Wednesday, October 7, 2015

R.E.D

Last week was our R.E.D. pledge week for Road to Success.  R.E.D. stands for READ EVERY DAY.  This means the students pledged to read at least 20 minutes a day, 5 times a week for a total of 100 minutes a week. Along with this pledge, the students all signed the Road To Success poster. The students need to log their minutes onto the Road To Success website at rtsutah.com.  If you don't have access to the internet at home, there is a computer in the library dedicated to Road To Success.  They are welcome to come in anytime and log in their minutes.  Keep track of the minutes read on paper and bring that paper with you to the library. The students who log minutes onto the website every week will be able to get a weekly prize out of the treasure chest during their class library time.  Their name will also be entered into monthly drawings for big prizes.  Please encourage your students to Read Every Day R.E.D.

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

"Buzz" into Beehive Books

The Beehive Book Club is off and going again this year.  This week the students will color and decorate a Bee.  We will hang the bees around the outside of the Media center.

Beehive Books are books that the Children's Literature Association of Utah have nominated for the Children of the State of Utah to vote on.  There are 4 categories:  Poetry, Picture, Fiction, and Informational.  For a complete list of the 2015-2016 Beehive book Nominees please visit CLAU's website at www.clau.org

Students are encouraged to read Beehive Books and vote on them.  The books can be checked out from our school library or any other library.  After students have read a Beehive Book, They can vote on the books in our library.  We will submit the votes in April.  After you read the Beehive Books, don't forget to sign the yellow binder so that we know what books you have read.


Most important there will be a Beehive Book Club Party in May where the winning Beehive books are announced and prizes are given out for the top readers of Beehive Books.

The Whitmore library also has a Beehive Book Club.  Bella Vista students can participate in both the Bella Vista Beehive Book Club and the Whitmore Library Book Club for double the prizes.  Look for more information about the Whitmore Beehive Book Club in October.

A big THANK YOU goes out to Bella Vista's administration and the PTA for financially supporting our Beehive Book Club! 

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

September's Brain Booster

We are off to a great start in our library.  This year the Canyons district has given us Brain Booster lessons to teach during library time.  These lessons coordinate with the State Core Curriculum.  This month we have learned the following:
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1st grade:

What's my job?  What does a librarian do? Then we read Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen.  What happens when a lion wanders into the library?  Will he be able to follow all the library rules so that he can stay for story hour?

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Location of books.  We read The Jolly Postman or Other Peoples Letters by  Janet and Allan Ahlberg. We compared books to letters.  The postman knows where to deliver the letters because of the address on the envelop.  The librarian knows where to deliver the book because of the call number on the spine.
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What makes a story a fairytale?  We talked about how fairy tales always have some sort of magic in them.  Sometimes it is a talking animal or an imaginary creature or some other type of magic.  There is usually an element of good and evil in a fairy tale but not always.  We then read The Elves and the Shoe Maker by Jim LaMarche.

2nd-3rd grade:
fpoParts of a Book.  We used the book You Wouldn't Want to be a Medieval Knight by Fiona Mcdonald.  We reviewed the front cover, title page, table of contents, glossary, index, place of publication, author, illustrator, copyright date, and spine.  We then had fun reading about knights.
Miss Malarkey Leaves No Reader Behind

Tool Time.  We learned what an encyclopedia, dictionary, atlas, almanac, newspaper, and magazine are used for. We then learned how to find all those tools on the computer and how to use the internet for research.

The Right Book.  When you are at the book fair, book store, or library, how do you know what book you want.  We learned how to find the right book that interest you and that is on your reading level.  We learned about the rule of 5.  Then we read Miss Malarkey Leaves no Reader Behind by Judy Finchler.

4th-5th grade:

Dewey 000-500.  We reviewed the 000-500 sections of the libraryThe students are getting really good at looking up their book on the computer and finding them by themselves.
Product Details
Setting.  A setting includes both the time and place in which the action of the book happens.  You can tell a lot about the setting of a book by looking at the front cover and reading the back cover of a book.  We read Appelemando's Dream by Patricia Polocco and discussed the setting of the story.  

Product DetailsBiography.  A biography is a story about someone's life written by another person.  A autobiography is a story about a persons life written by the person.  We learned where the biographies are located in the library.  We then read the biography Nelson Mandela by Kadir Nelson.

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Welcome Back

Welcome back to a new school year. We have some fun and exciting lessons and activities planned for this year. We will be doing genre spotlights, beehive book club, author highlights,  and much more.

 
We have started classes in the library this week.  Look for your students to bring home library books.  Help them find a safe place for them at home where they won't get lost. We hope your students come "Hang out and read".
 



