Teaching classroom expectations at the beginning of the year is not for the faint of heart, especially if you are an early primary teacher! Soooooo many new routines and procedures! One of my favorite stories to read to help set positive expectations is David Goes to School! As you might know, this story focuses on negative behavior… but, I like to spin those negatives into a positive! I truly believe it is important to establish positive expectations, rather than focus on negative behavior. Review classroom rules and encourage positive behavior during the first week of back to school with these David Goes to School activities and craft!

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David Goes to School Activities

“David Goes to School” is a delightful children’s picture book written and illustrated by David Shannon. It tells the story of a mischievous but lovable young boy named David as he navigates his way through a typical school day. Throughout the story, David learns valuable lessons about following the rules at school, as well as being respectful and responsible.

The ending of the story is the perfect segue into our David Goes to School activities and pocket chart sort!

Behavior Sort

As we are reading, we turn those “No, David!” choices into “Yes, David!” choices!

To help the students identify good and poor choices, we complete a pocket chart sort by sorting pictures into “Yes, David!” and “No, David!” categories.

Then, I check for understanding with these independent cut and paste sorts!

Anchor Chart

On the next day, we work together to list all of the “No, David!” choices from the story. We even add a few extras not in the story.

Then, we create a list of “Yes, David!” choices!

Yes, David! Craft

After creating a list of “Yes, David!” choices on an anchor chart, we create this “Yes, David!” craft. Then, we hang the completed David craft in the hallway.

This adorable craft takes us a couple of days to finish. First, we assemble the head. On the next day, we assemble the body and add our “Yes, David!” choices to the belly.

It’s such a great way to end the first week of school!

Comprehension Activities

Throughout the week, we dive deep into comprehension with these David Goes to School activities!

After reading the story on the first day, we retell the story with these picture retell cards. Then, the students sequence three picture cards for the beginning, middle and end of the story with this simple gut and glue sequencing activity.

As I am reading, I introduce the important vocabulary from the story using these picture and definition vocabulary cards. We make up hand motions to help us better remember the meaning of each word.

Plus, I check for understanding with the “Define It” activity sheet.

We also review and discuss the characters, setting, problem and solution with these story element posters.

Afterwards, the the students illustrate the characters, setting, problem and solution.

We make a connection to the story by writing about and illustrating a good choice we made at school!

David Goes to School Centers

Since we love David so much, we are sure to continue our David Goes to School activities during center time!

We practice letter formation, as we trace each letter with a dry erase marker.

Then, we paint rhymes with this simple matching activity.

The students begin counting syllables, as they sort the pictures.

To practice letter identification, we match upper and lowercase letters.

Of course, we can’t forget math!

We practice our 1:1 counting skills by counting gumballs.

Then, we build number sense and fluency with this quick subitizing 1-5 activity.

Just like the letter formation activity, we trace numbers with a dry erase marker.

And last, but certainly not least, we recognize 2D shapes.

David Goes to School Activities and Craft

Promote positive behavior during those first few weeks of school with these Yes, David! David Goes to School Activities and Craft!

More Back to School Activities

Keep your little learners engaged with these interactive name activities for preschool and kindergarten!

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