Next week, our library will be transformed into a "Beach Party Read-In" for all of the kids at our school. I decorate with blow-up palm trees, beach umbrellas, grass skirt trim around the check out counter,etc., and, of course, Beach Boy music.
The students are asked to bring in the following:
We lie on the floor and enjoy the music and literature with each other. It's a great way to celebrate reading and close up the library for the school year.
Our library has been awarded a grant from the Snohomish Education Foundation which enabled us to purchase 2 Califone Performer Plus Listening Centers for the library (1 for library use, 1 for teacher/classroom checkout). Students love to be able to sit and simply listen to stories when they come into the library.
We have found that this is an excellent technological resource that can assist and supplement literacy needs for students with visual impairments, students who are auditory learners, or students with learning disabilities that inhibit their ability to read at grade level and enjoy literature.
According to Dr. Susan B. Neuman of the Center for the Improvement of Early Reading achievement, "Audio books also give [students] an important introduction to listening-- a skill that she must master in order to learn to read" (Neuman, 2008). She goes on to state, "The more they listen, the greater the likelihood that they will learn new vocabulary words" (Neuman, 2008). Listening centers can also create excitement for literature that might otherwise be lost if a reading-challenged student is spending too much time trying to sound out difficult words.
This week in the library, I am introducing a new student-created program entitled "Spring Into Writing." Through this program, students can write and illustrate their own stories to be viewed in the library. Students can write at home or in the class... the final product is brought to the library after teachers have edited their drafts. The students seem to be really exicted about sharing their creations. I have also given them some ideas as to how to go about binding their stories (rubberband books, star books, etc... just go on the Internet and explore your options). Here are a few links that you may find helpful:
It's Scholastic Book Fair time again. The kids love the book fair. The library is magically transformed into a store where they can purchase books. A portion of the proceeds go to the library in the form of books (50 %) or cash (25%). This is a great way to supplement the library budget, especially in these financially trying times. Past book fair profit has been used to purchase the following items in our library over the past few years:Check out the Scholastic Web site at: www.scholastic.com
Tumble Books is an online data base for elementary schools or public libraries where your students can play educational games, learn a language, read an "e-book" or have a "e-book" read to them, and much more. Your kids will need a password to enter the site or, as I did, just enter the site via your public library system. Explore and enjoy!
Any of these sound familiar?
All of the above criteria must be met to insure proper copyright use. If we are to teach our children the rights and wrongs of copyright, it is important that we model these issues correctly in all aspects of teaching.1. A teacher or instructor is present.
2. The showing takes place in a classroom setting with only the enrolled students attending.
3. The movie is used as an essential part of the core, current curriculum being taught. (The instructor should be able to show how the use of the motion picture contributes to the overall course study and syllabus.)
4. The movie being used is a legitimate copy, not taped from a legitimate copy or taped from TV.
The 2009 Newbery Medal winner was announced today... The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. Along with this first place winner for outstanding children's literature were four honor books: 
In our library, I use a management system called "Quest for the Perfect 10." At the beginning of the school year, I discuss all 10 points on the form with every 3-6 grade class (grades k-2 use another format). From the moment classes walk into the library, they are "graded" on their behavior using this form. At the end of each library time, I quickly review what score they received and why. I then mark the score on the seating chart where I can view each week's perfomance. At the end of that specific library time, the Quest for the Perfect 10 slip is given to the teacher. When four 10s are received, the class then earns a "game time." Students play board games at this time, check out books, or both. At the end of the year, the class receiving the most total points (I do this for primary and intermediate) receives a free recess. This is a great way to keep track of each class's behavior.
About 3 years ago, I purchased a SmartBoard with my library book fair funds (the board and sturdy stand came to just under $2,000). What a great investment! I really enjoy the creative, interactive lessons I am able to use with my board, and the kids love it. It takes a small amount of time to produce your interactive white board lessons, but once that is done, you are up and running with great, interactive lessons. I am in the process of learning more about SmartBoard's Senteo Student Response System as I just acquired a set of these for the library also. If you click on the title of this blog posting, you will be sent to SmartBoard's web site where I learned a lot about this great piece of technology through their 2-minute Tutorials. Check it out if you are new to interactive, white boards as these tutorials are very informative. The best way to learn more about your SmartBoard is to just "play" with it and explore. I am learning new things every week! Also, when you purchase a board, your students are able to download the SmartBoard software for free which enables them to create great, interactive lessons & reports that can then be brought back to school for assignments. 
Kids love to help and be a part of the library. They enjoy taking responsibility. One way I reinforce this is to "hire" approximately 10 Library Helpers two times each school year. The first set of Library Helpers works October - January. The second group works February - May. Applications are set out for those who are interested in the positions upon which only 10 will be chosen. Forms must be signed by each applicant's parent and teacher before being turned into the library for consideration. After applicants are chosen, I meet with the group to review worker expectations and work schedules. Library Helpers do not miss any class time to perform their duties. These duties take place during 2-3 scheduled recess times each week. These jobs help the kids feel special as they return library passes to classrooms, check out books to library patrons, clean tables, organize shelves, and have free access to the library via a special library helper pass with attached ornamentation of some kind. Daily payment for performing their jobs is a small sucker. At the end of each bi-yearly session, a library party is held to celebrate all of the worker's efforts. The party usually consists of a free poster for each worker (collected from the previous book fair), book marks, root beer floats, a small bag of candy, and a literature-based movie. 
Today marks the inauguration day for the 44th president of our United States, and with this historical experience comes many teaching moments for our children. I chose to share So You Want to Be President, the 2001 Caldecott Medal Book awarded for best children's literature, with my kids this week. This book, for ages 8-12 years of age, has an interesting approach to lots of fun and interesting presidential facts from the past. There is also an appendix with dates and significant contributions from each of our, as of 2001, 41 presidents. It's a great book to reinforce the idea that anyone can grow up to be president.
If you click on the title of today's blog, you will be sent to a wonderful web site created by photojournalist Peter Menzel and former television producer Faith D'Aluisio. The books pictured above, Hungry Planet and Material World, are extraordinary books that reveal the world around us through vivid photography. These are both books that I highly recommend for your library as they use photography to tell the story how others in our world live. You can also purchase posters that go with the books and view power points that will enhance any social studies curriculum. I've posted a few reviews below: "The world's kitchens open to Peter Menzel and Faith D'Aluisio... As always with this couple's terse, lively travelogues, politics and the world economy are never far from view." -New York Times"While the photos are extraordinary- fine enough for stand-alone volume- it's the questions these photos ask that make this so gripping." -Publisher's Weekly
This week in the library, we are celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I am sharing the award winning book "Martin's Big Words" with the primary students. Grades 4 & 5 are viewing a video entitled "Martin Luther King, Jr. Day." The older students are listening to part of his "I have a dream" speech and reading part of a letter he wrote while being held in a Birmingham jail entitled "Why We Can't Wait." Prior to reading the letter, I discuss some of the more difficult words in the letter and their meaning via the Smart Board.
