News from the library -- December 8, 2008

You might have noticed that there were cookie crumbs in the library! This week Preschool went on a hunt for GINGERBREAD BABY. To culminate a week of gingerbread activites, preschoolers read the new sequel GINGERBREAD FRIENDS by: Jan Brett during library storytime.

In preparation for classroom mural making, they also watched Jan Brett's video on "How to Draw a Gingerbread". Please ask your child about this http://www.janbrett.com/, and enjoy Jan Brett's website together!

Intermediate and Upper Classes: This week students learned how to access Iowa AEA Online. This site requires a username and log-in that can be found on the AEA Online brochure that was sent home in Monday Folders. Please ask your child all about ClipArt and WorldBook Online. Enjoy viewing these great resources together at http://www.iowaaeaonline.org/.

News from the library--December 1, 2008

Intermediate classes worked with a partner this week to complete a TREASURE HUNT map. This was a run-around activity that took students on a hunt for library locations of fiction and nonfiction books, reference materials, and computer questions. To culminate the activity, we watched the E-BOOK of Pirates Don't Change Diapers by: Melinda Long.

E-BOOKS can be accessed by going to the Iowa City Public Library website http://www.icpl.org/. Students practiced doing this, so please ask them how to get on to Tumblebooks. Just follow the directions below:

• http://www.icpl.org/



• Click on KIDS button



• Click on READING button



• Click on Tumblebooks.com



• Click on the red STORY BOOKS button



• Choose a book title to listen to from the A-Z list



• Listen and enjoy!

News from the library--November 23, 2008

In preparation for the upcoming holiday, Preschool and Primary grades had so much fun listening to the book One Is a Feast For Mouse: A Thanksgiving Tale by: Judy Cox. The mouse in the story sets off to find just ONE pea for his feast, but as we soon find out, he finds a lot of food that looks delicious. This pile-on story allows readers to look for the new item added to each page. After reading, everyone pretended that they were Mouse. If you were a mouse, what would you take off the Thanksgiving Table? LESSON: Give thanks for the little things!

News from the library--November 17, 2008

This week all Intermediate and Upper students looked at the Iowa Children's Choice Award website www.iasl-ia.org/icca.php and discussed the purpose of the award, the selection criteria for choosing the books on the ICCA list, and the voting regulations. In the spring, students who have read at least 2 books on the list, will have the option to vote for their favorite.

Students worked in partners as they did AUTHOR and TITLE searches using the online catalog. This was good exposure in getting familiar with the books on the ICCA list. Please be on the look out for Iowa Children's Choice Award books that your child checks out. A bookmark will be sent home for each student to keep track of what they have read.

News from the library--November 10,2008

1st and 2nd grade students have been comparing many of the books written by author: Doreen Cronin during literature. In preparation for Election Day, students "voted" for their favorite book. It was unanimous that the newest book titled DUCK FOR PRESIDENT was the winner. This story looks at the election process in a not so serious way and raised the question, "Could Duck ever be president of the United States?" Everyone agreed that the funniest part of the book was when Duck tricked Farmer Brown and turned his Statue of Liberty corn maze into a Statue of Liberty DUCK maze! After reading, students worked in partners on a fun crossword puzzle that tested their comprehension of the story.

News from the Library--November 3, 2008

Visiting Author, Barbara O'Connor is shown here autographing books! 5th/6th grade had the wonderful opportunity to hear her in person on Wednesday, October 29, 2008. She autographed books, took pictures, and shared a powerpoint presentation. She told us in order to be a better writer, you must do three things...READ, READ, READ!!! She also shared her favorite writing technique with us called "Show, Don't Tell". Don't TELL the reader what you want them to know, SHOW them what you want them to know. Upper students will be practicing this technique in Writer's Workshop.

Upper grades worked really hard the past several weeks in preparation for Ms. O'Connor's visit. In addition to reading some of her books, we watched a book trailer about her latest book Greetings from Nowhere. We also worked in partners to answer questions that could be found on her website.