Holidays Around the World with 3rd Grade

WHAT?!?! Christmas is almost here!! What happened to the year? The library has been very busy the past 2 weeks with holiday madness! Students working hard to reach their reading goal, and lots of research for assignments.

The third grade teachers asked if we could work together on Holidays around the world. This is my absolute favorite time of year, and one of my favorite units I taught as a classroom teacher. SO, I was more than excited to work with the students on this project.

The students chose a particular country to research the traditions and customs for their Christmas holiday or Winter holiday. I pulled a series of nonfiction books for them to research first. We went over the research steps and they recalled that we had to organize our research. So, together we came up with an organizer and in groups they came up with questions they needed to answer in order to complete their project.

First they searched through the books and organized the new found information on their charts. After using the nonfiction books, students were allowed to search on websites. We use Santa.net and Northpole.com, both websites I reviewed before hand. I even had a student ask me if the information was reliable!! It makes me so happy when they listen to my lessons!!

The next day, the class came in to begin work on their project. Each group was given an option of their final product to showcase their country's traditions. Students could choose to create a poster, book, Google Slide show, Diorama, or a video. I was surprised that most groups chose differently.

This group decided to create a Google Slide presentation about Christmas traditions in Sweden. They are using the ChromeBooks we have in the library. 

These students are working on a book while using the iPad to find relevant information. 

This table is working on a poster.

I had another group create a diorama, but they weren't finished at the end of our time. They wouldn't let me take a picture since it wasn't finished, but I was AMAZED at their work. 

I can't wait to see what happens at the Hillside Library in 2017! 

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Theme, Poetry, and Susan Stevens Crummel

This past week has been super busy in the Hillside library with all sorts of learning! When we return from the Thanksgiving break, we will have an author visit. We are very excited to have Susan Stevens Crummel visit with all grade levels.

My plan is to have a bulletin board displaying student work pertaining to Susan Stevens Crummel's books. With first grade this week, I read aloud the book PLAIDYPUS LOST.  The students loved the repeating text, and read it in chorus with me. After reading the story, the students created their own platypus. They designed the pajamas, and we added patches with pieces of scrapbook paper. I loved how they turned out, and can't wait for Susan Stevens Crummel to see all of their work.

Last week, a third grade teacher approached me and asked if she could bring her class in for a lesson over theme. They had covered the skill in class, but needed a little extra practice. I decided to use the picture books by Susan Stevens Crummel for the lesson. First, the teacher and I went over theme, and I made an anchor chart while we taught/reviewed. (I did not take a picture of my anchor chart, it was not pinterest worthy.)  We taught the students a great way to remember THEME is that it is THE MEssage that the author wants the reader to learn. The students then brainstormed some common themes we see in literature, such as perseverance, teamwork, honesty, and responsibility to name a few. 

I read aloud one of my favorite books, THE LITTLE RED PEN by Susan Stevens Crummel. The students loved the book, especially the pushpin AKA Señorita Chincheta. After reading the book, we brainstormed together the theme of the story. The students came up with "Teamwork, "Don't Be Lazy", and "Never Give Up".

Next, the students were paired up by their teacher, and I brought each pair a book by Crummel. Their job was to read the book and together decide what the theme was. They also had to include text evidence to prove their theme.  

As you can see from the picture our tables were missing, so we had to be flexible. Hillside had our Blue Ribbon celebration that day, so all of the library tables and chairs were being used for the celebration. We still work hard and learn in the library, even without chairs! 

Fourth grade has a unit over poetry this month, specifically figurative language this week. The fourth grade ELA teacher and I discussed a lesson together, and we decided to use the book 'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE THANKSGIVING by Dav Pilkey. The fourth graders all wanted to go down to the rug, so I read the book in our reading area to them. We then reviewed personification, simile, and metaphor. 

The assignment was to create a Popplet (www.popplet.com) and categorize the 3 types of figurative language from the poem. I did type out the poem for the students so they could have the text in front of them to find the examples. 

Whew! Just one more day until our Thanksgiving break!!

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I Can't Believe I Haven't Blogged in a Month

I'm still here, nothing happened, except for an extremely busy October!!! However, it was a good busy, including a book fair, book character pumpkin contest, book character day, and collaborative lessons every week!

