This Week in the Library: Sept. 25-29

And we're back..... we had a lot of fun square dancing last week.  We are back in the library.  Friday was a half day, so if you normally have library on Friday and didn't have class this week, your books will be due next Friday (10/6). Here's what we did in classes this week:

Kindergarten: We heard "Stella Louella's Runaway Book" by Lisa Campbell Ernst.  We practiced responding to a story by sharing our favorite part.  Students with used "I liked the part when...." or "My favorite part was..." This is something we'll work on all year.

Grade 1 (Hirst) & Grades 1/2 (Stillwaugh): We created shelf-markers to use during book selection time this year.  We also reviewed emergency drill procedures for fire, earthquake, and lock down.

Grade 2 (Gregerson): We created shelf-markers to use during book selection time this year.  We also reviewed emergency drill procedures for fire, earthquake, and lock down.

Grade 2 (Holt):  We learned the procedures and routines for entering the library, book selection, and silent reading.

Grade 3 (Pawling, Keating): We learned the procedures and routines for entering the library, book selection, and silent reading.

Grade 4 (Gibson, Hopper):We learned the procedures and routines for entering the library, book selection, and silent reading.

Grade 4 (Mindt):  We learned 10 ways to find a great book to help us with book selection.

Grade 5 (Alderson): We learned the procedures and routines for entering the library, book selection, and silent reading.

Grade 5 (Wildenhaus):  We created shelf-markers to use during book selection time this year.  We also reviewed emergency drill procedures for fire, earthquake, and lock down.

Grade 6: We created shelf-markers to use during book selection time this year.  We also reviewed emergency drill procedures for fire, earthquake, and lock down.

Professional: Finished cataloging new best books. set-up book fair dates.

This Week in the Library: Sept. 18-22

It was "Square Dancing Week" at Sherwood so there were no specialist classes Monday to Thursday.  Here's what the Friday classes did:

Grade 2 (Rempel): We learned the procedures and routines for entering the library, book selection, and silent reading.

Grade 3 (Liker): We learned the procedures and routines for entering the library, book selection, and silent reading.

Grade 4 (Mindt): We learned the procedures and routines for entering the library, book selection, and silent reading.

Professional: Continued working on book cataloging.  Held a meeting for library helpers (applications due Sept. 27).

This Week in the Library: Sept. 11-15

This was our first full week of school.  Welcome to the kindergarten students!  It was the first time Monday and Tuesday classes visited the library.  Here's what we did during classes this week:

Kindergarten: The kindergartener's met Mr. Sonnen, the librarian.  We sat in a circle and shared the name of our favorite food.  Then, we heard "Chrysanthemum" by Kevin Henkes.  Vocabulary to reinforce at home: chrysanthemum, Parcheesi, miserably.

Grade 1 (Hirst): We heard "The Librarian from the Black Lagoon" by Mike Thaler.  We learned about the library and some of the things we will work on this year.  Vocabulary words to reinforce at home: laminate, laminated, laminator, decontamination, overdue.

Grade 1 (Gordon, Bonnell):  We created shelf-markers to use during book selection time this year.  We also reviewed emergency drill procedures for fire, earthquake, and lock down.  We checked out books.

Grade 1/2 (Stillwaugh): We heard "Goldie Socks and the Three Libearians" by Jackie Hopkins.  We learned about the library and some of the things we will work on this year.  We checked out books. Vocabulary words to reinforce at home:  astonishing, temptation, recliner.

Grade 2 (Gregerson): We heard "The Library Dragon" by Carmen Deedy.  We talked about library behavior and learned about some of the things we will work on in library this year.  We checked out books!  Vocabulary words to reinforce at home:  incinerated, incensed, linoleum, singed.

Grade 2 (Rempel, Holt): We created shelf-markers to use during book selection time this year.  We also reviewed emergency drill procedures for fire, earthquake, and lock down.

Grade 3: We created shelf-markers to use during book selection time this year.  We also reviewed emergency drill procedures for fire, earthquake, and lock down.

Grade 4: We created shelf-markers to use during book selection time this year.  We also reviewed emergency drill procedures for fire, earthquake, and lock down.  We checked out books.

