First Day Activity Idea

I found a fun activity on Education World last year when I was looking for a way to get one of my more unruly classes to practice listening and following directions. You can pass it off as a game, which automatically will pique the interest of some of your harder-to-engage kids.

Each student receives a slip of paper with an instruction: When they hear/see someone else doing X, that is their cue to follow with Y. For example:

After somebody stands up and does five jumping jacks, then you will clap your hands four times.

Last year, I created a Prezi to introduce myself and go over class rules. I tried to use eye-catching Creative-Commons-licensed photos (the dog and the toilet paper did elicit reactions), but looking at a presentation is only so interactive, even when I'm asking the kids related questions.

So this year, I am going to use the information - as well as some location reminders - as part of the game, and have everyone in grades 3-6 play it on the first day. For example:

After somebody walks to the return cart and says, "This is where you return your books if you miss morning pickup," then you will go to Ms. Moore's desk and hold up the sign-out log.

We'll be practicing listening and following directions (most of them need a LOT of practice in these areas!), as well as working in some physical activity. And perhaps some whole-class discussion in case we need to do "colder / warmer" for the kids who forgot where to find anything in the room. Then we'll recap with an updated Prezi for those kids who need visuals.

It really helps that this is my first year RETURNING to schools rather than starting at new ones, so the kids have already (supposedly) learned my rules and routines. We'll see how many times we need to play the game before everyone has remembered them!

Mock Caldecott 2014 Reads - Batch 1

I am already looking forward to second quarter of the school year, because I'll be doing a Mock Caldecott with my second graders again. I have been reading dozens of books that reviewers and other librarians thought might be worthy of the reward. Here are some that I think my kids will enjoy:

source: ruzzier.com

Bear and Bee  
Sergio Ruzzier

A sweet demonstration of how our preconceived notions and prejudices are mostly just silly. I will be recommending to my guidance counselors.

You can download activity sheets from Ruzzier's site.

source: goodreads.com

Exclamation Mark
Author: Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Illustrator: Tom Lichtenheld

As a grammar and punctuation nerd, I am excited to have the kids see that such things can be FUN.

What's My Mark? game
Rags to Riches game - easier
Rags to Riches game - harder
Punctuation Paintball game

source: childrensbooksalmanac.com

Lucky Ducklings
Author: Eva Moore
Illustrator: Nancy Carpenter

Based on a true story, this will remind most readers of Make Way for Ducklings.

Evidently, ducklings fall down grates a lot. I was trying to find a video of the Montauk even to show, but will have to settle for this one for now:

source: randomhouse.com

The Mighty Lalouche
Author: Matthew Olshan
Illustrator: Sophie Blackall

Put together the post office, boxing, French phrases, and an underdog story, and you have this charmer. J'ADORE the names given to Lalouche's opponents: Ampere, the Piston, the Pointillist, the Misanthrope. And the paper cutout watercolor art is lovely.

Brainpickings.org has samples of old-timey photographs that Blackall used for inspiration.

source: harpercollinschildrens.com

That Is Not a Good Idea
Mo Willems

Can Mo Willems do no wrong? From the silent movie design to the Greek chorus of baby geese to the twist ending, this is another instant classic. I'm excited to share this with the students, because we read lots of Pigeon and Elephant & Piggie books last year when they were in first grade.

I am a huge Buster Keaton fan and think this is the perfect opportunity to introduce him ... see 10:00 for a scene with dialogue cards.

source: peachtreepub.
blogspot.com

Tiger in My Soup 
Author: Kashmira Sheth
Illustrator: Jeffrey Ebbeler

Super bold artwork shows how a boy's imagination works overtime as he begs his older sister to read him a story. Cool perspectives and visual treats (like the T I G E R cascading into his bowl of alphabet treats as she serves him lunch) make for a striking book.

pbkids.org has an alphabet soup riddle game.