The book fair was an enormous success and tons of our readers were able to purchase books for their personal libraries at home. Plus, the library gets to keep the proceeds to purchase new books, new technology, and other fun things for the students. Last year's book fair proceeds helped me to buy new biography books, 6 new Chromebook laptops, lunch for the Bluebonnet club readers, supplies and materials for the MakerSpace, and breakfast for all the students that read over a million words. This year, I plan on purchasing more books to update the nonfiction section, more Chromebook laptops, and incentives for my super readers again.


One of my goals each year is to teach the students to be independent in the library. I want them to think on their own and know how to search for books on their own. I teach the students early on to self-checkout their books. This past month, students in first grade learned how to use the library catalog to search for books by author, subject, and series.

This year, one of the district's initiative is to help our students be future ready. Librarians play a huge part in this, so all the elementary librarians met with our district library coordinator to write goals to ensure our library programs are future ready. One of the goals I wrote for my library is to provide a flexible schedule in order for more classes to be able to participate in research and for teachers to collaborate with me on what needs to be taught. The first 2 six weeks have passed, and so far this goal is a success! The students love coming to the library for lessons, and the teachers are appreciative of the extra help in teaching the skills. 

One of the third grade teachers recently approached me regarding poetry. This teacher is new to third grade, and didn't feel really comfortable teaching poetry skills. So, we discussed the objectives and what was expected of the students together. Looking through the curriculum, we decided to focus on 4 types of poetry that will be on the 3rd grade state assessment. I found examples of these poems and posted them all around the library. After going over the 4 types of poems in a whole group, the students were put into groups and went on a scavenger hunt around the library for the different types of poems. They had to identify the type of poem, but also tell why they thought it was that type of poem. 

If you cannot tell, I am a HUGE advocate for flexible schedule in the elementary library. I've heard so many people say it cannot be done, but I am proof that it can be done and it can work well. Flexible schedule is better for the students, and the lessons are more meaningful when they are tied in with the curriculum.  

A few weeks ago, fourth grade classes came in to the library after the teacher and I collaborated about teaching Theme in Fables. In September, this same teacher and I taught a lesson together about genres, so we decided we would continue this lesson each month and take it further. This week we focused on fables, and the required skill from the district curriculum was theme. 

The best part of collaborative lessons is that their are 2 teachers helping the students. We are able to give more one-to-one help when there are 2 of us to monitor and check for understanding. For the lesson, the teacher and I took turns explaining theme and how to look for the clues in the story. The students then got on the Chromebook laptops and went to a website I gave them with a list of fables. With their partner, they were able to choose a fable to read, then fill out a graphic organizer with clues to determine the theme. 

So much more to tell you, but my fingers are getting tired and this is turning into a novel. Later this week I will post the Book Character pumpkin patch pictures. It was so hard to decide the winner this year! Also, this week I have second graders coming in for colonial research. 

Genre with 4th Grade

The fourth grade teachers approached me about a reading challenge that they wanted to implement this year. Instead of just reading books, filling out a log, and taking A.R. tests, the teachers want the students to read different types of genres throughout the year. Before beginning the challenge, the teachers asked if I could help them review the genres.

Since our schedules are so tight, the teachers and I mostly communicated through email, with occasional, quick conversations in the library. I began a Google Slide presentation and shared it with the teachers to proof and add to. You can see my presentation below, I was inspired by Nancy Jo Lambert at Reedy H.S.  The posters in the presentation are courtesy of Beth Newingham, who created these for all teachers to use in their classrooms. Feel free to use this presentation if you need to review genres in your library. 

After the review came the fun part! At each table, we had placed books of different genres, and students were given a recording sheet. This recording sheet had the genre, the definition of each genre, and a place for students to write an example. These recording sheets will stay in the students' reading folders this year so they can refer to their notes. 

Students had 5 minutes to look through the books and discuss what genre each book fit in. After time was up, groups would scoot to the next table and do the same, but with a new set of books. Their goal was to find one example of each genre. 

The discussions were very interesting, and the students found that some books fit in more than one genre. 

Country Fact Hunting with 3rd Grade

Collaboration

One of the third grade teachers approached me last week and said that she needed help teaching the students how to properly search for information. The teacher and I collaborated for a couple of days through email, and came up with our ideas. We decided to incorporate Hispanic Heritage month with their assignment, plus the curriculum at the time is learning about countries of the world. We decided to write names of Hispanic countries onto pieces of paper, and the students drew a country out of a bag. The suspense was exciting.

