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

 

Busy Week!

Week of December 8^th,

The “countdown” has commenced!  It’s hard to believe that we only have one more week (after this) until Winter Break!  (Panic sets in now)!!  We enjoyed a variety of new stories, new skills and new ideas here in the Library.  Read below for a recap of this week’s events:

1^st Graders:

Our little buddies are starting to learn about energy and windmills in Science.  I decided to read suggested book by our other amazing Librarian, Ms. Arika.  This is one of my favorites that I’ve enjoyed in years past.  It’s a real story about a young man named William from Malawi who built a windmill and forever changed the future for his village and himself!  “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind” is a heartwarming story with beautiful illustrations and this video shows William and his journey.  I’m excited to support the First Graders as they learn more about the science behind windmills, how we can use them and create sustainable energy! 

3^rd Graders:

It’s an exciting week for our friends in Third Grade!  We are on our second installment of “Digital Code of Conduct” and online safety.  Last week we brainstormed different websites that we could equate to "stoplights".  Students discussed the difference between a "green" website (appropriate and educational) or "yellow" (I need adult/parental guidance).  

This week, I introduced (and reviewed for some) our online catalog system and data base.  Rather than just use this as a lecture, I created a SCAVENGER Hunt so students could attempt several different skills using our online system.  What a telling activity this proved to be.  After we moved passed some of the basic issues of logging in (our usernames/passwords are a mouthful!), students were let loose to complete their quest of knowledge.  Interestingly, the multi-step directions were a challenge (as I thought it might) as well as locating non-fiction call numbers.  (Side bar:  I love that kids don’t call the # number “the number sign”, they call it “hashtag”.  Sign of the times perhaps?)  Overall, this was excellent data and feedback for me to see what tasks Third Graders could achieve independently and also with some added guidance! 

4^th Graders:

Many years ago (as a Fourth Grade teacher myself), I loved teaching the Pacific NW Coastal Peoples Unit…and now I get to collaborate and contribute a different aspect of this learning!  This week we read a beautiful retelling of “Coyote in Love”, retold by Mindy Dwyer.  Not only does this book have beautiful illustrations, using a variety of “cool toned” (comments from my students), but myth of how Crater Lake came to be is both creative and compelling.  We revisited the skills of Claims, Evidence and Reasoning and students thought about these questions that required some critical thinking: 

The response was intriguing and most all students felt the color of Blue Star absolutely mattered, and they gave evidence from the text of how the color of the lake would change.  I’m excited to build on their prior knowledge and help them dig deeper into this amazing unit. 

Overall, it was a busy and bombastic week full of learning and thinking and READING.  Next week I will be sure to include the TOP 10 books to read over Winter Break!

-Mrs. Bethel 

Gobble Gobble

Week of November 24^th,

Greetings and Happy Thanksgiving to you all!  It’s been a whirlwind of weeks here in the Library.  I realized that I had not seen my students for three weeks…THREE WEEKS! ACK!!  With the Book Fair and Veteran’s Day…we are finally back to a routine here at school. 

First Graders enjoyed a fun Read Aloud this week:  "Bear Says Thanks" by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman.  For anyone interested in a darling character with fantastic stories including morals and friendship, you’ve found your series!  This text was a great way to connect with my primary readers about the celebration of family and friends.  The First Graders enjoyed the cheerful rhythm to the text, learning how we can share and delight in all the wonderful things we have to be thankful for. 

Third Graders enjoyed a festive read aloud that compares two families over the Thanksgiving holiday.  Students giggled, laughed and connected with the characters of each family.  “The Perfect Thanksgiving” by Eileen Spinelli was a “perfect” way for kids to reflect on the author’s message.  Students showed evidence and reasoning from the text that the author conveyed the idea of togetherness and family as the most important aspect of the holiday.  What’s perfect for you is different than what’s perfect for others was a consistent theme students were able to pull from the story.   

Fourth Graders were working on a few “house-keeping” items in Library this week.  We began dabbling in ‘Brainology’ and digging deeper into mindset.  Students were able to reflect on their mood using the Mood Ruler (or meter, a four quadrant grid that designates energy and feelings).  Looking ahead to next week, we will enjoy a fun text written by Aaron Reynolds (same author as “Creepy Carrots”).  Students will hone their skills using the Claims, Evidence and Reasoning technique to gain deeper meaning of text. 

Enjoy this long weekend and the Thanksgiving holiday.   Happy Turkey Day!

-Gobble Gobble

Mrs. Bethel

Week of November 3rd, 2014

Lions, Tigers, BEARS…Oh My!  No, we’re not putting on a theatrical performance of the Wizard of Oz (at least not this year).  First Graders were hard at work this week choosing animals for their Research Reports.  I’m lucky to work with two fantastic and very skilled Primary Teachers, who have managed to mold and teach 27 (yes, that’s a TWENTY SEVEN), first graders this year.  Just this Monday, kiddos were introduced to this assignment and they were literally chomping at the bit to get started!  First things first:  Find a book!  I pulled almost 100 titles from our non-fiction section in hopes that students would find something to help them either decide on which animal to learn more about OR give them a good head start on their research.  Most everyone walked out of the Library in the afternoon with a great informational text about an animal (or amphibian or mammal) J  Another piece of the learning over the next few weeks will be utilizing a website called Pebble Go! 

www.pebblego.com

What a cool way for young, emergent readers to learn more about non-fiction text features as well as informational text topics.  They’ve got everything from the Presidents, to holidays to animal facts.  One really super cool feature:  

THE SOUND button!  You can simply click on the volume and sound button next to the text and your reader can listen to the text while they read. 

 

November brings a new Virtue focus for us at school and it couldn’t fit better for what we celebrate this month:  SERVICE.  This week with all the classes, this Virtue was introduced and it’s exciting and encouraging to hear how students make connections to this in their own lives here at school and at home.  With the Third Graders, we read a tender and sweet Caldecott Award winner:  A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip Stead and Erin Stead.  Kiddos were able to infer all the ways Amos demonstrated the Virtue of Service and how his friends repaid him when he needed it the most.  I was thrilled to hear of all the exciting and new ways my students were attempting to show Service this week; either at home or here at school. 

Fourth Graders continued their work with note-taking and synthesizing new informational text.  This week was the third week in our Cornell Notes lesson and I’m so pleased with their diligent work and focus.  Taking their highlighted text (from last week), with their partners, they identified KEY words and wrote phrases and lists to assist in their note-taking.  The last exit activity proved to be the most challenging as students pulled together all their information and wrote a succinct and organized summary (3-5 sentences) of what they could glean from the text. 

Stay tuned for more exciting adventures in the LIBRARY!