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. 

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