It was another fun week here at the library! We read more Thanksgiving stories, got a bunch of new books from the Scholastic Book Fair, continued animal research in fourth grade, and found out students' "Genre Personality" in 5th Grade. Here are some highlights of the week:
BOOK DONATION FROM OUR WISH LIST
Thank you to the Miller family for purchasing the funny (and punny) book, 7 Ate 9: The Untold Story, in honor of Jackson's 7th birthday. It is always exciting to get new books, and I know the students will love this one! (See our Amazon Wish list here).
MORE THANKSGIVING STORIES
THE PERFECT THANKSGIVING BY EILEEN SPINELLI
First graders enjoyed hearing about the two families portrayed in The Perfect Thanksgiving by Eileen Spinelli. Abigail Archer's family was perfect in every way- from the perfectly cooked turkey to the well-mannered guests, to the mother who was all dressed up and baked homemade pies. The narrator of the story explained that her family was just the opposite: burned turkey, loud and crazy family, and a mother dressed in blue jeans who bought pies from the store. But both families had one thing in common--the love for their family.
The contrast between the two families was amusing, and when I asked students if their Thanksgiving feast day was more like Abigail's or the author's, most seemed to think their family was perfect just like Abigail's! Hmmm, I find that hard to believe, but if they say so! Happy Thanksgiving everyone (no matter how your family celebrates!)
At Tuyet's school, they make turkey crafts, sing turkey songs, and even the teacher refers to Thanksgiving as "Turkey Day." So when Tuyet tells her mother and grandmother that they need to prepare turkey for the holiday, they explain that they will be having duck instead. Her Vietnamese grandmother, Ba Noi, proudly explains they will be using her special recipe for duck.
Tuyet becomes worried that everyone will laugh at her when they find out they didn't have turkey, only to find that several other students feast on alternative foods such as enchiladas, tofu turkey, chicken and noodles, and lamb. The book was a great conversation starter to talk about how different families have different traditions.
Pilgrim Cat is a story about a cat who traveled on the Mayflower from England to the New World. This story described what the journey was like for Faith, her family, and all the other travelers. Faith endures hunger, cold temperatures, and sickness, but she enjoyed watching a stray cat she names Pounce and often shared the small amount of food she received with the cat. After arriving in the New World and watching many of her fellow travelers die, Faith's heartbreak continues when Pounce disappears. After awhile, the cat is found and has a surprise for Faith. Pilgrim Cat was an interesting piece of historical fiction, with the added bonus of an animal in the story, which is always a big hit with students.
This is one of my favorite stories of all time (and one I get a little choked up while reading!). When a girl sees her Mom sitting quietly on the floor, she asks what she is doing. When the Mom says she's thinking of all the things she is thankful for, the girl asks what is the thing she is MOST thankful for. Mom says she will tell her, but she has to guess. So the girl grabs the mother's scrapbook with all her favorite memories and asks if each memory in there is her most thankful thing... Was it the soccer game when your team won a trophy? When you went to your prom? When you were editor of the yearbook for your school? Your first real job? When you married Daddy? After saying how great each one of those were (and saying that marrying Daddy COULD have been the best thing, there's this one other thing...)
Well you parents out there will probably guess what it is. Such a sweet story, and Cyd Moore's illustrations depicting the scrapbook pages have lots of fun details.
NEW BOOKS FROM THE SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR!
Thank you to everyone who purchased books from the Scholastic Book Fair! I was able to purchase lots of new titles for the library, and the students have been very excited to browse through the new offerings. We were able to purchase lots of new nonfiction, picture books, chapter books, and graphic novels. New books are the best!
LIBRARY PASSES FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL
In an attempt to get more middle school students coming to the library, I have shared passes with the homeroom teachers. Hopefully more students will be able to stop by during snack time or during the Friday flex period if there is nothing planned.
BOOK DONATION FROM OUR WISH LIST
Thank you to the Miller family for purchasing the funny (and punny) book, 7 Ate 9: The Untold Story, in honor of Jackson's 7th birthday. It is always exciting to get new books, and I know the students will love this one! (See our Amazon Wish list here).
