The First Days of School
Harry & Rosemary Wong
The classic guide to starting the year with clear procedures and routines — the backbone of any well-run K-3 classroom.
View on Amazon →Recommended Books & Classroom Supplies
The books and supplies I actually reach for as a K-3 educator — organized so you can find the right tool for reading, math, behavior, and social-emotional learning.
How I Choose What to Recommend
Everything on this page is something I'd hand to a fellow teacher or a parent without hesitation. The professional books are the ones that genuinely changed how I teach reading, run a classroom, or talk with a frustrated child. The classroom supplies are the practical, durable items that make routines and centers run smoothly — nothing flashy, just things that work in real K-3 rooms.
I've grouped the list into professional books, books about behavior and feelings, and physical classroom supplies so you can jump to what you need. Pair any of these with the free guides across this site — for example, the reading titles work hand-in-hand with the Instruction & Lesson Execution guides, and the social-emotional picture books support the Emotional Intelligence strategies.
Looking for great children's books specifically? Browse our curated K-3 book lists — best read-alouds for kindergarten, books for reluctant readers, and picture books about feelings.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, TeAndrea Burnett Tutoring earns from qualifying purchases. The links below are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you buy — at no extra cost to you. I only recommend resources I believe in, and the small commissions help keep the guides and templates on this site free. See the full disclaimer for details.
Professional Books for Teachers & Tutors
The books I return to again and again for instruction, classroom management, and understanding how young children learn.
Teach Like a Champion 3.0
Doug Lemov
63 concrete teaching techniques for checking understanding, raising expectations, and keeping every student engaged.
View on Amazon →The Reading Strategies Book 2.0
Jennifer Serravallo
Research-based reading strategies and lessons for every type of reader — a go-to reference for guided reading and intervention.
View on Amazon →The Writing Strategies Book
Jennifer Serravallo
Hundreds of practical strategies for teaching composition, organization, and conventions to developing K-3 writers.
View on Amazon →Strategies That Work (3rd Edition)
Stephanie Harvey & Anne Goudvis
The definitive guide to teaching comprehension for understanding, engagement, and building knowledge in Grades K-8.
View on Amazon →The Book Whisperer
Donalyn Miller
How to awaken a love of reading through choice, time, and a strong classroom library — practical and inspiring.
View on Amazon →The Daily 5 (2nd Edition)
Gail Boushey & Joan Moser
A proven structure for literacy independence — how to build stamina so you can teach small groups while the class works.
View on Amazon →Number Talks (Grades K-5)
Sherry Parrish
Short daily routines that build mental math and number sense — includes reproducible dot images and ten-frames.
View on Amazon →Mindset: The New Psychology of Success
Carol S. Dweck
The research behind growth mindset — essential for praising effort, framing struggle, and building resilient learners.
View on Amazon →Books About Behavior, Feelings & Connection
For the social-emotional side of K-3 — big feelings, challenging behavior, and the read-alouds that open those conversations.
The Whole-Brain Child
Daniel J. Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson
12 strategies grounded in brain science for helping young children handle big feelings and difficult moments.
View on Amazon →The Explosive Child (6th Edition)
Ross W. Greene, PhD
A collaborative, skills-based approach for understanding and supporting easily frustrated, chronically inflexible children.
View on Amazon →How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen
Joanna Faber & Julie King
A survival guide of communication tools for ages 2-7 — invaluable for teachers, tutors, and the families you support.
View on Amazon →The Color Monster
Anna Llenas
A beloved picture book that helps young children name and sort their emotions — perfect for a feelings read-aloud.
View on Amazon →Have You Filled a Bucket Today?
Carol McCloud
The bucket-filling metaphor that teaches kindness and empathy — a classroom-community staple for K-3.
View on Amazon →The Invisible String
Patrice Karst
A gentle read-aloud about connection that comforts children through separation, big worries, and loss.
View on Amazon →Classroom Supplies & Tools
Simple, durable supplies that make routines, centers, and self-regulation easier in a busy classroom or tutoring space.
Classroom Visual Timer
Classroom supply
A silent countdown timer makes "time left" concrete — smooths transitions, centers, and independent work.
View on Amazon →Classroom Storage Bins
Classroom supply
Stackable labeled bins keep centers, supplies, and leveled books organized and student-accessible.
View on Amazon →Pocket Chart
Classroom supply
A reusable pocket chart for schedules, word work, sorting, and small-group routines.
View on Amazon →Wobble / Sensory Seat Cushion
Classroom supply
Flexible seating that gives wiggly learners safe movement and better focus during seat work.
View on Amazon →Anchor Chart Paper / Easel Pad
Classroom supply
Self-stick easel pads for building anchor charts you can reference all year.
View on Amazon →Sensory Fidget Tools
Classroom supply
A quiet fidget set to help students self-regulate without disrupting the room.
View on Amazon →Thermal Laminator
Teacher supply
Laminate task cards, labels, and reusable templates so your printables last year after year.
View on Amazon →Mini Dry-Erase Boards (Class Set)
Classroom supply
Lap-size whiteboards for quick formative checks, math practice, and every-student-responds routines.
View on Amazon →Looking for free resources first?
Most of what you need is free. Browse downloadable templates, posters, and guides in the Resource Library.