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CHECK IT OUT NEWS - December 2011

"There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island." — Walt Disney

This month in Pre-k, kindergarten, and first grade we will read books that celebrate the Christmas season.  One of my favorite author/illustrators is Jan Brett.  She writes wintry tales that are sure to please our young learners.  We will have a special guest in the library on Wednesday, December 14 at 8:30.  Mrs. Claus (a.k.a. Mother Goose) will join us for some read aloud fun.

In Second Grade we are still reading Tales from the House of Bunnicula: It Came from Beneath the Bed by James Howe.  Howie, a canine member of the Monroe family, continues to leave us laughing at his stories and adventures as he tries to write the ultimate mystery.  This story is great for those young authors who need a little inspiration.

 Third grade will continue reading The Bad Beginning, which is one of those stories that is hard to put down and hard to read at the same time.  What will happen to the Baudelaire orphans as Count Olaf begins to show his evil ways?  We can only find out by continuing along this perilous journey we have begun.  

Fourth grade will continue to read Bunnicula: A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery by James Howe.  Poor Chester, the Monroe family cat, is trying to get proof that Bunnicula, the newest member of the family, is a vampire rabbit.  In his quest to get proof, Chester begins to crack under the pressure of his investigation.  Even Harold, his friend and fellow family member, just doesn’t understand what is so important about trying to prove that this cute, little bunny is a vampire, if he really is a vampire bunny.  So, where are all the strange, white vegetables coming from….?

Fifth grade began a new book Maggie’s Door by Patricia Reilly Giff.  Some stories are meant to tug at the heart strings and teach us sympathy.  This one will do just that as we travel with Nory from Ireland to America to avoid starvation after a potato famine in the mid 1800’s.  As the family members each travel, they encounter different people and adventures along the way, some less pleasant than others.  In the end, they all have the same destination….Maggie’s door.  Who will make it and who will be lost? 

 


 

 

                            
  • Volunteers:  A gigantic “Thank You” to Mr. Willard Lafayette, Rachel’s dad (5th grade).  This past month he has helped me with labeling books, checking out to my young readers, shelving and many other tasks.  If you see Mr. Lafayette, please extend to him your thanks also for helping to be my assistant throughout the month of November.  If ever you would like to get your volunteer hours in, I can use your help on library or non-library days.  Just let me know what works for you.  
  • Fiction Book Reports:  All students in grades Pre-k through 6th grade were allowed to check out books this month to complete a fiction book report.  Please note:  This is NOT required.  If you choose to help your child complete the report, especially in the younger grades, your child has the chance to get 5 tickets for their extraordinary work.  This is the beginning of a year-long study of genres.  This month is fiction so I am allowing the students to check out extra books to complete their reports.  The tickets are used to purchase school store items at the end of every month.  The December book reports will be due Wednesday, January 4.  Your child may do one per month.  All work turned in should be neat and free of messy marks.  Please do not allow your child to plagiarize information.  Future report information will only be available online.  The forms will be uploaded and you will be able to print your child’s report form from home.  In order to be more “green”, you may also email your child’s report form to me or print it out from your computer.  The choice is yours to make.  Guidelines for fiction reports are as follows:

    1.   Pre-K through 1st grade: can be picture book (typically contains 32 pages) or a larger book if your child is ready for chapter books.
    2.   2nd and 3rd grade:  must be a small chapter book containing a minimum of 48 pages.  Usually for this age range I recommend 48-96 pages depending on your child’s reading level.
    3.   4th through 6th grade:  must be a chapter book containing a minimum of 96 pages.  I typically recommend 96-128 pages for students struggling with reading.
    4.   Please note:  Any child that finds the page number for his/her grade to be too much, please notify me immediately so that we may discuss an appropriate book for your child. This should be a fun way to get tickets.  I want all students to feel successful. 

     If you ever have questions or concerns please feel free to contact me via email to schedule a phone conference.  My email is news4terri@yahoo.com.  Thank you for all you to do to encourage the love of reading.
                                        And as always,  Happy Reading!
                                                           Mrs. Doumit