Tuesday, April 28, 2015

April is National Poetry Month

Falling Up: Poems and Drawings
April is National Poetry Month.  We had fun with one of our favorite poets, Shel Silverstein.  We read his poems "Little Monkey" and "Headphone Harold" out of his book Falling Up. We did several fun activities including a mad libs to Headphone Harold.  It was fun to read the crazy poems the students came up with.
GUYKU: A Year of Haiku for Boys

We also talked about Haiku's.  A Haiku is a poem that has 17 syllables and 3 lines to it.  The first line has 5 syllables, the second line has 7 syllables, and the third line has 5 syllables.  We read the book Guyku by Bob Raczka.  Guyku is a book written in Haiku format.  The students had fun with counting the syllables as we read the book.

What a fun week to be in the Library!

Friday, April 3, 2015

Meet the Authors: Sara Pennypacker & Gary Paulsen

We learned about the author, Sara Pennypacker this week in Kindergarten through 2nd grade. We read a really fun excerpt from her first book in the award-winning series, Clementine!  Be sure to check it out from the library to see what happens after Clementine helps her friend, Margaret cut the rest of her hair off after Margaret gets glue in it during art class... (uh-oh!)
3rd through 6th grade classes learned about the author, Gary Paulsen. We read excerpts from his exciting adventure novel, Hatchet--a Newbery Honor Book. Be sure to check this book out from the library to see how 13-year old Brian learns to survive on his own after crashing in a plane on his way to visit his dad for the summer with a hatchet as his only tool!
Here are some other great books by Gary Paulsen & Sara Pennypacker in our library for you to check out:



Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Dr. Seuss 1904-1991


We love Dr. Seuss week at the library!  This week we read "Fox in Socks" and "Green Eggs and Ham." Do you know all 50 words that Dr. Seuss used in his book "Green eggs and Ham"?  Click on the link to test your knowledge. http://www.sporcle.com/games/g/greeneggsham.

Here are some fun Dr. Seuss quotes.

"You're off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting  so...get on your way!" - Oh, the  Places You'll Go!

"If Things start happening, don't worry, don't stew, just go right along and you'll start happening too."

"From there to here, from here to there, funny things are everywhere." - One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish.

"Today was good.  Today was fun.  Tomorrow is another one."

"You'll miss the best things if you keep your eyes shut." - I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!

"A person's a person, no matter how small." - Horton Hears a Who

"Why fit in when you were born to stand out?"

"Remember me and smile, for it's better to forget than to remember me and cry."


Once again our library and Meet the Authors wall was taken over by Truffula trees and Dr. Seuss characters and quotes. 

For more Dr. Seuss fun, visit the following website: http://www.seussville.com/?home#/home/


Mrs. Coombs and Mrs. Wilkinson have fun reading on Dr. Seuss Day!

Friday, February 20, 2015

Bullying is never okay!

We recently read a new book--Bully by Laura Vaccara Seeger--to all the students. This simple picture book is about a little bull who hasn't learned how to make friends. He has been bullied by the other bulls, so when he is asked to play by other animals, he responds the same way. He puffs himself up and calls them  names until one little goat stands up to him and calls him a bully. Then he realizes the way he has been acting and feels bad. He returns to his regular size and apologizes. His friends are still willing to play with him so off they go.

This book helped us understand that when others say or do mean things, sometimes, it's because they have not been taught the right way. Treating others with kindness is the best way to make friends and be happy. We need to accept one another--it's okay to be different--because everybody is different, and that makes the world more interesting. Bullying is never okay!
 We read Danger on Midnight River (World of Adventure Series) by Gary Paulsen to the 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. This book has life-or-death situations where the boy who was bullied by his classmates has to decide whether to help the boys who tormented him at school . . . or not. It is a quick adventure read!
Come check out a book or two about bullies!


Friday, January 30, 2015

Mustaches

The first week back to school after the long holiday break we talked about MUSTACHES! What is it about a mustache that changes the way a person looks and sometimes acts?

In the Kindergarten through 2nd grade classes, we read the hilarious Beehive Book nominee, Mustache Baby, by Bridget Heos. We can't wait for the sequel coming out in March . . . Mustache Baby Meets His Match!



In the 3rd through 5th grade classes, we watched a trailer from Tom Angleberger's goofy book, Fake Mustache, or How Jodie O'Rodeo and her wonder horse (and some nerdy kid) saved the U.S. Presidential election from a mad genius criminal mastermind, then read excerpts from it. You will love this over-the-top madcap adventure with a fast-moving plot, suspense to pull you through from start to finish, twists and turns, wacky characters, and dangerous situations the main characters--Lenny and Jodie O'Rodeo--find themselves in at every turn if you haven't read it!

Take a look at Tom Angleberger with his own fake mustache! He's definitely a guy who loves a good joke. You may recognize his name as the author behind the popular Origami Yoda series.


