This Week in the Library: December 15 - 19

Here come the holidays!  This last week before Winter Break was a busy one in the Sherwood library. Here's what we did:

Primary (except Bonnell & Gregerson): Heard another book from our Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award nominee list.  We heard "Toys in Space" by Mini Grey.  Special vocabulary words in the story included: alien, beamed, and parachuted.  We talked about how we organize our toys.

4th Grade: Continued their practice on putting Dewey number in order.

5th Grade: Worked on finding sources.  They were given famous quotes and had to figure out who said it.  They also had to find two sources that would confirm this information.  The groups did a great job working together on the computers to find the information!

6th Grade: Began working on personal timelines.  We used rulers and set them up and began adding events from their lives onto the timelines.  We will continue this work in January.

Professional: Attended the school's Budget Committee meeting on Monday.  Wrote many book reviews for Puget Sound Council (we'll get to keep most of the books for our collection). Conducted a survey to teachers about the equipment needs they have with their classroom laptops (power strips, cords, etc.).  Cataloged the remaining best books we purchased at the book fair so they would be available to students to read over vacation.

This Week in the Library: December 8-12

Another full week! Here's what happened in the library.

Primary Classes (K-3):  We listened to "Carnivores" by Aaron Reynolds. (illustrator Dan Santat)  This is one of the Washington Chiildren's Choice Nominees.  We talked about the differences between carnivores, herbivores, and omnivores.  Vocabulary words discussed were: carnivore, vicious, vegetarian, and disguise.

We also wrapped up last week's story by watching a few minutes of a silent movie "The Bank" (1915). (this link is from You Tube and blacked at school). Here's another one "The Immigrant" (1917) (Teacher Tube).

4th Grade: We worked on organizing book cards by Dewey number in table groups.  This week we worked on numbers to the tenths place.

5th Grade:  We finished looking at bibliographies and source notes in biographies.

6th Grade:  We began working on reading time lines.

Professional:  Cataloged this month's magazines, some of the books we have gotten from Puget Sound Council, and started to process books we earned at our Fall Book Fair!

I also attended the District Tech Leader Training on Wednesday with Mrs. Goodsky and Mr. Wildenhaus.  I completed the 2 to 1 laptop distribution in the building.

I attened a meeting with folks from the district Technology Dept. regarding Wireless Access Points (WAPs) at Sherwood.  I did a walk through the building with them to identify locations for future WAPs to enhance the wireless signals at Sherwood.

In addition I checked out snow books to 2nd grade and worked with some small groups of 1st graders on logging into their district accounts and using laptops.

This Week in the Library: December 1-5

Finally, a full week!

Primary Classes (K-3):  We heard "That is Not a Good Idea" by Mo Willems another one of our WCCPBA books.  The book is written in the style of a silent movie.  We talked about how the author surprised us with the ending.  Vocabulary words taught for the story were: stroll, ingredient, boil, and key.  The word key in the book was used as "main" or "major" instead of the kind used to unlock something.

4th Grade: We began ordering Dewey Decimal book cards by number in small groups.  We used whole numbers and broke ties with the letters.  We will add complexity each week.

5th Grade: We worked on discovering bibliographies and source notes in biographies.  Students learned that source notes tell the reader where the information came from.

6th Grade: We looked for facts and opinions in biographies.  Students had to support their finds with either the word that made it an opinion or some possible resources that could prove a fact.  Work was recorded on a google form.

Professional: Worked on our building's redistribution of laptop computers.  All classes should soon be 2 students per 1 computer.  I also worked on processing and cataloging books received from Puget Sound Council.  Observers from the district came and visited the library on Wednesday.  Held a WCCPBA Preview session for primary teachers on Tuesday morning.  Teacher's learned about this year's nominees and some of the activities that can go with the books.  We watched the WCCPBA video.

