Mittens and Classic Literature

Greetings,
Since we are almost through the month of January, I am picking up steam as we move into the new year. I seem to have more 'plans' than execution, but that's okay, I am still plugging away at things. I have completed my "Classic Literature" moveable shelf, students seem to be interested and I hope to plug this display more this week with the older grades. After all, students educated with the classics have a better reading schema that they can dip into. Besides, how many Captain Underpants books can a person really read.....

 Haha I just noticed the Santa Clause hanging out in the background..... perhaps I should take him down tomorrow...

With the Kinders this week, we just finished our Mitten projects based on the book The Mitten by Jan Brett.  The students got pretty imaginative with what was "hiding" in their mittens.

Unicorns = Awesome!

I have also created a new felt board story for the Kinders based on the book Boom Chicka Boom Boom.  I am pretty excited!! I am also excited to create a new felt board for the Library this weekend with my good TL friend Tamara.  We shall create a tutorial on the antics that shall ensue.  Shortly there after I will also write up a tutorial on how to make cheater smart felt board stories.  You won't want to miss it!

In other news, I majorly scored with  acquired 3 old wooden book trolleys.  They may look boring right now, but what you are now looking at is the very beginner stages of what will become the Library's new CALDECOTT CORNER that will provide students with a cozy place to curl up with an award winner.  Stay tuned for the transformation!

Speaking of staying tuned, if you like following along with my Library exploits, please subscribe.  I will run a contest when I get to say, 30.  Yeah, 30 is a great number.  Let's go with 30.  Happy Reading!! 

Library Centre Series: Magnetic Poetry and Chickens?

Ah, you may have noticed that this post was written right after the previous one.  If you had noticed, good for you! Consider it a "2 for 1 deal" since I have all these centres up and running, I am just desperately trying to get them posted!!

This centre is a quite fun and also very popular.  The goals for this centre were:

1) Showcase poetry
2) Be interactive
3) Be accessible to all grade levels

These goals are all met when using the magnetic poetry kits availible at little gift shops.  This set just happened to be a grand donation from the grade 4/5 teacher as he had an extra set.  B.C. Hydro is giving this enviroment themed magnet set as part of Environment Week promotions.  All you need to do is download their package of environment lesson plans and you get a class set of magnets free!! I don't know about you, but I enjoy the price of free :) Click here to link to the page!

The main setup of the centre is a desk and a large metal shelf that was being unused *ahem* from the storage room.  Again...I like the price of free.  Then, simply put the magnets on it and display theme books on the desk above it. Voila!

Here is a close up of the sign.

  Here is a sample of some of the words...

 
What is the paper and pencils for you ask?  They are provided for students to copy their poems onto and display them for others to read.  I am still creating that bulletin board.  So far, I have poems from every grade level.  I just love it!!  I am on the lookout for more magnetic poetry sets, if you know where they are sold, please let me know!

In the meantime, here are some pictures of the baby chicks that hatched in my shared Grade One class.

 They were so cute and fluffy and the kids just LOVED them!! I am happy to report they are all safe and sound back at the farm so they can continue their life happily laying eggs.  Makes me think of a nice Library Centre incorperating some wildlife? Tadpoles maybe? Crickets vs. Grasshoppers? So many choices! Perhaps next year....

But the chicks are pretty cute!! :)

Library Centre Series: Puzzle Centre

First off, I would like to apologize for being so tardy with new posts.  As reigning procrastination champion, I pretty much have excuse other than I have been reading some really great books lately and the weather has been nice? Excuses....excuses.....at least I give my students could slack if they come up with something imaginative.  So anyways, on with business.

This centre has definately been the most popular by far.  The puzzle centre is a cinch to create as all you need is some felt that I purchased at Fabicland and of course some puzzles.  If you don't have a wide selection of puzzles, simply mooch some from the primary teachers :) <3 you guys!  I also picked up some great ones at my local VV Boutique (Value Village) for about $2 each.  That's where I found this awesome one of Rainbow Fish.

It is super easy to rotate every week and I always display some books that complement the puzzle.  The books always get checked out the week they are on display.  I have a bunny puzzle to go out this week, so I will naturally put out some rabbit related books - don't forget the non-fiction books too!

I limit the centre to 4 students as the table gets crowded quickly!! Here is a close up of the sign...

 The cost for this centre is ongoing since I always seem to be buying puzzles now.  To get started, the felt costs about $5 a meter and the sign is a dollar store frame for $1.  I encourage you to get a puzzle centre in your Library!! Easiest centre to set up and maintain by far!! (Except for the computers, but that's another post...)

The idea for this centre is from The Centered School Library.  This website is full of amazing Library Centres!!! Go check it out!