Grade 5 (Alderson): We created shelf-markers to use during book selection time this year.  We also reviewed emergency drill procedures for fire, earthquake, and lock down.

Grade 5 (Wildenhaus): We completed a survey for specialist classes (library, music, PE) about what students liked last year and the things they hope we do this year.  We checked out books!

Grade 6: We completed a survey for specialist classes (library, music, PE) about what students liked last year and the things they hope we do this year.  We checked out books!

Professional: I assisted staff with technology, registered for the state WLA conference, worked on cataloging new books, began to laminate shelf-markers, worked on seating charts.

This Week in the Library: Sept. 6-8

Welcome to the 2017-18 school year.  It was great to see everyone back at Sherwood.  Here's what we did during Wed, Thu, & Fri classes:

Kindergarten: No Kindergarten students this week

Grade 1 (Gordon, Bonnell): We heard "The Librarian from the Black Lagoon" by Mike Thaler.  We learned about the library and some of the things we will work on this year.  Vocabulary words to reinforce at home: laminate, laminated, laminator, decontamination, overdue.

Grade 2 (Holt, Rempel): We heard "The Library Dragon" by Carmen Deedy.  We talked about library behavior and learned about some of the things we will work on in library this year.  We checked out books!  Vocabulary words to reinforce at home:  incinerated, incensed, linoleum, singed.

Grade 3: We heard "Do Not Bring Your Dragon to the Library" by Julie Gassman.  We talked about library behavior and learned about some of the things we will work on in library this year.  We checked out books!  Vocabulary words to reinforce at home: jig, roam, ignite, bios (short for biographies).

Grade 4: We completed a survey for specialist classes (library, music, PE) about what students liked last year and the things they hope we do this year.  We checked out books!

Grade 5 (Alderson): We completed a survey for specialist classes (library, music, PE) about what students liked last year and the things they hope we do this year.  We checked out books!

Professional: Helped staff with tech station set-up, participated in staff meetings, completed the annual Safe Schools trainings, registered for the AASL National Conference.

This Week in the Library: June 19-23

The last full week of school is over.  We did not have classes on Friday due to field day.  Here's what we did in classes.

Kindergarten: We heard "ABC I Like Me" by Nancy Carlson.  Each student drew the picture for their page of our class alphabet books.

Grade 1 (Gordon/Hirst): We heard "Butterfly Story" by Anca Hariton.  Students wrote a fact from the story and then drew a picture to go along with their fact.

Grade 1 (Bonnell/Stillwaugh):  We heard 3 books to end the year: "Chickens to the Rescue" by John Himmelman, "Creepy Carrots" by Aaron Reynolds, and "Hooway For Wodney Wat" by Helen Lester.

Grade 2 (Gregerson/Rempel): We heard "A Killer Whale's World" by Caroline Arnold.  Students wrote a fact from the story and then drew a picture to go along with their fact.

Grade 3 (Pawling/Keating): We worked on Coding with code.org.

Grade 4 (Gibson/Hopper): We read online.  Students could choose between myOn reading or Newsela.

Grade 5: We read online.  Students could choose between myOn reading or Newsela.

Grade 6 (Hanson): We read online.  Students could choose between myOn reading or Newsela.  I also shared class books that they made when they were in kindergarten!

Professional: Wrapped up paperwork for SBA state testing. Received the new books ordered a few weeks ago with the book fair profit money.  Most of these are from next year's best book and children's choice lists.  Repaired books.  Sent our notices of late books (fines).  Collected late books.  Worked on the the slide show for the end of the year assembly.  Took the library helpers on a field trip to the Seattle Central Library.  Went on the CCC/Conflict manager/Safety patrol field trip to Lynnwood Skate & bowl.  Helped with intermediate field day.  Attended our last morning staff meeting on Wednesday.  Said thanks to our senior volunteer, Janet.

This Week in the Library: June 12 - 16

The year is quickly coming to a close.  All library books were due on Monday and I'm working on bills for students who have not returned their books.  If you haven't returned your books yet....do it now!!!!!  Here's what we did in library classes this week:

Kindergarten (Morehouse/Cook): We heard "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" by Bill Martin Jr. and Click Clack Quackity Quack by Doreen Cronin.  We also picked things to put in our class alphabet books that we will make next week!  I told the students about the summer reading program and upcoming events at the public library.