Book Fair Wrap up

We had a great book fair. Many kids were able to purchase some great books for their home libraries.  As a result of our Scholastic Book Fair we received about $1700 is cash and $850 in Scholastic Books (85 books).  This was almost the same total as last year's book fair.  The money will be spent to add books to our collection for best books, children's choice nominees, and books that will support curriculum.

2 of our poster winners!

The book fair also had 10 students selected as poster winners.  Due to donation from the community ($300) we were able to get books to students in need.

The change donation box competition results were:  UW-$64.00, WSU- $15.68, Small WA colleges: $7.39.  All donation went to the purchase of new library books for Sherwood!

THANK YOU to all of our volunteers and the the PSO for handing the money and organizing the volunteers.

This Week In the Library Nov. 24-25

A very short week at Sherwood.  Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.

I only saw Monday classes this week due to the holiday.  Any books due Wednesday will be due the following week.

Primary Classes: Heard "Little Dog Lost" by Monica Carnesi.  This is a true story about a dog found on the ice in the Baltic Sea and is on our WCCPBA list.  Vocabulary words presented before this story were: Baltic Sea, adrift, and paddles.  News Video of Baltic.

4th Grade: Gibson: Reviewed our learning of the sections in the Dewey Decimal System.

5th Grade: Alderson: Completed our work on learning about a book's index.

6th Grade: Hanson: We reviewed the concept of fact and opinion.  We completed a worksheet as a class and discussed how determining if a statement is fact or an opinion can help with research.

Professional: Finalized the book fair documents.

This Week in the Library:November 17-21

It's Book Fair Week at Sherwood.  Here are some of the links your might need:

Volunteer LINK:  There are still some open slots during the week.  We'd love help!

Online Book Fair LINK.  Can't make it to the book fair?  Grandparents out of town looking for gift ideas?  You can order through this link and Sherwood will get credit for the sales.  The items come to us after the online fair closes (a few days after the regular fair).  If you are buying something as a gift, please send Mr. Sonnen an email with your phone number, so he will know not to give it to your child and to call you for pick up.

Scholastic Book Fair Videos:  PRIMARY (K-3)  INTERMEDIATE (4-6)  MIDDLE SCHOOL (6-8)

Book Fair Letter Home

Here's what was going on during classes:

Kindergarten:  Heard "More Bears!" by Kenn Nesbitt.  We made a chart of the similarities and differences between a library and a bookstore.  Students also have several minutes to browse the book fair.

1st. Grade:  We talked about being a savvy shopper.  Figuring out what you need vs. what you want.  Knowing how much money you have.  Being kind to cashiers.  Students also have several minutes to browse the book fair and create a wish list if they wanted to.

2nd ,3rd & 4th Grade:  We talked about sales tax.  We discussed how the government uses their tax money (schools, parks, roads, police, fire, libraries, etc).  Then we learned how to estimate tax using 10%. Students also have several minutes to browse the book fair and create a wish list if they wanted to.

5th & 6th Grade:  We talked about all of the people involved in making/producing and selling a book.  We also talked about how shoplifting affects prices.  Students also have several minutes to browse the book fair and create a wish list if they wanted to.

Professional:  This week I pulled Thanksgiving books for Mrs. Bonnell, continued to work on the building laptop 2 to 1 redistrbution, helped run the book fair.

This Week in the Library: November 10-14

VOLUNTEERS ARE STILL NEEDED FOR NEXT WEEK'S BOOK FAIR.  SIGN UP HERE.

Although there was no school on Tuesday to honor our Veteran's, we did have classes on the other days.

All Classes (except Morehouse): We prepared for next week's Book Fair by watching the author preview video. Flyers for the book fair were given to teachers to distribute and a letter was sent home to families.  It should be noted that all books checked out this week will be due after the book fair:

Monday Classes: books due Monday, November 24
Wednesday Classes: books due Wednesday, December 3
Friday Classes: books due Friday, December 5

Links to videos: Primary (K-3), Intermediate (4-5), Middle Sch. (6)

Professional: This was a busy week.  I worked with the district tech. dept. to enable printing on our new Chromebooks.  I continue to work on our laptop re-positioning so that all classrooms will be 2 students per computer.  I cataloged our monthly magazines and donated books from PermaBound and the Puget Sound Council.  I prepared for the book fair and will set the fair up Friday afternoon with a team of super volunteers.  There was also a Library Helper meeting on Thursday.

This Week in the Library: November 3-7

This week we had an artist in residence working with all students on Square Dancing, so library sessions were cancelled and we were in the gym dancing.  It was amazing to see the progress of the students in just one week and all of the thinking skills required to square dance.

I was also able to work with Mrs. Hirst's first graders on computer skills (logging in, treating laptops with care, opening a browser, navigating).

Professional: Attended the Puget Sound Council for the Review of Children's Materials monthly meeting at the Shoreline Center.  I served as substitute meeting chair as the president was out of town.  I presented 5 books to the group.

I began shifting computers in the building so every classroom will have at least 1 computer for every 2 students.  This project should take a couple weeks to complete.

I also did some work getting the upcoming Scholastic Book Fair ready.  The book fair will run from November. 17 - 21,  Details will be sent home soon.  Volunteers are needed: VOLUNTEER SIGN UP

This Week in the Library: October 27-31

This was conference week at Sherwood Elementary.  Kids were dismissed at 12:20, however, all classes visited the library during the week (except the half day kindergarten - who did not come to school this week).  Here's what we did:

Primary Classes (except Widener):  Heard "Outfoxed" by Mike Twohy.  This book is on the Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award nominee list.  Students figured out how the duck outsmarted the fox and found evidence in the text of the dog traits the duck demonstrated. Cool words to impress your friends found in this book: henhouse, exhausted, adorable, sly.

4th Grade: Work on our Dewey Decimal skills.

5th Grade: Learned what an index was and started to practice finding things in an index.

6th Grade:  Finished up work with Egypt website resource lists, Google Classroom, and using the library catalog.

Professional:  Met with the PSO President to talk about the upcoming Book Fair (Nov. 17-21).  Participated in a webinar titled "Common Core Partnership, Instruction, and Advocacy in the Elementary School Library" presented by Demco. Reviewed over 30 books for the Puget Sound Council for the Review of Children's Material. Many of these book will become a part of Sherwood's library collection.  I also worked on a distribution list of staff members for professional magazines and worked on a procedure for receiving Scholastic News print copies and distributing the to classrooms. Prepared book packets for primary teachers with WCCPBA books and activities.  Created a blog to improve Sherwood CCC communication.

Conference Week Library Schedule Changes

Conference week (October 27-31) is coming.  Due to early dismissal on each of the days, the library class schedule has changed.  Books will be due on the due date or when the class comes to library, whichever is later.  The library will be open during recesses (M-Th), however, laptop computers will not be available for checkout.  Library helpers for afternoon recesses may come in during lunch recess this week.

Monday - 10/27

9:30 - 10:00 Bogert (6)
10:00 - 10:30 Hanson (6)
10:30 - 11:00 Wildenhaus (5)
11:00 - 11:30 Alderson (5)
11:35 - 11:50 Intermediate Recess
11:55 - 12:10 Primary Recess

Tuesday - 10/28

9:30 - 10:00 Pawling (3)
10:00 - 10:30 Keating (3)
10:30 - 11:00 Mindt (4)
11:00 - 11:30 Gibson (4)
11:35 - 11:50 Intermediate Recess
11:55 - 12:10 Primary Recess

Wednesday - 10/29

9:30 - 10:00 Gregerson (2)
10:00 - 10:30 Rempel (2)
10:30 - 11:00 Morehouse (K)
11:00 - 11:30 Cook (K)
11:35 - 11:50 Intermediate Recess
11:55 - 12:10 Primary Recess

Thursday - 10/30

9:30 - 10:00 Gordon (1)
10:00 - 10:30 Bonnell (1)
10:30 - 11:00 Hirst (1)
11:00 - 11:30 Goodsky (1/2)
11:35 - 11:50 Intermediate Recess
11:55 - 12:10 Primary Recess

This Week in the Library: October 20 - 23

This was a fast week, with Friday as a Teacher Inservice Day.  Here's what we did:

Kindergarten: Cook: Heard "Cat Secrets" by Jef Czekaj.  We reinforced the checkout procedures learned last week.

Kindergarten: Widener: We did not have class this week due to the In-service Day, however, we did have a short checkout time on Thursday to reinforce the checkout procedures we learned last week..

Kindergarten: Morehouse: We heard "Mouse Mess"  by Linnea Riley. Students checked out books for the first time (they are due next week).  Then we drew pictures of mouse messes!  Mouse Mess Craft Idea

1st Grade: Gordon: Heard "Don't Be Silly Mrs. Millie" by Judy Cox. We talked about how Mrs. Millie changed words to be silly.

1st Grade: Bonnell / Hirst: Heard  "The Knight Who Took All Day" by James Mayhew.  Worked on alphabet order.

1st / 2nd Grade: Goodsky: We reviewed the Fiction section. They heard about some great series for second graders: A to Z Mysteries, Ready Freddy, Cam Jansen, Horrible Harry, Gooney Bird Greene, Magic Tree House, and others.  Students were encouraged to look at the fiction section to find some just right books.

2nd Grade: Rempel: We created a poster for the Fiction section.   They heard about some great series for second graders: A to Z Mysteries, Ready Freddy, Cam Jansen, Horrible Harry, Gooney Bird Greene, Magic Tree House, and others.  Students were encouraged to look at the fiction section to find some just right books.

2nd Grade: Gregerson: We created a poster for the Biography section.  We heard the biography "Wangari's Trees of Peace" by Jeanette Winter.  Links: Wangari Maathai Biography School Tube Video

3rd Grade:  Made colorful "Book Care" book marks to remind students of the learning we've done over the past few weeks.

4th Grade: Gibson:  Finished our introduction on the Dewey Decimal System.

4th Grade: Mindt: Finished their Dewey System 100s search.  Most students worked with partners for this activity.

5th Grade: Alderson: Took the TRAILS Assessment.  The assessment looks at student's information literacy skills and will help me in planning upcoming units of study.

5th Grade: Wildenhaus:  Read an article about author/illustrator Chris Van Allsburg.  Created a class list of questions based on the article.

6th Grade:  Continued working on finding great Ancient Egypt websites.  Enrolled in the library Google Classroom, looked at the various features of this application.

Professional:  Mr. Sonnen participated in an Edmonds SD Technology Leader Training at Old Woodway HS on Thursday, Oct. 1.  Attended the Edmonds SD monthly Librarian meeting.  I presented about Twitter and using an agenda board to focus learning.  I also heard from other librarians about applications and ideas learned at the recent WLMA Fall Conference.  Worked on preparing information for our school's 3rd grade participation in Sno-Isle's Rockem Sockem Reading Challenge.

New Magazines at Sherwood

We are very lucky to have 3 great new magazines in our collection.  These replaced magazines that have gone out of print.  Make sure to check them out!

Ask- Arts & Sciences for Kids combines the creativity of art and science.  

Dig into History- This magazine looks at different historic time periods with a variety of articles.  Recent issues have looked at Egypt and Greece.

Faces-  People, places, and cultures are explored in this magazine.  Our first issue looked at the nation of Greece.

This Week in the Library: October 13-17

Kindergarten: Cook / Widener:  We heard "Mouse Mess"  by Linnea Riley. Students checked out books for the first time (they are due next week).  Then we drew pictures of mouse messes!  Mouse Mess Craft Idea

Kindergarten: Morehouse: We created a list of relatives (mom, dad, grandma, aunt, uncle, etc.).  "The Relatives Came" by Cynthia Rylant.  Students then practiced getting supplies and created pictures of their relative.  Sent a letter: Online Version of Letter

1st Grade: Gordon: Continued to review how books are organized in the Everybody section.  Heard "I Want to Be an Astronaut" by Byron Barton.

1st Grade: Bonnell / Hirst: Heard "Don't Be Silly Mrs. Millie" by Judy Cox. After checkout, students worked on alphabet order.

1st / 2nd Grade: Goodsky:  Heard "Chameleons are Cool" by Steve Jenkins.  We talked about the Classified Section in the library and some ways to find books in this area.

2nd Grade: Rempel: Created a chart about the Classified Section in the library.  We discussed some ways to find books in this area.  The poster will be hung above the section in the library!

2nd Grade: Gregerson: We created a poster for the Fiction section.   They heard about some great series for second graders: A to Z Mysteries, Ready Freddy, Cam Jansen, Horrible Harry, Gooney Bird Greene, Magic Tree House, and others.  Students were encouraged to look at the fiction section to find some just right books.

3rd Grade: Pawling: Brainstormed a list of book care tips.  We will use these tips to create bookmarks next week.  The list is on the previous post.

3rd Grade: Keating: Finished reading "Penelope Popper, Book Doctor" by Toni Buzzeo.  We discussed ways to take care of our library books.

4th Grade: Gibson: Continued on our learning about the Dewey Decimal System.  We learned what kinds of books each hundred section contains.

4th Grade: Mindt: Finished our introduction to the Dewey Decimal System and began to explore the hundreds with partners.

5th Grade: Alderson: Completed their library rule posters.  These posters will be hanging in the library!

5th Grade: Wildenhaus: Took the TRAILS Assessment.  The assessment looks at student's information literacy skills and will help me in planning upcoming units of study.

6th Grade: Bogert:  Reviewed Ancient Egypt websites, added them to a resource list and prepared the share a website with their classmates.

6th Grade: Hanson: Continued working on their library skills checklist. Students learned how to create a resource list in their library account.  They also created a resource list for Ancient Egypt studies.

Professional:  Mr. Sonnen participated in an Edmonds SD Technology Leader Training at Old Woodway HS on Thursday, Oct. 17.  He learned about digital citizenship curriculum, Google Apps for Education, and Google Classroom.  Along with Mrs. Goodsky he began to draft a technology learning plan for Sherwood Elementary.

Book Care Tips

The 3rd grade has been learning about caring for books.  Here is a list of tips that Mrs. Pawling's class created in library class.

• Use a bookmark
• Uncrumple pages you find
• Remind people to care for books
• Don't rip pages
• Keep books away from pets and babies
• Keep books away from water and food
• Wash your hands before reading a book
• Don't bend the pages
• Don't throw books.  Set them down gently
• Don't dogear pages
• Keep books in a safe place
• Don't put books on the floor
• Don't write or draw on the pages
• Turn pages gently
• Don't leave books outside
• Keep books clean

This list will serve as excellent reminders for everyone!  Way to go 3rd graders!

This Week in the Library: October 6-10

Kindergarten: Morehouse:  Students heard "Horace and Morris, but Mostly Dolores" by James Howe. We continued discussing friends and friendship.  We learned where the supplies (paper, pencils, crayons, colored pencils) are in the library and how to get them and put them away.  Students drew pictures of an activity they could do with a friend.

Kindergarten: Cook / Widener: These classes created a list of relatives (mom, dad, grandma, cousin, etc.) and then heard "The Relatives Came" by Cynthia Rylant.  Students then practiced getting supplies and created pictures of their relative.  Sent a letter: Online Version of Letter

1st Grade: Gordon: Students heard "Miss Nelson is Missing" by Harry Allard.  Students learned about the "Everybody" section of the library.

1st Grade: Hirst / Bonnell:  Continued to review how books are organized in the Everybody section.  Heard "I Want to Be an Astronaut" by Byron Barton. 

1st/2nd Grade: Goodsky:  Students heard "Previously" by  Allan Ahlberg.  Students learned about the "Everybody" section of the library.

2nd Grade: Rempel: Students heard "Previously" by Allan Ahlberg.  The class created a chart about the Everybody section which is hanging in the library by that section.

2nd Grade: Gregerson: The class created a chart about the Classified (non-fiction) section and heard "One Tiny Turtle" by Nicola Davies (a true story about sea turtles).  This chart will be hung over the Classified Section of the library!

3rd Grade: Keating: Students heard the beginning of "Penelope Popper, Book Doctor" by Toni Buzzeo.  We discussed book care.

3rd Grade: Pawling:  Student heard the middle of "Penelope Popper, Book Doctor" by Toni Buzzeo.  We discussed water damage, "dog-earing," and book marks.  We will finish the book next week.

4th Grade: Gibson: Learned about Melville Dewey and why he developed a system to classify library books.  This is the beginning of a Dewey unit.

4th Grade: Mindt: Continued our learning about Melville Dewey and his system.  Students looked at each 100 section in the classified section to see what kinds of books were located there.

5th Grade: Alderson (started), Wildenhaus (completed) their library rule posters.  These posters will be hanging in the library!

6th Grade: Bogert (complete), Hanson (started) working on their library skills checklist. Students learned how to create a resource list in their library account.  The resource lists will be used in their upcoming Social Studies unit on Mesopotamia.

Professional: Mr. Sonnen attended the WLMA annual conference over the weekend and is looking forward to trying new ideas and sharing information with Sherwood colleagues.  Mr. Sonnen also showed our new district IT Support Supervisor around the school, introducing him to staff, and sharing successes and issues Sherwood has with our current technologies.  Ancient Egypt books were checked out to 6th grade to support their upcoming social studies unit and rhyming books were checked out to the intermediate intensive support class to support their learning.

This Week in the Library: September 29 - October 3

Kindergarten: Morehouse:  Students discussed friends then we read "Chester's Way" by Kevin Henkes.  Students shared their favorite parts using complete sentences.

Kindergarten: Cook / Widener: Students heard "Horace and Morris, but Mostly Dolores" by James Howe. We continued discussing friends and friendship.  We learned where the supplies (paper, pencils, crayons, colored pencils) are in the library and how to get them and put them away.  Students drew pictures of an activity they could do with a friend.

1st Grade: Gordon: Heard "Manners With a Library Book" and discussed how to take care of our library books.

1st Grade: Hirst / Bonnell: Students heard "Miss Nelson is Missing" by Harry Allard.  Students learned about the "Everybody" section of the library.

1st/2nd Grade: Goodsky:  Heard "Manners With a Library Book" and discussed how to take care of our library books.

2nd Grade: Rempel: Talked about book care.  Viewed a story presentation "Animals Should Definately Not Check Out Library Books."

2nd Grade: Gregerson: Students heard "Previously" by Allan Ahlberg.  The class created a chart about the Everybody section which is hanging in the library by that section.

3rd Grade: Keating: Talked about book care.  Viewed a story presentation "Animals Should Definitely Not Check Out Library Books."

3rd Grade: Pawling:  Students heard the beginning of "Penelope Popper, Book Doctor" by Toni Buzzeo.  We discussed book care.

4th Grade: Gibson: Reviewed Library Rules and policies.

4th Grade: Mindt:  Learned about Melville Dewey and why he developed a system to classify library books.  This is the beginning of a Dewey unit.

5th Grade: Alderson: Groups brainstormed library specific rules based on the Sherwood School Rules: Be Kind, Be Safe, & Be a Learner.

5th Grade: Wildenhaus: Started working on their library rule posters.  These posters will be hanging in the library!

6th Grade: Bogert:  Started working on their library skills checklist. Students learned how to create a resource list in their library account.  The resource lists will be used in their upcoming Social Studies unit on Mesopotamia.

6th Grade: Hanson: Watched a demonstration of how to put a library book on hold, how to create a resource list and how to add books and websites to a resource list in preparation for next week's lesson.