Thursday, January 15, 2015

Books to Movies





This week in the Library we talked about books that were turned into movies.  We asked the students what their favorite books are that have been turned into movies.  We discussed how the movies are different from the books.  It is always fun to compare the books and the movies.  Stop by and take a peak at our "Read Box" display that has all the books in our library that have been turned into movies.

For Grades K-2 we read "The Lorax" by Dr. Seuss. The Once-ler describes how and why the Lorax was lifted away.

The Lorax

For Grades 3-5 we read "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" by J.K. Rolling. Rescued from the outrageous neglect of his aunt and uncle, a young boy with a great destiny proves his worth while attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Book Cover Image. Title: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter #1), Author: J. K. Rowling
 destiny.canyonsdistrict.org

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Polar Express

The Polar Express big bookThis week in the Library we read the Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg.  The Polar Express is a story about a magical train that takes a boy on a journey to the North Pole to receive a special gift from Santa Clause.

 On Friday the school will show the movie.  It is fun to see how books and movies are different.  After we read the book we spent a few minutes comparing and contrasting the book and the movie.  It has been a fun week. The question is, "Do you Believe"?

Merry Christmas to all the students and families at Bella Vista. We will see you next year!
 http://destiny.canyonsdistrict.org

Monday, December 15, 2014

New Books Are Here!

Bella Vista Library received over 75 wonderful new books now available for you to check out! There is a variety of biographies, informational books, holiday books, and graphic novels. Sports biographies to check out: 
  • Derrick Rose
  • Kevin Durant
  • Kevin Garnett
  • Landon Donovan
  • LeBron James
  • Lionel Messi
  • Peyton Manning
  • Shaun White

Eye to Eye:  How Some Animals See the World (1st-4th grade) by Steve Jenkins is a fascinating non-fiction book with intricate paper collage artwork of each animals' eyes.


I especially love the book, Helen's Big World:  The Life of Helen Keller (Kindergarten and up) by Doreen Rappaport. This biography inspires me as I read quotes from Helen Keller and
learn about her life. She started out as a normal toddler who was struck with an unknown illness at the age of 18 months that left her unable to see, hear or speak. The illustrations by Matt Tavares are beautiful. Check this one out!

A humorous series both boys and girls will like are the Clementine (1st-3rd grade) books by Marcia Frazee. We received:
  • Clementine's Letter
  • Clementine and the Family Meeting
  • Clementine and the Spring Trip


Great graphic novels for all reading levels are here:
  • Benjamin Bear in Bright Ideas (K-3rd grade)
  • The Baby-Sitters Club:  Mary Anne saves the Day (2nd-5th grade)
  • Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales:  Donner Dinner Party (3rd-7th grade)
  • Sisters (3rd-7th)
  • Bluffton:  My Summer with Buster Keaton (4th-7th grade)
 Fiction books you should check out are:
  • School of Fear:  The Final Exam (3rd-7th grade)
  • Fortunately, the Milk (3rd-7th grade)
  • How to Catch a Bogle (4th-7th grade)
  • Zebra Forest (4th-7th grade)
  • Al Capone Does My Shirts (5th and up)
  • Counting by 7s (5th and up) 
You should each be able to find something great to read!                          

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Elf on the Shelf

The Elf on the ShelfThis week in the Library we have read "The Elf on the Shelf " to each of the classes.  It just so happens that this Year Santa has sent an elf on the shelf to Bella Vista.  She keeps showing up all around the school.  You never know where she will be, but we do know she will be watching to see if the Bella Vista Students are good or not.  She loves reporting to Santa all the great things that students at Bella Vista are doing. She has seen students taking turns, following teacher directions the first time, and being kind to others. The elf has brought some notes back after her report to Santa telling some of the things Santa has said. So far she has been in our library, In Principal Prescott's office and the computer lab.  Who knows where she will be next. 

Thank you to Ms. Hunt who sent a special request to the North Pole to have a Elf on the Shelf come to Bella Vista.

LEAP into Beehive Books

Cartoon FrogThis year our Beehive Book Club theme is LEAP into Beehive books.  We are excited to have our Beehive Book Club back and going.  Each of our Bella Vista Students have Decorated and Colored a frog.  They are Hanging up in front of the Media Center.

Beehive Books are books that the Children's Literature Association of Utah have nominated for the Children of the State of Utah to vote on.  There are 4 categories:  Poetry, Picture, Fiction, and Informational.  For a complete list of the 2014-2015 Beehive book Nominees please visit CLAU's website at www.clau.org.

Students are encouraged to read Beehive Books and vote on them.  The books can be checked out from our school library or any other library.  After students have read a Beehive Book, They can vote on the books in our library.  We will submit the votes in April.  After you read the Beehive Books, don't forget to sign the yellow binder so that we know what books you have read.