Tweet Tweet

It's my first summer since 1987 where I don't have to show up to a job on a regular basis! Glorious. I'm trying to use the time to reflect, plan, and catch up on lots and lots of reading including getting a start on potential Mock Newbery and Mock Caldecott nominees ... and getting around the that pile of ALA/AASL publications under my desk.

Going through the November/December 2012 issue of Knowledge Quest, which focused on Personal Learning Networks, made me feel guilty for not having checked Twitter in months.

Last year, when I was split between my old office job and a part-time school library position, even though I was putting in at least 50-hour weeks, I still seemed to have time to hop online, follow lots of links, and take place in #titletalk and #levelupbc chats.

This year, however, my first as a full-time librarian, brought 60-hour weeks, and several things fell by the wayside. Including using Twitter as a large component of my PLN. However, I gained a new component: the 16 other librarians in my department. Who are awesome. As Cathy Jo Nelson states in her article "RIF or VIP? Having a PLN Can Help," PLNs are not "limited to just social networks and 2.0 tools." Sometimes I think we forget that.

Kind of how our kids forget that sometimes opening a book will get them a vetted answer to their question much more quickly than a Google search.

That being said, I do love how social networks make the world a smaller place. Recently, the sister of a high school friend tagged me and a bunch of other readers/librarians/teachers in a Facebook post. One of those others was someone I follow on Twitter (Alyson Beecher)! Turns out they went to college together. Amazing. And interacting with authors always gives me a thrill ... I almost fainted when Donelyn Miller, the Book Whisperer, retweeted something of mine last year.

So ... I am off to check out the latest #tlchat posts on Twitter.

And ... I am back.

Here are some of the people I follow who just in the last couple of days posted relevant, helpful information. I suggest you follow them too if you don't already. They'll pretty much keep you up-to-date on the profession.

@AuntyTech
@joycevalenza
@jenniferlagarde 
@MatthewWinner
@coxtl
@SEMSLibraryLady
And you should also check out some of my grad school friends and colleagues:

@kidreads
@melanieroy21
@EdTechTara

RICBA Nominees 2014

I will be adding to the list as I make my way through the nominees ... favorites closest to the top.


The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow. I loved it. Not sure if kids will appreciate its somber tone, but I sure did. Killer comments close out many of the tiny chapters: "Old age is a powerful disguise." ... "I always tell the truth although I sometimes confuse the facts."

Actually, now that I think about it, it's almost like a novel in verse, even though it's written as prose. Applegate's writing is a hell of a lot more poetic than so many of those "verse" novels out there that just seem to have returns sprinkled randomly through sentences.

And it's based on a true story.


The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Well-crafted story that sucked me in immediately - a page-turner with a twist that I appreciated. Kind of annoyed that it's already set up to be a trilogy, though. I hope Nielsen continues to write well and doesn't phone it in by the end.

Speaking of trilogies and similar plotlines, I wonder if I could push "Westmark" to my students.


Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Convoluted mystery set in a small town with kooky residents, written with fantastically vivid language. Examples:

- "I wouldn't say stole, but I did borrow it pretty strong." (later referred to as a "surprise borrowing")

- "The cafe relaxed."

- "I hear whispers the way a knife-thrower's assistant hears knives."

- Rumors "swirl like ink around an octopus."

- He looked "like time had grabbed his face with both hands"

- "My earth found its axis and my starts found their sky."

Wonder by R.J. Palacio
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I completely second Brandi Rae's review, and rather than trying to paraphrase, she said I could just use it for mine:

"For the most part I really enjoyed this. Auggie was born with many extreme facial deformities. After extensive surgeries, he is starting 5th grade; attending a public school for the first time. This was thoughtful, funny, touching ... the rotating points of view were varied enough that upper elementary would like it as well as lower middle school (good 5-7 book). There were some flaws (I did find the ending ridiculous). But overall, a good book ...."


