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. 

SaveSave

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!


SaveSave

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.



View all my reviews