From a rhyming throwdown competition between librarian and students to sharing poems from Shel Silverstein's books, "Falling Up" and "Where the Sidewalk Ends", we are having a fabulous time celebrating Poetry Month this week in the library.
During story time, students enthusiastically volunteer to recite a poem from memory or choose one to read from the projected view of the books from our new document camera! I share my favorite Silverstein poems as well and conclude story time with his peacemaking poem called "Hug-O-War".
Inspirational moment: Early in the week a 6th grader rose above her shyness to share her favorite Silverstein poem from memory during her class's story time!
A big thank you goes out to Shel Silverstein for lifting our hearts with his poetry.
How do you feel today? As quick as a cricket? As brave as a tiger? As gentle as a lamb? Audrey Wood and Don Wood explain the vast array of a child's feelings through similes and captivating illustrations in this delightful book, "As Quick as a Cricket."
Activity: Define what a simile is. Audrey Wood filled her book with similes about a child. Now it is the students' turn to write their own simile about themselves. Prepare a paper beforehand with a place for the student to write a simile describing himself or herself and plenty of space below to draw an illustration of the personal simile. One student at Bella Vista describes herself "as hungry as a caterpillar", another student says he is "as strong as a dinosaur!"
3-6 graders
The Chronicles of Narnia stand the test of time. Penned by C.S. Lewis 60 years ago these books span his characters' experiences in our world and other worlds, including a nearby fantasy world called Narnia. Most readers are familiar with The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, the second book in the seven book series. But there is a previous book, the first book in the series called The Magician's Nephew. This book lays a fantastic foundation for the series.
In the first chapter, Polly and Digory are playing in the rafters of their homes in London. On their curious adventure they get locked in a study by the intriguing yet strange Uncle Andrew. He coerces Polly to touch a magic ring on a table. She disappears. Then Digory touches a ring to go find Polly. Together they discover other worlds including the world of Narnia. They meet the king or god of Narnia, Aslan. They are involved with the witch's presence in Narnia but is it really their fault she is there? And they are challenged by an important mission given to them by Aslan.
Activity: Before reading an exerpt from The Magician's Nephew, ask several Narnia Trivia questions to bait the students' interest. Examples: What type of animal is Aslan? Has the witch always lived in Narnia? Does she ever visit our world? Do all the animals speak in Narnia? Are Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy the only children who have been to Narnia? How does the wardrobe become a portal from our world to Narnia...? If answers are unknown they can be found when reading The Magician's Nephew.
Since April is Autism Awareness Month, I read books to the children about Autistic Spectrum Disorder. As a mother of an autistic child, this subject is important to me. I wanted to educate the children on some of the difficulties that autistic children and their families deal with on a day to day basis. With education about the disorder, children will be better able to refrain from judging people when they have odd behaviors, and they will be able to be better friends to those who struggle with this disorder.
My rating: 4 of 5 stars This book gives children a peek into the life of a young boy with an autistic brother. It shows the many feelings a child has as they try to understand and cope with the demands of an autistic sibling. This book is a great way to help children see that autism is a difficult thing that affects a whole family, and the whole family needs love, support, patience, and understanding. The best way to show this love and support is with kindness.
My rating: 4 of 5 stars This is a great book to introduce kids to autism and what it is like to have an autistic sibling. I am often in awe of my own children and how they deal with their autistic sister. They have had their difficulties, much like the girl in this novel, but they have learned to love her and see beauty in her.
For the 5th and 6th graders, I read a portion of my book, "Faraway Child". I originally wrote the chapter I shared with the students as an article based on my daughter's diagnosis with autism. The section lists some of the characteristics of autism, as well as some of the feelings and concerns a parent faces when they hear the diagnosis. I've heard this book was helpful to many parents as they watched their children slip away from them during the early months of their second year. Though the book is fiction, many of the instances in this novel happened to me and my family.
Give an extra hug this month to someone you know who is dealing with autism. For more information about the disorder and its treatments, visit www.autismspeaks.org
