Library Book Tree

Our library book tree got a new look this year. It has a dowel rod running down the middle to help support it.  I drilled a hole through the spine of each book and then threaded the dowel rod through them.  I also added battery operated wire lights---so much better than having to roll the book truck over the extension cord.  I'm not sure who enjoys the tree the most-- me, my students, the parents or the other staff!! 

Merry Christmas from the GCS Elementary Library!

It's Christmas Time in the Library--well almost!

Last week the Kindergartners lost their gingerbread man.  He was spotted all over the school.  He even ran through the library a time or two.  This week during Kindergarten library we will watch The Gingerbread Baby, read the Gingerbread Baby's Friends and watch a quick movie of Jan Brett making Gingerbread Cookies.  If you haven't visited her website I would encourage it.  My favorite part of the site are the videos she has made where she teaches the children how to draw or explains her books.  I think it is great for the students to "see" the author of a book.



First Grade is getting to listen to a new book--An Otis Christmas.  I'm excited about reading it to them.  I just love new books.

Second grade will get to listen to Otis also and play a game I found on TPT.  It is called I have, You have and reviews the Christmas Story.

Third Grade enjoyed the book Christmas Cookies--Bite-Size Holiday Lessons.  After listening they completed a crossword puzzle using the words introduced in the book.  Crossword Puzzle and Bookmark. My goal for this summer is to make something cute for this book and put it on TPT.

Fourth Grade isn't having library next week, so this week they will get to watch The Candy Maker's Christmas and eat candy canes.  This is a long standing Christmas tradition at Grace Community School.  I sure am glad that my K5 teachers are willing to share their wipes with me.  Clean hands (before books are checked out) is a must!!

Fifth Grade worked this week.  Last week they wrote one question using the atlas.  Their paper had to have their name, question, answer and page number of the answer--if you didn't include these you were automatically knocked out of the game.  Sadly to say many were knocked out at this step.  This week I asked the questions and the students used the atlas to answer the questions.  They had to give me the page number and the answer--and if they did I gave them "smarties".  If a question goes through all three classes without being knocked out--I will buy that student lunch.  I have only bought lunch 3 times in 14 years.  I can't wait to see if I have a winner next week.

Fifth grade has also participate in Projects by Jen'-- Christmas Card Exchange.   The students made mitten cards and we mailed them to 90 different places.  After Christmas, we will begin our year by finding the different schools we received cards from using Google Earth on the iPads.  This was a way to incorporate technology into our Atlas unit. 

Currently

Salvation Army, Biographies, iPads, Evaluations--OH MY

I love being a librarian.
I love getting to see first -fifth grade every week and kindergarten every other.
I'm also glad to help the teachers out when I can.  Last week I showed the OCC movies, and this week my classes have watch a video and learned how to sign up for Salvation Army bell ringing.  Of course I forgot to show it to my first 2 classes--but their teachers were flexible and I showed it to all 72 third graders at the same time!
Third grade began biographies this week.  We watch a power point by The Book Bug. I tweaked it to match my library call numbers.  This was the perfect introductions to biographies.

Click on The Book Bug for the link.

Second Grade read the book, The Plump and Perky Turkey.  Then they labeled the parts of the book as a group using an activity I purchased on TPT.  I cut apart the parts of the books, put them on a table, and called students to choose a card and then find the part in my book.  It was a great review of the parts of a book.

                                            

First Grade finished the Library Mouse series.  They are looking forward to seeing if the author Daniel Kirk writes any more adventures.
                                                               
Fifth grade used the iPads to play a game review the library.  It was purchased from TPT.  It was easy to make and the kids had a blast.  I used guided access to set the iPads on the i-nigma reader. This kept the students from playing at will with the iPads.  I was also observed during one of my three classes. My vice-principal was impressed with my integration of technology during library.  I had laminated the game parts--we discovered that if the overhead lights were on the glare was bad enough they cards couldn't be scanned.  We turned off the overhead and used the spotlights and it worked perfect.
                                                                   

Fourth Grade finished their unit on Non Fiction books by completing a Venn Diagram on the iPad.  I used the app Explain Everything, and an activity from TPT.  The students completed the Venn Diagram in pairs and then took a screen shot of their final work.  This allowed me to see what they had done.  I might also email their parents just to brag on their skills! 

I am really enjoying incorporating the iPads into my library skills time.  I have started a file of lessons I've used and lessons other Librarians have used that I read about on their blogs.  Hopefully I will upload them onto the iPad section of my blog soon.

Operation Christmas Child

This week I got to show the Operation Christmas Child video
to all the K5-5th grade classes.  Their exit ticket to check out books was to tell me one item they would put in their shoebox.  It was a great way to review what's appropriate and what's not.





The Fourth and Fifth Graders got to watch a special packing video.  It took them a minute to calm down but I'm thinking they will remember to pack a shoebox.



Each child left the library with a prayer bookmark to help them pray for the child who will receive their shoebox.

Currently

Explain Everything and More

I read a blog post by Matt Gomez.   It was how to use the app Explain Everything.

 After watching his video on it--my mind began to think about ways I could use it in the library.  But before I could use what I made for the library--The FIFTIETH day of school happened. Kindergarten teachers needed an activity, TPT had one, and Explain Everything was the quickest way I could make a game that all 4 teachers could easily access on their iPads.  Once you create the activity in Explain Everything, just save it in your Google drive and share it.

                                          

First Grade continued with the library mouse series. They also labeled a worksheet with the correct part of the book--TPT again.

                                                                 

Second grade also continued with the parts of books.  They also did a little cutting and gluing in the library. I found this on pinterest.

      

Fourth grade is working with Non Fiction books.  I used explain everything to complete this worksheet and then the kids paired up and completed a worksheet together.  They shared at the end of class.  I am going to start including the name of a blog when I save a free worksheet so that I can give the person credit.   

                                                          

Fifth Grade review the almanac using question cards that required them to use the index! I also signed the fifth grade up to do a Christmas Card Exchange.  They are going to make the cards in art, I'll mail them and then we will use our iPads and Google Earth to create a map to show where the cards they receive come from.   

"L" is for Library and more

Last week was "L" week in K4 and they journeyed up the hall to the library to visit  the librarian!  It was a quick field trip that required no transportation.  We had fun reading I Took My Frog to the Library.

K5 had fun falling into books.  We read Leaf Man, There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves and two new books--Going on a Leaf Hunt and Tap the Magic Tree.  We practiced sequencing using an activity from TPT.  

   

First grade also got to read Tap the Magic Tree and then we read the Library Mouse A Friend's Tale and  labeled parts of books.

Second Grade reviewed parts of books with the power point The Library Doors.  I love this power point because there is a place where I stop it, let the students check out books, then we go back to the power point and find the various parts of the books listed on the remaining to screens using their newly checked out books.  I also love using my iPad, Slide Shark, and Reflections to project the power point.

Third Grade did a crossword puzzle to review parts of the book.  Next week they will take an easy test to see if they learned all their parts.  We also discussed that there are more books in the library than Magic Treehouse and Geronimo Stilton.  I encouraged them to try a Cam Jansen, Horrible Harry, Ruthie's Gift, Encyclopedia Brown, AstroKid , or Boxcar Children to name a few. 

Fourth grade got a quick lesson on the school website and how to find the eBooks necessary for the project on colonial jobs.  I reminded them to use the search engine on the website.  Then showed them how to log in to read the eBooks. books with.  While we were looking at the books of course we looked at the parts of nonfiction books.  Click here for eBooks.

Fifth grade reviewed the differences of Historical Fiction and Non Fiction.  We then searched for the book needed to complete their wax museum project.  Wax Museum will be November 20th.  Each student will dress up as a character important to world history. They also need to bring a prop to illustrate what makes them important in shaping our history.  

Why Are Short Weeks Sooooo Long

Why are short weeks so long--- I'm really not sure but this week was only 3 days long but they were looooong days!!!

Monday and Tuesdays I was still in NYC. A little GMA and I'm ready to read library lion next week!!!

                     

Second grade finished their 3 Pigs unit with the i Pads.  We completed a Venn Diagram I learned about from Matt Gomez's Blog.    I used this free download from TPT for an idea also.  After we finished our Venn Diagram the students played a concentration game on this 3 Little Pig App.  They have never checked out books so quickly.  

First Grade worked with Fiction and Non Fiction books.  I gathered a bunch of books and we looked at what made them fiction or non fiction.  I have made a resource list in destiny that makes pulling books for this project easy!!

                                           

Fourth Grade began a unit on Non Fiction Books.  I used the big book--A Pet for Every Person.  I got it several years ago and it is a great book to introduce all the parts of a non fiction book.

Speaking of Destiny Resource Lists--I pull books each week for our K4 classes to go with the letter of the week.  I have made resource lists for each letter.  It makes pulling books for these classes very easy and I don't have to rethink what book goes with which letter or spend time looking for a book that is checked out.

Fire Safety and More

Kindergarten--Fire Safety Week.  We discussed fiction and non fiction books.  We read the non fiction book,  A Trip to the Fire Station.  Next week K5 is going to visit the fire station-- I asked them to let me know if their fire station had a fire pole like the fire station in the book. We then turned our attention to fiction books.  We  read Stop, Drop, and Roll.  We enjoyed practicing this all around the library.  We ended with Miss Mingo and the Fire Drill.  I love this book because it talks about alternate routes during a fire drill.

First Grade played a line up game practicing ABC order.  I  made flashcards with call numbers on them. They quickly went through the pile telling me which mailbox (shelf) the book would go on.  Then I passed out the cards and the students lined up in alphabetical order.  One student commented that Mrs. Green must sing the ABC song a lot.

Second Grade watched the movie of The Three Pigs.  They reviewed all of the different three pigs books and the exit ticket was to answer a fact or opinion (free from Teachers Pay Teachers) about The True Story of the Three Pigs. 

Third Grade is still working on the parts of books.  They completed a worksheet correctly labeling the parts of a  a title page.  After checking out books they had to fill in blank title page using one of the books they just checked out---then exited the room in copy write date order!!

Fourth grade/Fifth grade reviewed library terms playing What's the Word?  I think it came from Upstart--a long, long time ago.

Fall in the Library

I finished my dictionary pumpkin.  My students have searched for words they know on the pumpkin-- they were shocked to see the word pumpkin right by the bow.  Thanks to Mrs. Thomas, our art teacher for creating my beautiful bow! 

                       

Goodnight Rose City part 2

I finally got my pictures!!! Thanks to the Tyler Paper!!

Goodnight Rose City

Wish I had a picture to post of Laura Bush---but they wouldn't let me take her picture.
Hearing her speak and then read---Goodnight Rose City was very exciting. Thank you Shannon Glenney for including me.  I did take a picture of some of my Grace Community School  friends --including the artist, a GCS graduate, Lindsay Boone. 

Jay Ferguson (my headmaster), Lindsay Boone, Denise Rasco, AnnTerese Brandt,
 Me, and Jennifer Dozier (my Principal)

If you live in or near Tyler this is a precious book to read to your children.

Currently

I thought I would link up with Farley at Oh' Boy 4th Grade for her October Currently. This is my first time to participate and I am very excited! Here is what is going on in my world "Currently".

Here is your trick--my new favorite recipe--Biscoff Bars

An Interview with Newbery Medalist Patricia MacLachlan

Last week my third graders began a unit on Skylark in their classrooms for Foundation and Frameworks.  (They do Sarah Plain and Tall in the second grade.)

I have seen an interview with Patricia MacLachlan earlier this year on the Blog---Watch. Connect. Read. 

I saved the interview in my You Tube account and we watched it yesterday.  The third graders loved it.  (So did I!)  They loved learning why she wrote, seeing where she wrote and hearing the stories behind her books.  Thank you for sharing it with me.

PS--I got observed by a member of the Accreditation team visiting my school while we were watching the interview.  My observer loved  it too--and was impressed that I knew what was going on in third grade and could supplement their reading curriculum during  library.  

PSS--every book written by Patricia MacLachlan was checked out by the end of the day.

One of my Favorite Weeks and a New Blog

I feel like I have been ignoring my own blog as I have worked to get the GCS Everything Elementary Blog up and going.  It took a bit to understand the format of the blog through the school website--then to find pictures--then to figure out what to put where!!!  The best part has been the teachers' response.  They have eagerly sent me pics from their phones, and written a quick sentence for me to add to the pictures.    I hope to keep several blogs for Everything Elementary in the saved position so that I can publish 5 a week to let our parents see what we are doing.  Who knows--maybe one day I will send them to this blog to see what I'm doing here.

This has been one of my favorite weeks of school.

In K5 I told them the story of the red house.  Then we cut up apples to see if they really had a star.  We tried red, green, and honey crisp---and they all had stars.  Then of course we couldn't waste the apples so we had to eat them!!  We learned a little about Johnny Appleseed and then finished the class with the book Apples, Apples, Apples by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace.

