🌟 Set Your Purpose:

Are you reading for fun, to support academic growth, or to impact students’ well-being? Each purpose brings its own magic, and sometimes, a single book can do all three!

The first thing to do when reading picture books is simply START. Friend, I know your schedule is packed. There are lessons to teach, assignments to grade, and a never-ending to-do list. But I promise you—picture books will transform your classroom culture, elevate engagement, and create lifelong readers. Whether you’re reading for joy, academic understanding, or emotional growth, just opening that book is a step in the right direction.

🎉 Read for FUN:

Reading for fun should be a daily non-negotiable in every classroom. Picture books allow students to laugh, wonder, and dream. They introduce new vocabulary, help with fluency, and show kids that reading isn’t just an assignment—it’s an adventure.

📚 How to do it:

• Read at least one picture book a day—bonus points for two!
• Use fun voices and expression to bring the story to life.
• Let students predict, react, and connect to the story.
• Ask open-ended questions like:
  • “What would you do if you were the main character?”
  • “How does this remind you of something in your own life?”

✨ Book Suggestions for Fun Read-Alouds:

• The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt (great for laughter and creativity)
• Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein (perfect for interactive engagement)
• We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins (silly but teaches an important lesson)

🔎 Read for GROWTH:

Reading picture books isn’t just about enjoyment—it’s an incredible way to support academic growth and deepen students’ understanding of key concepts. Whether you’re teaching story structure, figurative language, or even math, there’s a picture book for that!

📚 How to do it:

• Choose books that naturally align with your standards (but don’t stress—authentic discussions often hit multiple standards without trying).
• Pause to model thinking aloud, making inferences, and identifying key details.
• Allow students to turn and talk about what they notice.
• Use anchor charts to track thinking and connect ideas across books.

✨ Book Suggestions for Growth:

• Enemy Pie by Derek Munson (great for cause & effect, problem-solving)
• The Bad Seed by Jory John (amazing for character analysis and growth mindset)
• Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco (perfect for discussing perseverance and empathy)

⏳ Remember: Reading picture books is NEVER a waste of time! A well-chosen book can reinforce academic skills in ways worksheets never could.

♥️ Read for IMPACT:

If you do nothing else, read for impact. Books help students see themselves, understand others, and develop social-emotional skills that shape them far beyond the classroom. Some of the most powerful lessons in empathy, resilience, and kindness come from a well-told story.

📚 How to do it:

• Pick books that address feelings, friendships, and tough topics in an age-appropriate way.
• Create space for quiet reflection and big conversations after reading.
• Ask questions like:
  • “How do you think the character felt?”
  • “Have you ever experienced something like this?”
  • “How can we use this lesson in our own classroom?”
• Encourage students to write, draw, or role-play their responses to deepen understanding.

✨ Book Suggestions for Impact:

• Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson (a heart-wrenching story about kindness and missed opportunities)
• The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig (great for discussing inclusion and friendship)
• I Am Enough by Grace Byers (a beautiful affirmation of self-worth and acceptance)

Final Thought:

No matter your purpose, reading picture books is one of the most valuable things you can do in your classroom. Whether you’re making kids giggle, teaching a standard, or helping them navigate emotions, every book opens a door to learning and connection.

So grab a book, gather your students, and start reading—the impact will last a lifetime. ❤️📖

The post How to Boost Your Picture Book Read Aloud appeared first on Ramona Recommends.

While representation is necessary and so powerful all year long, in February we celebrate the many successes of a history that deserves a spotlight. So, besides National Days in February we will also focus on Black History Month in my classroom.  Here are a few of my favorites that I highly encourage you to check out:

1. Pies from Nowhere: How Georgia Gilmore Sustained the Montgomery Bus Boycott by Dee Romito
This inspiring story highlights Georgia Gilmore, a woman who used her cooking skills to support the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Through her secret “Club from Nowhere,” she raised money to fund the movement, proving that small acts of courage can make a big impact.

