Pine Hill Media Center News

It is hard to believe that we have started the last month of school! There has been a lot happening around Pine Hill and in the Media Center. We’ve wrapped up two reading projects. The first is the Read-to-Feed Read-a-thon that some the 4^th graders participated in. Students volunteered to collect donations for the books they read over a set period of time. The students that participated helped raise over $1,150 for The Heifer International Organization!

We also wrapped up this year’s Massachusetts Children’s Book Award program. Several students in 4^th and 5^th grade elected to read at least 5 of the nominated books and voted for their favorite. We had a few favorites in our school, but The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart was this year’s winner. The new list of nominees for the 2009 – 2010 MCBA program is out. Students who will be entering 4^th and 5^th grade can get started on some of these great books as part of their summer reading. I will fill them in with details of the program when we start school in the fall.

In addition to reading The MCBA books, which is voluntary, all students are asked to read at least one historical fiction book over the summer. If you are looking for ideas, I have compiled a Historical Fiction Summer Reading List which can be found on our school’s web site under Library News.

To further promote a love of reading, the 1^st graders investigated several dog characters as we shared some fun stories in library class. Martha and Gloria were among our favorites, but Carl was the 1^st grade’s “Top Dog”!

As if that isn’t enough excitement, we have started to use the Flip video cameras that were purchased thanks to a CSA grant. Students in Ms. Ryan’s 4^th grade class created a presentation of their original poetry that includes videos of  students reading their poems. Ms. Mackay’s 3^rd graders made commercials about each region of the United States. They enjoyed watching their videos and learning from each other’s commercials. Thank you CSA!!!

Some of the classes were treated to a guest reader during their library class. Senator Brown stopped by to read to the students and stress the importance of reading. He did a great job involving the students in the stories he shared.

Finally, students have been working on their research and inquiry skills. The 2^nd graders learned about note taking while researching frogs and toads. They then used these skills as they learned about their countries of origin. The 5^th graders continued to build on their skills as they worked on a cetacean research project. Ms. Darrah and I refreshed their memories about note taking and the steps of the research process and taught them about citing their sources.

In closing I would like to once again thank the wonderful volunteers that show up in the library each day. Without them I would not be able to provide all of these fun learning opportunities for students! A special thanks to Josephine Starr for taking on the task of organizing and scheduling volunteers. It has been a very smooth year!

There is a lot new in the Pine Hill Media Center since my last blog post. First of all, the Media Center now has a web site for the Pine Hill community to use. I will be looking forward to any feedback that you have. It is currently, and probably always will be, a work in progress.

Our school community also had a wonderful Reading Day in March. Students spent most of their day involved in literacy activities. We also had a few guest readers from the Sherborn community. We hope to expand and continue the tradition next year.

In library classes the kindergarteners have mastered the library routine and we have been enjoying many great books together. We continue to read various Caldecott winners, most recently the newest winner, The House in the Night by Susan Marie Swanson. We have also read some folk tales including tales with the trickster character, Anansi the Spider. We will read a couple more trickster tales and then students will draw their versions of tricksters.

In first grade the students have been enjoying books about different dog characters. So far we have read about Harry, Martha, Clifford, Carl and Gloria. We will vote for our “Top Dog” once we’ve added a few more characters to our list. We are lucky to have the author of the Martha series, Susan Meddaugh, coming to visit on Thursday, April 9! She will meet with the first and second graders. Thanks to the enrichment committee for organizing this.

Second graders are beginning to learn research skills. Their library lessons have been connected to their study of frogs and toads. We have been looking at non-fiction books, web sites and encyclopedias, and students are learning how to take notes. This will hopefully help them when they begin their research on their upcoming country reports.

I have been trying to connect the third grade library lessons with their study of the United States. Most recently we’ve read excerpts from Lady Liberty – A Biography by Doreen Rappaport and Our White House – Looking In Looking Out by various authors and illustrators. I am also working with the students on becoming more independent library users. They are learning how to look books up on the electronic catalog and where to find different types of books in our Media Center.

