News from the library -- March 9, 2009

UPPER 5th/6th grade students have been studying Immigration. Since Mann has many international students, it has been fun sharing country flags with classmates. Students used the computer lab, atlases, and encyclopedias to search for their flag. They then made a replica of the flag to put up on the bulletin board outside of their classroom next to the library.

News from the library -- March 2, 2009

In celebration of Read Across America and Dr. Seusss's birthday, we are having an all-school READ-IN on Monday, March, 2nd. At 12:35 everyone, students and staff, will read for 15 minutes. Parents, please be on the look out for a Dr. Seuss packet that is coming home with a letter from Governor Culver, a certificate of participation, and a bibliography of books and websites that you can enjoy with your child.

KINDERGARTEN got a close-up look of the art of POP-UP books when we read Horton Hears a Who! Everyone loved learning how pop-up books have tabs, wheels, and flaps to create a really fun reading experience.

1st/2nd GRADERS read Happy Birthday to You! This book was first published in 1959 making it the 50th Anniversary of the book. The students had fun calculating that 1959 + 50 = 2009! WOW! The book's theme celebrates being you with repeating lines of "I AM I!".

News from the library -- February 23, 2009

5th/6th Grade ELP students are using a FUTURES PATHFINDER to assist them in their quest for information about Robotics. Literature integration is an important part of ELP, so the students are reading the novel: The Invention of Hugo Cabret. In collaboration with the ELP teacher, students are coming to the library to use KIDSPIRATION for making graphic organizers of a fictitious community they have invented. The students are also using the search engine NetTrekker to find information.

News from the library -- February 16, 2009

2nd GRADERS went on a story-telling adventure when we read Louise, The Adventures of a Chicken by: Kate DiCamillo. Ms. DiCamillo is well known for her others books: Because of Winn Dixie, The Miraclulous Journey of Edward Tulane, and The Tale of Despereaux.

In Louise, The Adventures of a Chicken, Lousie longs for adventure... true adventure! The book is divided into three chapters: Louise At Sea, Louise Up High, and Louise Unbound. Can you guess where Louise's adventures will take her? The students had fun predicting the settings of each chapter. If you enjoy storytelling or just plain long for an adventure...this is definately a book for you!

News from the library -- February 9, 2009

INTERMEDIATE classes are knee-deep in NIGHT CREATURE RESEARCH. The students pick a night creature that they will research and start recording data in their classrooms using nonfiction books. Then they come to the library for encyclopedia research. This year students are using print resources along with online resources. They learn how to "chunk" information and record it on a Source List. Please take time to ask your child what different kinds of resources they used when getting to know more about their night creature. Better yet, have them show you how to access Work Book Online through http://www.iowaaeaonline.org/ .

PRINT: Student Discovery Encyclopedia and World Book
ONLINE: World Book Kids and World Book Students

News from the library -- February 2, 2009

PENGUINS PENGUINS ......... read all about them!!!!

PRESCHOOL has been having fun reading fantasy stories about penguins. First, we read the story What's a Penguin to Think When He Turns Pink! by: Lynne Rickards. In this story, the students had a lot of opportunity to discuss what it meant to be "different", how someone feels when they are being teased and how to accept people for who they are.

The second story we read was Turtle's Penguin Day by: Valeri Gorbachev. After reading a story with his father about penguins, Turtle dreams about being a PENGUIN! He dresses up like a penguin and goes off to school. Instead of being teased for looking different, all of his friends think it's cool and want to be penguins just like Little Turtle. Students had fun doing their penguin walk as they checked out books.

Valeri Gorbachev is a beautiful illustrator. So we also looked at some of the other books he has written and illustrated. If you get a chance...look for books by Valeri Gorbachev at the local library!