Kindergarteners are becoming increasingly proficient and independent using library skills and learning library procedures. We enjoyed an author study of Mo Willems author of the 'Elephant and Piggie' books and will check out books starting this week.
Using alphabetizing, 1st and 2nd graders are becoming familiar with basic library organization, and how to access what they need section by section using the author's last name. They are being introduced to parts of the Dewey Decimal system.
3rd graders are building on current skills and learning in greater depth the sections of the Dewey Decimal system to find what they need. They are comparing and contrasting fairy tales and folk tales from around the world found in 398.2. Thanks Melvil Dewey!
3-5th graders are becoming more proficient in library search skills both around our extensive collection, and in using the student search computers through our web-based cataloging program. They are discovering how knowing the Dewey Decimal system in depth, greatly enhances their library use and freedom to find what interests them and what they need for their studies.
4th and 5th graders are looking forward to Reader's Theater... Coming soon.
Feel free to invite your 3rd, 4th and 5th graders to begin reading the three nominated chapter books of the California Young Reader Medal Award: The Real Boy by Anne Ursu, Rump: The True Story of Rumplestiltskin by Liesl Shurtliff and Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein. Affectionately known as the 'voting books' every year, 4th and 5t grades will vote for their top choice in the Spring. This is a totally optional activity.
In September we celebrated the 100th birthday of Roald Dahl with a school-wide literary reference contest from Dahl's works. The top three classes got a birthday party bag full of props and prizes. Congrats to Ms. Bulkin's homeroom, Mrs. Becker/ Emmert's 5th grade class and Ms. Bouret's homeroom.
Roald Dahl 100th Birthday Contest quotes: "Never do anything by halves if you want to get away with it. Be outrageous. Go the whole hog. Make sure everything you do is so completely crazy it's unbelievable...” ―Matilda “Two rights don't equal a left.” ―The BFG “The witching hour, somebody had once whispered to her, was a special moment in the middle of the night when every child and every grown-up was in a deep deep sleep, and all the dark things came out from hiding and had the world all to themselves.” ―The BFG "I am not, of course, telling you for one second that your teacher actually is a witch. All I am saying is that she might be one. It is most unlikely. But--here comes the big "but"--not impossible.” ―The Witches "And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it." --The Minpins “The books transported her into new worlds and introduced her to amazing people who lived exciting lives. She went on olden-day sailing ships with Joseph Conrad. She went to Africa with Ernest Hemingway and to India with Rudyard Kipling. She travelled all over the world while sitting in her little room in an English village.” ― Matilda "So, please, oh please, we beg, we pray, go throw your TV set away, and in its place you can install, a lovely bookcase on the wall." --Charlie & the Chocolate Factory
In October students K-5 utilized their budding library skills to search for and locate the perfect book for their Books Come Alive costumes. This year was Oak Knoll's 8th Annual Books Come Alive/ Halloween celebration. Take a look at a tiny sliver of the hundreds of highlights.
Special THANK YOU to Sheryl Sandberg, Marne Levine, Phil Deutch, Mary Speiser, Kim Jabal, Lauren Heysse, Karli Cleary and Emily Record for helping BCA run so efficiently and smoothly. They are the reason over 400 students get through the line, get their picture taken, get a prize and get to to class on time before the bell rings at 8:10!
Ms. Wood's 1st graders are grateful for so many people in their lives. While the ABZ multi-age 5th graders made Thanksgiving comics from the turkey's perspective.
November highlighted the true story of American hero and preserver of Thanksgiving, Sarah Hale, in Thank You, Sarah by Laurie Halse Anderson.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF THE LIBRARY Enjoy some typical daily library scenes: