January 24, 2018

"Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out."

-John Wooden 

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I love to pair up related fiction and nonfiction titles whenever possible.  This lesson presented the perfect opportunity to do just that!  Penguin Problems, our fourth Red Clover book of the year, is the hilarious tale of a penguin who acts grumpy and exudes negativity from the moment the story begins: "My beak is cold... the sun is too bright...what's with all the squawking you guys?!"  Our penguin isn't just having a bad day, but rather chooses to view the world through a "half-empty lens" - which led to some great student reflections on how we all fall into this icy trap from time to time.   

Next, we read an electronic title from National Geographic called Penguins.  This book served as the perfect pairing to Penguin Problems as it helped explain how penguins really are a tough flock.  From the harsh and frigid desert-like climate to the rugged survival skills required in Antarctica, we all gained a greater understanding on why our penguin from Penguin Problems was so grumpy!  

After the two stories, we went on a virtual field trip to the San Diego Zoo where we watched the penguin exhibit via a webcam they have.   For classes that got to see penguins in action (unfortunately it was hit or miss depending on the time of day) this experience was really exciting and fun.

You can try for yourself here:  Penguin Cam!

Red Clover Reflections (Vol. 4):  Penguin Problems (Podcast)

    

January 12, 2018

"For last year's words belong to last year's language.  And next year's words await another voice."

-T.S. Eliot

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While the holiday break provided a wonderful opportunity to relax, celebrate, READ, and spend quality time with family and friends, it has been wonderful to return to the routine of library life.  For our first lesson of 2018, I decided to share some "new" titles that my wife and I gave our children for Christmas (when dad is a librarian you tend to receive books quite regularly).  

Matt Tavares's extraordinary and artistically beautiful story about two cardinals, Red and Lulu, provided the perfect starting point for us all - connecting leftover holiday sentimentality with a powerful story of courage, determination, and unconditional love.  Most readers really connected with this story, sharing my belief that it is an instant holiday classic!

After a brief nonfiction title about New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, we then shifted to another "Flanagan Family Favorite" with Windows.  Written by Julia Denos and illustrated by debut artist E.B. Goodale, Windows is a beautifully illustrated story about curiosity, wonderment, and discovery.  After finishing this story, learners were given a blank window template to sketch their own "New Year's resolution" for 2018.  

Like our library classes, I hope that your 2018 is off to a fantastic start!