What's Happening at the BSS Library?

Because it has been difficult lately for many people to access books, I have been gathering read alouds here on my " Virtual Library ." I will be updating these pages, so check back often!

I love how the character in this story is so creative and perseverant, and how she learns from her mistakes.  She has a vision of a project she'd like to create, but she can't get it right.  She tries over and over, and almost quits. The way she thinks and grows is so important in the creative process, and is a great introduction to STEM and other projects.

My three children loved to listen to stories when they were younger.  They are between the ages of 19 and 24 now, but still enjoy reading.  Jessica, my youngest daughter, asked if she could be a guest reader on my blog.  I was more than happy to oblige! She chose to read The Very Impatient Caterpillar by Ross Burach, which I thought was a great choice with many students learning about butterflies and hatching their own at home. Enjoy!

The book Hair Love is based on an animated film by former NFL player, Matthew Cherry. It's a wonderful story about a father helping his daughter fix her hair because it is a very special day. After listening to my read aloud, click on the image below to watch the animated film the book was based on. It won an Oscar for Best Animated Short Film this year!

There are many Three Little Pig stories out there, but this one is quite different! There is a Voice that comes out of nowhere, and why are the pigs so pale? It is a very fun story.

Mae Among the Stars is based on the life of Mae Jemison, who was the first African American woman in space. When her teacher asked her students what they wanted to be when they grew up, Mae said an astronaut.  Her teacher didn't think this was realistic, and suggested being a nurse instead. Mae's parents told her: “If you dream it, believe in it, and work hard for it, anything is possible.”

My favorite part of this book is looking at all the popular picture books scattered throughout the main character's room.  He has books all over the floor and on shelves, and I liked trying to read what each title was.  This is a very funny story!

Yasmin is another great beginner reading series.  Here is Yasmin the Zookeeper by Saadia Faruqui.

Jack is a great new beginner reading series! Here is Too Many Jacks by Mac Barnett and Greg Pizzoli.

Hello BSS Students and Families, As we transition into online learning, I have been gathering links to ebooks, audiobooks, and other virtual activities that students can use at home. I've gathered these resources onto my Online Resources   page so take a look!  I have also created pages for: Read Alouds by Mrs. Ferguson Author's Websites and Social Media Pages Weekly Library Choice Board (choices of activities to try, will be changed every week) March Book Madness Voting (to vote for BSS students' favorite picture book) View the Pages section of this blog to see other material too! Feel free to comment on any of the posts to let me know what you enjoyed or if you have questions.  You can also email me with any photos or your child learning at home so we can post to the BSS social media pages. I will be having virtual Zoom office hours on Wednesdays at 11:30 (information will be provided by the classroom teachers on either Seesaw or Google Classroom)....

Here are two stories about Memorial Day, which is a day we honor all members of the U. S. Military who have died. I also recommend watching the video from an episode of Reading Rainbow , in which Maya Lin is interviewed.  Lin is the architect of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, which is featured in the story The Wall . Memorial Day Surprise The Wall by Eve Bunting

The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers is a great book to talk about persuasive writing.  Everything these two creators have written/illustrated are HUGE hits!

Here is another Final Four contender by Drew Daywalt. Adam Rex's illustrations really complete this hysterical book!

No, David! by David Shannon Here is a another book in our Final Four of Picture Books. This book is a classic!

We Don't Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins is one of the books in our Final Four!

It seems like everyone loves Mo Willems, and for good reason! His stories are so much fun and make us laugh. This story is very popular with students! I hope you enjoy it. There is also a sequel called Sam, the Most Scaredy-Cat Kid in the Whole World. Click the box on the bottom right corner for fullscreen.

Click the tool in the right corner for full screen. People are talking an awful lot about germs these days.  It is on our minds constantly just how easy it is for germs to spread.  Told in a very entertaining way by Microbiologist Ben Barak, this story serves as an important reminder of how easily germs can spread from a book to your finger to your mouth. Everyone might be tired of being constantly reminded to keep hands clean (and to avoid licking things like books!), but this story does so in a way that is not too preachy. Here is a great BrainPOP, Jr. video about the importance of washing our hands: SEE MORE OF MRS. FERGUSON'S READ ALOUDS HERE!

Click the tool in the right corner for full screen. Jan Thomas writes some really funny books! I really enjoyed The Doghouse, A Birthday for Cow, and Rhyming Dust Bunnies.  Here is another silly one called The Easter Bunny's Assistant.  There is even instructions for decorating hard boiled Easter eggs at the end of the story.  It might be fun to try it!

Click the tool in the right corner for full screen. Because today is Palm Sunday, it seemed fitting that I read Humphrey's First Palm Sunday by Carol Heyer.  Some students might remember Heyer's other story called Humphrey's First Christmas .  In that story, Humphrey gives baby Jesus his only possession--his blanket--as Jesus is lying in the chilly manger.  I wish you all a blessed Easter! View more of Mrs. Ferguson's read alouds here.

April is National Poetry Month! Read a poem out loud each day. Practice it a few times and you will find it sounds better each time you read it! If the page isn't loading correctly, use this link instead.