MARCH BIRTHDAYS

March 2 - Theodore Geisel, Dr. Seuss
March 5 - Mem Fox
March 8 - Robert Sabuda
March 10 - Jack Kent
March 11 - Ezra Jack Keats
Wanda Gag
March 12 - Virginia Hamilton
March 14 - Marguerite de Angeli
March 16 - Sid Fleischman
March 20 - Lois Lowry
March 22 - Randolph Caldecott
March 25 - Linda Sue Park
Kate DiCamillo
March 26 - Jerry Pallota
Robert Frost
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Students in Grade 2 study the continents of the world so in our library lesson we traveled to Australia and New Zealand. Using a map to locate the southern island of New Zealand they read the true story of Shrek:the Famous Hermit Sheep of Tarras written by the Tarros School Students. While visiting there this winter break I found out about this famous hermit merino sheep who ran away from Bendigo Station in Tarras, Central Otago, New Zealand and was not found until April 15, 2004 6 years later. During that time he was blinded by his great woolen coat and his heavy coat was preventing him from moving. There were times he could not even get up without a struggle. Shrek was carrying 25kg of fine merino wool and gave up 22kg for a charity to help Cure Kids. He was blade shorn in front of a world TV audience by Peter Casserly on April 28, 2004.

Students in Grade 1 learned about American symbols and their meanings of our nation through a series of books in our library. The set includes the following topics:
The Alamo, The American Flag, The Bald Eagle ,The Confederate Flag,The Constitution, The Declaration of Independence, Ellis Island, Independence Hall ,The Jefferson Memorial, The Liberty Bell, The Lincoln Memorial, Mount Rushmore, The National Anthem, The Pledge of Allegiance, The Statue of Liberty, Uncle Sam, The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, The Washington Monument, and The White House

While studying the Statue of Liberty students also learned about Roman Numerals. Stop by our media center to check out one or more books in this series.

How do you read a book without words? Just ask any student in Grade 3. This week they told their class the story of The Silver Pony by Lynd Ward - a wordless book. It was so interesting to see how each class told this beautiful tale. They sure had a chance to not only use their imaginations, but also to practice their oral presentation skills.

Leprechauns were the big discussion in Alpha and in one Jr. K class this week. Using props we discussed what the they looked like, four leaf clovers, pots of gold and St. Patrick's Day. They also listened to the story entitled Lucky O'Leprechaun written and illustrated by Jana Dillon. In fact after hearing this story some of the children told me they were going to look for leprechauns over their spring break. I wish them lots of Irish luck, too.

Students in K and in one Jr. K heard the story Listen to the Wind by Greg Mortenson so they could vote in the Florida Reading Association Children's Book Award program. It is a picture book based on the adult New York Times Bestseller, Three Cups of Tea and one of the 8 books in this year's contest.


Whatever you do and however you spend it....have a wonderful, safe, and enjoyable spring break!