Stories from the Library: February 1-5

As 1st Graders become more independent readers, I like to introduce easy reader and chapter books into our library times. I especially love seeing when students have latched onto a certain series and can't wait to come back for the next book. One such series that's wonderful for emerging readers is Nate the Great by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat. The books are narrated by Nate, a boy detective who solves cases around his neighborhood, and give great "kid perspective" into the world of mystery-solving. We started reading Nate the Great and the Mushy Valentine, in which Nate is not shy in telling us that "I was glad that no one had given me a valentine. I, Nate the Great, do not like mushy words. Or slushy words. I, Nate the Great, do not want to be anyone's valentine."

We had a short week because of conferences this week...


Preschool: We followed another runaway dog in Cynthia Rylant's The Great Gracie Chase: Stop that Dog! When the house painters disturb Gracie's peace and quiet, she escapes the yard and starts running. Soon nearly everyone in town joins in the Great Gracie Chase-- across the schoolyard, up the hill, through the fountain. Preschoolers love this fun story and bold, colorful illustrations.


Junior Kindergarten: Junior Kindergartners earned their party for good library behavior this week! We celebrated with an episode of Reading Rainbow (a personal favorite) and a small treat. 


1st Grade: See opening post. 


4th Grade: We discussed plagiarism in 4th Grade this week with the aid of Brooke Berg's book When Marion Copied: Learning about Plagiarism. When three people in Marion the Hedgehog's class use the same internet site to research for their reports, their papers end up sounding strangely identical. The book thoroughly explains what plagiarism is, the gravity of plagiarism (a combination of lying, cheating and stealing- oh my), and strategies for avoiding it.


5th Grade: House-sized planets,sheep, flowers and baobabs? Just another week with The Little Prince.