ClassX Video Lessons Grade Grade 1 The Night Before First Grade Read Aloud – Back to School Books for Children read by Kids
It was the night before my first day of school, and I was so excited! I gave my dog, Clover, a big hug. Summer was over, and school was starting the next day. I packed my backpack with markers and pens and hung up my new outfit. It looked just like my friend Jen’s outfit!
I made my own lunch and put it in my lunchbox. I couldn’t wait to see my friend Jenny. I hoped our desks would be next to each other. That night, I snuggled into bed and dreamed about playing on the jungle gym at school.
The next morning, my dad was so proud of me for taking the bus. “What a big girl you are!” he said. My mom hurried me along as the bus came down our street. Jenny was on the bus and saved me a seat!
When we got to school, the kindergarteners were in the hall. They looked so little! Our teacher, Miss Sunrise, was surprised at how much we had grown. The school bell rang, and we rushed to our classroom.
The principal told us there were new students, so they split the first grade into two classes. My teacher, Mr. Barr, said, “Hi, Penny! You’re in here with me!” But Jenny was in a different room. We waved goodbye and promised to see each other later.
In class, we sat in a circle and said our names. We played a game, and I won! Mr. Barr was funny and even juggled for us. Our class pet was a cute bunny named Snuggles. I met a new girl and we made noodle art together. We both made noodle poodles and laughed a lot!
At lunch, I was excited to introduce my new friend to Jenny. The lunchroom was busy and loud. I looked around and saw Jenny with a new friend who looked just like mine. They were twins named Tina and Nina, and they had matching glasses and curly pigtails.
Our new friends were twins, and we knew first grade was going to be twice as fun with them around!
Backpack Adventure: Ask your child to pack a backpack with items they think are important for school, just like the character in the story. Encourage them to explain why they chose each item. This activity helps them think about organization and preparation for school.
Friendship Circle: Have a small circle time at home or in class where each child introduces themselves and shares something they like, similar to the circle activity in the story. This can help children practice social skills and learn more about their friends.
Classroom Observation: Next time you’re at school or in a public place, observe the people around you. Can you spot any twins or people who look alike, like Tina and Nina in the story? Discuss with your child how everyone is unique and special in their own way.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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**The Night Before First Grade**
By Natasha Wing
Art by Deborah Zimke
‘Twas the night before first grade,
I kissed my dog, Clover.
School’s starting tomorrow because summer is over.
Into my backpack went markers and pens,
I hung my new outfit; it matched my friend Jen’s.
I spoke not a word but went straight to the shelf
And filled up my lunchbox; I made lunch myself.
I can’t wait to see Jenny, I told my big brother.
I hope that our desks are right next to each other.
That night I was nestled all snug in my bed,
While visions of jungle gyms danced in my head.
The next day at breakfast, Dad made such a fuss,
“What a big girl you are to be taking the bus!”
“Hurry, Penny!” said Mom as it turned down our street.
“Over here!” shouted Jenny, “I saved you a seat!”
At school, kindergarteners stood outside in the hall.
They all looked so young; were we ever that small?
Well, I clung to their parents; we hugged.
“Miss Sunrise, you two have grown so tall!” she said with surprise.
Did a bell ring? The school bell!
We made such a clatter as we raced to our classroom.
Then Jin said, “What’s the matter?”
The principal told us that some changes were made.
We have some new students, so he split the first grade.
“Hi, Penny!” said my teacher, “You’re in here with me!”
But yikes! Jenny wasn’t; she was in room 33.
We waved goodbye sadly and said, “See you later.”
I had to be brave because I’m a first grader.
Soon we sat in a circle and we each said our name,
Then we played 20 questions, and I won the game.
Mr. Barr is so funny; he tells jokes and he juggles,
And our class pet’s so cute; it’s a bunny named Snuggles.
I know most of the kids except just a few,
So I went and said hi to a girl who was new.
We sat side by side and made pictures with noodles.
We laughed when we saw we both made noodle poodles.
We both have pet turtles and love turquoise blue,
And pistachio ice cream is her favorite too.
“I can’t wait till you meet my best friend at lunch.
I just know that you’ll both like each other a bunch.”
The lunchroom was buzzing, so busy and loud.
We sat down at a table; was Jin in this crowd?
When what to my wondering eyes did I find?
There in line was Jin with a new friend who looked just like mine.
“I’m Tina, I’m Nina!”
Their eyes how they twinkled behind matching frames.
They had curly pigtails, and they had rhyming names.
Our new friends were twins, and the school’s just begun.
I know first grade will be twice as much fun!
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This version maintains the essence of the original text while ensuring it is appropriate for all audiences.
