Fall is one of my most favorite times of the year, especially when it comes to incorporating literature into my classroom. The changing of colors, scarecrows and pumpkins, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Veterans Day – there is so much to celebrate and look forward to during this season! I also love reading to my students! Therefore, read alouds in the primary classroom plus fall literature is the perfect storm! With all of that in mind, I’ve created a simple list of the best 11 read alouds in the primary classroom to use. I know your students will love them all. Enjoy!
An Environment Read Aloud: Shi-shi-etko by Nicola I. Campbell
First up is this sweet, touching story tells of how a young girl spends her last few days at home before being sent to one of Canada’s Indian Residential schools. Shi-shi-etko, French for “she loves to play in the water,” treasures the world she and her family live in. The story provides great detail of how indigenous culture is tied to the environment, and would also make a great read aloud in the primary classroom for Orange Shirt Day (National Day of Truth and Reconciliation) in Canada or Indigenous People’s Day in the United States.
This story would make a great read aloud for ages Kindergarten-2nd grade.
Teach Friendship with: The Scarecrow by Beth Ferry
The Scarecrow has some of the most beautiful illustrations of autumn and winter and is very well written! All of the animals in the story stay away from the scarecrow because he scares them, leaving the scarecrow feeling very lonely. But one day a fledgling crow falls from the air and the scarecrow rescues it, keeping it safe and warm. As the crow grows up, their friendship flourishes. Such a great read to remind our students how important it is to help others, as well as the importance of friendships. Plus, this story can be used for read alouds in the primary classroom to teach good character all year round!
This read aloud would be most appropriate for ages Kindergarten-3rd grade.
Navigate Emotions with the Read Aloud: The Very Last Leaf by Stef Wade
The Very Last Leaf perfectly showcases that every student has fears, gets anxious and worried, and puts pressure on themselves to always do their best. The main leaf in the story, Lance Cottonwood, is a very intelligent leaf. He’s done so well on all of his exams but his final exam is one of his biggest fears – falling. I think your students will love this well written story and will definitely be able to connect to it on an emotional level.
This story would make a great read aloud for ages Kindergarten-2nd grade.
Learn Pictorial Context with: Leaves by David Ezra Stein
Leaves is more of a board book format with very minimal text, but is such a cute story about a bear and his first experience with autumn, winter, and spring. As autumn comes the little bear wonders why leaves are starting to fall off trees, and he tries to reattach them. He then falls asleep and when he awakes he’s welcomed by all the new leaves of spring! Such a fun way to discuss the changing seasons in your classroom and how they affect their surroundings! Because of the lack of text, you can use this read aloud in the primary classroom to help them understand context in pictures as well.
This read aloud would be most appropriate for ages Pre-K and Kindergarten.
Sing Along with: If You’re Thankful and You Know It by Chrissy Bozik
This cute story can be sung to the tune of, “If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands!” I always love using books that can be sung to help beginning readers feel confident when reading the text themselves. This story talks about all things involved with Thanksgiving and what people do in the weeks leading up the holiday – eating turkey, playing games, wearing cozy sweaters, all the fall things!
This story would make a great read aloud for ages Pre-K-2nd grade.
Teach Gratefulness with: We are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorell
This story takes the reader through a whole year of life with the Cherokee community. It shows how they are grateful for both the blessings and challenges that each season brings. Otsaliheliga is a word used by the Cherokee people to express gratitude. I love how this story shows how important it is to be grateful for the simple things – wearing new clothes, eating delicious meals, cooler weather and beautiful leaves, all the things we take for granted.
This read aloud would be most appropriate for ages Kindergarten-2nd grade.
Have a Laugh with: Creepy Pair of Underwear by Aaron Reynolds
The main character, Jasper Rabbit, convinces his mom to buy him one pair of creepy underwear. But what he didn’t know when he got them is that his new underwear glows in the dark! He tries and tries to get rid of the creepy underwear, but they keep coming back. Your students will find it hilarious!
Although this story is amusing, I think it may be a little eerie for Kindergarten. It would make a great read aloud for 1st-3rd grade!
Take a Guess with: Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson
This is a great read for early readers – filled with lots of rhyme and opportunities for prediction. The story is about a witch and her cat who lose several items as they fly through the air. They meet a few animals that find their lost items for them, but the animals want to ride on the broom in return. The ending to this story is quite funny, but your students will have a tough time predicting it. 🙂
I would recommend this read aloud for ages Kindergarten-2nd grade.
Remind Students about Sharing with: Biggest Pumpkin Ever by Steven Kroll
This story is for sure an oldie, but a classic nonetheless! Unknowingly, two mice take care of the same pumpkin throughout the day and night. One mouse wants to make the pumpkin into a jack-o-lantern, while the other mouse wants to enter it into the county fair. When they both realize their pumpkin is the same one, they make a plan that allows both of them to use the pumpkin for what they want. This story is a great way to talk about problem solving skills, showing empathy to others, and even practice making inferences!
I think this story would make a great read aloud for ages Kindergarten-3rd grade.
Learn About the Symbol of Freedom with: The Poppy Lady by Barbara Elizabeth Walsh
This story is perfect for learning more about the symbolism of the poppy and its significance for Veterans/Remembrance Day! The story tells of Moina Belle Michael who is a teacher from Georgia and had many students who were soldiers entering World War 1. Moina works hard to make the poppy the symbol for honoring soldiers.
This read aloud is more age appropriate for 2nd grade-5th grade!
Teach Appreciation with the Read Aloud: A Poppy is to Remember by Heather Patterson
This story correlates nicely with The Poppy Lady, as it shows how poppies are used to honor active members of the armed forces as well as veterans. I would definitely recommend this read aloud for ages 1st grade-4th grade.
If you’re looking for Veterans Day activities, you can download my FREE “We Remember” unit here! It comes with key vocabulary associated with Veterans Day, poems, coloring pages, and fill-in-the-blank printables, too! It’s most suitable for Kindergarten-2nd grade, but my more comprehensive Veterans Day unit would be great for 3rd grade. You can find it here!
Read alouds in the primary classroom are so important for the growth of your students as readers and these books are perfect for it! Between life lessons and easy cross curriculum connections, you can’t go wrong with these endearing tales.
I hope you have a wonderful fall and enjoy all the experiences it brings to your classroom!
