Week of January 26th

This week proved to be jam-packed full of learning, reading, book talks and much more.  Our district hosted a Professional Development day and I was able to spend a great deal of time with fellow librarians.  I walked away with several ideas for new lessons, materials and inspiration for the upcoming month (before we head to Mid-Winter Break). 

I'd like give a shout out the amazing presenters at this PD - Woot WOOT!  Thanks to Judy, Arika and Kim, we were introduced to an incredibly powerful movement to promote diversity in our books! 


Check out this website for more information:

#WENEEDDIVERSEBOOKS

I realized, as I walked away from today that I wanted my own two children (Miss E, a preschooler and Mr. G, a toddler)  to be exposed to a variety of genres, topics, and authors.  Not only that, but my hope (for my very curious darlings) is to introduce them to books about all races, creeds, orientation, faith, disabilities, backgrounds and experiences.  As a mother, as a teacher and now as a LIBRARIAN...this is my wish for them. 

Now, onto Tuesday's day in school:

Third Grade & Fourth Grade:

I see 5 classes on Tuesdays (not including my Fifth Graders who come for check out).  Sometimes the mornings are bombastic - ok, most the mornings are like that with 4 classes back to back and hundreds of books tumbling in to be returned.  This is when our trusty volunteers are truly lifesavers!  What would I do without all the amazing family volunteers and help? 

Today's lesson consisted of a continuation of the Digital Citizenship and inquiry into the online reader "eBooks".  By using our database, students have access to online readers and today we walked through how to utilize this program.  Besides gaining access to books (that otherwise might be all checked out from circulation that week), kids are able to read AND listen to the stories. Best part about it?  IT'S FREE!  Simply ask your child to log into the My Quest website and enter our "Follett Shelf" of online eBooks!  Look below for step-by-step directions:

Have a great week!!
-Mrs. Bethel

What A Win!

Week of January 19th

Perseverance.  Optimism.  Focus.  Determination.  Just a few words that describe Russell Wilson and our Seattle SEAHAWKS this past weekend.  Originally I had planned to work with kids on Super Digital Citizenship, but I quickly realized I needed to continue the momentum of this win.  I chose to use this relevant (and MIRACULOUS) comeback as a connection to researching sport related successes, events and athletes.  Tailoring each lesson to fit the needs and skills of my Fourth and Third Graders...this proved to be one of my favorite weeks so far in the Library.  Read below for a short recap of this week's lesson:

Third Graders:

As I pulled together the research material for this lesson, I realized that Third Graders had yet to work with the Guinness World Book of Records.  I chose to model Non-Fiction text features (Table of Contents, Glossary, Index) and students decided which portion of the book would lead them to the right information.  As a whole group we determined which types of sports they could write about, the list was pretty impressive and varied with all ranges:  basketball, swimming, soccer, archery, cup stacking, track and field, skateboarding, gymnastics, ice skating and even CHESS!   Working in partners, students skimmed the informational text and determined which incredible feat they would report.  In the upcoming weeks we will continue to work on researching, synthesizing a large amount of information and pulling what facts (data) we need.  

Fourth Graders:

Knowing that our Fourth Graders have been working toward mastering online research, I chose for this group of students to search for sports related events using our Destiny Catalog system.  Students worked to search for an individual who had shown incredible strength, teams that had beat incredible odds and other amazing sport triumphs.  Prior to sending students off to research, we brainstormed a list of individuals who have accomplished great feats.  The list was vast from Michael Jordan to Wilma Rudolph, Tony Hawks to Mia Hamm.  Of course, Russell Wilson was also included.  Students worked to complete the research, committing to giving evidence as to why the event was so amazing/incredible/spectacular/miraculous.  Actually finding the text was a challenge for a few students, definitely a possible goal area for the upcoming weeks.  

As I didn't see a few of my Third Grade and all of my First Grade classes this Monday (due to MLK Weekend), we only had time for check out.  I look forward to seeing this group for Library specialist time in two weeks!

I'm so proud of ALL the Library students this week.  Thank you for continuing to work hard and remember NEVER GIVE UP!  

-Mrs. Bethel 

Happy New Year!

Welcome to 2015!  I hope everyone enjoyed a lovely holiday, full of plenty of relaxation spent with family and friends.  We are off and running here in the Library and kick-started the year with some New Year’s Resolutions, work with cooking books and learning about the Coretta Scott King Award. 

1^st Grade:

Currently, my two classes are learning about Liquids and Solids in Science.  I wanted to make a connection with non-fiction text, the science curriculum and home connection.  So, we first previewed the background knowledge the students remembered about liquids and solids.  The next task was for students to find and locate a Cook Book (utilizing their library search skills) and with a partner, identify a liquid and solid in one cooking recipe.  
Knowing that this activity might be challenging for this age, I modeled our objectives using this text “Cool Wheat-Free Recipes”.  First Graders were definitely challenged by this activity for several reasons:  locating the book is hard!  Second, determining which recipe to look at = much harder!  Last, identifying the liquid and solid = kids rocked it!  While some struggled, they were able to make the connection with the science and how to apply to home life.  Fun lesson! 

 

3^rd Grade:

I see five different Third Grade classes over two days and they were excited to learn about the Coretta Scott King Award.  We learned all about how the award came into existence and what requirements are needed to be nominated.  Winners are announced the month of JANUARY!  Ask your child what it takes to win a Coretta Scott King Award? 

 

4^th Grade:

It’s READolution time!  Fourth Graders reviewed and adjusted their resolutions from last week and decided to share one (maybe even two) resolutions for reading and the library.  (Shout Out to Ms. Arika for your idea and cool design of the resolutions)!!  Many goals consisted of wanting to read more to younger siblings, reaching out of comfort zones and reading different genres.  I personally have three goals:

·         Post one review/recommendation to My Quest on Destiny once per month

·         Read one Non-Fiction book every month

·         Learn how to expertly repair broken books

It’s been a great start to the month, hard to believe we’re already half way through the month of January.   Wishing you a happy and healthy beginning to 2015! 

-Mrs. Bethel

 

 

 

Carnivors and Claims

 

 CHOMP!  What a special treat to work with Fourth Graders this week.  We devoured our book, “Carnivores” by Aaron Rynolds and Dan Santat.   This book takes a different perspective of eating habits for a shark, lion and wolf.  Throughout the text, we paused to use the Claim, Reasoning and Evidence technique.  Check out this hilarious trailer along with your student’s work:

Carnivores, The Trailer