because: The Invisible Boy Trudy Ludwig, 2013-10-08 A gentle story that teaches how small acts of kindness can help children feel included and allow them to flourish, from esteemed author and speaker Trudy Ludwig and acclaimed illustrator Patrice Barton. A simple act of kindness can transform an invisible boy into a friend... Meet Brian, the invisible boy. Nobody in class ever seems to notice him or think to include him in their group, game, or birthday party . . . until, that is, a new kid comes to class. When Justin, the new boy, arrives, Brian is the first to make him feel welcome. And when Brian and Justin team up to work on a class project together, Brian finds a way to shine. Any parent, teacher, or counselor looking for material that sensitively addresses the needs of quieter children will find The Invisible Boy a valuable and important resource. Includes a discussion guide and resources for further reading.
  our class is a family because: Bilal Cooks Daal Aisha Saeed, 2019-06-04 A Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of 2019 An Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature Honor Book 2019 Six-year-old Bilal introduces his friends to his favorite dish—daal!—in this charming picture book that showcases the value of patience, teamwork, community, and sharing. Six-year-old Bilal is excited to help his dad make his favorite food of all-time: daal! The slow-cooked lentil dish from South Asia requires lots of ingredients and a whole lot of waiting. Bilal wants to introduce his friends to daal. They’ve never tried it! As the day goes on, the daal continues to simmer, and more kids join Bilal and his family, waiting to try the tasty dish. And as time passes, Bilal begins to wonder: Will his friends like it as much as he does? This debut picture book by Aisha Saeed, with charming illustrations by Anoosha Syed, uses food as a means of bringing a community together to share in each other’s family traditions.
  our class is a family because: A Little Life Hanya Yanagihara, 2016-01-26 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A stunning “portrait of the enduring grace of friendship” (NPR) about the families we are born into, and those that we make for ourselves. A masterful depiction of love in the twenty-first century. NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST • MAN BOOKER PRIZE FINALIST • WINNER OF THE KIRKUS PRIZE A Little Life follows four college classmates—broke, adrift, and buoyed only by their friendship and ambition—as they move to New York in search of fame and fortune. While their relationships, which are tinged by addiction, success, and pride, deepen over the decades, the men are held together by their devotion to the brilliant, enigmatic Jude, a man scarred by an unspeakable childhood trauma. A hymn to brotherly bonds and a masterful depiction of love in the twenty-first century, Hanya Yanagihara’s stunning novel is about the families we are born into, and those that we make for ourselves. Look for Hanya Yanagihara’s latest bestselling novel, To Paradise.
  our class is a family because: Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves Louise Derman-Sparks, Julie Olsen Edwards, 2020-04-07 Anti-bias education begins with you! Become a skilled anti-bias teacher with this practical guidance to confronting and eliminating barriers.
  our class is a family because: The Dragon Who Didn't Like Fire Gemma Merino, 2021-04-29 From the award-winning Gemma Merino, author of the iconic The Crocodile Who Didn't Like Water (over half a million copies sold worldwide), The Dragon Who Didn't Like Fire is a deeply funny story about acceptance, difference and unconditional love. Everybody knows that dragons can breathe fire, but unlike her brothers and sisters, this little dragon is different. She doesn’t like fire but she desperately wants to fly and make her Dad proud. In an attempt at flying, she finds herself plunging into the lake. Being underwater should be wet, cold and horrid, but it feels AMAZING. Could it be that this little dragon isn’t a dragon at all?
  our class is a family because: Where We Stand bell hooks, 2012-10-02 Drawing on both her roots in Kentucky and her adventures with Manhattan Coop boards, Where We Stand is a successful black woman's reflection--personal, straight forward, and rigorously honest--on how our dilemmas of class and race are intertwined, and how we can find ways to think beyond them.
  our class is a family because: In Cold Blood Truman Capote, 2013-02-19 Selected by the Modern Library as one of the 100 best nonfiction books of all time From the Modern Library’s new set of beautifully repackaged hardcover classics by Truman Capote—also available are Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Other Voices, Other Rooms (in one volume), Portraits and Observations, and The Complete Stories Truman Capote’s masterpiece, In Cold Blood, created a sensation when it was first published, serially, in The New Yorker in 1965. The intensively researched, atmospheric narrative of the lives of the Clutter family of Holcomb, Kansas, and of the two men, Richard Eugene Hickock and Perry Edward Smith, who brutally killed them on the night of November 15, 1959, is the seminal work of the “new journalism.” Perry Smith is one of the great dark characters of American literature, full of contradictory emotions. “I thought he was a very nice gentleman,” he says of Herb Clutter. “Soft-spoken. I thought so right up to the moment I cut his throat.” Told in chapters that alternate between the Clutter household and the approach of Smith and Hickock in their black Chevrolet, then between the investigation of the case and the killers’ flight, Capote’s account is so detailed that the reader comes to feel almost like a participant in the events.
