JANUARY JOYS!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! CHINESE NEW YEAR BEGINS ON JANUARY 23........
2012 is the " Year of the Dragon"


Students in grades 1 and 2 got ready for our author visit (Jan. 9) by reading several of the books written by Marianne Berkes. She has written ten award-winning picture books and lives in Hobe Sound, Florida. She has spent much of her life as a teacher, children's theater director and children's librarian. She knows how much children enjoy "interactive" stories and is the author of entertaining and educational picture books that make a child's learning relevant. Reading, music and theater have been a constant in Marianne's life. Her books are also inspired by her love of nature. She hopes to open children's eys to the magic found in our natural world. Marianne now writes full time. She also visits schools and presents at conferences. She is an energetic presenter who believes that "hands on" learning is fun. Her website is www.MarianneBerkes.com



Students in Jr. K discussed the reason for the day off from school and Martin Luther King Jr. Day. They listened to Shades of People by the award-winning author and photo-illustrator of more than thirty books, Shelley Rotner and Sheila M. Kelly, a clinical psychologist. The Crayon Box that Talked by Shane DeRolf was also read. In this story the box of crayons just could not get along and something was wrong. But something very right begins to happen when a little girl takes these crayons home and starts coloring with them.They realize the big picture they make together is ever so much more exciting and varied-yes, even dazzling-than the small pictures they make alone. This is a simple little story with a big important message.

In 3rd grade students read Martin Luther King Jr. - A Life of Determination by Sheila Rivera in order to learn why we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Idioms were another topic that was discussed by reading Monkey Business by Wallace Edwards, the award-winning author of Alphabeasts. This newest creation of his weird and wonderful imagination is a brilliant collection of illustrated idioms. A display of other books about idioms included A Chocolate Moose by Fred Gwynne, Rugs Have Naps (but never take them) by Charles Klasky, and There's a Frog in My Throat by Loreen Leedy and Pat Street.

Alpha students told me the story of Where's Walrus by Stephen Savage since it is a picture book with no words. Students loved asking Where's Walrus? on every page since he escaped from the zoo. Will the zookeeper find him? Or will this clever runaway stay one step ahead by disguising himself among firefighters, businessmen, and even high-stepping dancers? In this delightful wordless picture book, you can follow Walrus's happy-go-lucky spree in the big city as he tries on different hats from all walks of life. But what happens when the hats are off? What is different about his "home" at the end of the book? Just ask any Alpha student or check out the book yourself and enjoy it!

K students read The March by Jane Ann Thomas, a biography book about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s live. They also discussed reasons for the national holiday and why we were off from school on Monday. They also enjoyed learning about the true story of a remarkable friendship in the entitled Owen & Mzee by Isabella Hatkoff. This true story offers a potent reminder that even in the face of tragedy, the power of friendship endures-and that our most important friends are sometimes those we least expect. They also read the stories of extraordinary animal friendships in the book entitled Friends by Catherine Thimmesh.With candid photographs and a spare prose, award-winning author Catherine Thimmesh invites us to wonder at the truth and mystery inherent in some of the most extraordinary friendships from around the world.

A big thank you goes out to Andi Mullins for chairing the library volunteers this year. Her hard work and precious time has paid off for all of us. She has been giving hands on training sessions since school started. We have many parents who are helping us in the media center this month and they are so appreciated. They are checking out books, helping students locate books and explore the many treasures found in our beautiful media center. Some are also helping with the book displays and decorations. Thank you so much to all of our wonderful parent volunteers who are helping the students "Go Wild for Books" this year.