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!

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.

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.

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.

 destiny.canyonsdistrict.org

Polar Express

This 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

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!                          

Elf on the Shelf

This 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

This 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!