The Templeton Twins Have an Idea by Ellis Weiner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I found the meta-narration, vocabulary/idiom explanations, and ludicrous "review" questions to be delightful! And how could I not like a book that introduces kids to cryptic crossword puzzles? Not sure if I should read it aloud, or if the asides would only work when written. Will definitely promote it, though.



Double Dog Dare by Lisa Graff
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really liked this one. Convincing kid perspectives, humor, pathos.







The Year of the Book by Andrea Cheng
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sweet depiction of a bookish girl experiencing growing pains, including a friendship crisis and an "embarrassing mom." Would be interesting to see if students made the inferences to figure out what's happening at Laura's house before it's spelled out. I have read almost every book Anna refers to ... will have to put "My Louisiana Sky" on the list.


Bill the Boy Wonder: The Secret Co-Creator of Batman by Marc Tyler Nobleman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Holy introduction to intellectual property rights, Batman! I will definitely be using this book as a springboard for lessons.




Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

An engaging read, but at the end I felt let down. Other reviewers have stated that feeling manipulated fits in with the overall theme. And I guess I should have thought a little more about some of the things that made me say "What?" Anyways, good parts included smile therapy, big picture v. dots, and spelling reform via Bob javascript:void(0);Edwards Who Draws. And I always did find the taste bud map suspect.


Dogs on Duty: Soldiers' Best Friends on the Battlefield and Beyond by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Solid introduction to the concept of dogs as military assets, including historical context and individual profiles. Accessible and interesting. I may need to get two copies, since my students love both dogs and war books. Design note: the red and blue pages denote patriotism, but make it kind of hard to read the black text.


Brother from a Box by Evan Kuhlman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Fairly fast-paced tale of a boy and his new brother ... who happens to be a robot from France. Trying to get him to fit in at school provides plenty of fish-out-of-water episodes. However, the spy/kidnapping aspect seemed a little rushed, and I'm not sure I buy the resolution. But it's good enough to add to the collection; I know kids will read it.



Nic Bishop Snakes by Nic Bishop
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A bit all over the place, but amazing photographs and lots of interesting facts. I am sure my kids will love it.




The Flying Beaver Brothers and the Evil Penguin Plan by Maxwell Eaton III
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Very cute ... I felt like I was watching a silly cartoon. The sound effects are the best: Flarp! Boosk!




True by Katherine Hannigan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The pros: Delly not meaning to get in trouble (sometimes as a teacher I need reminders that my more ... challenging ... kids have the best of intentions), her made-up words, her family dynamics.

The cons: The entire "development" and "resolution" of Ferris' problems. I didn't get it, I didn't buy it.

During the first half of this book, I was thinking 5 stars. The second half brought it down to these 3. Saved from a 2 only because I liked the first half so much.


King of the Mound: My Summer with Satchel Paige by Wes Tooke
My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

I liked it ok. Good introduction to segregation and the Depression for students who might not be familiar with the time period. Lots of baseball will inspire them to learn more about Satchel Paige. Given that so many kids are asking for Jackie Robinson books because of the "42" trailers, I will definitely add to the collection.



The Whole Story of Half a Girl by Veera Hiranandani
My rating: 2 of 5 stars


I'm almost halfway through the RICBA list, and this is the first title I've read that I think I won't be buying for my libraries. I just don't think it's going to appeal to my kids. It didn't really appeal to me ... I skipped it on the Mock Newbery list last year.

I will keep it in mind for students going through identity crises. Although I don't think it really offers much counsel.

One interaction that struck me: when Sonia describes her old school to Alisha, whose reaction is "That's not real. It can't be real." Oh, for a flexible schedule and a computer lab ... although I suppose these days I should be wishing for a makerspace.


Barnum's Bones: How Barnum Brown Discovered the Most Famous Dinosaur in the World by Tracey Fern
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I realize that picture book biographies are constrained by a certain number of pages, but I feel like this one was very uneven in terms of summarizing swathes of time (journey and shipwreck) v. including little details (picking up some leaves). As I read, I had questions that I wish had been answered in an author's note:

- When did people start studying fossils?
- Where were the first dinosaur bones discovered?
- Why was natural history such a big deal at this time in history?
- Why did it take seven years to clean and mount the T. rex?

