First Week of Pre-K Read Aloud Activities | Back to School SEL Lessons | VPK
Start the school year with confidence using this engaging First Week of Pre-K Read-Aloud Activity Pack! Designed specifically for VPK, preschool, and Pre-K classrooms, this resource uses five beloved children's books to help build classroom community, ease first-day jitters, and introduce important social-emotional skills through meaningful discussions and hands-on activities.
Each lesson includes teacher-friendly directions, discussion questions, Florida VPK Standards, learning objectives, and a coordinating activity that extends learning beyond the story. Students create meaningful keepsakes while developing language, fine motor, social-emotional, and early academic skills during their very first week of school.
This resource includes activities for:
❤️ The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
Handprint keepsake
Discussion questions
Teacher directions
Florida VPK Standards
Learning focus
Printable templates
🧵 The Invisible String by Patrice Karst
String painting heart process art
Discussion questions
Teacher directions
Florida VPK Standards
Learning focus
Printable templates
🏫 Our Class Is a Family by Shannon Olsen
Student collage self-portrait activity
Discussion questions
Teacher directions
Florida VPK Standards
Learning focus
BONUS Bulletin board components
Printable templates
👟 Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes by Eric Litwin
Lacing shoe activity
Shoe measurement recording page
Discussion questions
Teacher directions
Florida VPK Standards
Learning focus
Printable templates
🪣 Have You Filled a Bucket Today? OR Fill a Bucket by Carol McCloud
Bucket-filling kindness craft
Foam sticker and printable cut-and-paste options
Discussion questions
Teacher directions
Florida VPK Standards
Learning focus
Printable templates
Bonus Included!
⭐ "Our Class Is a Family" Bulletin Board Display
Bulletin board title letters
Decorative trees and school building
Student collage examples
Classroom display inspiration
Skills Covered
✔ Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
✔ Classroom Community
✔ Oral Language & Listening Comprehension
✔ Fine Motor Development
✔ Creative Expression
✔ Early Writing
✔ Measurement
✔ Kindness & Empathy
Perfect For
VPK Classrooms
Preschool
Pre-K
Transitional Kindergarten (TK)
Beginning of the School Year
First Week of School
Back-to-School Centers & Whole Group Lessons
This low-prep resource is designed to help children feel welcomed, build friendships, and establish a positive classroom community from the very first day of school. The included keepsake activities are perfect for student portfolios and provide meaningful memories for families to treasure long after the first week is over.