Kindergarten (Widener): We heard "Alphabet Mystery" by Audrey Wood and "K is for Kissing a Cool Kangaroo" by Giles Andreae.

Grade 1 (Hirst): We read "Star of the Sea" by Janet Halfmann.  Students wrote 1 thing they learned from this narrative non-fiction book and drew a picture to go with their sentence.

Grade 1 (Bonnell, Gordon, Stillwaugh): We heard "Chameleons are Cool" by Martin Jenkins.  Then we wrote a fact we learned from the book and drew a chameleon picture.  Students shared their sentences with the class.

Grade 2: We heard "The Astronaut Handbook" by Meghan McCarthy.  Then we wrote a fact we learned from the book and drew a astronaut/space picture.  Students shared their sentences with the class.

Grade 3: We learned about the summer reading program at the Edmonds Public Library (see post below for links).  Students had the option of registering online for summer reading and then we worked on coding with code.org.

Grade 4-6: We learned about the summer reading program at the Edmonds Public Library (see post below for links).  Students had the option of registering online for summer reading and then we had choice reading time with myOn and Newsela.  SUMMER READING INTRO VIDEO

Professional: Wrapped up SBA testing paperwork and submitted it to the district.  Shelved a lot of books!  Attended a staff meeting on Tuesday morning and the building leadership team meeting on Thursday.  Began preparing for moving overdue books to lost and creating fines.  Helped troubleshoot technology issues throughout the building.

This Week in the Library: June 5 - 9

Wow!  The school year is coming to an end quickly.  All library books are due June 12 (next Monday).  We also had a great time at Computer Science Night on Wednesday.  Here's what we did in library classes this week:

Kindergarten (Widener): We began exploring alphabet books.  We heard "ABC Kids" by Basher and "Old Black Fly" by Jim Aylesworth.

Kindergarten (Cook/Morehouse): We heard "Alphabet Mystery" by Audrey Wood and "K is for Kissing a Cool Kangaroo" by Giles Andreae.

Grade 1 (Hirst): We heard "Mrs. Muddle's Holidays" by Laura Nielsen.  We noticed that in the end matter there was additional information about holidays.  We will alphabetize the holidays in the book next week.

Grade 1 (Gordon/Bonnell/Stillwaugh): We read "Star of the Sea" by Janet Halfmann.  Students wrote 1 thing they learned from this narrative non-fiction book and drew a picture to go with their sentence.

Grade 2 (Rempel): We read "One Tiny Turtle" by Nicola Davies.  Students wrote 1 thing they learned from this narrative non-fiction book and drew a picture to go with their sentence.

Grade 2 (Gregerson): We had our final book selection & check out time.  The class was interrupted by a "Shelter-in-Place" drill.

Grade 2 (Holt): No class due to a grade-level field trip.  All library books are due Monday, June 12.

Grade 3: We continued to work on Course 2 of code.org.

Intermediate Classes (gr. 4-6): We continued to practice using myON reading.  myOn is the district provided summer reading program for grades 4-6.

Professional: Helped run our school's 1st Computer Science Night along with Mr. Gibson and parent, Mrs. Wilkie on Wednesday night.  Attended our regular staff meeting before school on Wednesday morning.  Met with Mrs. Costello and Ms. Rook from the Instructional Media Department as a part of their year end conversations with district librarians.  Laminated book covers, submitted tech trouble tickets and finished up SBA test coding.

This Week in the Library: May 30 - June 2

We hope you had a great Memorial Day weekend!  If your regular library class is on Monday, your books will be due on Monday, June 5.  Here's what we did in classes this week.

Kindergarten (excdept Widener): We began exploring alphabet books.  We heard "ABC Kids" by Basher and "Old Black Fly" by Jim Aylesworth.

Grade 1 (except Hirst): We heard "Mrs. Muddle's Holidays" by Laura Nielsen.  We noticed that in the end matter there was additional information about holidays.  We will alphabetize the holidays in the book next week.

Grade 2: We looked for books to help with informational writing in the classroom.

