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.

January 24, 2018

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

-John Wooden 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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

---------------------------------------------

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!                  

December 20, 2017

  

In last week's library classes we learned about three major holidays happening this December - Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa.  Feel free to engage your learner by asking them to share some newfound understandings about each holiday.  They should have some insight to share.  

For many, the nonfiction and fiction mentor texts provided a window into (a) holiday(s) they knew little about previously.  What we discovered together in this lesson was that each of these holidays have so much in common (ex. light, candles, family, friends, food, music, dance, and joy - to name a few connections)!   A reminder to all, that we too - like the aforementioned holidays - have more in common with each other than we often realize.  

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season filled with light, love, wonderment, and books!     

    

December 13, 2017

Coyote Moon

By Maria Gianferrari

Illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline

(From SATEC Student’s Choice Award)

Coyote Moon by Maria Gianferrari (text) and Bagram Ibatoulline (art) was this week's featured mentor text for all classes. This stunningly beautiful and compelling look into a "night in the life" of a coyote mother provided a window for all of us to learn about the often misunderstood and miscast mammal. Also, this wonderful story happens to be a nominee for this year's SATEC Student Choice Award.

In addition to Coyote Moon, learners were also treated to a more traditional nonfiction text with North American Animals: Coyotes. By comparing and contrasting both nonfiction stories, learners were able to see and experience how nonfiction stories can be constructed and created differently. Coyote Moon is best described as narrative nonfiction; a story that reveals facts and details about a subject within the framework of a story (fiction-like). Whereas North American Animals: Coyotes begins with a table of contents and ultimately reads more like an encyclopedia. The contrasting nonfiction titles led to a great discussion and reflection on how different books may be, even within the same genre.

December 6, 2017

A Colorful Week in Library!

Crayons stole the show in last week's library classes - adding a *cough* colorful touch.  Learners were treated to Michael Hall's funny, thought provoking, and uplifting crayon-centric stories, Frankencrayon and Red: A Crayon's Story.  

In addition to being highly entertaining, Frankencrayon also happens to be one of the ten nominees for this year's Red Clover book award.  For those of you keeping score at home, this was our third Red Clover read aloud of the school year.  Learners loved how the crayons spoke directly to them, the audience.  This clever construct led to a discussion on "breaking the fourth wall" - when actors, or characters, speak directly to their audience.  After the story, learners were able to create their own paper Frankencrayons to keep! 

While also starring crayons, Red: A Crayon's Story is delivered with a more serious and sincere tenor than Frankencrayon.  Red, as his crayon label indicates, struggles to find his place as everything he colors comes out blue.  His teacher, mother, grandparents, and even other art supplies (scissors, tape dispenser, etc) all attempt to intervene and help Red to no avail.  

     Red: A Crayon's Story provoked a discussion on symbolism, and how stories often contain a deeper meaning beyond the words and art in a particular book.  One third grader said it best - reminding his class and me, "It doesn't matter what we look like on the outside.  What really matters is who we are on the inside."  Like the Grinch, my heart grew three sizes in that moment.

Curious what learners had to say about Frankencrayon?  Give a listen to the latest RCR (link below).

Red Clover Reflections Vol 3:  https://soundcloud.com/user-561982472/red-clover-reflections-vol-3     

       

November 19, 2017

"Each and every day, carry yourself with an attitude of gratitude."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Happy Thanksgiving!  

This week's library class was focused on living with "an attitude of gratitude."  Before our featured stories, I spoke about how from time to time we all lose sight of the many blessings and opportunities that present themselves in our lives.  With Thanksgiving on the horizon, I thought it apropos to reflect on this idea, and to remind us all that we have much to be thankful for.  

After reading the stories pictured above, a visit to our PebbleGo database to learn the origin of Thanksgiving, students were treated to a silly and festive song on guitar.  "Except For the Turkey" got most involved singing and joining in the fun.  Next, Mrs. Allerton added her crafty skills to the lesson by leading students in grades k-2 with creating a turkey of their very own.  It was a great ending to an all around fun and festive lesson!       

  

November 7, 2017

Our “Wild West” Book Fair 2017

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

Tuesday, November 7th:  8 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

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

Thursday, November 9th:  8 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Friday, November 10th:  8 a.m. -  6:00 p.m.

October 16, 2017

Dragon Was Terrible ----------------------- By: Kelly DiPucchio Pictures by: Greg Pizzoli

We all know dragons are terrible, but this one is especially terrible.   He scribbles in books. He steals candy from baby unicorns. He even burps in church.  Seriously, who does that? Dragon, that’s who.

We all struggle with how best to express ourselves from time to time... but this dragon?  Simply terrible!  Or, at least he was before an unexpected hero emerges to help change dragon's terrible ways.  

In this hilariously creative and beautifully illustrated story by Ms. DiPucchio and Mr. Pizzoli, we are reminded that sometimes all we need to "get back on track" is a good story.  A lesson that this librarian can certainly get behind!  

Curious what students had to say about our second Red Clover book of the school year?  Check out the latest volume of Red Clover Reflections here:  Red Clover Reflections Vol. 2 (Dragon Was Terrible)       

October 10, 2017

Ada’s Violin:

The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay

“The world sends us garbage…

We send back music.”

