1.6 Billion Reasons to keep Libraries

What did we learn this rotation?

All huskies were engaged in learning in the library this past rotation.

Fifth graders revisited their notes taken during the Lewis and Clark DVD. We brainstormed who was instrumental in making the expedition successful. After brainstorming we chose five topics or individuals to include on our Lotus Diagram. We took our notes to the computer, downloaded a Lotus Diagram to a word document and begin to fill in important events and information. Since we have just begun, this will be a work in progress for a while. Lotus Diagram was found on this site.http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.cfegreenville.org/myimages/lotus_expanded.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.cfegreenville.org/quality-tool-templates.php&usg=__Ck4JNeebwq2eUTwmgzYzf8s6RMY=&h=545&w=783&sz=54&hl=en&start=31&sig2=Ndnt0P6c6Dl_cJde2saS4A&zoom=1&tbnid=wE0pKEMi0Ad7QM:&tbnh=100&tbnw=143&ei=22jjTsWhMM7LtgeckpX3BA&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dlotus%2Bdiagram%26start%3D21%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26gbv%3D2%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1

Fourth graders were introduced to primary/secondary sources. I chose Polar, the Titanic Bear as the focus story. http://www.polarthetitanicbear.com/aboutpage.html
and http://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/titanic-biography/margaretta-corning-spedden.html What a facinating story! We will visit the online encyclopedia to view the photographs and information given at the time when Daisy Spedden boarded the Titanic.

Third graders were introduced to Helen Keller, who became blind and deaf at the age of 18 months old. We discussed how people can overcome certain obstacles in life. Some obstacles are much bigger than others. After winter break we will visit this Web site:http://www.afb.org/braillebug/hkmuseum.asp

Second graders learned about Bill Peet, author and illustrator of more than 30 books for children which have been praised by parents, teachers, librarians, and children because they make reading fun and teach positive values. During his 27 year career making animated films, Bill Peet became Walt Disney's greatest storyman. (http://www.billpeet.net/)
We read Big Bad Bruce and the message we took from this story is to treat others the way you want to be treated. Next week we will be reading The Whingdingdilly. Some classes have listened to this story and have made connections to Big Bad Bruce. However, the message they have learned is to be happy with who you are.

First graders were introduced to Tomie dePaola. We learned a little about his life and his passion for drawing. He has written both fiction and non fiction for children. His most famous book, a folktale, is about Strega Nona. However, I read aloud Bill and Pete this week about a crocodile who is beginning school and his best friend is his toothbrush, Pete....ask your child about this:-) http://www.tomie.com/about_tomie/index.html

Kindergarteners were introduced to folk tales and how they were handed down from generation to generation. We began with Verna Aardema's, Borreguita and Coyote. What a smart little lamb! We learned where the folk tales are located in the library (398.2) and sang a song to help us remember the call number on the spine label. http://readinglady.com/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=24 and http://www.schoollibrarymonthly.com/columns/authorauthor/index.html

(To the tune of "The farmer in the dell")

I have a book for you,
I have a book for you,
If you want a folk tale,
Choose 398.2.

If time permitted we played a game of telephone to show how words/stories change by telling them over and over.

Happy reading and Happy Holiday preparation!

Mrs. Wetherell

Books to be thankful for....(Thanksgiving Themed Books)

The Pilgrim's First Thanksgiving by Ann McGovern

Thanksgiving Is For Giving Thanks by Margaret Sutherland

On The Mayflower by Kate Waters

Pilgrim Children Had Many Chores by Gina Lems Tardif

Did You Know? by Sandi Hill

Sarah Morton's Day by Kate Waters

Samuel Eaton's Day by Kate Waters

Tapenum's Day: A Wampanoag Indian Boy in Pilgrim Times by Kate Waters

Feeling Thankful by Shelley Rotner

Story of the First Thanksgiving by Elaine Raphael

One Little Two Little, Three Little Pilgrims by B.G. Hennessy

Three Young Pilgrims by Cheryl Harness

Alligator Arrived With Apples : A Potluck Alphabet Feast by Crescent Dragonwagon

Story of Thanksgiving by Nancy Skarmeas

Thanksgiving by Alana Willoughby

The First Thanksgiving Day: A Counting Story by Laura Melmed First Thanksgiving by Linda Hayward

