I start the school year by teaching my students the Eight Expectations from the Great Expectations program. We do one or two Expectations a day until we’ve gone through them all.

First, start by collecting the picture books. There are two pictures books for each Expectation, so if you can’t find one book you can use the other.

Once you’ve decided which books you’re using, make your copies. I usually make a stapled packet for each student.

Read aloud the book you chose for the Expectation. Discuss as a class what the Expectation means, how the character(s) did or did not show that Expectation, and what that looks like in the classroom.

Then have your students reflect on the Expectation in their packets.

*There are NOT books for Expectation #8 (“We will practice virtuous living using the Life Principles”) because there are so many Life Principles (honesty, respect, patriotism, thankfulness, etc.) that one picture book wouldn’t be able to address them all!

BOOKS:
Expectation #1:
The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf
Tacky the Penguin by Helen Lester

Expectation #2:
Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes
Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty

Expectation #3:
Do Unto Otters by Laurie Keller
The Berenstain Bears Forget Their Manners by Stan & Jan Berenstain

Expectation #4:
Salt in His Shoes by Deloris Jordan
The Thing Lou Couldn’t Do by Ashley Spires

Expectation #5:
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena

Expectation #6:
Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco
The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper

Expectation #7
The Recess Queen by Alexis O’Neil
The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires