December 22, 2016

Happy Holidays!

                             

As you can see from the numerous titles above, we read a lot of books this week in library class!  In addition to enjoying these wonderful titles around the three major holidays (Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanza) we spent time using our PebbleGo database to learn how each holiday emphasize togetherness, light, and celebration.  No matter how you and your family celebrate, remember that we all have more in common with each other than we have differences.

Happy Holidays!  

December 8, 2016

Rocking Kindness

"You are a pebble tossed in still water.  What type of ripple will you make?"

As a way to reinforce SATEC's anti-bully rules and PBiS (PAWS) expectations, I decided this would be a great week to emphasize KINDNESS.  After a read aloud of Jacqueline Woodson's powerful and emotional award-winning story Each Kindness, we had a discussion on how everything we do or say goes out into the world - like a ripple.  It was a valuable and well received lesson.  

Some Kindergarten and First grade groups also listened to Mary Murphy's How Kind! and got to color a few images about kindness.  It is hard to believe that we are quickly approaching the last library classes of the calendar year!        

December 1, 2016

The Week the Crayons Took Over!

I was having a conversation with my four-year-old over the holiday break about how this is the darkest time of the year.   He was complaining that it gets dark too early - thusly disrupting our daily after school backyard fun.  A seed idea took hold in my brain, and led me to want to brighten things up in this week's library classes.  Immediately, I knew the perfect way to add a bit of color.  Drew Daywalt (words) and Oliver Jeffers' (art) The Day the Crayons... books would be the perfect way to accomplish this - both in text, art, and humor.  If you've read these hilarious stories you know that they get you giggling right away.  After a read aloud of the stories, learners were able to take part in some enriching activities (see images below) before making their weekly selections.  

   

November 18, 2016

Understanding Thanksgiving:

 

                    

This week's library classes were centered on the real meaning of Thanksgiving:  Togetherness and Gratitude.  After listening to a telling of the Pilgrim and Wampanoag story, learners were treated to a few of my favorite Thanksgiving books that I felt reinforced the lesson's theme.

In addition to being thankful for each of our weekly classes, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all for making last week's Book Fair a tremendous success!     

The Book Fair is here!

Monday - 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday - 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday - 8 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Thursday - 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Friday - 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Election Results!

Duck Wins!

All of the votes have been counted and the citizens (K-4 students) have spoken... Duck for President is the clear winner in this year's Book Election!  Duck... received 194 votes; while Grace for President received 161.  I would like to thank everyone who participated, voted, helped, and supported to make this Book Election such a fun event.      

Friday, October 28, 2016

SATEC's Book Election

With the Election less than two weeks away, I wanted to provide K-4 classes the opportunity to take part in the important democratic process of voting.  This week's classes were given the difficult choice of electing either Duck for President, or Grace for President.  After learning some information via our PebbleGo database (k-2) or Brain Pop (3-4) about U.S. voting requirements, the history of voting, and general information, we were then introduced to our candidates.  After listening to both stories, learners made their way out to the voting booths and cast their ballots for the book of their choice.  Results will be posted here next week.  It was a star-spangled session indeed!

                   

The Book Fair is Coming to SATEC!

Monday, November 7th: 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, November 8th: 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, November 9th: 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, November 10th: 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Friday, November 11th: 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

October 21, 2016

Celebrating Halloween!

With next week's "Book Election" on the horizon, it seemed fitting to celebrate and enjoy some of our favorite Halloween stories this week.  In addition to enjoying some spooky and fun fictional tales, we also enjoyed learning about where many of Halloween's traditions originate from as well.  It was another great week!   

October 13, 2016

Shapes Are Everywhere!

 

For Kindergarten through 2nd Grade this week's class was all about SHAPES!  We read three titles (seen above) that promote the idea shapes are all around us;  in school, in town, in nature...  everywhere!  

In addition to reading and listening to the three titles above, learners were able to generate their own shapely creations (see below) using Picasso Tiles, practice identifying shapes, and further their understanding by reading additional titles during choice time.  It was a fun and lively lesson!  

 

 For third and fourth grade classes, this week was a continuation of last week's lesson on Rufus the Writer (Red Clover 2016).  Additionally, learners practiced looking up a book/material using the Destiny Online Catalog and joined our online Library Google Classroom too.  Lastly, learners were given some time to practice writing - just like Rufus.  

October 6, 2016

Rufus the Writer by Elizabeth Bram

"Why have a lemonade stand when you can have a story stand?  That’s what Rufus wants to know - and in no time, he’s in business!" 

This week's Red Clover offering lent us the perfect opportunity to practice our own storytelling through words and pictures.  Learners listened to Mr. Flanagan read Rufus... aloud, and then chose their own topic to write about and illustrate.  It was a fun and productive session for certain!

     

   

September 27, 2016

Banned Books Week & Meet the Dullards!

What a busy week in the Library Media Center!  Traditionally, the last week of September is known as "Banned Books Week" across the country in school and public libraries.  In addition to a display (see above image), learners have had spirited conversations and asked questions about why a particular book may be challenged, censored, or even banned.  It was very "eye opening" to many.  

Additionally, we have officially started our Red Clover Books Program (Grades K-4).  Meet the Dullards was the perfect book to share this week, as Mr. and Mrs. Dullard live and create a boring life for themselves and their three children.  Books?  No!  Art?  Never!  Play?  Out of the question!  But no matter how hard the parents try, Blanda, Borely and Little Dud still find a way to be themselves - which is anything but boring.         

September 22, 2016

It's Kevin Henkes Week!

This week in library class, we celebrated the work of acclaimed author and artist Kevin Henkes.  In addition to reading the above titles, learners were able to color their own "garden wreath" or play a Waiting themed matching game.  We also virtually toured Mr. Henkes's studio and learned about the process he uses to create his beautiful and inspiring books. 

September 21, 2016

The Book Fair is Coming to SATEC!

We are happy to announce that this year's Book Fair has been... booked!  The Fair will be happening the week of November 7th.  There will be more information and excitement to come as we get closer to the event.  Stay tuned!     

September 16, 2016

In our second library class, we continued exploring the literary theme of ANTHROPOMORPHISM via these two hilarious titles from Peter Brown.  Mr. Brown enjoys creating stories with illustrated animals that act like humans, and the learners really seemed to love the stories - and the animals - too.

After our the stories, learners were able to color their own Mr. Tiger and even play a Mr. Tiger matching game as well.  It was a fun and engaging time, even with all of us being a bit WILD!

September 6, 2016

For many of us, the first day of school can be filled with both excitement and a bit of anxiety too.  Our first read aloud of the year, School's First Day of School,  cleverly promotes the idea that maybe the school shares the same mix of emotions that the learners, and staff, do too.