Novel for Beginning of Year...

[Unregistered]

I will be a first time 4th grade teacher this fall and I am curious if anybody has any good suggestions of a good novel to begin the school year with. This would be a novel I will be reading orally to my class, so it could be a little over 4th grade reading level. I would like something they probably have never read. Also if you have any other suggestions about what to get for my classroom to get started. I am getting anxious now that school is a month away and I don't have much for my classroom since it is my first year. I have name plates for my kiddos desks! Any suggestions? What should I buy? Especially for the walls, they are so bare! Know of any good companies to order from on the web? Thanks for any help!

[BigDaddyTeacher]

Great fourth grade read-alouds:
A Wrinkle in Time
The Westing Game
Deryni Rising

There are, of course, more, but these three are personal favorites, used year after year. Lots of great descriptive text, chances for the reader to use vocal sound effects, create voices for diff. characters, and, in the case of Westing Game, have the class solve a mystery together!

[Unregistered]

Thanks for the novel ideas BigDaddyTeacher!

[Lisa's Hotscakes]

I would obtain some sheet-protector white boards and markers. Train your students how you want them to use them on the first day.

"Okay, I want each of you to write down your favorite food. When I count to three, hold your whiteboards up so that the whiteboard is right on top of your head. Let's practice this."

Then start teaching lessons.

[MissPeeps]

I read Frindle by Andrew Clements at the beginning of the last year....the kids LOVED it. It's a fun book that really gets them thinking. As for the walls....I don't like to have too much on the walls on the first day....I start with fabric and borders on the bullentin boards, a cursive alphabet chart, a schedule of our specials and a couple of inspirational posters. Everything else comes with time as I cover new material.