Our Class is a Family

This Back to School book is 2020’s must-have book for teachers.

The rhyming text and bright, friendly illustrations are engaging and show many types of families, and then reminds us that a "family doesn't have to be who you're related to."

The author then takes us through the many facets of classroom life - a teacher who wants it to feels like home away from home, teacher and classmates supporting us on our tough days, making mistakes as we learn, appreciating the ways in which we are unique and the things we have in common.

In our Spanish Immersion program, the students are together K-4, so they really do become a family. The COVID separation has been hard on them, so I know they will understand and relate to this sweet message about making a classroom a comfortable place to spend each  day. I can't wait to read it to them next week!

Other Back to School posts:

My First Day of School

The Nevers

The Kissing Hand

How I Spent My Summer Vacation

Teacher Themed Books

Variations on the Gingerbread Man

The Very Last Leaf

Website for illustrator Sandie Sonke

Miss Malarkey Doesn't Live in Room 10

I laugh every time I read this story - probably for a couple of reasons: 1) having taught Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade, I know that there are children who really do think their teachers live at school. I love the look of surprise on their little faces when they see me at the store or library or walking down Main Street.  2) the pictures of the teachers after hours are hilarious - it would have been fun to have that experience with my friends at Sierra.

The young narrator walks us through Miss Malarkey's life after school.  The best part for me is the illustrations of all the teachers eating in the cafeteria, playing in the gym, lined up to get drinks at the drinking fountain in their jammies and having pillow fights in their very messy bunkhouse.

And then...Miss Malarkey moves into his apartment building.  He cannot believe that she has to take out her own garbage, I mean, doesn't the janitor do that for her?!?  He is shocked to see her having a party when it isn't even someone in the class's birthday.  Worst of all, none of his classmates believe him when he tries to convince them that Miss Malarkey doesn't live in Room 10.  

Oh well, there's always next year in second grade - Mrs. Boba definitely lives in Room 12.

Delightful story, vivid illustrations by Kevin O'Malley that convey what it's like to have a young, beautiful teacher, be in awe of school and teachers, and what it's like when the realization hits that the world is larger than your own little life.

Miss Malarkey Doesn't Live in Room 10 by Judy Finchler has several sequels: Miss Malarkey Won't be in Today, Miss Malarkey Leaves No Reader Behind, Testing Miss Malarkey, Miss Malarkey's Field Trip and Congratulations, Miss Malarkey!