Since this was just learning to search for specific information, I gave the students certain information I wanted them to find about the country. Once they get into projects, students will have more ownership, but for now, I need them to know how to search properly.

Before students got on the computers and tablets, we discussed reliable sources. Students tend to always answer 'Google' for where to look for information. While Google is great, I teach my students they have to be careful and be sure that it is reliable. So, I then asked them if I had a digital resource that we knew for sure was reliable. I was ecstatic that someone answered on the first try! They remembered the Online Encyclopedias. 

I reviewed the features of Britannica, and how to use keywords to search. Since we were specifically looking at countries, I showed them the map view so they could zoom in and see satellite images of the countries. The teacher then went over her expectations for their assignment, and we put the pairs on a computer or a tablet.  

The great thing about the flexible schedule and collaborating is that two teachers are in there to help the students. Both myself and the teacher roamed the library and monitored student success. It also gives great opportunities for mini-lessons. While monitoring students I was able to do a mini lesson on skimming for information with 3 of the groups, as well as a mini lesson on using the headings in articles. 

All of these skills are things I would have taught in the library during fixed schedule last year, but now with my flexible schedule and collaborating with the teachers, it is more meaningful to the students. The students are able to make connections when these skills are taught as needed with the curriculum.

Dot Day Celebrations

This past week we celebrated International Dot Day, which was on September 15th. Dot Day is a day to celebrate creativity and our unique talents. The special day is inspired by the book by Peter H. Reynolds, one of my favorite picture books about perseverance and always doing our best. 

Reynolds, Peter. H. 2003. THE DOT. Candlewick Press.

I collaborated with our art teacher to celebrate the entire week. Our art teacher brought Kinder, 1st, and 2nd grades into the library for art class. The kids were amazed that we were having art in the library! It brought up discussion about illustrations in books and the different medium that the illustrators use. I read the book to the students, and we discussed how we each have different talents. Then the art teacher reviewed types of lines that the students had learned the previous week. Each student then got 1/4 of a dot to fill up with the different lines. Groups worked together to put their pieces together to make dots, and we learned about collaboration. 

This group has 1/2 of a dot completed, so they are drawing things with circles on the "dot" tables.

A group has their dot completed! 

Our art teacher is going over the directions and reviewing the types of lines. 

I love how the dots all turned out different and unique, just like our students.

Our fourth grade teachers wanted in on the Dot Day celebration as well, so they were able to come in for a lesson and short celebration as well. Thank goodness for my flexible schedule!  We discussed our lesson mostly through email, and we decided to focus on text-to-self connections. With the fourth graders, we viewed the digital book through TumbleBooks. We had a great discussion on what it means to 'make your mark'.  

After the discussion, students began to make their connections. Some of them needing a little prompting writing their sentences, so I gave them a sentence frame. Just like Vashti_____________, I _______________. This helped the ones that were having trouble connecting their memory to the story. 

Now, the fun part! On the back of the page with the connection students were instructed to get just one color and make a mark on their paper. Then I said, "Now, see where that mark takes you." So the students had to make their mark into a picture.  We had Pokemon, ponies, pizzas, patterns, and landscapes. It was amazing how many different ideas they had. 

So, that was week 2 of flexible schedule, and I am loving it! The lessons have been so meaningful to the students. Next week there will be lessons on CyberSafety in the library. Also, don't forget to check out the campus website for information on the CyberSafety poster! 

On another note: my new circulation desk arrived this week, and I am in love! It has so much storage room that I am still filling it up and making room in other places. One student came in the following morning and said "WOW! It looks just like a real library!" It is certainly an update from my previous circulation desk from 1970. 

5th Grade U.S. Regions Research

The third week of school is almost complete, and every 2nd - 5th grader knows how to do self-checkout. I still need to review looking for a book in the catalog and placing a book on hold with my younger students.  

Flexible schedule has now started in the Hillside library, and I love it! Today, the fifth grade class came to complete research for a project over U.S. Regions. I had the atlases laying out at each table, as well as the nonfiction books about the states. 

The students had to use the atlas to determine which U.S. states were a part of the region they chose. Students got into groups to find information about major cities, landscape, climate, and produce from each region. 