  our class is a family because: Our Class is a Family Shannon Olsen, 2020-05-05 Family isn't always your relatives. It's the ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile, and who love you no matter what. -Unknown Teachers do so much more than just teach academics. They build a sense of community within their classrooms, creating a home away from home where they make their students feel safe, included, and loved. With its heartfelt message and colorfully whimsical illustrations, Our Class is a Family is a book that will help build and strengthen that class community. Kids learn that their classroom is a place where it's safe to be themselves, it's okay to make mistakes, and it's important to be a friend to others. When hearing this story being read aloud by their teacher, students are sure to feel like they are part of a special family. And currently, during such an unprecedented time when many teachers and students are not physically IN the classroom due to COVID-19 school closures, it's more important than it's ever been to give kids the message that their class is a family. Even at a distance, they still stick together.
  our class is a family because: Families, Families, Families! Suzanne Lang, 2015-03-24 No matter your size, shape, or pedigree--if you love each other, you are a family! Moms, dads, sisters, brothers — and even Great Aunt Sue — appear in dozens of combinations, demonstrating all kinds of nontraditional families! Silly animals are cleverly depicted in framed portraits, and offer a warm celebration of family love. From School Library Journal PreS-Gr 1—Imagine a house with many rooms, whose walls each have a different color or wallpaper, accenting a family portrait hanging there. On a rustic wooden wall hangs the first portrait—a large family of ducks posing beside a still pond. The next spread shows three pandas in pink vests, much like the pink oriental wallpaper behind them. Each portrait features a gently rhyming line: Some children live with their grandparents…/and some live with an aunt./Some children have many pets…/and some just have a plant. All of these appealing images demonstrate different ways of being a family. Some children live with their father./ Some children have two mothers./Some children are adopted./Some have stepsisters and—brothers. The cartoon-style critters contrast pleasantly with more realistic elements—a bamboo plant, a slender ceramic dog, a fat ceramic cat. Families of hippos, tigers, lions, ostriches, and whales join the other family groups in the final spread. The loud-and-clear message is that if you love each other, then you are a family. And imagine the many children who will be reassured because they have found a portrait of a family they will recognize as their own. A solid choice for most libraries.—Mary Jean Smith, formerly at Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN
  our class is a family because: Wombat Goes to School Jackie French, 2020-06-16 She eats. She sleeps. She scratches. She goes to school... She sleeps. She eats. She scratches - and finds a hole. When Mothball discovers a new hole, it unexpectedly leads her to the local school. the children learn that wombats love carrots and grass, while Mothball learns that lunch boxes contain very few carrots, that sports sheds can be a good place to have a nap, and that when you're brown and round, it's not a good idea to get too close to a ball ... Ages 3 years plus
  our class is a family because: Thanksgiving Rules Laurie Friedman, 2009-08-01 Young Percy Isaac Gifford provides a list of ten rules for getting the most out of Thanksgiving Day, especially how best to enjoy the buffet.
  our class is a family because: Miss Malarkey Doesn't Live in Room 10 Judy Finchler, 1995 A first-grade boy is shocked, then pleased, when he discovers that his teacher has a life away from school.
  our class is a family because: It's Back to School We Go Ellen B. Jackson, 2003 Children from around the world explain the different things they do during their first day of school, in a colorful tale with fact boxes, easy-to-read text, and bright illustrations.
  our class is a family because: Hillbilly Elegy J. D. Vance, 2016-06-28 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A riveting book.—The Wall Street Journal Essential reading.—David Brooks, New York Times From a former marine and Yale Law School graduate, a powerful account of growing up in a poor Rust Belt town that offers a broader, probing look at the struggles of America’s white working class Hillbilly Elegy is a passionate and personal analysis of a culture in crisis—that of white working-class Americans. The decline of this group, a demographic of our country that has been slowly disintegrating over forty years, has been reported on with growing frequency and alarm, but has never before been written about as searingly from the inside. J. D. Vance tells the true story of what a social, regional, and class decline feels like when you were born with it hung around your neck. The Vance family story begins hopefully in postwar America. J. D.’s grandparents were “dirt poor and in love,” and moved north from Kentucky’s Appalachia region to Ohio in the hopes of escaping the dreadful poverty around them. They raised a middle-class family, and eventually their grandchild (the author) would graduate from Yale Law School, a conventional marker of their success in achieving generational upward mobility. But as the family saga of Hillbilly Elegy plays out, we learn that this is only the short, superficial version. Vance’s grandparents, aunt, uncle, sister, and, most of all, his mother, struggled profoundly with the demands of their new middle-class life, and were never able to fully escape the legacy of abuse, alcoholism, poverty, and trauma so characteristic of their part of America. Vance piercingly shows how he himself still carries around the demons of their chaotic family history. A deeply moving memoir with its share of humor and vividly colorful figures, Hillbilly Elegy is the story of how upward mobility really feels. And it is an urgent and troubling meditation on the loss of the American dream for a large segment of this country.
