March 19, 2019

Books We've Been Reading and Enjoying Recently in Library:

October 11, 2018

Our “Enchanted Forest” Book Fair 2018!

Monday, November 5th:  8 a.m. - 6:45 p.m.

Tuesday, November 6th:  8 a.m. - 6:45 p.m.

Wednesday, November 7th:  8 a.m. - 6:45 p.m.

Thursday, November 8th:  8 a.m. - 6:45 p.m.

Friday, November 9th:  8 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

September 25, 2018

Matt Tavares Day @ SATEC!  

The SATEC library hosted a very special guest on September 14th... award winning author and illustrator, Matt Tavares!  Matt presented to grades 1-5 about his love for drawing, writing, and the magic of combining the two to tell powerful stories.  Matt taught us about how he prepares and researches for his books, the editing process (much like writing in school), and even gave each group a drawing lesson.  It was an exciting, inspiring, and wonderful day in the library!  Thanks, Matt! 

(Matt giving a drawing lesson inspired by Growing Up Pedro) 

(Matt talking about his first published book, Zachary's Ball)

(Matt explains how he visited the Dominican Republic when researching Pedro)

(Judy Flanagan, Matt Tavares, Mr. F - two generations of librarians with Matt!) 

  

June 14, 2018

Cat Tales Release Party!

It was another amazing year in the Library Media Center!  We saw an increase in foot traffic, books/materials circulating, and learners flocking into the Collaboratory to create as well.  

Another sign the school year is wrapping up, and a favorite tradition, just happened yesterday with the release of the thirteenth annual Cat Tales literary and art magazine.  

Please enjoy the slide show above to get a sense of how the special morning was for the 92 featured writers and artists, their families, friends, and staff.  

Thanks for a great year!  

April 5, 2018

Thinking + Tinkering = Thinkering

 Invention was the focus in our most recent library lesson.  Chris Barton's (author) and Don Tate's (illustrator) Whoosh! Lonnie Johnson's Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions was our mentor text AND just so happens to be our 9th Red Clover nominee of the school year (one more to go and then we vote!).  This biographical account of the life and work of Lonnie Johnson reminded us all that no matter who you are or where you're from, if you have passion, work hard, and believe in your dreams you can accomplish anything, even when facing adversity or setbacks along the way.     

Lonnie Johnson is most famously known for being the inventor of the Super Soaker (water gun).  However, prior to that invention he worked for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory where he designed a power package that aided the Galileo Orbiter.  The Galileo mission successfully brought back amazing images of Jupiter and its moons - adding to our collective sense of wonder and awe about nearby planets.

After hearing the story, students then had the opportunity to think + tinker (thinker) using legos, magna-tiles, and space building sets to create their own prototypes for future unique products.  Take a look at some of their creations below:

            

March 17, 2017

Last week's library lesson made quite a splash!  Otters Love to Play, our 8th Red Clover book of the school year, was the selected mentor text.  In addition to sharing this engaging and fun story, learners were able to experience the narrative nonfiction genre firsthand.  More than just facts and details about otters, this beautifully illustrated story is also written in a fiction-like format.  At the end of the story, we talked about common text features - a glossary, an index, charts, and other ways nonfiction stories enhance our learning of a particular topic.  

After the story, I shared this amazing video of a mother otter teaching her pup to swim.  Contrary to what many believe about these water loving mammals, they are not born knowing how to swim.  Their mothers have to teach them!  Lastly, we played a fun comprehension game using Quizziz (a gamified site to help study and learn anything) to review the book and important understandings from the lesson.  Next week we'll continue on our path to complete all ten Red Clover books with They All Saw A Cat.             

February 13, 2018

Be brave, have courage, follow your heart, laugh and love!

I've been sending some subtle and not so subtle messages through our selected read alouds the last several library classes. As I've shared before, the power of picture books can transcend, generate deep reflection, and inspire us all to be better versions of ourselves. Jabari Jumps (Cornwall), and Malala: A Brave Girl From Pakistan (Winter) reminded us all to be brave, have courage, and follow your heart each and every day. Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs (Willems) and The Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors (Daywalt) got us all laughing - an important balance to maintain in one's life. Finally, Duncan Tonatiuh's 2018 Red Clover nominee, The Princess and the Warrior was the perfect culmination to this triumvirate of messages... unconditional LOVE.

It is my hope that learners will carry this mult-week lesson with them each and every day of their lives: Be brave, have courage, follow your heart, laugh, and love.