MORE THANKSGIVING STORIES
THE PERFECT THANKSGIVING BY EILEEN SPINELLI
First graders enjoyed hearing about the two families portrayed in The Perfect Thanksgiving by Eileen Spinelli. Abigail Archer's family was perfect in every way- from the perfectly cooked turkey to the well-mannered guests, to the mother who was all dressed up and baked homemade pies. The narrator of the story explained that her family was just the opposite: burned turkey, loud and crazy family, and a mother dressed in blue jeans who bought pies from the store. But both families had one thing in common--the love for their family.The contrast between the two families was amusing, and when I asked students if their Thanksgiving feast day was more like Abigail's or the author's, most seemed to think their family was perfect just like Abigail's! Hmmm, I find that hard to believe, but if they say so! Happy Thanksgiving everyone (no matter how your family celebrates!)
THE THANK YOU BOOK BY MO WILLEMS
The Elephant and Piggie books (and really anything by Mo Willems) is one of the most popular series at our school. I particularly love The Thank You Book because all of the minor characters from the previous books make an appearance so Piggie can thank them for various reasons. Students get excited when they recognize the characters (especially The Pigeon!).
DUCK FOR TURKEY DAY BY JACQUELINE JULES
At Tuyet's school, they make turkey crafts, sing turkey songs, and even the teacher refers to Thanksgiving as "Turkey Day." So when Tuyet tells her mother and grandmother that they need to prepare turkey for the holiday, they explain that they will be having duck instead. Her Vietnamese grandmother, Ba Noi, proudly explains they will be using her special recipe for duck. Tuyet becomes worried that everyone will laugh at her when they find out they didn't have turkey, only to find that several other students feast on alternative foods such as enchiladas, tofu turkey, chicken and noodles, and lamb. The book was a great conversation starter to talk about how different families have different traditions.
PILGRIM CAT BY CAROL ANTOINETTE PEACOCK
Pilgrim Cat is a story about a cat who traveled on the Mayflower from England to the New World. This story described what the journey was like for Faith, her family, and all the other travelers. Faith endures hunger, cold temperatures, and sickness, but she enjoyed watching a stray cat she names Pounce and often shared the small amount of food she received with the cat. After arriving in the New World and watching many of her fellow travelers die, Faith's heartbreak continues when Pounce disappears. After awhile, the cat is found and has a surprise for Faith. Pilgrim Cat was an interesting piece of historical fiction, with the added bonus of an animal in the story, which is always a big hit with students.
THE MOST THANKFUL THING BY LISA MCCOURT
This is one of my favorite stories of all time (and one I get a little choked up while reading!). When a girl sees her Mom sitting quietly on the floor, she asks what she is doing. When the Mom says she's thinking of all the things she is thankful for, the girl asks what is the thing she is MOST thankful for. Mom says she will tell her, but she has to guess. So the girl grabs the mother's scrapbook with all her favorite memories and asks if each memory in there is her most thankful thing... Was it the soccer game when your team won a trophy? When you went to your prom? When you were editor of the yearbook for your school? Your first real job? When you married Daddy? After saying how great each one of those were (and saying that marrying Daddy COULD have been the best thing, there's this one other thing...)Well you parents out there will probably guess what it is. Such a sweet story, and Cyd Moore's illustrations depicting the scrapbook pages have lots of fun details.
NEW BOOKS FROM THE SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR!
Thank you to everyone who purchased books from the Scholastic Book Fair! I was able to purchase lots of new titles for the library, and the students have been very excited to browse through the new offerings. We were able to purchase lots of new nonfiction, picture books, chapter books, and graphic novels. New books are the best!
AUTHOR EVENT THIS SATURDAY AT BARNES AND NOBLE
I was made aware of an author event this Saturday at 11:30 the Walpole Barnes and Noble if anyone is interested. The author's name is Angie Flores.
FUN TIMES IN THE LIBRARY!
Students are using a cool app called Novel Effect. You read a book out loud, and the app includes sounds effects to go along with the story. I have used it a few times to read a book to classes (titles included are limited) and students have enjoyed trying it themselves. A fun way to practice reading fluency and reading with expression!
We have a makerspace area of the library with things like Legos, Lincoln Logs, blocks, puzzles, coloring books, a marble run, etc. Students are invited to use this area after book checkout. This student, who loves everything to do with police, checked out a new police car book and created this Lego police car. Very well done!
LIBRARY PASSES FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL
In an attempt to get more middle school students coming to the library, I have shared passes with the homeroom teachers. Hopefully more students will be able to stop by during snack time or during the Friday flex period if there is nothing planned.
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