Teaching About Appropriate Classroom Behavior with Picture Books

Classroom teachers have battled behavior issues as long as there have been schools. Whether you're like most of us and currently teaching online or preparing for next year in the classroom, teaching students your expectations is important. That doesn't change no matter where you teach.

Do you ever use picture books to help you teach?

I do. All the time! In fact, I don't think I know how to teach many things without picture books. It's just become part of my teaching style. Part of that is because I find lesson more fun and engaging with a picture book and so do students. The other benefit is picture books make learning more memorable. 

Teaching About Classroom Behavior

Teaching about desired classroom behavior is no different than other subjects in this regard. Picture books can play a vital role in helping students both understand and remember all the behaviors that make our classrooms run smoothly. In fact, they help build our classroom community, identity and culture. 

So many books, so little time.

There's tons of books about appropriate behaviors. But, as you know, if they are preachy or told from a parent's perspective, they just flop. Add a bit of humor, some great illustrations,  funny situations and characters students can actually relate to, and you've got a winner! Exaggerating situations can make books have a greater impact with students. It's a lot like having students whisper their answer then yell their answer. Exaggeration embeds moments in our brains. Another way to do this is through humor.  Humor relaxes us and breaks down mental barriers. Kids love a great laugh. Using humor is always a way to kids hearts which makes the learning more memorable and fun.

What to look for in a book about behavior:

• humor, even to the point of ridiculous 
• exaggeration
• memorable characters
• relatable characters, especially characters who get it all wrong
• relatable problems
• words and situations that speak to students, not adults
• fun
• great illustrations

So with that said, down below are some of my favorite books for teaching about classroom behavior. I hope you and your students enjoy them as much as I have. You can check out the list below or grab a printable copy of the Teaching Classroom Behavior Book List and Online Classroom Expectations Anchor Chart.

Enjoy,

P.S. If you have other books you love that would fit in with this collection, please share in the comments or drop me an email. I'm always looking to expand my collection and to provide resources for teachers. You just never know which book will be THE ONE to make a difference in a classroom or a child's life.

Printable Teaching Classroom Behavior Book List

 Me First by Helen Lester

 Listen Bunny by Helen Lester

  Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein

 How Do Dinosaurs Play with Their Friends? by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague

 Lily's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes

 Decibella and Her 6 Inch Voice by Julia Cook

 Lacey Walker, Nonstop Talker by Christianne C. Jones

  David Goes to School by David Shannon

_{*Note: These books are linked to an affiliate account for H.O.P.E. Education, LLC. If you purchase any of these through the links provided, I may receive a small fee. Please know I NEVER recommend books or products I don't fully believe in and use myself.}