Professional: Mr. Sonnen prepared to attend the annual Washington Library Media Association conference in Yakima (Oct. 2-4).  He will be presenting with the WCCPBA committee and will be attending many sessions inclouding some on the Common Core State Standards and Web 2.0 Tools. "Read Aloud" books to support the reading program were delivered to each grade level.

This Week in the Library: September 22-25

Kindergarten: Morehouse: Students heard "I Took My Frog to the Library" by Eric Kimmel.  We then created a class book.  Each student picked an animal they'd take to the library and drew it on a page.  Student enjoyed hearing the class story!

Kindergarten: Cook / Widener: Students discussed friends then we read "Chester's Way" by Kevin Henkes.  Students shared their favorite parts using complete sentences.

1st Grade: Gordon: We reviewed library behaviors using an interactive power point presentation.

1st Grade: Hirst / Bonnell: Heard "Manners With a Library Book" and discussed how to take care of our library books.

1st/2nd Grade: Goodsky:  We reviewed library behaviors using an interactive power point presentation.

2nd Grade: Rempel: We learned about checkout procedures and reviewed using shelf markers.

2nd Grade: Gregerson: Talked about book care.  Viewed a story presentation "Animals Should Definitely Not Check Out Library Books."

3rd Grade: Keating: We learned about checkout procedures and reviewed using shelf markers.

3rd Grade: Pawling: Students heard the beginning of "Penelope Popper, Book Doctor" by Toni Buzzeo.  We discussed book care.

Intermediate Classes (Monday): We used "Plickers" to get student responses about our safety procedures.  This was the first time we tried using this technology.  Students were engages and the program provided me with feedback that could be used in future instruction.

4th Grade: Mindt: Reviewed Library Rules and policies.

5th Grade: Wildenhaus: Groups brainstormed library specific rules based on the Sherwood School Rules: Be Kind, Be Safe, & Be a Learner.

6th Grade: Bogert:  Watched a demonstration of how to put a library book on hold, how to create a resource list and how to add books and websites to a resource list in preparation for next week's lesson.

Professional: This week the library cataloged incoming magazines and prepared some new books from last June's Usbourne Book Fair to be cataloged.  Mr. Sonnen also worked on book reviews and preparing for his presentation at the upcoming WLMA Fall Conference.

Library Helpers Selected for 2014-15 School Year

35 students were selected to serve as library helpers for the 2014-2015 school year.  Helpers are in grades 4, 5, & 6.  They help in the library one recess each week and occasionally during their class library time.  Helpers are trained to check in and out books, shelve books, organize supplies, and take return buckets to classrooms.  Our library could not run efficiently without them!  Be sure to thank a library helper if you see one!

This Week in the Library: September 15-19

Kindergarten: Morehouse:  Students heard "Stella Louella's Runaway Book" by Lisa Campbell Ernst.  Everyone in the class shared their favorite part by using complete sentences.  They either said, "I like the part when..." or "My favorite part was..."

Kindergarten: Cook & Widener: Students heard "I Took My Frog to the Library" by Eric Kimmel.  We then created a class book.  Each student chose an animal they'd take to the library and drew it on a page.  Students enjoyed hearing "their" story!

1st & 2nd Grade: Gordon, Goodsky, & Rempel: Students created shelf markers and learned the "Bookie Lookie" song.

3rd Grade: Kearting: Students created shelf markers.  We reviewed how they were used in the library.

Primary Classes (Wednesday).  We learned about check out procedures and reviewed using shelf markers.

Intermediate Classes (Monday).  Students created shelf markers. We quickly reviewed how they are used.  We also reviewed emergency procedures in the library (fire, earthquake, and lockdown)

Intermediate Classes (Wednesday). We used "Plickers" to get student responses about our safety procedures.  This was the first time I tried using this technology.  It seemed engaging for students and provided information on their understanding of the topic.