Thanksgiving Is… by Louise Borden

First Thanksgiving by Garnet Jackson

If You Sailed on the Mayflower by Ann McGovern

Off to Plymouth Rock by Dandi Daley MacKall

Story of the Pilgrims by Katharine Ross

Thanksgiving Day by Gail Gibbons

Giving Thanks: The 1621 Harvest Feast by Kate Waters

Daily Life in the Pilgrim Colony 1636 by Paul Erickson

Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving by Eric Metaxas

The Wampanoags by Alice Flanagan

Corn is Maize by Aliki

I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie by Judith Schachner

Eating the Plates: A Pilgrim Book of Food and Manners by Lucille Recht Penner

Homes in the Wildreness: A Pilgrim's Journal of Plymouth Plantation in 1620 by William Bradford (edited by Margaret Wise Brown)

Gobble: The Complete Book of Thanksgiving Words by Lynda Graham Barber

Turkeys, Pilgrims, and Indian Corn: The Story of the Thanksgiving Symbols by Edna Barth

Colonial Kids: An Activity Guide to Life in the New World by Laurie Carlson

Are you striving to do your best?

"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift." Steve Prefontaine

What is your best? Where are you giving less than your best? Is there anywhere in your life are you sacrificing your gift?

Steve Roland Prefontaine, nicknamed Pre, (January 25, 1951 – May 30, 1975) was an American long distance runner. Prefontaine is considered to be among the greatest and most inspirational runners of the modern era by many of his fans, both during his lifetime and to this day.

Prefontaine helped inspire a running boom in the 1970s along with contemporaries Frank Shorter and Bill Rodgers. Born and raised in Coos Bay, Oregon, Prefontaine was primarily a long distance runner who once held the American record in the five distance track events from the 2000 meters to the 10,000 meters. Prefontaine had one leg longer than the other (a common condition that does not affect running speed), and due to this he was told to give up on his dream of being the fastest runner on earth. He is known for his extremely aggressive “front-running” racing style and for always believing in giving a full effort. Prefontaine died at the age of 24 in a car accident.

(Source: http://www.nscblog.com/personal-growth/234/)

In some U.S. schools, librarians are no longer saying, ‘Shh!’

In some U.S. schools, librarians are no longer saying, ‘Shh!’

Happy Thanksgiving!

Poem of Thanksgiving (adapted)

I am thankful
For the teenager
Who is complaining about doing dishes
Because it means she is at home,
Not on the streets.

For the taxes I pay
Because it means
I am employed.

For the mess to clean after a party
Because it means I have
Been surrounded by friends

For the clothes that fit a little too snug
Because it means I have enough to eat.

For my shadow that watches me work
Because it means
I am out in the sunshine.

For a lawn that needs mowing,
Windows that need cleaning,
And gutters that need fixing
Because it means I have a home.

For all the complaining I hear about the government
Because it means
We have freedom of speech.

For the parking spot
I find at the far end of the parking lot
Because it means I am capable of walking,
And I have been blessed with transportation.

For my huge heating bill
Because it means I am warm.

For the lady behind me in church
Who sings off key
Because it means I can hear.

For the pile of laundry and ironing
Because it means
I have clothes to wear.

For weariness and aching muscles
At the end of the day
Because it means
I am capable of working.

For the alarm that goes off
In the early morning hours
Because it means I am alive.

And finally, for too much e-mail
Because it means
I have friend who is thinking of me.

Poem Kindly sent by Annick Morris

Family Buccaneer Night at the Book Fair

Avast mateys! Many pirates were on deck at last night's book fair. It was a huge success and I wish to thank all those involved. If you were not able to attend, or if you had to leave because the lines were sooooo long, you can purchase through next Wednesday (November 23) from 9:30 - 3:30. We are not open before school because our registers are cleared each afternoon and we cannot open until our registers have money and keys.

On a happier, more efficient note, we are already planning for next year's book fair and how to serve you better. Any suggestions are welcome. For a hint into next year's theme, you'll just have to wait my lords and my ladies....:)

Thanks again,

Captain Wetherell