It's been a crazy two weeks in the library. I have seen all classes twice, and they are all learning to be great library patrons.
Last week, in Kindergarten and first grade, we watched a book clip about book care called "Mr. Wiggle's Book." Then we participated in a sorting activity by Sandy Liptak called "Yes, of Course, No Never!" Students decided which statements would be things we should do in the library and which we should never do. This was a great review for book care and library behavior.
Second grade students watched a short puppet theater called "Mr. Ginger Goes to the Library." This puppet theater is also about book care. Then they played a matching game about how to take proper care of library books.
Kindergarten, first and second graders are all continuing to check out one book from the library. Second grade will begin to be allowed to check out two books around the second six weeks of school.
In third through fifth grades, we sampled our new Bluebonnet picture books! The Texas Bluebonnet list is a list of 20 books, (picture books and novels), that are selected by a statewide panel of librarians. Each year, they present the new list in the spring. Students are challenged to read a minimum of 5 books from the Bluebonnet list by January. If they reach this goal, they are allowed to vote for their favorite of the 20 books and have a chance to select the winner. All votes are sent to Austin in January and the statewide winner is selected. Last week, we talked about what makes a good book and brainstormed a list of attributes. Then, students split up into groups and traveled around six stations, watching book trailers for each of the new picture books. They were given a small amount of time to browse through the books, as well. At the end of the rotations, students selected their favorite book from the day using a Google Form. I used this data to choose which book we would start working with this week. We will make our way through the six picture books, in hopes that everyone will be able to vote in January. The novels will be ordered this week, as well, and should be arriving soon!