 Some of the Pine Hill students recently participated in the Massachusetts Children’s Book Award Program. Winners have been announced with the winner being The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart. This book was also chosen as the winner by the 4^th and 5^th grade students who participated in the program from Pine Hill. The honor books are Double Identity By: Margaret Peterson Haddix, H.I.V.E. (Higher Institute for Villainous Education) by Mark Walden, The Homework Machine by Dan Gutman and Miracle on 49^th Street by Mike Lupica. Thanks to all who participated!

Many 4^th graders are currently participating in a Read-a-thon to raise money for Heifer International. The students that have volunteered to participate have gotten pledges for each book they read through April 13^th. We will then combine the donations and decide how we’d like it spent through this organization. In library class we have been reading and learning about Africa and other parts of the world. Students are currently researching the different biomes of the world and will share what they have learned in our next library class. The study of biomes will also get them ready for their upcoming plant unit.

Finally, our fifth graders are in the middle of a genre study. Students are working with a partner or small group to research a genre and then create a poster about that genre which will be displayed in the Media Center. The posters will be helpful resources for students looking to vary what they read.

Next week is the Spring Book Fair. There will be plenty of wonderful titles to choose from. Don’t forget to take a look at the selection of historical fiction titles as this is our featured summer reading genre!

Happy December Everyone!

I want to thank the Pine Hill Community for the wonderful response to the Library Book Fair last week. We have added over 200 new books to our collection and the enthusiastic response from the students is contagious! I’d like to especially thank the CSA’s Megan Hall and Anne Hovey for leading the effort this year. Please feel free to stop in and take a look at some of the new selections, if there are any still available!

This month’s focus in library class, in addition to sharing great books, has been research skills. In 4^th and 5^th grade we have been talking about being responsible with the information we use from books, the internet and other electronic resources. We talked about the importance of citing our sources even when we aren’t asked to do this. I also showed the class some tools they can use to keep track of their sources. Ms. Willis has also done this in Computer class. We spent some time looking at the “Pine Hill Read This” blog and I am encouraging students to take a few minutes to write a book review about a good book that they’ve read. There is a link to the blog on this site with complete instructions and information.

Third grade has looked at atlases and a beginning encyclopedia and will explore more encyclopedias and dictionaries and thesauruses over the next few weeks. As we look at each of these resources, we have been discussing the type of information that can be found in each. We will also be reading tall tales that connect to their study of the United States.

Second grade has continued to focus on using the electronic library catalog to find books they want to read. They are fast learners and so willing to help each other that they are making this process look easy. Our next step is to talk about how to find the books they want on the library shelves.

Next month the first graders will research a woodland mammal and create a slide to present their information. In library class they were introduced to a simple research process called The Super 3 in which students follow 3 main steps as they conduct their research – Plan, Do, and Review. We are all looking forward to this collaborative effort between the first grade teachers, Ms. Willis and me.

Finally, the kindergarten continues to work on literature appreciation. Distinguishing between fiction and non-fiction is part of the regular discussion. This month we read a couple of different versions of “The Three Little Pigs” and compared them. Our next step is to read a non-fiction book about pigs and list facts that we learn about pigs. Coming from a background as a fifth grade teacher, I was taken by surprise at just how smart kindergarteners are. The connections and ideas that they have about what we are doing amaze me!

As always, thank you to our highly supportive group of volunteers who help make the library program what it is! Please feel free to contact me via email, ryanl@doversherborn.org, or phone 508.528.6362 with questions and comments.

Many exciting things are happening around Pine Hill and the Media Center is no exception.

Mo Willems and Susan Meddaugh are two of the authors that the kindergarteners have been enjoying in library class. The students are also becoming experts at distinguishing between fiction and non-fiction books! It is wonderful to watch them make their book choices each week and watch their excitement!