I enjoyed being a part of this lesson with the 5th grade teacher. Having a flexible schedule and collaborating with the classroom teacher brings about numerous opportunities for mini-lessons. I was able to do a mini-lesson over finding reliable sources and using other sources than Google with a group of students at the computers. Another group of students were having trouble locating information about types of produce from particular regions, so I did a mini-lesson on using a map key.

The students loved searching for the answers to their questions in the library. It was great seeing the excitement on their faces. I cannot wait to see their final products.

My flexible schedule adventure will continue next week with 4th grade genre lessons and collaborating with the art teacher for Dot Day. Stay tuned and follow along with me this year. 

Moving to a Flex Schedule

I am over the moon excited to be moving to a flex schedule this upcoming school year.

Some good things about a flexible schedule:

• students and teachers have access to the library and the librarian at the point of need;
• students and teachers can use the library as a more flexible space than merely a clearing house for circulating books;
• the librarian has the time and opportunity to teach library and research skills and students have the time in the library to learn about and use the resources in the library;
• librarians and teachers have time to collaborate, plan, and teach together, giving students the best opportunity for learning in the library;
• librarians can become more flexible in taking library services out of the library and take some lessons to the classroom (including those classrooms with teachers who do not bring their classes to the library); and
• since the library and the librarian are not tied up with classes all day, it increases library access for everyone.

The first 3 weeks will be scheduled classes with students learning the rules and procedures. The flex schedule will begin the 4th week of school. Please follow along on our new journey! I will be tweeting and blogging the highlights.

@jharrisreads

Book Suggestions: If You Like JUNIE B. JONES

This book suggestion post is for my younger scholars, since the first few were really for my older students. However, even if you are an older student and used to love Junie B. when you were in first grade, you just might find a new book for you to read now.

When I was a classroom teacher, I would read Junie B. books to my first graders often. They loved for me to read aloud, and this encouraged them to start reading chapter books. Yes, Junie B. can be a brat sometimes and is sometimes rude to another classmate, but it is written as funny, not hateful. And, the kids find her to be hilarious, so they read the books! This is what we really want, for kids to pick up a book and read.

So, if you love Junie B., or just want to find an alternative to Junie B. for you children, here are some suggestions:

CLEMENTINE by Sarah Pennypacker is about a super-spunky third grade girl that is having a disastrous week. Nothing seems to be going right for her, and all her teachers keep telling her to pay attention when she is paying attention to the spot on the art teacher's tie. Clementine has a brother, Lima Bean or Brussel Sprouts. His name changes daily, because if Clementine must have a fruit name her brother must have a vegetable name. Clementine is full of fun and creative ideas, some of which get her sent to the principal's office.  This series about third grader Clementine will make you laugh until you cry. This would be a great read aloud for classrooms or a great beginning chapter book series. 

KATIE KAZOO SWITCHEROO by Nancy Krulik is a chapter book series about a third grader named Katie Carew. George, a bully in Katie's class, makes fun of Katie and names her Katie Kazoo. Katie cannot take it anymore, and she wishes on a shooting star that she could be someone else. The next day at school, her wish comes true! She finds herself as the class pet hamster! Katie, being a very smart and resourceful third grader, finds her way out of numerous disasters in this series. She uses her new magical power to learn new things about her classmates, including the reason why George is such a bully. 

 IVY AND BEAN by Annie Barrows is another chapter book series that is good for students beginning to read chapter books and reluctant readers. At first, Bean and Ivy do not like each other. Then, Bean plays a joke on her sister and has to hide quickly. Ivy comes to the rescue and they realize they have more in common than they thought. Ivy and Bean are both very creative and imaginative, creating new games and solving problems. However, they do often stir up more trouble than they mean to. Their silly antics will make you laugh, though. Short chapters and lots of illustrations make this a great series for kids just getting interested in chapter books. 

School will be starting before we know it! I can't wait to hear what all my scholars have been reading this summer. 

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Book Suggestions: If you liked HARRY POTTER

I told you last week I would make suggestions for all you Harry Potter fans out there, or Potterheads! I know there are a lot of you, because these books were never on the shelves. In fact, when all books were due, I had trouble fitting them back on the shelves.

If you have not read the Harry Potter series, I have to say it is a MUST READ!! The books are fantastic, magical, and some of my absolute favorite books ever. Watching the movies don't count, by the way.... 

So, if you are a Potterhead and have already read all the Harry Potter books more than once, here are some suggestions for you:

WINTERLING by Sarah Prineas is the first in a trilogy. This book is a fantasy, filled with magic, shape-shifters, and fairy-like creatures. Fer is an orphan, similar to Harry Potter, and is a bit of an odd-ball. She has always felt like she doesn't belong in her world. She then rescues a creature who knows who Fer really is, and invites her to a realm where magic is real. Fer must battle evil, unlock the secrets about her missing parents, and find her true self.

I highly recommend this book to Potter fans. I can't wait to finish the trilogy, so if you have already read the books, don't spoil it for me!

FABLEHAVEN by Brandon Mull is another great read for Potterheads, especially if you were intrigued by all the magical creatures. FABLEHAVEN is the first in a series of books about Kendra and Seth. Their parents are going on a cruise for 17 days, so Kendra and Seth are dropped off at the grandfather's place. At first, they are grumpy about the arrangement, but then they find out that their grandfather is the caretaker of Fablehaven, a sanctuary for magical creatures. But Seth is a bit more curious then he should be, and rules of Fablehaven are broken! You have to read to find out what happens next.

THE FAMILIARS by Adam Jay Epstein and Andrew Jacobson is a book with wizards and magical animals. Jack is a wizard in training, and must choose his magical animal, or familiar. He chooses an orphan cat, Aldwyn, that happened upon the magical pet shop by accident. Aldwyn must convince the other familiars that he is a powerful cat. But then, Jack and the other wizards in training are captured by the evil queen. Can an alley cat, a blue -jay, and a frog with magical powers save them?

THE FAMILIARS remind me of Hedwig and Crookshanks from the Harry Potter series. If you like this book, you can read more of the story in the series.

SAVVY by Ingrid Law is about the Beaumont family and their magical secrets. Mibs is about to turn thirteen, which means she will find out her savvy, or supernatural power. Her brother can cause hurricanes, her grandpa can move mountains, and now she will find out her power. Is Mibs ready, will her power save her Poppa, who doesn't have a savvy? Ingrid Law is an amazing storyteller, and the characters in this book are all delightful.

SAVVY is the first book in the trilogy by Ingrid Law.




Don't forget to post the pics of you and your family reading on Twitter, use #gisdreads. If you need suggestions that I have not posted yet, feel free to email me this summer.

Book Suggestions: If You Liked DIARY OF A WIMPY KID

As I promised, here are book suggestions for your summer reading. I know many of my readers love the DIARY OF A WIMPY KID series, and have read them more than once.  So, my first book suggestions will be for you readers that love this series.

If you like Diary of a Wimpy Kid you should also read:

  Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life by James Patterson

This is the first book in the Middle School series, and a movie is coming out this summer based on this book.  The main character, Rafe, is starting middle school and has a handful of problems at home. Rafe and his friends make up a game where they earn points by breaking the rules of their very strict principal. Along the way, Rafe meets up with the school bully and has his first crush.

Inside the book are lots of cartoon drawings to tell the story, similar to the drawings in Diary of a Wimpy Kid. 

 My Life as a Book by Janet Tashjian

This is the first book in the My Life series. Derek is excited that summer is starting and is planning lots of mischief and silly investigations. Unfortunately, his mom has other plans and is sending him to Learning Camp. His mom wants him to read books other than his comics and graphic novels. He reluctantly goes off to summer camp and makes some unexpected friendships.

Spy School by Stuart Gibbs

Another first in a series, the Spy School series. Ben is an average middle school student, but is very clumsy. His dream job is to be a CIA agent. He is picked to attend a math magnet school, but due to mistaken identify is sent to Spy School. Does Ben, with all his clumsiness and mishaps, have what it takes to be a secret agent?

**This book does use minor curse words, so this book is for my older readers.




Stay tuned this summer for more book suggestions. Next week, I will have book suggestions for you Harry Potter lovers!

What are you reading this summer?

Don't forget, you can read books from your computer and tablets this summer by downloading eBooks.  The Big Nate and the Alvin Ho books are all available as eBooks. These two series are also great reads if you enjoyed the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. Your login is your student id # and password is gisd.

Super Summer Readers

Last week, I said goodbye to an amazing group of 5th graders. I also completed my first year as a librarian. I enjoyed every minute, and I know that I made the right move in my profession.

