Coming Soon! Scholastic Book Fair!

There are few things my students and I can completely relate to, except our mutual love of books.  Such an expansive difference in our ages....me being old....them being young.  But I can completely remember the joy and excitement of a Scholastic Book Fair circa 1977.  And apparently not much as changed.

Want to watch your students get excited about books?  Have a Scholastic Book Fair!!  Next week, our elementary students will have the opportunity to peruse lots and lots of wonderful books in hopes of finding just the right ones to purchase for their reading adventures to begin!  I prepared them for the book fair last week during their library time.  With each class, I felt like a Scholastic rep endorsing this book and that book.  Their enthusiasm and anticipation was contagious! 

What are they most excited about?  The Ugly Truth- Book #5 in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.  The book does not come out until November, but we are offering a pre-sale for our students.  I am so curious to see how many copies we sell....because I LOVE MY JOB!! 

Teaching Netiquette

It's a given.  Everybody knows your first year of teaching a new subject is bound to be filled with peaks and valleys, sprinkled with experimentation here and there.  One aspect of my job that is particularly challenging for me is a new addition to our elementary library objectives this year.  We are incorporating computer skills and technology with our 5th and 6th graders during their library time.  While I love my mac, I don't feel like I am a computer expert.  So, I am stretching myself here.  That's a good thing. 

Who knew learning internet vocab could be so much fun? 

This week, I created an internet game that did not require using the computer.  Strange some might say.  But I actually thought students might learn and have more educational fun together if we went this route instead.  Here's how it worked:

Hmmm....should we match this one?

I found some internet vocabulary words that pertained to safety on the internet.  I printed them off on cardstock and had students partner together to match the vocabulary words with their definitions.  It produced some valuable conversations as we walked through the meaning of each of the words I gave them.  

These guys worked to match 100% correct

You don't always know what will work.  There will be moments of tweaking and changing.  That's perfectly alright....because I LOVE MY JOB!

THE KING'S CHRISTMAS LIST by Eldon Johnson

When I was growing up, we would always read the same book on Christmas Eve as a family Christmas tradition.  It wasn't the kind of book where you would laugh at the pictures and the storyline.  It was a serious book- one with meaning, message, and purpose.  You would never be tempted to pick it up again throughout the year...even just to look at the pictures.  You were completely content with the fact that it was packed away with the Christmas ornaments, waiting to be read again the next year.  Yet, it was part of your Christmas Eve traditions and you wouldn't feel right without it being present.  Some books are simply part of traditions only.  The King's Christmas List by Eldon Johnson is that kind of book. 

While reading, I could imagine a little girl identifying closely with the main character, Emma.  While the message was right on, I think younger elementary students would find it hard to stay engaged with the book due to heavy text.  The illustrations are not ultimately kid-friendly.  In other words, I don't think kids will be drawn to the pictures.  However, the main message of giving is communicated well and cannot be overstated.  With this season of "Gimmee, Gimmee, Gimmee,"  I think Johnson explains nicely why this attitude is not God's best for our lives.  It is possible that adults might get more out of this book than a child would. 

CHALK by Bill Thomson

Today, I shared Chalk by Bill Thomson with our kindergartners.  I cannot say I read it, because it is completely a picture book without words.  But, oh!  How they were gripped by this story without words!  I loved watching their reactions with each page that I turned.  They were so into it....their expressions frozen with wonder.  

And the sun came to life!

The premise of Chalk is this: 3 friends walk to a park and find a gift bag attached to the mouth of a dinosaur on a spring.  Looking in the bag, they find sidewalk chalk.  Every thing they draw with the chalk comes to life.  Obviously, the pictures completely make the book....very detailed and amazingly illustrated. 

Love this one!

I only have 30 minutes with my kindergartners.  Time is precious.  But I wanted to allow them the opportunity to create their own masterpieces on the sidewalk.  I hoped their imaginations would carry them as they recalled the pictures in the book.  They were so enthusiastic about this activity.  The only problem....not enough chalk in the colors they wanted.  "Mrs. Hesterman...I want green.  I want yellow.  I want pink."  Sorry, kiddies.  You get what you get.  :)

Not sure I would want this centipede to come to life!

As students lined up to make their chalk creations, I got a "verbal" hug from a sweet kindergartner.  She looked up at me with her cute little baby teeth smile and said, "Mrs. Hesterman, you are so fun!  I wish you were my mom."  I LOVE MY JOB!

The last of Dahl

Lunch room display

To help create "hype" for Roald Dahl outside of the library and to maximize the opportunity for students to learn more about the author, I created a few wall displays in the hallway and in the lunch room.  In all honesty, I was surprised that there were some students who never noticed it in the lunch room.  Sometimes the presence of food just overtakes all other senses. :)  But I think I will still use the space again...especially when I do something school wide.  I am brainstorming what my next venture will be regarding school wide literacy.  At this point, I am stumped...but I just may have an idea brewing. 

Teacher Picks

Alice the Fairy by David Shannon

This summer, I sent an email out to our teachers asking them to choose three of their favorite Children's books for a display I was putting together in the library.  Narrowing their lists to just 3 was a torturous task and a lot to ask, but I didn't have much display room.  As their lists collected in my inbox, I smiled at their book selections...some familiar, some not.  Their personalities were reflected in their favorites and it has been fun to watch students enjoying the display as it changes from teacher to teacher.

How taken they are by this book!

One of our wonderful first grade teachers was showcased in my first display in the library.  Today, I shared her favorite Alice the Fairy by David Shannon with her sweet students.  Each student had their own copy of the book.  (I am so blessed to live with an absolutely amazing public library system.  I can reserve up to 50 books as an educator, so it was very easy to gather enough copies for all students.)  Having this book tangibly in their hands carried the lesson to places I wasn't able to predict initially.  We were able to go over all the "body" parts of the book...even so far as discussing the publisher and the copyright date.  I was so impressed with our students!  They did such a fantastic job.  Watching them enjoy the book in unison was a delight. 

Following the words with their fingers

This lesson was so valuable, I will be sure to do it again.  Thinking of which book I would like to do next and with what grade.  In closing, I'll share this cute story:  Today, when asking students to identify the "jacket" of the book, several raised their hands and said, "It's the coat!! It's the coat!! "  I LOVE MY JOB!!

Facing my fears

Dirty Beasts- A collection of poems by Roald Dahl

After reading the poem "The Scorpion" by Roald Dahl to MCS Second Graders:

2nd Grade Student: "Mrs. Hesterman, could I bring in my scorpion tomorrow to show you?"
Mrs. Hesterman: "Oh no!!!! I can't stand bugs. They are creepy and crawly."
2nd Grade Student: "Mrs. Hesterman, it's time for you to face your fears."

...So true, my little friend. So true! :)

 I love my job!