In first grade library class we have been reading books centered on the theme of friendship and are now focusing on books by Kevin Henkes. We have talked about the great job Henkes does creating his characters, most of them mice. We will be looking at information about this author on his website the next time we get together.

Second graders brainstormed a list of non-fiction book features as we looked at some samples. We also talked about the many different types of books in the library that are available for the many different readers in our school. We spent time looking at the variety of topics available in beginning chapter books.

Third graders are getting to know the wide range of information that is available in our school library. We went on a walk around the non-fiction section of the library to introduce them to the many interesting topics that they can read about and we spent time looking at atlases. They are also becoming more familiar with our online catalog.

The Massachusetts Children’s Book Award Program was recently introduced to 4^th and 5^th graders and many students are participating on a voluntary basis. Students are asked to read at least 5 books from a list of 25 nominated titles to be eligible to vote for their favorite in March. The next time we meet I will be showing students how to access our online book blog called “Pine Hill Read This.” There is a link to the blog on the right side of this page.

Once again I’d like to thank the wonderful volunteers that show up for all of these classes and are a tremendous help. I also appreciate the follow up on your part to the Overdue Reminder Slips I have been sending home regularly. Students are becoming more aware of keeping track of their books. I appreciate your help! I hope that if you have any questions you will email me at ryanl@doversherborn.org.

The school year at Pine Hill is in full swing. In the library, students have been busy getting reacquainted with the great selection of books, library procedures and their library teacher! This year’s opening theme is “I Spy a Good Book.” In addition to spy books and props on display, students viewed a top secret message from “Library Headquarters” outlining their library mission for the upcoming year. Students are part of a 3 phase operation. Phase 1 is “Library Lookout” in which students follow the library rules and take care of the books and the library. Phase 2 is called “Sniffing Out a Good Book.” We will be sharing good books with each other throughout the year and talking about reading “just right” books. The final phase, Phase 3 is called “Super Sleuthing.” Throughout the year students will learn how to use the resources in the library

Second and 3^rd graders have been recommending books to each other via an “I Spy a Good Book” form. The 4^th and 5^th graders are sharing good books using a “Spy Interview” sheet. Students write 4 facts about a good book they’ve read, but only 3 of the facts are true. Everyone becomes familiar with the book as we try to pick out the false fact.

Many of the 5^th graders have volunteered to adopt a shelf in the library. Students will check in on their shelf at least once a week to straighten it up. I am pleasantly surprised by the enthusiasm the 5^th graders are showing for this task.

Finally, thank you to those of you who have signed up to volunteer in the Library and to Josephine Starr for coordinating this effort. You can’t imagine how important it is to have you here to help out during classes. In addition to lightening the shelving load, you enable me to spend more time with the students, helping them to find great books to read!

        As the school year winds down, I have been busy collecting library books and beginning to close the library for the school year. Of course, we have been continuing to enjoy library classes. One of the recent highlights was Susan Meyer, 4^th grade parent, who visited and read her newly published book, Matthew and Tall Rabbit Go Camping. The students were thrilled to meet a real author and it added some more excitement to our already thrilling “Pine Hill Reading Day.” In the final library classes in June I will be sharing books about the connections we make with each other. We will spend some time reflecting on our school year and the summer ahead.

            This summer Pine Hill students are being asked to read a biography or autobiography of their choice. We are hoping that this common experience will present great discussion opportunities when the students return in September. If you are looking for more reading ideas for your child, I have set up a “Summer Reading Suggestions” link which will connect you to several good book lists. Also, don’t forget to click on the link to the Pine Hill “Read This!” blog where you will find some great reading suggestions from students. If your child reads a great book over the summer, encourage him or her to write a quick review and submit it to be posted on the blog. Instructions on how to do this are given.