Professional:  Attended Curriculum Night (9/17).  Assisted teachers with set-up of their presentations.  Registered for the Fall WLMA Conference to be held at the beginning of October.  Worked on plans for the upcoming bookfair. Prepared new books for library cataloging. Attended Building Leadership Meeting. 

This Week in the Library: September 8-12

Ah, the second week of school.  Grades 1-6 are checking out books, the library is open before school and at recesses (Tu,Th, F).  The beginning of the year is primarily concerned with setting up procedures.  Here;s what the various classes did:

Kindergarten: Morehouse: Students were introduced to the librarian, Mr. Sonnen.  Each student shared their name and favorite food. Some of my favorites: pig and silly (still can't figure this one out).  We then heard "Chrysanthemum" by Kevin Henkes.

Kindergarten: Cook & Widener:  Students heard "Stella Louella's Runaway Book" by Lisa Campbell Ernst.  Everyone in the class shared their favorite part by using complete sentences.  They either said, "I like the part when..." or "My favorite part was..."

1st Grade: Gordon: Students were welcomed to the library.  We heard "The Librarian From the Black Lagoon" by Mike Thaler. 

1st Grade: Hirst & Bonnell: Students created shelf markers and learned the "Bookie Lookie" song.

1st/2nd Grade: Goodsky: Students were welcomed to the library.  We heard "Bats at the Library" by Brian Lies  We also checked out books for the first time.

2nd Grade: Rempel: Students were welcomed to the library.  We heard "The Library Dragon" by Carmen Deedy.  We also checked out books for the first time.

2nd Grade: Gregerson: Students created shelf markers and learned the "Bookie Lookie" song.

3rd Grade: Keating: Students were welcomed to the library.  We talked about what we did in the library last year and brainstormed things we might do this year.  We checked out books for the first time.

A few shelf markers from Rm. 14

3rd Grade: Pawling: Students created shelfmarkers.  We reviewed how shelf markers are used.

Intermediate (4th-6th):  Monday classes: Students were welcomed to the library.  They completed a short survey about things they remembered doing in the library and things they'd like to do this year.  We checked out books for the first time.Intermediate (4th-6th):  Wednesday classes: Students created shelf markers.  We reviewed how shelf markers are used.  We also reviewed the emergency procedures for the library (fire, earthquake, lockdown). 

Professional: This week I wrote 56 book reviews, 3 of which were presented at the monthly Puget Sound Council for the Review of Children's Materials meeting in Shoreline on Saturday (9/13).  I checked in with teachers to see if they had resource needs or technical issues to solve.

This Week in the Library: September 3-5

This was the first week of school.  I only saw Wednesday and Friday classes this week.

Kindergarten: Students were introduced to the librarian, Mr. Sonnen.  Each student shared their name and favorite food. Some of my favorites: pig and silly (still can't figure this one out).  We then heard "Chrysanthemum" by Kevin Henkes.

1st Grade: Students were welcomed to the library.  We heard "The Librarian From the Black Lagoon" by Mike Thaler.

2nd Grade: Students were welcomed to the library.  We heard "The Library Dragon" by Carmen Deedy.  We also checked out books for the first time.

3rd Grade:  Students were welcomed to the library.  We talked about what we did in the library last year and brainstormed things we might do this year.  We checked out books for the first time.

Intermediate (4th-6th):  Students were welcomed to the library.  They completed a short survey about things they remembered doing in the library and things they'd like to do this year.  We checked out books for the first time.

Intensive Support: Students were welcomed to the library.  We learned the procedures for checkout and class time.  We checked out books.

Professional: This week was busy with library operational tasks: cataloging magazines that arrived over the summer, cataloging some new books, getting resources to classroom teachers, helping some teachers set up their tech teaching stations and more.

Welcome Back!

Welcome to Sherwood and the school library.  It's going to be an exciting year.  Book checkout for grades 2-6 will begin with their first class.  The library will be closed before school and at recesses for the first 3 days so students can learn the routines and procedures for coming into the class room at the beginning of the day and during recess times.

We will be open before school (9-9:15) beginning Monday, September 8.