The autumn term is already in full swing, but to help make sure you and your class are completely settled in to your school routine, take a look at our selection of stories all about life in the classroom, the playground and even your favourite after school club. From revisiting the first day, to finding out how it feels to be at school in a completely different time or place, these books will give your class a back to school boost!
At School, by Roderick Hunt & Alex Brychta
Oxford Reading Tree
Oxford Level 1 (Reception/P1)
Kipper is reluctant to go to nursery on his first day, but by home time he doesn’t want to leave! Encourage children to respond to the pictures and share how they’re feeling about school – a great way to overcome any concerns they might have during their first few weeks.
Take a look at the whole Level 1 Wordless Stories pack or buy At School on Amazon.
Jin’s First Day, by Tim Little
Hero Academy
Oxford Level 1 (Reception/P1)
Even superheroes have to have their first day at school! Jin is excited to find out that he’s not the only one with superpowers at his new school. Hero Academy books are fully decodable and this one is a great way to get children to reflect on how they felt on their first day.
Take a look at the whole Level 1/1+ pack or buy Jin’s First Day on Amazon.
Mr Scroop’s School, by Roderick Hunt & Alex Brychta
Floppy’s Phonics
Oxford Level 5 (Reception-Year 2/P1-3)
Head back in time with Biff, Chip and Kipper and friends as they find out what it was like to go to school in Victorian times. The children come back from their trip with a renewed appreciation for their own school, but do your class agree?
Take a look at the whole Level 5 pack or buy Mr Scroop’s School on Amazon.
The Ragged School, by Claire Llewellyn
Floppy’s Phonics Non-Fiction
Oxford Level 6 (Reception-Year 2/P1-3)
Find out more about what it was really like to go to school in the Victorian period – and some of the tough chores that children had to do – in this non-fiction book, full of photographs to bring the facts to life and fully matched to Letters and Sounds.
Take a look at the whole Level 6 pack or buy The Ragged School on Amazon.
The After-School Alien Club, by Jonny Zucker
TreeTops Chucklers
Oxford Level 10 (Year 2-4/P3-5)
Make your junior readers chuckle with this laugh-out-loud collection of short stories about an after-school club with a difference: it’s run by aliens! Funny stories are a great way to get your reluctant readers reading for pleasure and they won’t want to miss the chance to go to the best after-school club in the galaxy.
Take a look at the whole Level 10-11 pack or buy The After School Alien Club on Amazon.
Blackbones Saves the School, by Alan MacDonald
TreeTops Fiction
Oxford Level 11 (Year 2-4/P3-5)
What would your class do if their new teacher was a pirate? Can a pirate be a good teacher? Miss Lupin doesn’t think so, but Tara and Yasmin come up with a plan so that Class 4 can keep Captain Blackbones and save their school at the same time. Like all TreeTops Fiction stories, this one is carefully levelled to build junior readers’ fluency and stamina.
Take a look at the whole Level 11 More pack or buy Blackbones Saves the School on Amazon.
Terrible Tales from School, by Kaye Umansky
TreeTops Reflect
Level 16 (Year 4-6/P5-7)
Have you ever noticed that nearly everyone has an exciting anecdote about something terrible that happened to them at school? Not Andrew… And he’s desperate for a story to tell. TreeTops Reflect stories are emotionally powerful stories to make your class think, and this one will help them consider the importance of showing resilience, honesty and respect.
Take a look at the whole Level 16-17 pack of buy Terrible Tales from School on Amazon.
We hope this selection has helped make back to school bearable and that you have a great start to the term!
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