If you have not looked at our new website, you should go check it out! I have been adding content to the new site for the past couple of weeks. It is a work in progress. I hope you find some helpful and useful information for you to assist your child in their literacy development. If there are any links or information you don't see that you think would be helpful to other parents, please let me know and I will do my best to add it.
The library page has our Twitter feed, library hours, our blog address, a link to the online catalog, parent library card information, tips for taking care of library books, and a link to the Families Reading Together Program.
From the Library link on the left you can access monthly activities, district winning Media Fair submissions from Kinkeade, Recommended Reading Lists, and our library Schedules.
Information for the Families Reading Together Program and reading logs are also available.
I have created a section entitled Literacy Activities. At this time I have Listening and Writing Activities you can do with your child. Some of these activities are online and some can be done without a computer. I hope to add additional activities in the near future.
You can also find additional online resources under Internet Resources. There are links for Language, Math, Science, Social Studies, as well as Parent Links and other resources you might find helpful.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Friday, February 17, 2012
Colors and Shapes
We have been talking about colors and shapes in the library during story time. These are a few of the titles read in the past two weeks.
- Lots of Dots by Craig Frazier
- My Heart is Like a Zoo by Michael Hall
- Perfect Square by Michael Hall [2012 Texas 2x2 Reading List selection]
- Press Here by Hervé Tullet
- Mouse Shapes by Ellen Stoll Walsh
I posted a link to a website for My Heart is Like a Zoo on the Library Activities - February page of the website. You can access our library webpage to find all kinds of helpful information about reading, books, and literacy.
One of the children's favorite new books is Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes. Earlier in the school year I shared Pete the Cat Rocking in My School Shoes with the majority of the school and Pete danced and sang his way into everyone's heart. There are some fun Pete Activities online you can access from home. I hope you love Pete as much as all of my friends at Kinkeade.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Learning and Using Shelf Markers
For the past three weeks we have been learning how to use shelf markers in the library. Our library shelves no longer have the thumbs down symbol. All of our books are now thumbs up! The students are doing a great job of holding their shelf marker with two hands as they walk around the library looking for the perfect book. We know if the shelf marker makes a sound it will have to go back into the basket because it is hurting one of our friends.
During our lesson we learned the books on the shelf have a very special place in which they live. We talked about the spine label being the books address so when the books are going to go back home the address is what helps the adults put the books in the right place. Both of our hands have to work in order to find a book on the shelf using a shelf marker. One hand is used to hold the shelf marker and the other is used to push the books apart just enough to get the shelf marker in between the books. Once the shelf marker is between the two books then we hold the shelf marker tight as we use the other hand to gently pull the book out so we can see the cover. We learned how the shelf marker helps us to look at the cover of the book without taking the book completely off the shelf. We also learned how the shelf marker shows us where the book lives if we take it out of its home.
When we have a book in one hand and a shelf marker in the other we know we need to go put the shelf marker back in the Clifford basket and then go check out our book.
We begin using shelf markers during the second semester of the school year because our student's eye-hand coordination is more developed during the second half of the year. They are used to coming into the library to check out books and this added opportunity to check out books from the shelves is a very exciting time for all. The children learn quickly where their favorite books are located. It is always fun to see them call to a friend to show them where a certain author or type of book is located on the shelves.
During our lesson we learned the books on the shelf have a very special place in which they live. We talked about the spine label being the books address so when the books are going to go back home the address is what helps the adults put the books in the right place. Both of our hands have to work in order to find a book on the shelf using a shelf marker. One hand is used to hold the shelf marker and the other is used to push the books apart just enough to get the shelf marker in between the books. Once the shelf marker is between the two books then we hold the shelf marker tight as we use the other hand to gently pull the book out so we can see the cover. We learned how the shelf marker helps us to look at the cover of the book without taking the book completely off the shelf. We also learned how the shelf marker shows us where the book lives if we take it out of its home.
When we have a book in one hand and a shelf marker in the other we know we need to go put the shelf marker back in the Clifford basket and then go check out our book.
We begin using shelf markers during the second semester of the school year because our student's eye-hand coordination is more developed during the second half of the year. They are used to coming into the library to check out books and this added opportunity to check out books from the shelves is a very exciting time for all. The children learn quickly where their favorite books are located. It is always fun to see them call to a friend to show them where a certain author or type of book is located on the shelves.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Families Reading Together Program
I will be sending home information on the Kinkeade ECS Families Reading Together Program Wednesday. This is a great way to spend quality time with your child while encouraging reading, building vocabulary, listening comprehension, and other important literacy skills.
This program will run from February 1st - April 30th. All you need to do is write the title and author of each of the books you read to your child. We ask that you only list a book one time (even if you read it over and over again). We want the children to be exposed to as many different books as possible. When you have completed the two reading logs sent home return them to school. Once they are received and entered into the system your child will receive a FREE book to add to your home library. The book will have a nameplate with your child's name in it.
This year I am excited to announce we received a $2,000 grant from Target. This money is being used to purchase the books that will be given to the children when their reading logs are returned. Thank you Target for your partnership with the Families Reading Together Program.
This program will run from February 1st - April 30th. All you need to do is write the title and author of each of the books you read to your child. We ask that you only list a book one time (even if you read it over and over again). We want the children to be exposed to as many different books as possible. When you have completed the two reading logs sent home return them to school. Once they are received and entered into the system your child will receive a FREE book to add to your home library. The book will have a nameplate with your child's name in it.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
2012 Youth Media Awards
Yesterday was such an exciting day in the world of libraries and books. The announcement of the ALA Youth Media Awards was held yesterday morning at the American Library Association Midwinter Conference in Dallas. This is like the Academy Awards for the library world! It was thrilling to hear the announcement live and hear the cheering.
Here are some of the highlights for our students at Kinkeade. For a list of all of the award winning books click here.
Here are some of the highlights for our students at Kinkeade. For a list of all of the award winning books click here.
Ayer fue un día tan emocionante en el mundo de las bibliotecas y los libros. El anuncio de los premios ALA Youth Media se llevó a caboayer por la mañana en la Asociación Americana de Bibliotecas del Solsticio de Invierno celebrada en Dallas. Esto es como los premios de la Academia para el mundo de las bibliotecas! Fue emocionante escuchar el anuncio en vivo y escuchar los aplausos.
Éstos son algunos de los aspectos más destacados de nuestros estudiantes en Kinkeade. Para obtener una lista de todos lospremiados libros, haga clic aquí.
 |
| Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children |
 |
| A Ball for Daisy by Chris Raschka |
 |
| Caldecott Honor Books |
 |
| Me...Jane by Patrick McDonnell |
 |
| Grandpa Green by Lane Smith |
 |
| Blackout by John Rocco |
 |
| Pura Belpré Awardpresented to a Latino/ Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth. |
 |
| The Cazuela that the Farm Maiden Stirred by Samantha R. Vamos and illustrated by Rafael López |
 |
| Marisol McDonald Doesn't Match = Marisol McDonald no combina by Sara Palacios and illustrated by Monica Brown |
 |
| Theodor Seuss Geisel Award given to the author and illustrator of the most distinguished American book for beginning readers |
 |
| Tales for Very Picky Eaters by Josh Schneider |
 |
| Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Books |
 |
| I Broke My Trunk! by Mo Willems |
 |
| I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen |
 |
| See Me Run by Paul Meisel |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)