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.