Best Back to School Music Books

 The Best Books for Back to School in Music Class 

Learn names, practice procedures, & build community.  

My potentially unpopular opinion is that the music stuff can wait until you've established a connection with the kids.  Creating a sense of belonging where kids feel seen will make the rest of the year go smoothly.  I suggest using books to help accomplish that and these are my top 5 picks. 

1. Your Name is a Song  - #1 book of all time!

To accompany Jamillah Thompkins-Bigelow's words & Luisa Uribe's illustrations, practice student names & rhythms in those early days to build a sense of community.  You can order your copy from Amazon or use the included read aloud in the TPT Lesson

 Knowing our students names shows we care, that they are known, and that their heritage & culture is celebrated!  It goes a long way towards creating an inclusive classroom.  With tiered lessons for K-2 & 3-5, this lesson has you covered!

2. You Belong Here 

Students need to feel as though they belong & this book's lyrical rhyming pattern lends itself music education.

From body percussion or self-checking rhythm game for Google Slides, to syllable-counting rhythm practice, this lesson has all you'll need to welcome students back to school.

3. We Don't Eat Our Classmates 

Teaching classroom etiquette can be touchy or seem boring, especially in those early days when classroom management needs to be set.  With a humorous start to the school year, Penelope the dinosaur learns how to interact with her human classmates in respectful ways & using a variety of dynamics to do so!  Snag your copy here.

4. The Day You Begin

This book is a gem!  With beautiful illustrations by Rafael Lopez & a story of courage by Jacqueline Woodson, reading it at the start of the school year is the perfect time!

It's great for striving towards an inclusive classroom, too!   

5. Because 

Ya gotta love Mo Willems, right?!  THis book tells a story of a girl inspired by music.  As the music dances across the page, students can practice sequencing or rhythms, both of which are great for elementary music classes.

What are your favorites for the first week of school?  Let me know in the comments!