
Most pediatric speech-language pathologists working in the school system and private practice enjoy using themes in speech language therapy sessions. August and September are great months to use Back to School themed books with young children to build communication, language, and literacy skills.
Here are a few of my favorite recommendations:
Amelia Bedelia’s First Day of School by Herman Parish
Amelia is very excited about going to school. She is still learning the meanings of many words and phrases. Her teacher, Mrs. Edwards is happy to have her in class. However, Amelia misunderstands many of the statements said by her teacher and classmates. She takes what is said very literally. This engaging storyline makes an ideal book for young learners to practice listening comprehension, vocabulary, and story retell. Here is a complimentary WH questions listening check for this book. WH Questions
The Name Jar by Yansook Choi
This is a well written realistic fiction story about a young Korean immigrant who is confronted with cultural assimilation at her new school. She thinks about choosing an American name because others can’t pronounce her real name. Her classmates start a name jar to put suggestions. Will she change her name? This book touches on many topics and is rich with vocabulary and opportunities for critical thinking. This book is great to use with 3rd-5th grade or middle school students with language disorders and learning disabilities. It’s an excellent instructional tool to use as a read aloud or mentor text in the general education classroom. Children can practice answering literal and inferential questions, tier 2 vocabulary in context, naming synonyms, and naming antonyms. Here are links to resources from my TPT store related to this book.
WH Questions Worksheets- Literal and Inferential
Elmer by David McKee
This author has a great series of books about Elmer, the patchwork elephant. This is a classic book that most children will enjoy. It has an excellent message for children to love who they are created to be. Elmer, the special patchwork elephant is unique, optimistic, and has a great sense of humor. In this book, he has an idea to blend in with all the rest, but learns to never dull his shine especially to be like others. This story teaches kids the value of embracing their individuality. There’s a special twist at the end of the book. This book is one out of several in a series skillfully written by David McKee. You’ll love the vivid illustrations too. This book is a perfect addition to your speech language therapy, classroom, or home library. Here’s the free listening comprehension check. WH Questions
Froggy Goes to School by Jonathan London
Jonathan London writes a humorous book series about Froggy! In this story, he is dreaming about his first day of school. In the dream, he forgets to do something very important before leaving home! This makes an interesting start to his school day. It’s a good thing that his dad wakes him up. This book is ideal for young language learners to practice identifying and naming tier 1 vocabulary of nouns, verbs, and adjectives. Speech-language pathologists and teachers should ask basic comprehension questions as well after an interactive read aloud. This is the WH Questions quick listening comprehension worksheet to accompany this engaging book. WH Questions.
Charlie Goes to School by Ree Drummond
This is a great story about a mother who homeschools her children. They live on a ranch and especially enjoy one of their favorite pets, Charlie, their dog. This is a realistic fiction book that is based on the life of the author Ree Drummond who lives in the country with her family. The story is interesting and the illustrations are beautiful as the author describes a typical school day of children who go to school at home and live on a ranch. This is an excellent book to use in speech language therapy, at home, or as a mentor text in the classroom. I recommend using this book to work on increasing listening comprehension, vocabulary, and the ability to compare/contrast. Children can practice describing similarities and differences about their school day whether they attend public, private, or homeschool. Click here for my accompanying complimentary WH Questions quick listening comprehension check.
Pete the Cat Rocking in His School Shoes by James Dean
I highly recommend this book for early language learners in preschool and elementary school. This simplistic yet engaging story has repetitive lines that are excellent for early communicators to practice oral language. They can imitate a speech-language pathologist’s or classroom teacher’s verbal modeling of key words and phrases during an interactive read aloud. This book is perfect for naming basic nouns like street, sidewalk, guitar, bookbag, desk, hall, library, lunchroom, playground, slide, swing, school, friends, and bus. Kids can practice labeling verbs like strolling, sitting, reading, eating, playing, painting, adding, writing, singing, and rocking. You can even target identifying and naming adjectives like sunny, tall, grassy, loud, colors, and size vocabulary based on children’s language needs. Then have them sing the catchy tune for this book. Check out the fun You Tube read aloud/sing along of this fantastic book! Use it with kids with autism, learning disabilities, and speech/language impairments. They will LOVE it and build communication, language, and literacy skills too!
What are some of your favorite books for Back to School?
Tamara Anderson, M.S., Ed.S., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Education Specialist