Grade 3: We continued working on Course 2 in Code.org's code studio.

Grade 4: We reviewed how to log into myON reading, finished any pre-test, and read books online.

Grade 5 (Alderson): We reviewed how to log into myON reading, finished any pre-test, and read books online.

Grade 5 (Wildenhaus): We learned about the myON reading site, which will be available for summer reading.  Students logged in, took an interest survey, and completed a pre-test to determine a base reading level.

Grade 6 (Hanson): We learned about the myON reading site, which will be available for summer reading.  Students logged in, took an interest survey, and completed a pre-test to determine a base reading level.

Professional: Worked with the other specialists to develop a master schedule for the 2017-18 school year.  Attended the bi-weekly building leadership meeting on Thursday morning.  Helped finish SBA make-up testing.  Served on a district interview team Friday afternoon.

This Week in the Library: May 22 - 26

A busy week at Sherwood with SPA testing for 3-6th grade classes.  There were some adjustments in the library schedule.  Have a great Memorial Day Weekend!  Here's what we did in classes this week:

Kindergarten: We completed our personal crocodile books.  Then students used the document camera and microphone to read their booklet to the class.  We focused on standing tall, looking at the audience, and speaking clearly into the mic.

Grade 1 (except Stillwaugh): We alphabetized the names of the 16 cows from last week's story in small groups.

Grade 1 (Stillwaugh): We heard "Sixteen Cows" by Lisa Wheeler and then we began to alphabetize the names from the book to catch up with the other classes.

Grade 2: We had an overview of the magazine section and created a poster to hang over them.  We learned about periodicals, magazine focus, advertising, and other things!

Grade 3: We worked on course 2 of code.org's code studio.

Grade 4: We learned about the myON reading site, which will be available for summer reading.  Students logged in, took an interest survey, and completed a pre-test to determine a base reading level.

Grade 5 (Alderson): We learned about the myON reading site, which will be available for summer reading.  Students logged in, took an interest survey, and completed a pre-test to determine a base reading level.

Grade 5 (Wildenhaus): We had a book selection & reading time to decompress from testing!

Grade 6: We had a book selection & reading time to decompress from testing!

Professional: My main focus this week was on SBA testing.  I also attended our district librarian meeting Tuesday afternoon.  I prepared items for cataloging and helped with technology issues around the building.

This Week in the Library: May 15 - 19

With SBA testing and performance rehearsals, there were a lot of schedule changes.  Here's what happened during library classes this week:

Kindergarten: We heard "Counting Crocodiles" by Judy Sierra.  A clever monkey figured out how to cross a sea of crocodiles to get sweet bananas!  Next week we will make our own counting crocodile booklets.

Grade 1 (Hirst/Bonnell): We heard "Sixteen Cows" by Lisa Wheeler.  We will alphabetize the names of the cows next week!

Grade 1 (Stillwaugh): We brainstormed words from last week's book, "And To Think That I Saw It On Mulberry Street" by Dr. Seuss.  Then we put those words in alphabetical order as a class.  At times we had to alphabetize to the 2nd and 3rd letter!

Grade 1 (Gordon): No class due to Music performance rehearsal.

Grade 2 (Gregerson): No class due to Music performance rehearsal.

Grade 2 (Rempel / Holt): We heard "So Say the Little Monkeys" by Nancy Van Laan.  This is a folktale from Brazil.

Grade 3: We logged into code.org and began Course 2 of computer coding.  Mrs. Costello, an  instructional technology coach helped during Mrs. Keating's class!

Intermediate Classes (Grades 4-6: except Wildenhaus): We had a choice reading time to decompress from state testing!

Grade 5 (Wildenhaus): We joined Mrs. Thain's PE Class to run of energy after a morning of testing!

Professional: Severed as building test coordinator.  Attended the building leadership meeting Thursday morning.  Worked on cataloging books and magazines for the collection.

This Week in the Library: May 8 - 12

A quick 4-day week of school.  If Friday was your regular library day, your books will be due next week (5/19).  Here's what we did in the remaining classes:

Kindergarten: Heard two counting books: "My Little Sister Ate One Hare" by Bill Grossman and Caledcott Honor Book, "Ten, Nine, Eight" by Molly Bang.  While both were rhyming books, one counted up and one counted down.

