Usborne Book Fair Will Be Here Soon!

Right-Fit Books And More

In all library classes this week we have continued to use tools to help us find "right-fit" books.  

The Trillium were introduced to the three parts of a book; the front cover, the spine, and the back cover.  We will be learning about the  important information that are included on these parts.  We read one of my favorite books this week to go along with our garden theme of gourds.  





The Huckleberry classes are reviewing the parts of the book and were introduced to the title page.  They learned that every book has a birthday just like they do.  We are busy locating copyright dates of the different books we check out.  We read a story about a community coming together to make a house a home for a Gigi, a grandmother in the community.  It's a heartwarming story of the power of togetherness.  



The Clarkia classes are identifying the similarities and differences of a nonfiction and fiction story.  We are learning how to use our electronic card catalog, Alexandria to find our right-fit books.  We read a delightful and funny story from the author's viewpoint, Mac Barnett, of how his story became a book.  He told us that it took 21 drafts to get this book to the publisher and how editing was a long process.  We had a good discussion on their own narrative writing process and how much work it is.  We discussed how rewarding it can be in the end when you've given a gift of a story to the world.  

What Is OBOB?

Oregon Battle of the Books is a fun and competitive way to engage young readers into different types of literature.  MRA has participated in OBOB for the past six years.   The competition is open to students in grades third through eighth with the 3rd-5th grade being one division and 6th-8th the other division.  

 Students are divided into teams of 4 or 5 and then expected to read at least eight of the sixteen books from the selected list.  At this time we are encouraging all students who may be interested, to be reading as many of the books from their grade list as possible.  In November, we begin meeting and discussing the books.  These meetings will happen during lunch.  In January, our school battles begin. Students compete in a tournament somewhat like Jeopardy, in which students earn points by answering questions about the books.

In our library classes we have been doing books talks on these books and discussing.  The enthusiasm is high.  Please continue to encourage your child to check out these books.  

3rd-5th Grade Book List:

*  3rd-5th will not be reading George by Alex Gino

Book Nooks

 Finding the right book and the perfect place to immerse yourself in the book to an important part of learning how to become strong readers.

This week our Trillium and Huckleberry classes continued to practice finding the "right-fit" book to check out and we read a fun story titled, Do Not Bring Your Dragon To The Library.

                                                              

In Clarkia classes we had a fun discussion about the different types of bridges they are discovering.  We talked about the upcoming Portland Bridge Tour and came to find out that many of us did not know what an Ariel tram was.  I am anxious to hear what they found out after Monday's field trip. We read an informative book on the life of a drawbridge operator.  

Books We Read This Week

  

Some of the great books we read this week during library classes.  

 This is a great story to introduce students to what a library is and what the job of a librarian is.  With fun pictures it keeps all well entertained.

This book is a great way to teach library check out procedures and etiquette while rhyming.  Ms. Blythe helped compose a complete rhythmic chant for our library classes.  The students all love to clap along to our beat and learn quickly how to follow our library procedures through this lovely book.




Weslandia is a story of a boy who develops his own civilization.  Through his creative designs from the ground up he realizes the importance of community and what it takes to make it successful.  The Clarkia classes enjoyed, Wesley's creative way he created his own clothes, food, and sports.  

New Titles!!

We have eased back into our library routine in the Mountain Meadow.  We have reacquainted ourselves with our library routines and expectations.  In the Huckleberry classes we have learned how even a lion in the library can follow the behaviors leading to successful library community.

The Clarkia classes have jumped in with review our Shelf Elf slogans on book care.  Here are some of our favorites:  

Turn the pages with great care, leave them whole without a tear.
Keep your books clean and neat, Away from all you drink and eat.
Return your books when they are due, So others can enjoy them too.
Keep books safe and out of view, from little ones and pets that chew.  

Please remember to help your child to bring back their library book on their library days!

Trillium:  Monday

 Huckleberry North:  Tuesday

Clarkia Classes:  Wednesday

Huckleberry South:  Friday

Here are some new titles to our library:  

Welcome to 2018-19 School Year

Dear MRA Families,

I would like to welcome you and your students to a new school year!  It was exciting to see how many student participated in our scholastic summer reading program.  We have read for a combined 27,666 minutes! I am looking forward to creating an environment for a passion and love for books and resources.   I encourage you to come and wander around our media center. We’ve been busy adding new books to our library collection.

I am excited to see that our library collection has grown and is growing.  With that in mind I want to make sure that we continue to respect the gifts of books we have been given.  The students will be challenged to understand that our media center is a special collection of resources and requires care from all users.  We will be focusing on how to locate and access many different digital/print resources. They will be using the information they gather in their classroom and personal projects.   I hope you will partner with me in helping our students become responsible learners.

The students (K-8thth) will have a media center time each week and will be allowed to check out 1-4 books depending on age and responsibility shown.   They have two weeks to read and enjoy their books. After that time if they have not returned their overdue books they will not be able to check out another until those are returned.  If a book becomes lost or damaged (accidents happen) please let me know. Then a fee will be issued to replace the book unless we can come to another agreement.

I am looking forward to a great year and thank you for your support.  Let me know if you have any questions. iquinlan@mra-k8.com

Happy Reading!