  our class is a family because: My First Day of School Michelle Medlock Adams, 2017-07-11 In this lively board book, a young boy starts his first day of school not knowing what to expect. Follow along as he explores his classroom, makes new friends, and enjoys all the creative and interesting activities school can offer. My First Day of School helps first-time students, from preschoolers to kindergartners, understand what happens at school, while providing parents the opportunity to answer questions their child may have. An enthusiastic narrator and bright, cheerful illustrations will have first-time students eagerly anticipating their first day of school.
  our class is a family because: Chrysanthemum Big Book Kevin Henkes, 2007-10-02 She was a perfect baby, and she had a perfect name. Chrysanthemum. Chrysanthemum loved her name—until she started school. A terrific read-aloud for the classroom and libraries!
  our class is a family because: I Wish My Teacher Knew Kyle Schwartz, 2016-07-12 One day, third-grade teacher Kyle Schwartz asked her students to fill-in-the-blank in this sentence: I wish my teacher knew _____. The results astounded her. Some answers were humorous, others were heartbreaking-all were profoundly moving and enlightening. The results opened her eyes to the need for educators to understand the unique realities their students face in order to create an open, safe and supportive place in the classroom. When Schwartz shared her experience online, #IWishMyTeacherKnew became an immediate worldwide viral phenomenon. Schwartz's book tells the story of #IWishMyTeacherKnew, including many students' emotional and insightful responses, and ultimately provides an invaluable guide for teachers, parents, and communities.
  our class is a family because: All about Families Felicity Brooks, 2023-08-09 What do families look like? Who's in your family? And how can families change? With delightful illustrations, this glorious celebration of family diversity talks about lone-parent families, adoptive, foster, divorced, remarried, and multi-racial families, and lots, lots more, showing little children that families come in all shapes and sizes.
  our class is a family because: Family Means... Matthew Ralph, 2021-06-08 Every family is different. But in the end, all families have the same core values of love, kindness and acceptance. The real question is... what does family mean to you? Small, big, colorful and fun - a family can be so many things. Every family is special, and this book celebrates all forms of living together: no one is left out. Family Means... is a charming and heart-warming children's picture book about family, diversity, inclusion and the joy of everyday life. The simple and easy-to-understand sentences are perfect for little readers and make this book ideal for story time or nighttime reading. The beautifully hand-drawn color illustrations depict family life and teach children that while families may look and sound different, we are all united in love. There is even a bonus activity section where you can draw your family and write your own answer to the question: What does family mean to you? So, are you ready to find out the true meaning of family? Open the book and let's get started!
  our class is a family because: What If, Pig? Linzie Hunter, 2021-06-08 You’re not going to find a more heartwarming dynamic duo than Pig and Mouse! Join Pig as he learns how to turn his “what if worries from anxiety to optimism, all with the help of his loving friend Mouse. Readers will certainly empathize with Pig and his emotions. —Kirkus “Hunter’s picture book will draw its audience with vibrant colors, oh-so-adorable characters, and plenty of silliness” –Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books Young readers will learn that being afraid is a common, temporary feeling, and that they can talk to others about it. —School Library Journal Mouse has never had a friend quite like Pig. Pig is so incredibly kind, fabulously fun, but he also has a big secret—he’s a tremendous worrier! When Pig gets the brilliant idea to throw a party for Mouse and their friends, he can’t help but think of everything that could possibly go wrong. After all, what if a lion eats all the invitations? What if nobody comes? Or worse, what if everyone comes and has an awful time? In this adorable story, Linzie Hunter’s charming, bright illustrations pair perfectly with her sweet and funny story about friendship and the endless wonder of what if that readers of all ages can relate to. This picture book is a great conversation starter in the home or classroom.
  our class is a family because: A Friend Is Someone Who... Marilee Mayfield, 2020-04 Do you remember your first friend? Your friends always find a way to double your joys and halve your sorrows. This fun, rhyming book helps children understand the value of having friends and of being a friend to others.
  our class is a family because: My WILD First Day of School Dennis Mathew, 2019-08-10 Dennis Mathew, author of the award-winning Bello the Cello breaks the rules with his second book, My WILD First Day of School. What if animals went to school? What if they could dream, wonder and imagine a hopeful future? Into the uncertainty that is the first day of school for every child, My WILD First Day of School throws humor, spunk, rhythm and rhyme. This book is an invitation to every child to take risks, try something new and embrace their inner WILD.