Grade 1 (except Stillwaugh): We brainstormed words from last week's book, "And To Think That I Saw It On Mulberry Street" by Dr. Seuss.  Then we put those words in alphabetical order as a class.  At times we had to alphabetize to the 2nd and 3rd letter!

Grade 2 (Rempel only): We learned about magazines. Points discussed included: what is a periodical, subscriptions, focus or topic, audience, types of features.  We will work more on magazines in the coming weeks.

Grade 3 (Pawling only): We worked on logging into code.org and began coding activities.

Grade 4 (except Mindt): Due to scheduling conflicts/changes we only had book selection, check-out, and silent reading this week.

Grade 5: No classes due to Outdoor Education.  All books will be due next week.  Have fun at camp!

Grade 6: Continued working on reading train schedules assignment.

Professional:  Helped teachers prepare for next week's SBA State testing.  Attended the Washington Library Association - School Library Group steering committee meeting Thursday evening.  Went to the Foundation for Edmonds School District annual breakfast before school on Friday.  Participated in staff training during the in-service time on Friday.

This Week in the Library: May 1 - 5

It's hard to believe May is here....only 2 months left of school.  Here's what we did in library classes this week!

Kindergarten: We heard "Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type" by Doreen Cronin.  This was our last farm book.  This book was also a Caldecott Honor award winner.

Grade 1: We heard "And To Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street" by Dr. Seuss.  We learned that this was his first book for children.  We thought about words from the book we could use to alphabetize next week.

Grade 2: We created a poster about the Biography section of the library.  We learned where it was, what kind of books are found there, and how they are arranged.  The poster is hanging up over the Biography section in the library

Grade 3 (Keating): We did our post-assessment on coding/algorithms.

Grade 3 (Pawling/Liker): We began working online with computer coding using code.org

Grade 4: We completed an assessment of our Dewey number order skills.

Grade 5: We finished our fact/opinion slides.  We saw everyone's slides and tried to figure out if it was a fact, an opinion, or a false fact.

Grade 6: We began working on reading a train schedule.

Professional: Prepared materials for SBA testing packets to be given out to teachers next week.  Prepared donated books for cataloging, met with our principal to finalize the testing schedule, helped with teachers computers to regain wireless capabilities, attended our building EEA meeting Tuesday evening, and attended the district's Technology Advisory committee meeting on Monday evening.  I also had my end of year evaluation meeting with the assistant principal.

This Week in the Library: April 24 - 28

This week, we saw our 2 teams compete in the district battle of the books (see other post).  Some class times were changed so I could take the teams to the competition.  Here's what we did in library classes this week:

Kindergarten: We heard another farm book, "Zinnia and Dot" by Lisa Campbell Ernst.

Grade 1: We alphabetized the words found in last week's story, "On Market Street." We talked about ways to figure out which letter comes next if you forget.  Students also had the choice of work on alphabet dot-to-dot pictures after check out to reinforce the alphabet.

Grade 2: We talked about the classified section (aka non-fiction).  We talked about how the numbers are classes, how not all of the books in this section are true, and how to use the 5-finger check to see if a book is right.

Grade 3 (Pawling):  We did our post-assessment on coding/algorithms.

Grade 3 (Keating):  We did our lesson on algorithms using paper airplane construction to go through the process of organizing steps in an order to successfully construct a plane.

Grade 3 (Liker):  We completed our paper airplane algorithm lesson and then we took the coding/algorithm post assessment.

Grade 4: We completed a Dewey decimal call number sort in small groups.  Students had to order the cards down to the thousandths place.  Sometime they had to use the letters to "break the tie."

Grade 5 (Wildenhaus): We read new articles online using Newsela.

Grade 5 (Alderson): We created slides on Google Slides using a photograph from Britannica Online (also using their citation) and created a statement of fact, opinion, or false fact.  We also talked a little bit about slide backgrounds and how they can help or hurt a slide presentation.

Grade 6: Continued to work on reading transportation schedules.  We are almost finished with the bus schedules.

