Fall Books and Lesson Ideas for Upper Elementary

Fall Books and Lesson Ideas for Upper Elementary

By: Jacqueline, Marissa, Jeanine, Shelly Updated October 22, 2024 Originally Written October 18, 2019

As the leaves change, there’s no better time to cozy up with a good book. Fall brings pumpkins, bonfires, and incredible stories that captivate students of all ages. Even in upper elementary, read-aloud sessions can create magical moments that ignite a love for reading. Here are some top picks for picture books and novels to share with your students this fall!

Fall Picture Books and Lesson Ideas

Some of my favorite picture books that I enjoy using to lead into a lesson include these:

• Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving by: Laurie Halse Anderson – Thanksgiving might have started with a jubilant feast on Plymouth’s shore. But by the 1800s America’s observance was waning. None of the presidents nor Congress sought to revive the holiday. And so one invincible “lady editor” name Sarah Hale took it upon herself to rewrite the recipe for Thanksgiving as we know it today. This is an inspirational, historical, all-out boisterous tale about perseverance and belief: In 1863 Hale’s thirty-five years of petitioning and orations got Abraham Lincoln thinking.
  • Lesson Idea: After reading Thank You, Sarah, engage students in a creative book review using a Teach-Go Pennant Activity. This activity helps students focus on key story elements in a simple, engaging format.
• The Scarecrow by Beth Ferry is a beautifully illustrated, heartfelt story about an unlikely friendship between a scarecrow and a small, lost crow. Through gentle rhymes and touching visuals, this book explores themes of kindness, compassion, and the value of unexpected connections. Perfect for fall, The Scarecrow encourages students to reflect on friendship and empathy, making it an ideal read-aloud to foster meaningful classroom discussions.
  • Lesson Idea: After reading How to Catch a Turkey, engage students in a creative book review using a Teach-Go Pennant Activity. This activity helps students focus on key story elements in a simple, engaging format.

• Balloons over Broadway  by Melissa Sweet- The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade. Everyone’s a New Yorker on Thanksgiving Day, when young and old rise early to see what giant new balloons will fill the skies for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Who first invented these “upside-down puppets”? Meet Tony Sarg, puppeteer extraordinaire!
  • Lesson Idea: History of Macy’s Parade Project: Dive into the history of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. After reading, have students research other Thanksgiving traditions or famous parades around the world. They can create short presentations, including visuals like maps or images of iconic parade floats.
• Trouble Turkey by Wendy Salvanio- Turkey is in trouble. Bad trouble. The kind of trouble where it’s almost Thanksgiving . . . and you’re the main course. But Turkey has an idea–what if he doesn’t look like a turkey? What if he looks like another animal instead?
  • Lesson Idea: Turkey in Disguise Art Project: Pair this with a hands-on art project! Students can create a “disguise” for Turkey using craft supplies like feathers, construction paper, and markers. Display their projects and vote on the best disguises or most creative solution.
• ‘Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving by Dav Pilkey- On the night before Thanksgiving, a group of children visit a turkey farm and meet Farmer Mack Nuggett and his coop of cockerels: Ollie, Stanley, Larry, Moe, Wally, Beaver, Shemp, and Groucho. The children and turkeys giggle and gobble, and everything is gravy. As the trip comes to an end, the children leave the farm with full hearts — and bulging bellies — reminding people and poultry alike that there is much to be thankful for.
  • Lesson Idea: Thanksgiving Thankfulness Quilt: After reading, talk about the importance of gratitude during Thanksgiving. Each student can write or draw one thing they’re thankful for on a “quilt square.” Combine the squares to make a “Thanksgiving Thankfulness Quilt” bulletin board, a visual reminder of gratitude for the class.

Fall Chapter Books for Upper Elementary

Here are some of my favorite chapter books that are perfect to begin reading during the fall season.

• The Wild Robot by Peter Brown- This New York Times bestseller and 2017 Global Read Aloud is an upper elementary favorite. Roz is a robot, alone in a world of her own, learning how to survive. Your students will love the character and this intriguing, original story.
• Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan- When Esperanza and her family must flee to California during the Great Depression, her family encounters problems and must face their fears. This historical fiction piece infuses hispanic culture and themes of empathy and understanding set in the past.

These fall read-aloud books for upper elementary are sure to captivate and inspire your readers all season long. Dive into the full stories or introduce them with First Chapter Fridays to spark curiosity! These engaging texts not only foster a love for reading but also encourage students to explore other works by these authors. Each story has the potential to ignite thoughtful discussions, inspire creative writing, and provide a cozy, memorable reading experience that enhances classroom community and learning. 

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More Fall Book Idea from other Upper elementary Teachers

I am excited to share some ideas from three other teachers that you may be interested in reading about. Just click on any of the links to read more!

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