My friend, Buddy, from CyberSpace introduces Highcroft's Media Center

Welcome Back Husky Families!

Highcroft’s 17,000 volume library serves as a resource for great books and an entry point to information from around the world. Our huskies are engaged in learning - whether researching on one of our 32 media computers, curled up with a favorite book, listening to a read aloud, or locating materials for classroom projects.
In addition to being a vital classroom resource, the library is a place where students explore subjects that interest them beyond curricular expectations. The collection is a learning collection; the nonfiction materials are up-to-date, relevant, and developed with a constant eye to current curriculum.

Above all, the library nurtures curiosity and imagination through quality fiction and nonfiction, integrating technology, and by emphasizing a life-long love of reading.

Happy Reading,

Mrs. Wetherell

New site I just learned about...

The site is titled, http://www.inspiremykids.com/ In fifth grade specials we discussed Ben Carson's life and I wanted a follow up. I couldn't have asked for anything better than this video I just discovered about what inspired him to become a neurosurgeon.

Mrs. Wetherell

So much going on....

We have been very busy ending the school year. Jim Arnosky has come and gone, but his books and songs will forever be in the minds of those students and teachers who had the opportunity to experience his presentation on May 23. I am so happy we were able to have such an accomplished author, illustrator, musician, wildlife watcher and just all around great person come and visit our school.

Highcroft will also convert to a single track, year round school this coming year. All huskies will run on track 4. I have to say I am very pleased with this decision. I can actually track out like other teachers and students and enjoy time with my family. All work and no play makes one grumpy.

The library blog will continue next school year. But most importantly, the library will continue to focus on helping students find good fit books and experience read alouds which supports the curriculum.

Enjoy your next few weeks. See you on July 28 during Meet the Teacher time. Remember August 1 is the first day of school for grades 1-5. (Kindergarten is staggered throughout the week.)

Happy Reading,

Mrs. Wetherell

Week of April 11, 2011

It's School Library Month and National Poetry Month. We had lots going on in the library this week. Every day we had a library trivia question to begin our day. The questions were asked during morning announcements. The first five classrooms that answered the library trivia question of the day correctly were rewarded with a shout out and a Library Trivia Award placed on their classroom door for bragging rights (just for the week). Because of the multi tracks, field trips, etc., several classes were completing different lessons. Track one viewed the Jim Arnosky DVD about the differences between the American crocodile and the American alligator complete with a drawing lesson from Jim (see earlier post). Track three fifth grade explored poetry online with experiencing different poetry makers. We also explored several types of poetry (Haiku, Cinquain, and Concrete or shape poems as some people call them). Track three, third grade worked on building their bibliographies for their Famous Person research paper. Track one, third grade learned about plagiarism and copyright violation through listing to the book titled, When Marion Copied, by Brook Berg. We discussed how to summarize and what is known as common knowledge.

Thursday was "poem in my pocket" day where everyone had to have a poem available ready to read to anyone who asked. Several students checked out poetry books and utilized morning circulation to check out books as well as find and copy a favorite poem. I had a kindergarten class surprise me with a reading of their poem they had selected for the day. It put a smile on my face. Another fun filled week at school!

Happy reading,

Mrs. Wetherell

Week of April 4, 2011

Track Four tracked out and Track One returned so many of our lessons are repeats. Several classes begin their library visits with the Manatee text set (see below). Third Grade students either continued to work on their Famous Person Biography Research Paper or just began with a cooking lesson. We created Bio Stew (by Judy Freeman). All ingredients were necessary to construct the perfect recipe for writing a biography....mmmmmm goooood!

Track three K-2 classes viewed a Reading Rainbow DVD titled, Ocean Life. This was a follow up to the manatee lesson from the week before. We listened to the book, Sam the sea cow, by Francine Jacobs. This is a true story about a manatee who was very curious which got him into trouble. We also learned about the environment where the manatees live. Many creatures were introduced to the students. Several students made connections to their experiences at the beach.

Happy reading,

Mrs. Wetherell

Week of March 28, 2011

This week the classes explored text sets beginning with Jim Arnosky's book titled, Slow down for manatees. This book was inspired by true events. Did you know the most common danger manatees encounter are the sharp blades of boat propellers? This book relates the story of a manatee who was injured by being hit by a boat. Fishermen who spotted the manatee contacted the nearby aquarium to help the injured manatee. After being rescued, divers who examined the manatee discovered a wonderful surprise. She was carrying a calf. And so it was that this gorgeous, huge, once free manatee gave birth to her little one in a small tank. After healing, mother and calf were released back into the wild. Luckily, there are many people dedicated to rescuing injured manatees and who also respect their natural habitat. Signs were placed everywhere in shallow waters to warn boaters to SLOW DOWN for Manatees.

After listening to this wonderful story, we learned some amazing facts about manatees from a nonfiction book titled, Manatees. Some of the facts we learned were: they are vegetarians, they can grow to be about 10 feet long, they are mammals, they eat mangrove leaves, baby manatees stay with their mother for about 2 years, male manatees are called bulls, females are called cows, and baby manatees are called calves. Manatees can communicate by squealing and chirping. The elephant is their closest relative and the manatees are an endangered species. Only about 1400 manatees are alive in southern Florida.

Many people vacation in Florida including several families from our school. Don't forget when visiting and possibly boating in Florida to slow down for manatees.

Happy reading,

Mrs. Wetherell