Professional: I created the electronic score sheet for the district battle of the books.  I cataloged a few new books for the library, accepted donations of books from families (most will head to classroom libraries),

This Week in the Library: April 17-21

Another busy week in the library.  We had our school-level Battle of the Best Books competition on Tuesday (see best book post).  Here's what we did in classes this week!

Kindergarten: We read "Midnight Farm" by Reeve Lindbergh.  The book is a counting book and a rhyming book were a young child explores the farm at night with mom.  Before reading, we created a list of animals that one might see on a farm.

Grade 1: We read "On Market Street," a Caldecott honor book, by Anita Lobel.  We are beginning a unit on alphabetical order.  Next week we will use the words in this book to alphabetize!

Grade 2 & Grade 3 (Keating): We heard "The Beckoning Cat," a Japanese folktale that explains why many Asian businesses have a cat statue welcoming customers.

Grade 3 (Pawling/Liker): We learned about algorithms using steps to make a paper airplane.  This was an unplugged lesson from code.org.

Grade 4: We continued to work with the library shelver game to gain more experience in putting Dewey decimal call numbers in order.

Grade 5 (Wildenhaus): We extended last weeks lesson.  Students created google slides with a photograph (from Britannica Online), a citation for the photo, and a statement (either a fact, false fact, or opinion).

Grade 5 (Alderson): We read online news articles found on Newsela.

Grade 6: We began our reading transportation schedules using a Metro Bus schedule assignment.  We will finish it tomorrow.

Professional: Attended an all day district training on computer science with Mr. Gibson on Wednesday.  We learned about lessons that will be a part of the district's new computer science curriculum.  Attended the building Leadership meeting Thursday morning. Our topics were parent engagement and summer learning.  Had my pre-observation conference, observation, and post-observation conference with Mrs. Shook.  Conducted the building level battle of the books.  Worked with our tech support person to get older laptops ready for use in first grade.

This Week in the Library: March 13-17

We ended this week with half days.  Not all of the classes came to library this week.  If your class didn't visit the library,  your books are due next week.  Here's what we did in the classes that did come to the library!

Kindergarten (Widener): We watched the Washington Children's Choice Picture Book video so we could remember the book we have heard in the library and in class.  After the video we voted for our favorite!

Grade 1 (Hirst, Stillwaugh): We watched the Washington Children's Choice Picture Book video so we could remember the book we have heard in the library and in class.  After the video we voted for our favorite!

Grade 1 (Bonnell): We heard "I Don't Want to be a Frog" by Dev Petty.  Frog learns that being a frog is a pretty good thing!  Vocabulary: slimy, besides, curly, and fierce.

Grade 3: We worked on our "Best Book I Ever Read" posters.  The posters are due Thursday, March 23 (next week).  Students will also work on them in class.

Grade 5 (Wildenhaus): We learned about Newsela.  Students had time to read current event articles at their reading level from this website!

Grade 6 (Chase): We explored Britannica Encyclopedia Online.  Students looked at articles and resources to support their learning of Ancient Egypt.

Professional:  Last Saturday I attended the state meeting of the Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award committee.  We met to determine the 20 books for the 2018 nominee list.  On Sunday I participated in a day long Red Cross Lifeguard / CPR / First Aid / AED re-certification class. I met with my library collaborative group on Wednesday afternoon.  We are working on teaching a coding unit.  I also worked on troubleshooting various technology issues throughout the building (red cat, chromebooks, laptops) and helped teachers with tech questions.

This Week in the Library: March 6-10

What a busy week in the library.  We hosted the Sno-Isle 3rd Grade reading challenge In-School Battle on Tuesday.  Wednesday was group picture day for the yearbook, many groups were photographed in the library.  Classes also got a lot accomplished.  Here's what we did:

Kindergarten (Cook/Morehouse): We learned a lot about spiders from the book "I'm Trying to Love Spiders" by Bethany Barton.  It is one of our Washington Children's Choice nominees for this year. We also worked on presenting our after-book selection drawings using the document camera and microphone.  Vocabulary: millions, billions, venomous, and arachnid.

