Month: August 2025

The first few weeks of school are full of big feelings—for both kids and teachers! Whether you’re teaching Kindergarten, Grade 1, or supporting early years classrooms, read-alouds are a powerful way to build connection, ease nerves, and set the tone for the year. The best part? These books are available in both French and English—perfect for dual-language classrooms or anyone supporting students in both languages. Here are five of my go-to bilingual read-alouds for back to school: 📘 The King of Kindergarten / Le roi de la maternelle by Derrick BarnesThis joyful story is perfect for the first day. It follows a confident little boy as he heads into Kindergarten with excitement and pride. It’s a great way to boost your students’ confidence and remind them how special this new beginning is—in both languages! 📘 David Goes to School / David va à l’école by David ShannonDavid is full of…

Let’s be honest—August is a weird mix of excitement and overwhelm. You’re dreaming up new routines, refreshing bulletin boards, and figuring out how to make the first week feel magical. But you’re also running on low energy, sorting through a million bins, and trying to remember how you ever survived September last year. Whether you’re setting up your own classroom or supporting others (like I’ll be doing this year!), it’s easy to let your own wellness slide to the bottom of the list. So this is your gentle reminder: you matter too. Here are a few simple ways I’m trying to bring a little more balance into the start of the year—no fancy systems or extra pressure required.   1. Set Boundaries Early—Even Soft Ones Back-to-school prep can take over everything if you let it. This year, I’m trying to put up a few gentle boundaries early on. That might…