            This has been a great first year in the library for me! I have been able to make some fun changes to the media center thanks to the Pine Hill CSA’s generous support. I have also had tremendous support from a wonderful team of volunteers. I can’t thank them enough! I am looking forward to September and continuing to work with the Pine Hill students.

Have a wonderful summer!

Laurie

March is “Music in Our Schools” month. It is also “Music & Poetry in the Media Center” month. I have been sharing books about Jazz with the classes. My favorite so far is Jazz on a Saturday Night by Leo and Dianne Dillon. The book came with a CD that has a selection of jazz that we played as I read the book to the students. Inevitably the students couldn’t resist snapping their fingers or swaying to the beat. I have also shared some poems about Jazz. Be Bop from Walter Dean Meyers book, Jazz, has been a favorite.

As if “Music & Poetry in the Media Center” isn’t exciting enough, I have added some new reading buddies to our library. The students can now choose to read their books to one of several animal puppets that live in the library. Students have been very responsible in their use of the puppets, reading to them quietly and sharing them with their classmates.

Earlier this month I was able to attend a children’s literature workshop with

Dr. Peggy Sharp. It was an extremely worthwhile day and I have several ideas that I can’t wait to try!

Here is a brief summary of what we have been up to during Library class:

 Kindergarten: In preparation for reading Janet Stevens & Susan Steven Crummel’s fun book, And the Dish Ran Away with the Spoon, we will be taking a look at several of Mother Goose’s classic nursery rhymes. And the Dish Ran Away with the Spoon references many of these rhymes in a very entertaining story about the dish and spoon actually running away! 

Grade 1: Wolf! by Becky Bloom and The Web Files by Margie Palatini & Richard Egielski have been two of our favorite read aloud books in first grade. Our next selections to share together are The Library Dragon by Carmen Agra Deedy, Knuffle Bunny Too by Mo Willems, and Charlie Parker played be bop by Chris Raschka.

Grade 2: We just wrapped up our author study of Judith Viorst and will now be reading the book, Aunt Nancy and the Bothersome Visitors by Phyllis Root. I imagine we will have many laughs together as we read this collection of entertaining trickster tales.

Grade 3: As we continue our look at stories set in different regions of the United States, I am reading aloud Patricia MacLachlan’s Sarah, Plain and Tall and Kirsten Learns a Lesson. We will collect vocabulary and details about land features of the Midwest as we read these books over the next few weeks.

Grades 4 & 5: In the upper grades students have been getting more familiar with the system used to organize books in the library. I am hoping that this will help students to be more independent in their use of libraries as they move on in school.

            Once again, thank you to all of the wonderful parent volunteers who make it easy for me to focus on the students when they are here instead of having to worry about the “business” of the library!

Happy 2008! Here I am, the official Library Teacher, and I am enjoying every minute. I have been busy creating a “reading nook” in honor of Carol DeFusco which has led to several other changes in the layout of the Media Center. The students are very excited about the new area rug and bench that were donated in Carol’s honor. It is amazing how a few changes can generate so much interest and excitement.

I am enjoying working with all of the classes at Pine Hill and the variety of ages is refreshing to me. Here is what we have been up to:

Kindergarten: I read the tale Seven Blind Mice by Ed Young to the students and gave them the chance to retell the story using props on the magnetic board. They also made mice book marks. Most recently we learned about the trickster, Anasi, as we read Anasi and the Talking Melon by Eric Kimmel. We will continue to read and discuss folktales.

First Grade: We had some fun reading The Little Red Hen by Jerry Pinkney. Some classes acted this traditional tale out and others broke down the parts of the story: characters, setting, problem and solution. We then enjoyed reading a parody of The Little Red Hen called Cook-a-Doodle-Doo! by Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel, and compared it to the traditional story. Later this month we will be reading the wonderful non-fiction story Owen and Mzee: the true story of a remarkable friendship told by Isabella Hatkoff, Craig Hatkoff and Dr. Paula Kahumbu.