Kindergarten (Widenr):  We read "Job Wanted" by Teresa Bateman.  The dog was not discouraged and kept on trying to find a farm job right for him.  It is one of our Washington Children's Choice nominees for this year. We also worked on presenting our after-book selection drawings using the document camera and microphone. Vocabulary: discouraged, foofaraw, plodded, barnyard, and commotion.

Grade 1 (Bonnell): We read "I'm New Here" by Anne O'Brien.  This story looks at 3 children who have come to America from other countries around the world and how they adjusted to their new homes.  It is one of our Washington Children's Choice nominees for this year.

Grade 1 (Gordon):  We heard "Mummy Cat" by Marcus Ewert.  Mummy cat roams the pyramid waiting for his queen to wake up.  It was noted that there were several other stories in the illustrations.  Students poured over the books (see photo) during reading time to solve the mystery.  It is one of our Washington Children's Choice nominees for this year.  Vocabulary: pyramid, pharaohs, century, serene.

Grade 1 (Hirst):  We heard "Job Wanted" by Teresa Bateman.  The dog was not discouraged and kept on trying to find a farm job right for him.  It is one of our Washington Children's Choice nominees for this year. Vocabulary: discouraged, foofaraw, plodded, barnyard, and commotion.

Grade 1 (Stillwaugh):  We heard "A Perfectly Messed-up Story" by Patrick McDonnell and reviewed what we knew about taking care of books.  It is one of our Washington Children's Choice nominees for this year.  Vocabulary: skipping, stain, fingerprints, respect, inspire.

Grade 2 (Gregerson): Due to yearbook photos in the library, we were only about to read during this time.

Grade 2 (Holt):  We heard "Job Wanted" by Teresa Bateman.  The dog was not discouraged and kept on trying to find a farm job right for him.  It is one of our Washington Children's Choice nominees for this year. Vocabulary: discouraged, foofaraw, plodded, barnyard, and commotion.

Grade 2 (Rempel):  We heard "Elizabeth, Queen of the Seas" by Lynne Cox.  We learned about an elephant seal from Christchurch, New Zealand who, in spite of being taken away, kept returning to the river it loved.  Vocabulary: New Zealand, flippers, nostrils, swerved.

Grade 3: We began working on our posters for the "Best Book I Ever Read" poster contest.  The annual contest is sponsored by the Edmonds Arts Commission and the Friends of Edmonds Library.  All posters need to be completed by Thursday, March 23.

Grade 4: We continued to work on using Newela to read current event articles and informational text online.  Mr. Gibson's class was unable to do this due to yearbook picture taking.

Grade 5: We continued to discuss fact and opinion.

Grade 6: We finished our work on comparing our school online library catalog with catalogs at a public library and university library.

Professional: I attended the district test coordinator training Monday evening so I can be up-to-date on information regarding our upcoming SBA testing.  I served as a panelist at a meeting on Tuesday for prospective librarians at the district office.  I attended our regular staff meeting on Wednesday morning.  I set-up and organized our In-School Sno-Isle Reading Challenge contest for 3rd graders.  Edith Farrar from the Edmonds Public Library served as the emcee.  I helped Mrs. Shumway with Woodway Walkers on Monday.  I updated old PC that will create computer stations in Mrs. Widener's kindergarten class.  I helped troubleshoot technology and met with our tech support person for the upcoming gmail conversion and state testing.

This Week in the Library: February 27 - March 3

This was an interesting week in the library.  Classes were cancelled Wednesday because of  Kindergarten Registration and substitute unavailability.  I was out Wed. - Fri. due to an eye injury.  Most classes hear a story, selected books, and read quietly.

Kindergarten (Widener): Heard the informational book, "Hippos are Huge" by Jonathan London, from our Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award list.  Vocabulary: monstrous, chomp, nostrils, tidbits.

Grade 1 (Hirst): Heard "Mummy Cat" by Marcus Ewert.  Vocabulary: pyramid, pharaohs, century, serene.

Grade 6: Continued working on our Comparing Catalogs projects.  Students were finding books in our catalog, a public library catalog, and a university catalog.

Professional: Attended our district librarian meeting at Meadowdale Elementary on Tuesday evening.  Also attended a meeting on student learning Tuesday morning.