I did enjoy the illustrations, which gave the book a swashbuckling feel.


Jake and Lily by Jerry Spinelli
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Some of Spinelli's works are masterpieces that trigger shattering sobs and make you ache for the characters. This is not one of them. Which is not to say that it's hilarious and makes you cheer for the characters either. Instead, it's just blah. I think the only emotion elicited was pride in having managed to finish in one sitting so I wouldn't have to pick it up again.

The concept of alternating narrators intrigued me at the beginning, but I didn't get a sense of what were supposed to be vastly different personalities. And the sage Poppy was a little much.

Not sure if I will buy or not. The goober bullying stuff is an important message, but I'd rather it delivered in a better package. I can't see my kids really sticking with this one.


Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

If I'm going to read about a takeover plot, I'll take The False Prince, thank you. Made it through the first several chapters and decided that April vacation is too short to spend it reading any more books that I don't love.




Ungifted by Gordon Korman
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

The more I read, the less I liked. What could have been an interesting book was flat and full of stereotypes. Every gifted kid was a misfit? Really? And nearly everyone at the academy regarded Donovan as the second coming? Because he named the robot and could use a joystick? Ooooh, how NORMAL. Korman didn't bother giving the alternating voices much voice, either. I can't justify spending library money on this dreck.

"Circulate Everything" and Other Thoughts on My School Library Collections

Thanks to the blizzard, I've been catching up on some professional reading, including past issues of Knowledge Quest. The May/June 2012 edition includes two articles that really struck a chord with me.

Weeding and Growing
I've begun rather ruthlessly weeding my two school library collections; if something is more than 30 years old and has only 1 circulation recorded in the past 10 years of online records, then it's out.

Maybe if I got a new edition of
the book,more kids would check
it out? They totally judge by
the cover. Source: amazon.com

Goodbye, Hardy Boys. Goodbye, Boxcar Children. Goodbye, random coming-of-age novels that I enjoyed back in the 80s but can't convince anyone to check out now. (I will, however, admit to hanging on to Little Women and The Witch of Blackbird Pond because they are favorites of mine ... I know, I know, so much for being ruthless and objective. And before you say, "Newbery!" ... a subjective award does not a keeping criterion make.) Goodbye, nonfiction about how someday we might have computers in all of our homes. Goodbye, biography of Dwight D. Eisenhower that was written when he was still in office. Goodbye, 200-page book about Mozart's operas (how did THAT end up in a K-6 library??).

Even though I have a ludicrously tiny budget (unavailable until spring), I want to make room for stuff that I know the kids really do want to read. I stock up at Savers and at public library book sales. I ask for Barnes & Noble gift cards for holidays ... I should probably start making bookplates for the Rita Moore collection (my mom's generosity has enabled many purchases of new books). I am thankful to the parents' groups that each gave me a bag of requested books from their bookfairs.

I have personally read almost every item I've added to my collections since September. Which have included a lot of graphic novels, YA, and horror/suspense/mystery. Because that's what my kids want. I want to give them what they want. Because I want them to think that reading is FUN.

While I understand budget constraints, I am especially frustrated at the district's arbitrary decision that no school may spend more than $150 on periodicals. A magazine is not a book, but that doesn't mean it doesn't count as reading.

