encouraging students to become competent 21st Century learners
"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 →
According to the calendar it is Fall. The time of year for frosty nights and chilly winds. Where we in Southern California hope to see some leaves change colors. We start buying pumpkins and planning our Halloween costumes. Its the time to enjoy fall sweaters with jeans and boots.SO WHY IS IT SO SO SO... Continue Reading →
I am going to the LA County Fair this weekend. I love September when the fair comes around. Not only is it fun to eat the yummy food and shop but I enjoy seeing the animals and arts and craft displays. So I thought I would share some books that would help you prepare for... Continue Reading →
Three-time world cup champion Pelè has written a children's book about his passion for soccer. Part biography and part simple enthusiasm for an exciting game this book is thrilling in both text and illustration. We are lucky enough to have two versions of the book in our library; one in Spanish and one in English. Both books have you... Continue Reading →
As your child gets older you will notice they are required to do more and more research projects. This can be daunting for both parents and children unless you are a member of the rare few who take to research like a pig to mud. I confess I belong to this piggy little group. I... Continue Reading →
The Falcon's Fables 