Second Grade: Judith Viorst is the subject of our author study in second grade. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day was the first of her works that we’ve read along with another about Alexander. We will continue to read her books and also look at her web site to read about her life to see if we can find out where her ideas come from.

Third Grade: Over the next few months we will be reading literature set in different regions of the United States. We have been reading books set in the Southeast beginning with The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant and Big Mama by Tony Crunk. As we read we are talking about different features that we notice in the story or illustrations that show us what life in this part of our country is like.

Fourth Grade: As part of our discussion on plagiarism we read the book When Marion Copied by Brook Berg. We also talked about what we need to do to give the author of information we use credit for that information. Most recently we looked at a couple of web sites and evaluated them based on who created them, when they were created and the type of information the sites contained. The idea is to get students thinking about what they are looking at as they use the internet for research.

Fifth Grade: In fifth grade we have been talking to them about the same topics as in fourth grade. The students seem very interested in learning how to do the right thing when it comes to citing sources and using the internet for research. Ms. Willis, the computer specialist, has also been working with them in computer class on these same topics.

As I am trying to take over the administration of the Media Center, I will be sending home notices to students with overdue books on a regular basis. Please take a minute, or two, to look for any overdue books and return them as soon as possible. Thanks so much for all of your cooperation and support as I embark on my new adventure as Pine Hill’s Library Teacher. Thanks especially to the wonderful team of volunteers that makes it all possible!

Mrs. Defusco and I want to let you know about a couple of exciting events that will be taking place in November. First, author Kate DiCamillo will be appearing on November 9th at 6 p.m. at the Wilson Middle School in Natick. She has written great books for all ages such as Because of Winn Dixie, The Tale of Despereaux, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane and the Mercy Watson series about the adventures of an amazing, toast-loving pig. Take a look at her web site to learn more!

Another event to mark on your calendar is Mike Lupica’s appearance on November 16th at 4 p.m. at the Wellesley Free Library at 530 Washington Street in Wellesley. Mike is a sports writer that has written several great books including the children’s books Heat, Travel Team, and Miracle on 49th Street are a few of his titles. We have many fans of Mr. Lupica’s work here at Pine Hill! His books fly off the shelf! He writes action-packed adventures that children can relate to.

If you’ve read books by either of these authors, take a minute to tell us the title of the book and write a bit about what you thought of it. You can click on the “comments” link to send your comments to me and I will add them to this blog for other students to read.

Mrs. Defusco and I hope to see you at the presentations!

As you’ve all read in Mrs. Defusco’s newsletter, I will be working with her in our Media Center “learning the ropes” until her retirement in December. After having been a classroom teacher for 13 years, the last seven teaching fifth grade at Pine Hill, I am feeling reenergized by this change. Those of you that know Carol can only imagine the exciting experience this is! There is so much to learn and I am thoroughly enjoying working with all of the students and teachers in our school.

I am currently wearing several hats as I work on transitioning into my new role. I am co-teaching math in Ms. Scobie’s second and third grade multiage classroom and spending some time with the fourth graders as they practice typing in the computer lab. I have also had the opportunity to begin to provide some enrichment activities. I recently worked with a small group from Ms. Sidman’s first and second grade multi-age class teaching them how to describe and identify leaves. The students presented what they learned to the rest of the class and their work is posted in the classroom for all of the students to use. I am looking forward to doing more of this type of curriculum work with students throughout the school.

Another aspect of this career change for me is that I am back in graduate school. As I work toward my Masters in Library Media Studies I will be using what I learned in “library school” in my job at Pine Hill. My first endeavor is this blog! I want to have a place where we, parents, students and teachers, can share our thoughts about books and great resources on the web. I’m not sure if this is the format I will be using for all of my newletters. There are so many options I’ve yet to explore - wikis are next on my list! I’ll appreciate your feedback and I’m looking forward to working with you as I begin this adventure!