Most important there will be a Beehive Book Club Party in May where the winning Beehive books are announced and prizes are given out for the top readers of Beehive Books.

A big THANK YOU goes out to Bella Vista's administration and the PTA for financially supporting our Beehive Book Club!

Thursday, November 6, 2014

2014 Newbery and Caldecott Award Winners

This week in our library we spotlighted the Newbery and Caldecott award winning books for 2014.  

Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamilloThe Newbery Medal was named for eighteenth-century British bookseller John Newbery. It is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. Newbery awards have been given out since 1922.

This years Newbery award winning book is Flora and Ulysses by Kate Dicamillo.  A girl named Flora and a squirrel named Ulysses, whose life was saved by Flora after he was involved in an incident with a vacuum cleaner, team up to use Ulysses' superpowers to conquer villains and protect the weak.



Locomotive by Brian FlocaThe Caldecott Medal was named in honor of nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott. It is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.Caldecott awards have been given out since 1938.

This Years Caldecott award winning book is Locomotive by Brian Floca. All aboard! Accompany a family on an unforgettable weeklong train trip from Omaha to Sacramento in 1869. Brian Floca’s dramatic watercolor, ink, acrylic and gouache illustrations incorporate meticulously-researched portraits of the train, the travelers and the crew as they traverse the American landscape on the new transcontinental railroad.



http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/newberymedal/newberymedal,http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/caldecottmedal/caldecottmedal, Destiny

Friday, August 29, 2014

Glad to See You Back!



Welcome to the new school year.  After a week and a half, we are in full swing.  Classes are starting in the library next week on Tuesday September 2nd.  I am excited to welcome everybody back to the Library and hear about all the fun books you have read over the summer.  This year we have some fun things planned during library time so come prepared to have a GREAT time.

One big change you will notice right away is that Mrs. Allison is not here anymore.  We miss her and wish her the best of luck with all she does.  We will have a new Media Assistant soon and we are excited to welcome her.

Have a great weekend and we we will see you next week!




Monday, August 18, 2014

Be Your Best

"Whatever you choose to do in life, be your best." This is what my father taught me when I was a child. In 2009, I chose to be a media assistant at Bella Vista and my focus has always been to make the library the best it can be so others will gain a love for reading books and visiting libraries to last a lifetime.

You don't have to wait until you're grown up to be your best. You can be your best now and the possibilities are endless! You can be the best student in class, the best daughter or son at home, the best friend to others, the best citizen in your community, even the best at reading 20 minutes every night to become the best reader you can be.

Being your best can be hard sometimes but it is worth it! I promise, you will feel good about how you live your life when you do your best.

The NumberlysRecently, I read a picture book called The Numberlys by William Joyce. The only thing that exists in the Numberlys' colorless world are numbers.  A few of the children decide they won't settle for what already exists. They want something more than just numbers. They work hard to come up with different ideas to improve upon what is already there. They create an even more wonderful world by adding letters, words and color to life!  When you do your best you will create a more wonderful world too!


Guess How Much I Love You Lap-Size Board Book
In conclusion, I want you to know "I love you to the moon and back"and you will always have a special place in my heart. Good bye.

                                                 Mrs. Allison



Thursday, May 1, 2014

National Library Week - April 12-16, 2014

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's LibraryTo celebrate National Library Week, we introduced Chris Grabenstein and his new book, Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library, which is an award winning chapter book and a Beehive Nominee for next year.

In Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library twelve-year-old Kyle gets to stay overnight in the new town library, designed by his hero (the famous gamemaker Luigi Lemoncello), with other students but finds that come morning he must work with friends to solve puzzles in order to escape.Destiny Quest

I Funny: A Middle School StoryMeet the Author: As a child, Chris Grabenstein would perform puppet shows with his brothers. The only people who paid to attend were his parents. In middle school and high school his teachers told him he would be a writer when he grew up. When he was older he moved to New York with six suitcases and very little money. In New York he wrote advertisements for Burger King, Kentucky Fried Chicken, 7Up, and many more companies. He wrote for television as well. He was part of a comedic improvisational group including a young Bruce Willis. Robin Williams would sometimes drop by and enjoy doing improv with the group as well. Chris has co-authored books with James Patterson. I, Funny is one of them. The sequel, I Even Funnier, came out in December, 2013. To learn more about Chris visit his website at chrisgrabenstein.com

April is National Poetry Month

Before the book, Dogku was read to the students they were taught what a haiku is. They held their fingers up for the syllables in each line: 5,7,5 as the haikus from Dogku were read to them. Third through fifth grade students had the opportunity to write their own animal haikus in class and return them to the library when done. A teacher commented on this optional activity being very refreshing for the students to be creative, write and color. She said it was a nice fifteen minute break from testing. The haikus have been hanging up on the library windows through the month of April.