Buzzin’ about Library

2nd graders are beginning their postcard research of places to see in China.  Students will be using their nonfiction reading skills to browse through factual books and take “sticky”notes to be placed on a huge China map in the library.  Each class will have an opportunity to find that perfect place to visit!  Who knows…you might be a lucky recipient of these masterpieces!

I knew that my posts would just keep getting larger…so I have moved my lists to the tab at the top of the blog to keep up with my lists.  Check me out and hold me accountable!

I realized that I was short my numbers to be caught up for the 4th of January!  Yikes…this is going to be harder than I thought!

18. Luka’s Quilt by Georgia Guback-great story  about how a grandaughter and grandmother work out their differences on how they like things…Need to read this with my own mom!

19. Who Took the Farmer’s Hat? by Joan L. Nodset-good for beginning readers, controlled vocab

20.  Meet Mr and Mrs. Green by Keith Baker- cute alligator story that reminds of George and Martha…though don’t like the overeating story.

21. Jafta’s Mother by Hugh Lewin- Good for teaching writing..great descriptors of the mom

22. The Blizzard by Betty Ren Wright-Historical Fiction of an impromptu birthday party

23. How do Dinosaurs Go to School? by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague- good to help come up with classroom rules at the beginning of the school year.

24. Loose Tooth by Steven Kroll- signed by him.  Didn’t like that the brother was reward for stealing the tooth just because he was ignored for a day.

Now I am getting ahead!

25. Starring Lucille by Kathryn Lasky-cute birthday story

26. Show and Tell Bunnies by Kathryn Lasky- cute for baby spiders being born

27. All the Colors of the Earth by Sheila Hamanaka-good for a multicutlural unit..possibly 1st grade tie in at SAS

28. Arthur’s Tractor by Pippa Goodhart-cute fractured fairytale with good onimontapeia

29. Happy to be Nappy by Bell Hooks-the poem did not flow and was not easy to read…remembering it to be controversial about the curly hair calling it nappy

We are back from our Italian Vacation and are beginning the 2009 books in the year 2009!  Can we do it? It is a big challenge! I am not sure how I am ultimately going to posts the books that I am reading…but will begin here and cut and paste elsewhere as needed.  I will annotate some and maybe list how I think they can be used.

I need to read 6 a day to make it through!  Cheer me on!

1. Slugs by David Greenberg-gross but definitely a kids sense of humor..both of my children loved it…We have a family joke about slugs getting you!

2. Players in Pigtails by Shana Corey-Historical Fiction about women’s baseball league during WWII.

3. 123 Yippie by Lisa Jahn-Clough

4. The Tie Man’s Miracle by Steven Shnur-good Chanuakah tale

5. My Mama had a Dancing Heart by Libba Moore Gray-nice poem about mom

6.  The Eyes of Gray Wolf by Jonathan London-great winter book

7.  Why Cowboys Sleep With Their Boots On by Laurie Lazzaro Knowlton-children will like who is taking the clothes

8. Why Cowboys Need a Brand by Laurie Lazzaro Knowlton

9. The Night Eater by Ana Juan-strange book about how night and day change!

10. Marven of the Great North Woods by Kathryn Lasky- Historical Fiction

11. Why Cowboys Need A Pardner by Laurie Lazzaro Knowlton

12 King Bidgood’s in the Bathtub by Audrey Wood-little kids love the bathtub pictures

13. Annie Was Warned by Jarrett J. Krosoczka-Halloween Birthday

14. Jafta by Hugh Lewin-cute for prek/kind acting out animal movements

15. Dragon Feet by Marjorie Jackson-Chinese New Year, quick read.not that interesting

16. Mrs. Goodstory by Joy Cowley-Great for teaching Writing!

17. The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski-long story, but great

I am posting a blog from my friend, Colleen Williams.  http://j-kaye-book-blog.blogspot.com/2008/11/2009-100-reading-challenge.html  Read 100 books in 2009.    Whether it is 100 or 2009, reading is anytime in 2009..Corny I know! Post your challenge!

As the year draws to a close with the excitement of the holidays upon us, I begin reflecting upon this year of learning in my own life.  It has been a good year!  My last year’s resolution was to become more technologically literate during the year.  With 3 blogs and 3 wikis going, I think I can say that I know more than I did a year ago.  Now I am thinking about next year…What will be my focus?  So how about joining me in a year long reading challenge?  I propose to read 2009 books in the coming year.  Now as a children’s librarian that will certainly help me in my field, but maybe not yours!  My friend, Colleen Williams HS LIB, sent me a 100 book reading challenge, http://findyournextbookhere.blogspot.com/, to consider.  So now I challenge all the Pudong Elementary Staff… How many books will you read in 2009?  Think about it!

3rd, 4th, and 5th graders are applying their Big 6 skill knowledge to their standards and benchmarks. 3rd graders were introduced to Mrs. Boyer’s “Big Black Book” which has all the standard and benchmarks for the elementary. They saw what they had to know and have been applying their research skills to learning it. This Nutrition project has been in conjunction with Mr. Rommard using his blog, “www.techtalktoe.com” and library resources. We will be completing the research part of this unit in the next week or so. 3rd graders are awesome researchers!

4th graders have spent a great deal of time really applying each step of the Big 6 research process. They are researching Chinese inventions using a variety of resources such as books, encyclopedias, online databases, and websites. They have already had to deal with some of the big issues of evaluating information. A website was found that the title indicated correct information, but the site was really a commercial site selling products. These students are honing their discerning skills of what is real and what is savvy commercialism.

5th graders are researching tribes from around the world. One of their final products will be an annotated bibliography of information about these tribes which will be hosted on a wiki for others to use in their search for information. These students have also encountered some information issues that they have had to make some difficult decisions. If the author, editor, or sponsoring institution (the “who” is responsible for this information) can’t be found, can you really trust the information? Students are learning and enjoying being contributors of the information world.

These past weeks have been crazily busy, but with much fruit to be shown for the students’ efforts.

research-skill-chart-with-notessas-workin-progress.pdf

I read Flying Solo by Ralph Flectcher over the holidays and liked it very much. I will have to say that there were a couple of “too good to be true” happenings, but I like to believe that we are teaching students to take leadership and be responsible for their own learning. If a student is reading this and has read the book, I would like for you to answer this question. What would you do if you sub did not show up?

I have enjoyed my first China National Holiday. Though I shopped too much and worked too little. I hope to go back to school ready for the next big push.
I am looking forward to working with students and teachers on the research process. I hope that we will be able to incorporate those skills within the existing projects that are being completed. I also hope that I can really get to know students personally as they intereact with the library.
So much to do!