encouraging students to become competent 21st Century learners
Did you know that the SP Library has children's cook books? They aren't checked out often but they don't collect dust either. I thought I would ask if anyone who has checked out the books have actually used them? I am curious if maybe you made dinner for your family one night or maybe baked... Continue Reading →
Today 2A entered into the realm of research! Our library catalog not only allows the students to look up library books but provides a safe environment to search the internet. That is exactly what the second graders did during their library time. Mrs. Emmett wanted her class to search for facts on Turkeys. The first task was to... Continue Reading →
The 2nd grade class is starting to learn the difference between fiction and non-fiction books. Most of the students already know that non-fiction books are "real" and fiction books are "make believe". The question is how can they tell which type it is just by looking at the book? You have all heard the phrase... Continue Reading →
This Falcon's favorite season is the fall. Sometimes, living in Southern California can be a bit of a disappointed when it comes to the fall. I long to see trees changing color, pick fresh apples, and feel the nippy air. Unfortunately, there aren't that many trees that change color, you have to drive pretty far to pick apples,... Continue Reading →
"Under October's luna, full and bright, the monsters are throwing a ball in the Haunted Hall. Las brujas come on their broomsticks. Los Muertos rise from their coffins to join the fun. Los Esqueletos rattle their bones as they dance though the door. And the scariest creatures of all? Wait until you see them!"This book is a... Continue Reading →
I always enjoy a good folktale with a lesson to be learned. As a librarian I am constantly reading the books in the library. Sometimes I feel like I have read so many books that it is impossible for me to find ones I haven't read. The truth is that our small library will always... Continue Reading →
One of the many exciting parts of our library is the Destiny Quest system. I have blogged about it before so some of you may already be familiar with it. It is much more than a normal library catalog. The program is special because it allows library users to create personal accounts. These accounts allow... Continue Reading →
Do you want to hear screams of excitement in the library?First, I know! Loud noises in a library?! YIKES, unheard of. But, it does happen. Mostly when the children forget themselves and their surroundings and talk, talk, talk, talk.....loudly!But today's screams were of joy and happiness because I, The Falcon, librarian extraordinaire forgot to do something very... Continue Reading →
The 4th graders spend their year in the library learning about the Dewey Decimal System. We start at the 000's and end at the 900's. Some of the 10 major Dewey categories are difficult to understand. For example the students first learn that the Dewey system is reserved for non-fiction books. Yet one of the... Continue Reading →
The country for October is our neighbor to the north, CANADA! Having never been there myself I had to do a bit of research to find some interesting facts about the second-largest nation on Earth in area. The word Canada originated from a Huron-Iroquois word meaning village or settlement; kanata!Because Canada is so big there... Continue Reading →
Every year I look forward to Halloween. It is certainly my favorite holiday. I love decorating the library and reading the children Halloween stories. Usually I stretch cobwebs all over my desk. They extend from shelf to shelf giving the library a haunted look. This year is no exception. The first of October came around... Continue Reading →
I am always looking for ways to introduce classics to our children. In an age where pop culture rules it is sometimes difficult to get the children excited about books that come from a different time and place. Case in point: Shakespeare. When I was younger the word scared me. I will never forget my... Continue Reading →
The Falcon's Fables 