-Favio Chavez

Written by: Susan Hood

Illustrated by: Sally Wern Compart

This week we read our first Red Clover story of the school year: Ada's Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay. This beautifully written and illustrated TRUE story inspired us all! Ada's Violin tells the story of Cateura, a town built on and around a landfill, in Paraguay. As you can image, life there can be quite difficult for its citizens - devoid of hope even. All of this changes when local choir director Favio Chavez gets the ingenious idea to use items of trash from the landfill to make recycled instruments! This idea transforms the town and the lives of all it's inhabitants... including Ada.

To find out student reflections on this week's story, click the link below. It'll take you to a podcast I've started called Red Clover Reflections. This podcast wouldn't be possible without the help of Mr. Rousselle and Mr. Galle. Each week we read a Red Clover book in class I'll add a new pod to the blog.

Give a listen: Red Clover Reflections: Volume 1 (Ada's Violin)

October 2, 2017

A Bunny, a Bear, and a Unicorn

This week's library classes focused on and celebrated one of my favorite contemporary children's authors; Ms. Ame Dyckman.  Ame is a hardworking, hilarious, and entertaining storyteller whose books really appeal to kids - and adults too ;-).  And when Ame's words get paired up with Mr. Zachariah OHora's art... the combination is simply magical!

Wolfie The Bunny reminded us all that family comes in all shapes and sizes, and that while a particular member may get under your skin from time to time - we still need to come to their rescue when in need.

In Horrible Bear, we witness an accident with a kite that leads THE GIRL to unjustly blame BEAR for what happened.  When he stomps down the mountain to finally give her a piece of his mind she greets him at the door with a hearty, "I'm sorry."  Suddenly the horrible seeps right out of bear - reinforcing the idea that when we make a mistake or hurt someone's feelings (which we all do) it's important to make it right by apologizing. 

And our last story, You Don't Want A Unicorn (Liz Climo illustrations) was simply a hilarious take on being careful what you wish for.  Unicorns may seem wonderful in theory, but prove to be quite a handful in actuality.  This one led to a lot of belly laughs.  Next week we will begin with our first Red Clover book of the school year!       

    

September 25, 2017

The Power of Story!

"The one thing that you have that nobody else has is YOU.  Your voice, your mind, your story, your vision.  So write and draw and build and play and dance and live as only YOU can."
-Neil Gaiman

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This week's library classes focused on the magical and transcendent power of storytelling, and how it has evolved and progressed through the ages with the help of technology during many historical eras.  

Beginning with the "Oral Tradition" of storytelling by cave people, on through symbols soon added to their walls, and the "Written Tradition" of clay tablets, hieroglyphics, and ink and woodblocks (to name a few) that followed, the art of story and storytelling has been evolving and growing ever since.  Dan Yaccarino's I Am A Story beautifully reinforced this concept and acted as a perfect mentor text to depict my favorite method of storytelling; art and text woven together in picture book form.

Next, I read Kate Messner (text) and Mark Siegal's (art) How To Read A Story, which outlines ten steps for optimal storybook reading enjoyment.  It also was the perfect text to enjoy before we made our selections for the week.  

Most learners seemed to really enjoy the lesson's focus and new understandings; a few of my own stories told with guitar; and the chance to select their own books to borrow for the week despite the sweltering heat we've been experiencing as of late.  Stay cool, everybody!  

September 16, 2017

Action, Adventure, and Mystery... in the Refrigerator!

The selected texts for this week's library lesson were filled with a dash of creativity, a pinch of humor, a dollop of breakfast food deliciousness... and maple syrup!

  

Josh Funk's Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast and The Case of the Stinky Stench acted as a great way to introduce K-4 learners to the concept(s) of CHARACTER, SETTING, and PROBLEM inherent in all stories (links to Josh's website and book trailers above).  Everyone, students and adults, seemed to enjoy the humor, rhyming, and wonderful illustrations in these two creative tales.  

After the stories, learners were given time to choose their own book(s) to borrow for the week, to color a picture of Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast, or to complete a few enriching activities from the stories (pictures below).  All in all, it was another great week in the library! 

        

September 8, 2017

Back to School!

"Whatever is worth doing, is worth doing well." - Philip Dormer Stanhope

School is back in session, students are smiling, and the library media center is abuzz with activity!  It has been such a joy to reconnect with returning students, meet and get to know new students, and return to the routine of the school day.  I really feel like one of the luckiest people alive to be back in the library for year two!

 This week's library classes centered around the beginning of a new school year - a walking tour of the library, how to use the OPAC (online public access catalog), class expectations, getting to know each other and of course... selecting BOOKS!  

There are some new staff additions to the library this year - and we are truly excited about them.  Mrs. Allerton has joined our library media team as an assistant.  Her knowledge of cataloging, love of literature, and kindness toward all who enter the LMC have been on full display.  She comes to us from the public library, and we are lucky to have her at SATEC!  Also, Mr. Galle, the new tech-integrationist is off to a smashing start.  His expertise on technology and art will really benefit SATEC learners coming into the LMC. Also, it's great having him here; as we have known each other a long time and are excited about finally getting to work together!