This Week in the Library: February 22-24

Happy Presidents Day.  We hope you enjoyed the extended weekend.  If your library was on Monday or Tuesday, your books will be due next week.  Here's what we did the rest of the week in library classes:

Kindergarten (Cook/Morehouse): We heard books that might be on next year's Children's Choice award list.  Mrs. Cook's class heard "The Cow Who Climbed a Tree" by Gemma Merino and Mrs. Morehouse's class heard "The Bear and the Piano" by Litchfield.

Grade 1 (all except Hirst): We used this week to catch up on the Children's Choice books we missed so far.  Mrs. Gordon's class heard "Who Wants a Hug?" by Jeff Mack; Ms. Bonnell's class heard "Hippos are Huge" by Jonathan London; Mr. Stillwaugh's class heard "There Was and Old Dragon Who Swallowed a Knight" by Penny Klosterman.

Grade 2 (Gregerson/Rempel): We heard books that might be on next year's Children's Choice award list.  Mrs. Gregerson's class heard "Bunnies" by Kevan Atteberry, "Barnacle is Bored" by Jonahtan Fenske, and "Best Frints in the Whole Universe" by Antoinette Portis.  Mrs. Rempel's class heard "A Bike for Sergio" by Maribeth Boelts.

Grade 2 (Holt): We used this week to catch up on the Children's Choice books we missed so far.  We heard "Hippos are Huge" by Jonathan London.

Grade 3: We completed our graph paper programming lesson.  We learned how we could take written directions and turn them into a code.

Grade 4: We learned about Newsela.  We read current event articles from this website and took article quizzes.

Grade 5 (Alderson) : We did some small group work with fact vs. opinion.  We looked at statements to determine what type they were and how we could proved fact statements.

Grade 6: No classes this week due to President's Day holiday.

Professional: Attended our bi-monthly staff meeting Wednesday morning.  Worked on library maintenance projects.

This Week in the Library: February 13-17

Happy Valentine's Day!  Another busy week in the library.  Here's what we did during classes:

Primary Classes (K-3): We heard another one of our Washington Children's Choice Picture Book nominees, "Who Wants a Hug?" by Jeff Mack.  Skunk tries to stop Bear from giving hugs,  but learns that hugs are great.  A perfect book for Valentine's Day week.  Vocabulary: mackerel, huffed, skunk, fix (I'll fix him).

Grade 4: Finished our best book exploration project.

Grade 5: Began looking at Fact vs. Opinion.  We saw some examples and talked about how you could prove if a fact is true.

Grade 6: Began a project on comparing library catalogs.  Students will search for books in our library, a public library, and a university library.  We also worked on tech skills: copy, paste, and using Google Classroom/docs

Professional: Attended our building leadership meeting on Thursday, read more books to prepare for the upcoming WCCPBA meeting, and attended a collaborative group meeting on student behavior.  I also represented Sherwood at a Building Test Coordinator meeting on Monday evening.

This Week in the Library: February 6-10

We opened the week with 2 snow days and ended with a half day!  If you usually have library on Monday, Tuesday, or Friday morning, your books will be due next week.  Here's what we did the rest of the week.

Kindergarten: We read "Who Want's a Hug?" by Jeff Mack.  Skunk does not want hugs from bear and tries to find ways to make bear stinky so others won't want hug either.  Vocabulary:  mackerel, huffed, skunk, fix.

Grade 1-3 (except Bonnell, Hirst, Holt, Liker): We read "Job Wanted" by Teresa Bateman.  Dog is looking for a job.  There is no job for a farm dog, so he tries work as a cow, horse, and chicken.  The farmer realizes that a farm dog is just want he needs.  Vocabulary: plodded, commotion, barnyard, discouraged, foofaraw.

Grade 1 (Bonnell): We heard "What the Dinosaurs Did Last Night" by Refe and Susan Tuma.  This book was created using plastic dinosaurs and taking photographs.  It is on our Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award nominee list. Vocabulary: slobber, Picasso, messy. AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Grade 4/5 (except Mindt,Wildenhaus): We worked on our best book exploration project.

Professional: Reviewed a dozen books for Puget Sound Council Book Review Group.  These books were then added to our collection.  Readied old items for surplus.  Updated best book tracking for students.