2. How Do You Spell Unfair? MacNolia Cox and the National Spelling Bee by Carole Boston Weatherford and Frank Morrison
In this moving story, readers meet MacNolia Cox, the first Black finalist in the National Spelling Bee. Despite facing discrimination, MacNolia’s brilliance and determination shine, reminding us of the importance of perseverance and equality.

3. Meet Miss Fancy by Irene Latham
This charming tale follows young Frank as he fights to help Miss Fancy, an elephant at the Birmingham Zoo, find freedom and friendship. Rooted in a historical setting, the story explores themes of segregation, community, and compassion.

4. Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly
This captivating true story celebrates the brilliance of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, and Christine Darden, whose contributions to NASA helped launch astronauts into space. It’s a powerful testament to breaking barriers and chasing dreams.

Using picture books to celebrate Black History Month allows students to connect with inspiring stories of courage, resilience, and determination. These books help children see themselves and others in a positive light, fostering a classroom environment where every student feels valued and empowered. By sharing these stories, teachers can honor the past while inspiring a brighter, more inclusive future.

Don’t forget to stop by Ramona Recommends IG page as I will be sharing more through the month of February. Just in case this will help you, here are two resource ideas to use during the month of February. 

During reading rotations, I use these reading comprehension passages and during our writing rotations I am using this!

In case you missed it, here is a list of my other fav NATIONAL DAYS for February! 

Ramona Recommends partners with affiliate platforms where commission may be earned based on clicks and or purchases, and I would love it if you decided to use the links above! Affiliate links help bloggers like me to fund the free content that we provide on our blogs.

The post Read Alouds for an Inspiring Black History Month appeared first on Ramona Recommends.

Do you use national days in your classroom?

I personally LOVE using national days as a catalyst for learning. A national day can turn into a picture book read aloud, morning meeting questions, would you rather game, research, writing assignment, and a bonding moment for my 5th graders. 

February 3rd is National Girls and Women in Sports Day.  Let me help you plan a few activities surrounding this day.  Start the day by reading She Persisted in Sports by Chelsea Clinton.

This picture book highlights the stories of remarkable women athletes who overcame obstacles to achieve greatness. Featuring figures from various sports, the book showcases their determination, resilience, and groundbreaking achievements.a delightful story about embracing patience and teamwork. My favorite is Simone Biles!

Spark discussions with morning meeting questions revolving around resilience:  

Question 1: Can you think of a time when something was really hard for you, but you kept trying? How did it feel when you didn’t give up?

Question 2: Why do you think it’s important to keep going, even when things don’t go as planned? What can we learn from those tough moments?

Take your students outside and play a game that requires teamwork like kickball. 

Here is a list of my fav NATIONAL DAYS for February! 

February 2nd: National Groundhog Day : Groundhog Gets it Wrong
February 3rd: National Girls and Women in Sports Day : She Persisted in Sports
February 5th: National Bubble Gum Day : On Account of the Gum
February 6th: National Chopsticks Day : Tricky Chopsticks
February 11th: Make a Friend Day : Meesha Makes Friends
February 14th: National Ferris Wheel Day : Mr. Ferris and his Wheel
February 15th: National Presidents Day : President Taft is Stuck in the Bath
February 24th: National Tortilla Chip Day : Nacho’s Nachos
February 25th: National Clam Chowder Day : Chowder Rules: The True Story of an Epic Food Fight
February 26th: National Tell a Fairy Tale Day : Goldi Rocks and the Three Bears

Want to share with other teachers and parents? Here is a pdf of the book list.

If you want more lists, you can visit my amazon store and open the magic!

Ramona Recommends partners with affiliate platforms where commission may be earned based on clicks and or purchases, and I would love it if you decided to use the links above! Affiliate links help bloggers like me to fund the free content that we provide on our blogs.

The post Picture Book Recommendations for February National Days appeared first on Ramona Recommends.