The last week I saw classes in the library, we discussed summer reading. This summer, students will not log minutes read. Instead, we will log days that we read and take pictures of ourselves reading with our family. Students are encouraged to post the pictures of themselves reading on Twitter with the hashtag #gisdreads. I will be looking for Hillside students this summer. And I will be posting my pictures as well.

Outgoing 5th graders were given the Lone Star Reading List to begin reading this summer. There are quite a few titles on this list that I cannot wait to read either. 3rd and 4th graders were reminded about the Bluebonnet List to read over the summer. Don't forget to fill out a Bluebonnet Book Response Form.

This summer, I will be posting my book reviews, as well as book recommendations. STAY TUNED!


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RAYMIE NIGHTINGALE by Kate DiCamillo

Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Honestly, I expected more from this book after all the raving reviews I saw on Twitter from other librarians. I think if I had not seen previous reviews I would have liked the book better, and not had different expectations.

The beginning is very slow, and hard to really grasp. Especially the character of Louisiana Elefante. She is almost unbelievable at times in the beginning. But then, without even realizing it, you are sucked into this book and find yourself anxiously waiting to find out the outcome for the three main characters. I wanted to pluck Beverly from the book and bring her home to raise as my own child!

I have not decided my feelings about the ending of this book just yet. Is it even real, or is Raymie dreaming. I won't say anything because I don't want to give away spoilers, but some of the ending was strange, but beautifully written.



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Giggles and Eggs

We just had a four day week, which usually seems to creep by when we have a short week. However, things are a little different in the library. I saw 5 days worth of classes in only 4 days, and the day before a holiday is always BUSY! Everyone seems to want a brand new book before the long weekend. That's fine though, it makes the days go by fast, and I love that my students love to read so much.

Willems, Mo. NAKED MOLE RAT GETS
DRESSED. Disney-Hyperion, January 2009.

Lots of fun was had this past week, and lots of giggles in first grade and kindergarten! In my kinder classes, we have been doing an author study over Mo Willems. The students were very familiar with Piggy & Elephant, and the Pigeon. I decided I would introduce them to two other Mo Willems characters. Last week, I read KNUFFLE BUNNY FREE, and this week I introduced them to the hilarious NAKED MOLE RAT GETS DRESSED. We learned that there are three things you must know about naked mole rats:

1. They are a little bit rat.
2. They are a little bit mole.
3. They are all naked. 

My sweet kindergarteners nearly fell over laughing so hard. Next week, they will vote on their favorite Mo Willems book that we have read this year. 

First graders were introduced to the Texas 2x2 Reading List. We read MOTHER BRUCE by Ryan T. Higgins, which is about a grumpy bear that hates cute little animals, but loves eggs. Unfortunately some of his eggs hatch and he is mistaken for their mother. What is a bear to do? This is a silly, delightful story, with illustrations that complement the story. We laughed and laughed at the funny antics in this fun new book. 

Second grade made text-to-text connections with a poem and a nonfiction book. I chose a poem from THE POETRY FRIDAY ANTHOLOGY FOR CELEBRATIONS compiled by Sylvia Vardell & Janet Wong. Just two years ago, I was a student in Sylvia Vardell's poetry class where I learned about pairing poetry with books in the classroom and the library. If you do not have this book in your library, I highly recommend it! It contains fabulous poems, along with activities and picture books to pair with the poems.

The poem I chose was titled BREAK AN EGG by Stephanie Hemphill. I paired the poem with the nonfiction book, CHICKENS AREN'T THE ONLY ONES by Ruth Heller. It teaches about animals, besides chickens that lay eggs. The students made connections between the poem and the book, then they made text-to-self connections and discussed ways that they use eggs for their Easter celebrations.

I cannot believe that we are already to the end of March! Where did this year go? Next week, I will be assisting in monitoring the STAAR test for our 4th and 5th graders. Before we know it, this school year will have ended and I will have survived my first year as a librarian! 

ECHO by Pam Muñoz Ryan

This book! It is hard to put in words how I feel about ECHO by Pam Muñoz Ryan. This book is why I love reading! Winner of the 2016 Newbery honor, ECHO will make you feel every emotion and you will fall in love with each character you meet in this novel, and they will live in your heart forever.

I hope I can do justice to this book in my summary and book review, but here goes.....

