Grandparents’ Day is on September 12th! Sundays at the grandparents’ house are so nostalgic, so it’s just so perfect that it falls on that day each year. Back in my “not so long ago” teaching days, the school would often host grandparents with a special breakfast or another event. I know times are so different now thanks to the pandemic so many schools likely won’t be able to host them this year. BUT, that doesn’t stop you from bringing the love into the classroom! Today, I wanted to share some easy ways to celebrate Grandparents’ Day in the classroom featuring picture book suggestions, reading activities, a directed drawing, plus a FREEBIE!
Let’s Get Started!
Each of these books offers something wonderful to bring to the whole “grand” relationship between grandkids and their grandparents. From a grandparent’s ability to find the beauty in everyday routines in the Last Stop on Market Street to the everlasting memories gained when spending time together like the boy in Saturdays and Teacakes to the joyful surprise of learning who your grandparents were… before in the Song and Dance Man. There’s something for everyone! Here’s a list of some of my favorites.
A totally easy yet surprisingly rewarding way to help students show their appreciation and celebrate Grandparents’ Day is with this directed drawing. Students will draw a picture of their grandparents (or another special person in their lives!) using the provided directions and write a note about what they love about them! You can find this drawing in my Digital and Printable September directed drawings pack.
If you’re wanting to pair your picture book with some fun activities or tie your read-aloud into a lesson, you can check out these reading companion ideas for three of the books I suggested above. These are week-long lesson plans that include everything you need for comprehension, vocabulary, and grammar instruction. Featuring activities, posters, anchor charts, nonfiction readers, assessments, deep dives, crafts, and more!
When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree Book Companion
Saturday and Teacakes Book Companion
Wilfrid Gordan McDonald Partridge Book Companion
And now for the freebie! Have your students make the most precious gift with this letter of love to their grandparents. They will write a letter to their grandparents then the letter can be folded into thirds to make a cute little “envelope” to give to them! For students who may have lost or do not have a grandparent near, you can encourage them to write a letter to their parents or some other special person in their lives. Pair it with the directed drawing and you’re good to go!
Here’s how to get it!
Looking for other free resources? Check out my free resource library for ideas!
Hey, y’all! My name is Amy Lemons and I am passionate about providing students with both engaging and effective standards-based Math and ELA lessons.
Sample a day of Rooted in Reading with these lesson plans and activities for Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, and Grammar!
