Activity Overview
Reading books aloud is an integral part of classroom learning. Not only do read alouds model fluency and expression, they also invite discussion, questions, and connections, and opinions. Children of all ages love listening to stories, and the beginning of the school year is a perfect time to start this classroom routine. For this activity, the students will listen to the book Our Class is a Family by Shannon Olsen. Then they will illustrate their favorite parts of the book in a 2 cell storyboard.
The “favorite part” activity can be used in many ways, and with any book. Teachers may want to add more cells, or make the requirement only one cell. Teachers may also add a writing component to the activity, or have students show what they know using only illustrations; the provided example includes some dialogue. This reading response activity is sure to excite students of all ages, while allowing them to become familiar with the many features that Storyboard That has to offer. Students can browse or search for different artwork and get to know how to manipulate images while expressing their favorite part about a book that has been read aloud to the class.
Here are examples of other beginning of the school year books that can be used for this activity:
- Your Name is a Song by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
- Tomorrow I’ll Be Kind by Jessica Hishe
- Sorry, Grown-Ups, You Can’t Go To School! by Christina Geist
- The Pigeon Has to Go to School by Mo Willems
- School’s First Day of School by Adam Rex
- We Are All Welcome by Alexandra Penfold
- This School Year Will Be the Best! by Kay Winters
- How to Get Your Teacher Ready by Jean Reagan
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard that expresses your favorite part of the story.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Choose two favorite scenes from Our Class is a Family.
- In the first cell, create an image that represents one of the scenes using appropriate scenes, characters and items.
- In the second cell, create an image that represents the other scene using appropriate scenes, characters and items.
- Save and exit when finished.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 7 Points | Emerging 4 Points | Beginning 1 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explanation | The explanation of the scene and why it was chosen is clear and at least two sentences. | The explanation of the scene and why it was chosen can be understood but it is somewhat unclear. | The explanation of the scene and why it was chosen is unclear and is not at least two sentences. |
| Illustrations | The illustration represents the scene or explanation using appropriate scenes, characters and items. | The illustration relates to the scene or explanation, but is difficult to understand. | The illustration does not clearly relate to the scene or the explanation. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
Activity Overview
Reading books aloud is an integral part of classroom learning. Not only do read alouds model fluency and expression, they also invite discussion, questions, and connections, and opinions. Children of all ages love listening to stories, and the beginning of the school year is a perfect time to start this classroom routine. For this activity, the students will listen to the book Our Class is a Family by Shannon Olsen. Then they will illustrate their favorite parts of the book in a 2 cell storyboard.
The “favorite part” activity can be used in many ways, and with any book. Teachers may want to add more cells, or make the requirement only one cell. Teachers may also add a writing component to the activity, or have students show what they know using only illustrations; the provided example includes some dialogue. This reading response activity is sure to excite students of all ages, while allowing them to become familiar with the many features that Storyboard That has to offer. Students can browse or search for different artwork and get to know how to manipulate images while expressing their favorite part about a book that has been read aloud to the class.
Here are examples of other beginning of the school year books that can be used for this activity:
- Your Name is a Song by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
- Tomorrow I’ll Be Kind by Jessica Hishe
- Sorry, Grown-Ups, You Can’t Go To School! by Christina Geist
- The Pigeon Has to Go to School by Mo Willems
- School’s First Day of School by Adam Rex
- We Are All Welcome by Alexandra Penfold
- This School Year Will Be the Best! by Kay Winters
- How to Get Your Teacher Ready by Jean Reagan
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard that expresses your favorite part of the story.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Choose two favorite scenes from Our Class is a Family.
- In the first cell, create an image that represents one of the scenes using appropriate scenes, characters and items.
- In the second cell, create an image that represents the other scene using appropriate scenes, characters and items.
- Save and exit when finished.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 7 Points | Emerging 4 Points | Beginning 1 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explanation | The explanation of the scene and why it was chosen is clear and at least two sentences. | The explanation of the scene and why it was chosen can be understood but it is somewhat unclear. | The explanation of the scene and why it was chosen is unclear and is not at least two sentences. |
| Illustrations | The illustration represents the scene or explanation using appropriate scenes, characters and items. | The illustration relates to the scene or explanation, but is difficult to understand. | The illustration does not clearly relate to the scene or the explanation. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
How Tos about Our Class is a Family Read Aloud
Design a classroom read aloud schedule for the school year
Organize your read alouds by mapping out books to match themes, holidays, and curriculum units throughout the year. This helps ensure a variety of genres, authors, and cultures are represented, building excitement and anticipation among students.
Invite student voices in book selection
Empower students by allowing them to suggest books for read alouds or vote on choices from a teacher-prepared list. This boosts engagement and helps students feel a sense of ownership in classroom routines.
Prepare discussion questions before reading
Plan open-ended, thought-provoking questions related to each book to spark conversation during and after reading. This develops critical thinking and encourages students to connect with the text and each other.
Establish a comfortable read aloud environment
Create a cozy reading space by arranging seating in a circle or semi-circle and setting classroom expectations for listening and participation. This fosters a sense of community and makes read aloud time special.
Integrate follow-up activities to deepen understanding
Extend learning by planning related activities, such as drawing, writing, or role-playing, after each read aloud. This helps students process the story, express ideas creatively, and connect lessons to their own experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions about Our Class is a Family Read Aloud
What is the 'Our Class is a Family' read aloud activity?
The 'Our Class is a Family' read aloud activity involves reading Shannon Olsen's book aloud to students and then having them illustrate their favorite parts using a storyboard. This helps students engage with the story and express their understanding creatively.
How do I create a storyboard for a read aloud book in class?
To create a storyboard for a read aloud, have students pick their favorite scenes from the book, then illustrate each scene in separate storyboard cells using images, characters, and dialogue. Tools like Storyboard That make this process interactive and fun.
What are some other books good for beginning-of-year read alouds?
Great beginning-of-year read aloud books include Your Name is a Song by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, Tomorrow I’ll Be Kind by Jessica Hishe, and The Pigeon Has to Go to School by Mo Willems, among others.
Why is reading books aloud important in K–1 classrooms?
Reading books aloud models fluency and expression, encourages discussion and questions, and helps students connect with the story. It also builds listening skills and creates a positive classroom culture, especially at the start of the school year.
Can the 'favorite part' storyboard activity be adapted for different books?
Yes, the 'favorite part' storyboard activity is flexible and can be used with any book. Teachers can adjust the number of storyboard cells, add a writing component, or focus solely on illustrations depending on student needs.
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