Most-circulated title at one
of my schools. By a LOT.
Source: sikids.com

In her article "Showing You Care," Nichole L. Smith discusses how to build relationships with students, colleagues, and administrators. She stresses the importance of understanding and supporting student reading choices: "Classic novels are not necessarily at the top of students' reading lists; students are often more interested in reading magazines, newspapers, websites, lyrics, e-mails, letters, magazines, games, etc. In schools, these materials are not always considered reading materials, and what students read by choice is sometimes ignored." (p. 19)

She continues: "Reacting to a constant push from a school librarian to read books, adolescent students, especially males, can be turned off from reading. ... This feeling is especially evident when materials students self-select for leisure reading are rejected by teachers - and maybe even the school librarian - as 'not challenging enough.'" (p.20-21)


Heading Out the Door
At the same time, I've been letting kids take out pretty much anything they'd like, even from the reference section. (Note: I do require a note from home for anyone below grade 6 to take Twilight, and I reserve Wimpy Kid for third grade and up ... anything else is fair game.)

You're interested in reading the encyclopedia? Here you go. Want to bring home the World Almanac for Kids? As soon as the fourth grade is done comparing TOC and index searches. You only want magazines and drawing books? No problem.

A beautiful early nonfiction collection on bugs had been used for research lessons and never circulated ... I put it out for the kids, and they LOVE them. Yes, the pages are now wrinkled, and the corners are banged up, but the first-graders dying for more "books about real stuff" are happy.

In her article "The Transformative Power of Care," Olga M. Nesi provides this advice on p. 12:

• Demonstrate that we care more about children reading than we do about the books and the damage they might incur by being read.
• Refrain from imposing reading restrictions - genres, numbers of pages, "significance" of topic, etc.
• Circulate everything.
• Model good reading habits by reading widely ourselves, and by enthusiastically and systematically sharing our reading with students.

Did I mention that
it's getting made into
a movie? Source:
jennielsen.com

My new year's resolution for school this year was to do more booktalking. Among other titles, I purchased The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen. One Friday, I held each new book up and described the plot; since the books weren't in the catalog yet, kids could either sign into the catalog and request from another school themselves or write out a slip of paper for me to place the holds on our copy. By the end of the day, I had SIXTEEN requests for The False Prince. So much more effective than sticking a new book on a "New Books" shelf. So exciting to me that the kids were excited.

Since I started in September, I've upped the circulation limits set by my predecessors (mainly for their sanity after all library secretaries were laid off a few years ago ... I've been recruiting student volunteers to put the books all back on the shelves) and use extra books as a PBIS award.

All of this takes time, energy, and money out of my own pocket. But more importantly, it shows the students that I care. I care about them having a vibrant collection of resources. I care about their interests. I care about them. I guess it's fitting that the theme of the KQ issue was "Caring is Essential."

Mock Newbery 2013 - Finalist Reads

(I will be adding to this post as I make it through the list ... favorites at the top)

 See You at Harry's by Jo Knowles
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Devastatingly heartbreaking. Fern's voice is authentic, the dialogue is believable, and the grief is crushing. I lost it at the answering machine.




The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow. I loved it. Not sure if kids will appreciate its somber tone, but I sure did. Killer comments close out many of the tiny chapters: "Old age is a powerful disguise." ... "I always tell the truth although I sometimes confuse the facts."

Actually, now that I think about it, it's almost like a novel in verse, even though it's written as prose. Applegate's writing is a hell of a lot more poetic than so many of those "verse" novels out there that just seem to have returns sprinkled randomly through sentences.

And it's based on a true story.


Wonder by R.J. Palacio
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I completely second Brandi Rae's review, and rather than trying to paraphrase, she said I could just use it for mine:

"For the most part I really enjoyed this. Auggie was born with many extreme facial deformities. After extensive surgeries, he is starting 5th grade; attending a public school for the first time. This was thoughtful, funny, touching ... the rotating points of view were varied enough that upper elementary would like it as well as lower middle school (good 5-7 book). There were some flaws (I did find the ending ridiculous). But overall, a good book ...."


The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Well-crafted story that sucked me in immediately - a page-turner with a twist that I appreciated. Kind of annoyed that it's already set up to be a trilogy, though. I hope Nielsen continues to write well and doesn't phone it in by the end.

