“The Best Seat in First Grade” Read-Aloud Lesson Ideas

Author: Katharine Kenah

Illustrator: Abby Carter

Genre: Early Reader level 1

Recommended Ages: 5 - 8

Summary:

It’s the first day of first grade, and Sam is excited to tell his class something special: “Our elephant had a baby!” But the other kids laugh and say, “No one has an elephant!”

Throughout the day, Sam keeps mentioning Daisy—the baby elephant—during science, language arts, and math. The class isn’t sure what to think. Then, when their teacher announces a field trip to the zoo, Sam can hardly wait to show them what he’s been talking about.

When the big day finally arrives, the class visits all the animals before reaching the elephants. To everyone’s surprise, the zookeeper waves at Sam—she’s his mom! Sam introduces her to the class, and they finally meet baby Daisy, the elephant Sam had been talking about all along.

Back at school, the students make clay models of the animals they saw. Six of them choose to make Daisy, proving that Sam’s story made a big impression!

Illustrations:

Abby Carter’s bright and expressive illustrations bring the classroom and zoo to life. The characters’ faces are full of curiosity, laughter, and excitement—perfect for helping early readers follow the emotions in the story.

Themes:

• Honesty and Trust: Believing in others, even when their stories sound surprising.

• Family and Pride: Feeling proud of the people who take care of animals and help others learn.

• Curiosity and Learning: Exploring science and the natural world through real experiences.

• Classroom Community: Listening, sharing, and celebrating each other’s stories.

My Thoughts:

Best Seat in First Grade captures everything wonderful about the early school experience—curiosity, storytelling, and discovery—but it also reflects how early readers have evolved over the past twenty years.

Unlike older early readers that focused mainly on simple decoding and predictable plots, this story encourages emotional understanding, curiosity, and community learning. Sam’s excitement about the baby elephant shows children that their real-world experiences and family stories matter. The inclusion of his mother as a zookeeper adds a refreshing layer of diversity and introduces students to science and environmental care in a natural, joyful way.

The writing feels conversational and true to classroom life, while Abby Carter’s expressive illustrations help readers understand tone and emotion—something earlier early readers didn’t emphasize as strongly. This combination of storytelling, empathy, and visual engagement makes The Best Seat in First Grade a wonderful modern example of how beginning readers can learn not just to read words, but to connect, imagine, and care.

Classroom Integration:

1. Something Special About Me” Writing

After reading, ask students to share one special thing about themselves—just like Sam!

• They can draw a picture and write a sentence.

• Encourage them to start with “I want to tell you about…”

  
  

  ✏️ Helps students practice writing, speaking, and confidence.

2. Animal Science Connection

Talk about Sam’s mom working at the zoo.

• Ask: What do zookeepers do? What do elephants eat?

• Show photos or short videos of real baby elephants.

• Make a class chart: “What Animals Need.”

  
  

  🐘 Connects reading with science and builds curiosity about animals.

3. Art Activity – Clay or Paper Animals

Just like in the story, have students make their own animals from clay or paper.

• They can name their animals and share where it lives.

• Create a “Classroom Zoo” display with everyone’s work.

  
  

  🎨 Encourages creativity and fine motor skills.

4. Dramatic Play – Trip to the Zoo

Turn your classroom into a pretend zoo!

• Students can pretend to be zookeepers, animals, or visitors.

• Provide clipboards for “observations,” or tickets to hand out.

  
  

  🎭 Supports imagination, turn-taking, and social play.

5. Listening and Believing

Ask:

• How did Sam feel when no one believed his story?

• What should we do when someone shares something new?

  
  

  Create a class rule poster: “We Listen and Believe.”

  
  

  💬 Builds empathy, kindness, and classroom community.

6. Family and Community Connection

Invite students to share about their families.

• “Who helps people or animals in your family?”

• Make a simple chart titled “Our Families Help Others.”

  
  

  🏡 Links literacy and social studies while celebrating diversity.

  
  

The Best Seat in First Grade: Read-Aloud Lesson Ideas for teachers.