February 17, 2017

Winnie-the-Pooh

"Life is a journey to be experienced, not a problem to be solved."

-Winnie the Pooh

 

In this week's library classes we returned to our Red Clover reading program with Sally Walker's nonfiction title, Winnie: The True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh.   Ms. Walker dutifully tells the authentic tale of how a motherless bear found and purchased at a Canadian rail station went on to become the world's most beloved bear.  From the book, learners enjoyed discovering the origin of the "Pooh Bear" story, watched a snippet of the Disney version of Pooh, and got to color their own picture to keep.  Some classes also had the opportunity to listen to last year's Caldecott Winner Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear by Lindsay Mattick.  In those classes we worked on our compare/contrast critical thinking skills - as this title is fiction, but tells a similar tale about Winnie.  

As usual, it was another great week of classes!  As I've mentioned before in this blog, it is an honor to get to share my love of reading and learning with your child(ren) each week.

Interactive Website:  The Real Winnie
Video Link: Winnie the Pooh: A Day For Eeyore (Disney)

    

February 9, 2017

Honoring "Honest" Abe

"My Best Friend is a person who will give me a book I have not read."

-Abraham Lincoln

This week's library lessons were focused on the life of our sixteenth president, Abraham Lincoln.  Different classes were treated to various mentor texts - some depicting Lincoln's early life, and others that explained the difficult decisions he made to keep the Union together.  In addition to the inspiring read aloud texts some learners had the opportunity to make their own "Talking Lincoln" heads (pictured below).  As usual, it was another great week of learning, sharing, and creating!

  

February 2, 2017

Groundhog Day!

            

This week in library classes we learned about and celebrated the fun tradition of Groundhog Day (February 2nd).  All learners were treated to Gail Gibbons's detailed nonfiction title, watched Nature Cat, and had time for a few enriching activities as well.  In addition, kindergarten also enjoyed Go To Sleep, Groundhog!   

My intention was for learners to walk away from this lesson with the understanding that while Groundhog Day is a fun tradition brought to the U.S. by our European ancestors, a groundhog is a lousy predictor of weather long term (2 or 6 weeks for instance).  Below are a few images of learners working on one of the activities (Make A Hundred Chart Groundhog).  It was another fun filled week of learning!

                          

    

January 26, 2017

Grandaddy's Turn:  A Journey to the Ballot Box

"Injustice anywhere, is a threat to justice everywhere." -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

This week's mentor text was the powerful, historical fiction title, Grandaddy's Turn: A Journey to the Ballot Box.  This Red Clover book takes place before the Voting Rights Act of 1965 in the rural South on a farm where Michael lives with Grandma and Granddaddy.  Everyone works hard on the farm, fish, play, and have a great life together.  

One morning, when Granddaddy heads to town in his fancy suit, Michael knows something special must be happening and he goes along.  Granddaddy explains when they arrive, that he'll be casting his first vote - and he couldn't be more proud.  But can Michael be patient when justice can't come soon enough and a local deputy stands in Granddaddy's way?  Michael soon realizes what Granddaddy means by his constant reminder, "Patience, son, patience."

Book Trailer for Grandaddy's Turn     

   

January 20, 2017

Celebrating MLK

"I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word."

-Martin Luther King, Jr. 

This week's library classes focused on the words, actions, and legacy of service to and tolerance of others - generated by the life of Martin Luther King, Jr.  Learners listened to the main mentor text, Martin's Big Words, learned about Segregation, Jim Crow, Civil Disobedience, and Peaceful Protest through our Pebble Go database; watched a summation of King's life and work via Brain Pop; and enjoyed a few other related texts on (themes: diversity, activism, love, service to others) as well (pictured below).     

January 13, 2017

Friendship: Real or Imaginary?!

"Good friends are like stars.  You don't always see them, but you know they are always there." 

-Old saying

Once again, it was another Red Clover book in this week's library classes.  Carter Goodrich's We Forgot Brock reminded us all about the value and importance of friendship - whether it be real or imaginary (which we are all still undecided on with this title).  In addition to listening to this funny and creative story, learners also brainstormed ideas about FRIENDSHIP using Padlet (an online brainstorming/list making platform).  After the story, learners had the opportunity to create their own "imaginary friend" (see below).  

                     

 

January 9, 2016

Making a Splash in 2017!

After a lengthy hiatus from Red Clover Books, I decided it was time to dive back in with this beautiful story by the up-and-coming author/artist Jenni Desmond.  The Blue Whale is written in a narrative nonfiction style that captivates learners for its beautiful illustrations and creative display of facts (see below) about the largest mammal alive today - and all time!  As the week progressed, I knew that this book was a great selection as it enamored both Kindergarteners and fourth graders alike - often an order of massive size - just like the Blue Whale.