First grade heard the story Library Mouse by Daniel Kirk.  We also practiced with  CE call numbers.  First graders are learning how to find and replace CE books.  You have to look at the three letters of the author's name--not the CE.  CE just tells you which library neighborhood a book lives in.  

Second grade began a Unit on Fractured Fairy Tales.  I told them the story of  The Three Pigs.  The real story that has been passed on from generation to generation.  Then I read them The Three Pigs by David Weisner and The True Story of the Three Pigs by Jon Scieszka.  We discussed the differences between all three stories and can't wait until next week when we fracture the story even more.

Third Grade saw a power point by Toni Buzzeo to review the parts of the books.  We also talked about the neighborhoods in our library.  I'm hoping they listened!!!  Check back for what we do next week.....I'm excited.  

Fourth Grade is finishing the movie Chocolate Fever.  We looked at other chocolate books in the library---like Chocolate Touch and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  

Fifth Grade worked on research---I know everyone else got to do something new and fun and the fifth grade had to work.  They looked up information on the mammal they had chosen to study in Computer.  The most important thing I wanted them to practice was where to find the author of their article.  I am proud to say that authors were found.  I reminded them that they can use the World Book Online anytime they parent tells them it is OK.

Week 3

Week 3 started with a holiday!!! So it was a good  week for reviewing library rules and procedures.

I was out for the week so my classes and substitute watched The Librarian from the Black Lagoon and then reviewed the differences in that library and our library. Here are our library rules we reviewed.

Where was Mrs. Green you ask?????? I was diving in Grand Cayman and found the perfect job.  Who knows maybe someday I will get to be the librarian of Library Beach.

Week 2

Week Two went fast and furious.  I got to see all my classes!!

 First grade got to check out TWO books.
We read Marion the librarian to learn how to take care of our books.  Mrs. Green sent home a special bookmark to help us remember to bring our books back.

Second Grade continued their state projects.  We also learned about World Book Online. 

Visit the GCS website HERE to find out more.

Third Grade finally got to come to the library.  They checked out two AR books and learned a little about the updated AR program.

Fourth Grade and Fifth Grade got their Grace Reader folders ready.  We went over all the Grace Readers that they might read this year and Mrs. Green told them a little about each one.  Visit the GCS website HERE to see the Grace Reader List.

I'm really loving the new GCS website.  You will notice I linked to it a couple of times so that you would begin to use it.

The First Week...

The first week is over..... I started the week with 5th grade.
We reviewed library procedures and looked at upgraded changes in Accelerated Reader.
Then second grade came and Mrs. Brandt's class got started with their state projects.
Mrs Tjoelker and Holmes will begin state projects next week.
First graders were excited to check out their first book-- next week they get to check out two and take one home!!!
My week ended with 4th grade---more library procedures and more changes in Accelerated Reader!
The second week of school will begin with third grade and kindergarten story time.
K5 teachers and Mrs. Thomas enjoyed using their new iPads and Apple TVs.
K5 has toured the school using The Kissing Hand QR Code Scavenger Hunt.
Mrs Thomas took pictures of individual students creations and showed them on her apple TV.
I'm finally getting the hang of the new GCS website--- make sure you check out the Elementary Academics and Parents-Elementary pages.

Summer Reading, Ipads, Knee Update

Barnes and Noble has a great summer reading program. It is a great way to earn a free book for reading what you want!!! Go to their website--www.barnesandnoble.com for all the information. 5th graders--don't forget to do your required summer reading. Ipads have been ordered for the library. We will have one ipad on each table for you to look up books on destiny, and take your AR tests. I'm so excited that we are getting to do this in the library. The ipads were leased with funds from our book fair!! Also---I am off crutches, out of my knee brace, and I even rode a bike at Watercolor last week!! Thank you for your prayers. Have a great summer-- Mrs. Green

Update

I was so ready to start my Christmas Break- I forgot to post...

Circulations: 1,790
Whole class visits: 53
Open checkout everyday
Assisted students/staff with material selection
Processed new materials
Weeded old materials
Attended faculty, committee, grade level, and professional learning group meetings
Maintained and updated lower campus websites, and blog.
Watched or read “The Candy Cane Christmas” 15 times
Consumed: 333 candy canes
Made: 61 pipe cleaner candy canes

Not bad for 3 weeks of school.

Upcoming: Paperless AR in January, MLK Celebration