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
