Classroom Birthday Idea: Birthday Book Basket

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Birthdays are important events for children. Celebrate each child on their special day and build excitement around books and reading at the same time with this classroom birthday idea.

Birthday Book Basket

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How a Birthday Book Basket Works

A birthday basket appears in the classroom on a child’s birthday or half birthday.  The birthday child gets to pick a birthday-themed book from the basket for the teacher to read to the entire class.

The birthday child feels specials and the class gets to listen to a fun read-aloud.

See it in action in the video below.

Making Your Birthday Book Basket

The birthday basket is quick and easy to make.

First, you’ll need a basket or tub to hold the books.  I found my bright pink one at Hobby Lobby.  Find one that is fun and festive (here are some fun baskets.)

Next, decorate your basket with birthday-themed stickers and washi tape.

Presto, your basket is ready to be filled with the books below.

Books About Birthdays

Now you need to fill the basket with birthday-themed books.  We have a whole list for you to choose from.—>Check Out the Birthday Books

Get the Birthday Printable

You need one more thing for your birthday book basket- a book pick sheet.

Download this free printable book pick sheet.  Cut it out, laminate it, and place it in your basket.

It’s time to introduce the birthday book basket to the class.

Introducing the Birthday Book Basket

On the first birthday of the school year, bring the birthday book basket to your whole group meeting.  Let the students know that when it is their birthday, they will get to select a book from the bin that will be read to the entire class.

The birthday person gets to look through the bin and place the birthday book pick sheet (see above) in the book of their choice.

Then, sometime during the day, the teacher will read the book aloud.

The birthday book basket goes back into the closet and doesn’t reappear until the next birthday celebration.

It’s a fun way to build excitement around books!

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