Speaking of trilogies and similar plotlines, I wonder if I could push "Westmark" to my students.


View all my reviews Starry River of the Sky by Grace Lin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lin does a lovely job weaving together traditional stories with an original plot (that still feels very traditional ... in a good way). Most of the questions that arise as you read get answered, but the ending confused me. I'm still not exactly sure how the moon fell from the sky ... the timing seemed off. Anyways, I did enjoy it, and I was surprised by how much I came to care for the characters.


 The Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm glad I stuck with this one. At first, I was kind of turned off by Marlee and her assigning people drink personalities and her loving math and her not speaking. But I grew to really like her, especially when she began making her first few acts of defiance.

I also liked that I learned about a facet of the Civil Rights Movement that I wasn't aware of before. The hypocrisy and bigotry made me want to scream, and the hatred that went into threats against children ... wow.

Some stock characters, some unlikely events, but a good book.


Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

An engaging read, but at the end I felt let down. Other reviewers have stated that feeling manipulated fits in with the overall theme. And I guess I should have thought a little more about some of the things that made me say "What?" Anyways, good parts included smile therapy, big picture v. dots, and spelling reform via Bob Edwards Who Draws. And I always did find the taste bud map suspect.


Kepler's Dream by Juliet Bell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I started off really liking this book. I didn't have time to read most of the books on our December list, so I read a bunch of first chapters, and this was the only one I wanted to keep reading. It started in medeas res, Ella had a great sense of humor, the writing was fresh, and I always like mysteries. "We have to find the missing book!" reminded me of the Peggy Parish novels I read back in elementary school (haven't revisited, so I don't know if they hold up).

Unfortunately, my enthusiasm waned as I made my way to the end. After a relatively slow pace, too much happened all at once, and the solution to the mystery was kind of ridiculous. It made me say "(expletive deleted)."


Goblin Secrets by William Alexander
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Who is voting for the National Book Award? Because I was not terribly impressed. What's up with the coal? And the river flooding? Don't leave me hanging just because you have a contract for a trilogy. The "resolution" with Rowan was stupid. Pfffft.

That said, I did enjoy the goblin troupe members.

Ideas from Nov/Dec 2012 American Libraries

EveryLibrary.org: Interesting ... a PAC for library-related ballot initiatives. According to their site, "Many library associations – both at the national and state level – are organized as 501(c)3 educational associations. Current law and regulations prohibit these associations from engaging in direct voter advocacy or funding political campaigns. As a 501(c)4 organization, EveryLibrary can act where these associations cannot."

How-To Festival: One of my schools is looking for more activities for next year's fall festival. I am going to suggest recruiting parents and community members to teach mini-lessons on subjects ranging from yoga to BBQ. Thanks for the idea, Louisville Free Public Library!

Excellent quote: "Here's the thing about librarians: They are the only people in the world I know who are incredibly excited TO DO YOUR WORK FOR YOU. ... As online resources become more complex, we need wise humans to help act as guides. Librarians know how to do that better than you do. Ask them for help. They also, typically, are warm, curious, helpful people." - Justin Reich, "Librarians Are Completely Awesome," Education Week: EdTech Researcher, Aug. 16.

Personal Branding: Five questions to ask yourself:

• What would an employer learn if he or she googled me?
• What kind of job amI looking for?
• What's my personal mantra?
• If I asked my friends to describe me, what would they say?
• How can I make myself stand out in a crowded field?

Telling your library's story to the community: Two quotes of note from the OCLC report Geek the Library: "Perceptions of the librarian are highly related to support." and "Library support is only marginally related to visitation."

I have started blogs for my two schools - Garden City and Stadium. Now I need to promote them. I think a personal growth goal for next year will be to get coverage in the local paper ... or at least Patch ... for some activities/events. Like our National Game Day celebration! The Great Librarian Write-Out contest pays the author of an article published in a print-based nonlibrary publication between the 2012 and 2013 ALA Midwinter Meetings.