First, let me say that I love books, REALLY love books. However, rarely do I just really rave about a book the way that I have raved about ECHO. When I first held this book in my hand knowing it is a 2016-2017 Texas Bluebonnet book, I was not sure of how I felt. First of all, rarely do the larger books ever win the Bluebonnet award because so many 3rd - 6th graders don't want to read a book this size. So, typically the smaller books win the award. My hope is that with enough book talks I can encourage my students to read this book.

ECHO is divided into four parts. The first 3 parts introduce you to characters that each come across a harmonica with a magical background. We meet Freidrich, who lives in Germany and is witnessing the rise of Hitler's power. He witnesses cruel injustices happening to his friends and his father and must escape to survive and save his father. Next we meet Mike and Frankie, orphans living in America just before World War II. Mike, only 11 years old, must take care of his younger brother, Frankie and ensure that they not be separated.  The final main character that we meet is Ivy, who is the daughter of a migrant farmer in California. Ivy has to deal with moving to new places, as well as injustices at a new school because of the color of her skin. 

All three main characters are linked by the great musical talent, and in part four we see how their lives are connected by the simple harmonica that they have each come in contact with. 

”Your fate is not yet sealed.
Even in the darkest night, a star will shine,
A bell will chime, a path will be revealed.”

From the very beginning of this book to the last page, ECHO was inspiring, heartbreaking, and enchanting.  The historical content is well told and detailed, and while the book does not contain a lot of historical detail, the historical setting is very important. Each character lives in a time of great historical struggle and some of the darker eras in our history. The reader will be inspired by Ryan's strong characters and the way they overcome the struggles of their time.

FUZZY MUD by Louis Sachar

Sachar, Louis. 2015. FUZZY MUD. New York: Delecorte Books for Young Readers. 

Tamara is a fifth grader who does the right thing no matter what. Teachers love her! Marshall is her seventh grade friend and neighbor that she walks home with because she is not allowed to walk home by herself. Chad is the new kid that has decided to bully Marshall, and no one knows why.

One day, Chad tells Marshall they are going to fight after school, so Marshall decides to take a shortcut home to avoid him. Tamara knows something isn't right, but she reluctantly follows. They get lost and come across some strange looking mud that appears fuzzy. Things get worse than they could ever imagine!

Review

Louis Sachar does an amazing job combining science, government, and suspense in his latest book. Sachar is great at scaring children and creating suspense. The characters in this book are fabulous. Sachar introduces each of them and builds them up so that the reader understands their actions. I would have liked to have had more story about Chad to understand him more throughout the book. Sachar does a wonderful job of running three story lines parallel to each other, then having them meet together at the end. 

This is a wonderful book full of friendship and acceptance. It will be a great read for young readers and middle grade readers that like scary books and suspenseful books. 

Happy Valentine's Day

What a fun week in the library! Valentine's Day is one of my favorite holidays. The library is very festive, with shiny hearts hanging from every corner. The students have had fun this week being a part of the decorating. The fifth graders were given the chance to write their favorite books or book series on my "We <3 Books" bulletin board. It has been interesting reading everyone's favorite. I was surprised that I didn't have many duplicates of books. I love that the students at my school are individuals and they know what they like to read.

I forgot to take a picture, but outside the library I have a large tree. I call it my tree of kindness, and the first graders have been adding their acts of kindness to the tree. We read BEAR GETS SICK by Karma Wilson. We made text-to-self connections and compared how the animals helped Bear to how people have helped us. They also learned the meaning of the word 'compassion'. 

These books about BEAR are some of my favorite picture books. 

My second graders listened to the story THE VALENTINES BEARS by Eve Bunting. They made text-to-text connections and noticed that the illustrator of this story, Jan Brett, is also an author of a book they had read in the past. This was actually not the lesson that I had intended, but I went with it when the students noticed and recognized her name. So, we talked about the illustrations and how they were similar to her illustrations in THE MITTEN. I love it when the students guide the lesson. 

Fourth grade and fifth grade are both learning steps to research and how to correctly cite their sources. I am over the top excited that next week I will be collaborating with the fourth grade ELA teacher! Fourth grade will be coming to the library next week to do research over Texas Battles, and together with the ELA teacher, I will be helping the students conduct their research. I hope that by doing this, more teachers will jump on board and allow me to collaborate with them more often. Stay tuned for my post next week to see how it goes!