The first few weeks of school set the tone for classroom routines, academic expectations, and maybe most importantly… relationships. That’s why The Recess Queen by Alexis O’Neill is a go-to read-alouds for the beginning of the year.
In this story, Mean Jean rules recess with an iron fist—until a new student, Katie Sue, shows up and changes everything. It’s a fun, energetic read with deeper messages that open the door to powerful conversations around kindness, inclusion, courage, and second chances.
Here’s why this book works so well in the first few weeks:
- It’s short, engaging, and full of emotion.
- It reflects real dynamics students are already noticing on the playground.
- It gives your class a shared language to talk about feelings, conflict, and change.
Learning Targets to Consider:
- I can identify and describe character traits using evidence from the text.
- I can make text-to-self connections about recess experiences and friendships.
- I can reflect on how kindness and courage can change a classroom or playground community.
Conversation Starters:
- What do you notice about how Mean Jean acts at the beginning of the story? Why do you think she acts that way?
- How did Katie Sue handle the situation differently than others? What do you think gave her the courage to do that?
- Have you ever felt like Mean Jean or Katie Sue? What happened?
- What would our recess look like if everyone acted like Katie Sue?
To make your read-aloud even more impactful, we’re including optional printables you can use with your class. You may wish to use the printables or use the content of the printables for students to write in their journals. These can be used during whole group discussions, in literacy centers, or even as an extension activity. Whether you’re teaching kindergartners or upper elementary students who need a reset on recess expectations, this book opens the door to meaningful reflection and class-wide connection.
By Teach Daily
This article was a combined effort by multiple team members.
