Thursday, February 16, 2012

Bluebonnet Parties

On Tuesday we held our Bluebonnet parties to celebrate the book that was the overall winner for the state of Texas. One hundred students who had read at least five Bluebonnet books were invited to attend. Students entering the party were able to tell which book was the winner (it was top secret until that morning): We had so much fun celebrating The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger. We began the party by watching a video message from the author. Then it was time for making Origami Yodas, enjoying blue donuts and Yoda soda (lime sherbet and Sprite), and face painting. We ended with a game: Escape the Death Star. On their way out every student was able to choose a paperback book, bookmark, and a pencil to keep. What a great day it was!













Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Bad to the Bone

Author: Lucy Nolan
Call Number: F NOL

As told from the perspective of the dog, Down Girl, as she explains about her days protecting her home from the enemy next door, Here Kitty Kitty, and the many ways she tries to properly train her master, Rruff.

The Throne of Fire


Author: Rick Riordan
Call Number: F RIO

Carter and Sadie must outsmart the House of Life and the gods of chaos in order to complete their worldwide search for an ancient Egyptian book.



Monday, February 6, 2012

February Displays

Our fun February displays: Mrs. Gorlaczyk pulled books with red covers for this fun display.





Dog books are always popular here at Taylor so we know this dispay will be a huge hit!

Monday, January 30, 2012

Forest Animal Research



This week second grade is visiting the library for forest animal research. They are using books to conduct their research in the library, and will continue with research in the computer labs as well. Each student has chosen an animal to research and will become an expert on their animal. It is so fun to see them get excited about all of the interesting facts they are discovering about their animals!

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Bluebonnet Voting Day

Today was our annual Bluebonnet voting day! Students who read five or more Bluebonnet books and turned in their Bluebonnet form to me were eligible to vote. Voting was held during students' lunchtimes, and students cast their votes using the Macbooks. When all of the votes were tallied Taylor's winner was... Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper!!

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Lissy's Friends




This week in second grade we read Lissy's Friends by Grace Lin. This is an adorable story about a girl named Lissy who "makes" friends by creating them with origami. After we read the story we moved to the tables and each student had the opportunity to create an origami project. This is such a fun story time that I repeat it with second grade every year!


Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Read to Succeed Reading Program

The Six Flags Read to Succeed reading program is back again! You have the opportunity to track your reading to earn a free Six Flags ticket! Forms have been sent home in Thursday folders. All you need to do is read for six hours in between now and February 24, record your reading minutes on the form, and return it to your teacher. Then you will earn a free Six Flags ticket! Extra forms are available in the library if you need one. This is such a fun and easy way to earn a free Six Flags ticket for reading you would be doing anyway!!

Nature Girl

Author: Jane Kelley
Call Number: F KEL

While spending the summer in Vermont, eleven-year-old Megan gets lost on the Appalachian Trail and decides to hike to Massachusetts to visit her best friend.

Friday, January 13, 2012

Third Grade Arctic Animal Research








This week in library third grade has been conducting Arctic animal research. They visited for four days and completed a different station each day. At Station One they used books to research where different types of penguins live. They then used this information to complete a penguin map. At Station Two groups worked together to create a life sized penguin. Students chose a type of penguin and then researched to find out how tall that type of penguin is. They then worked together to sketch, color, and cut out their penguin. Their life sized penguins are adorable and will be displayed around their classrooms. While at Station Three, students again used books to research how tall different types of penguins are, and then used this information to make penguin graphs. They also labeled a penguin diagram with the correct penguin body parts. At Station Four, students worked on the Macbooks and used GoogleDocs to create slides of an Arctic food chain. These also turned out really well. What a fun week I've had with third grade learning all about Arctic animals!