Quick as a Cricket and The Magician's Nephew

K-2 graders

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.

April is Autism Awareness Month

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.

For K-2, we read "Waiting for Benjamin." Waiting For Benjamin: A Story about Autism by Alexandra Jessup Altman


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.

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We read "Rules" to grades 3 and 4.
Rules by Cynthia Lord


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.

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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

Dr. Seuss week

This week, we celebrated the works of Dr. Seuss! We read "Oh the Thinks You Can Think!" This is on of Mrs. Wadsworth's favorites because it encourages readers to use their imagination! Dr. Seuss is widely known for his creativity, humor, and wonderful ability to rhyme. He published 43 children's books, and none of them have ever gone out of print! To learn more about Dr. Seuss and his life, read "The boy on Fairfield Street: how Ted Geisel grew up to become Dr. Seuss."

We also read "Green Eggs and Ham." This book was written on a dare from Dr. Seuss's publisher--he bet that Dr. Seuss couldn't write a book using only 50 words--these words could be used over and over again, but only those 50 words could be used. It still had to have all the basics of a story, of course, and still had to be interesting enough to publish. "Green Eggs and Ham" ended up being one of his best sellers. Can you list the 50 words he used? Try this sporcle quiz to find out.

We also watched a clip from a recent production of "Seussical the Musical", to show us how much Dr. Seuss and his work has touched our society.

Thanks for everything! We love you, Dr. Seuss!

Maniac Magee

Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was one of the best books I've read in a while! I love Spinelli's clipped style, short engaging chapters, and realistic characters. This novel has really funny moments as well as some of the most beautiful, lyrical moments. I was surprised by how much I liked this novel. I recommend it to everyone!

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Bella Vista Students Dig Dewey's 500s

The following is the curriculum lesson on the Dewey Decimal System - 500s for the week of March 8. There are two objectives, one, to let the students explore the science and mathematics books and, two, teach them how to independently find 500s books in the library.

At the beginning of every lesson for K-6th graders 25-30 science and mathematics books are shown to them and then the books are handed out to the students. Then they look at the spine of the book to find the "magic number" which is the first number, in the hundreds column, of the call number. Everyone says the number at the same time, "FIVE!" Books are collected. The rest of the lessons are separated into grade levels.

K-1st: At this point kindergarteners and first graders get to pretend they are reading a 500s book of their choice. They put their hands together like an open book. The librarian then asks each student what science or mathematics book they are reading. Then the class plays "Follow the Leader" to the 500s section. The librarian "draws a line" with a red ribbon taped to the front of the shelves from 500-599. Afterward shelf markers are handed out to check out books.

2nd-3rd: At this point a sorting game is played. Two signs are posted, 500-599 and NOT 500-599. Books that are not from the 500s are mixed with the 500s. From this stack of mixed books the students read the call number, look for the "magic number"and place the book in the correct pile, 500-599 or NOT 500-599. Then two students are called on to find the beginning and end of the 500s section of the library.

4th-6th: At this point a power point picture is presented on the 10 sections of the 500s. For example, 510-519 is the Mathematics section, 520-529 is the Life Science section and so forth. A student selects a book and shows the class. The class guesses which of the 10 sections it belongs. The student lets them know if they are correct or not. Repeat several times with different students and books. In conclusion a matching worksheet for the various sections in the 500s is handed out with pencils for the students to complete.

Bella Vista students dig Dewey's 500s!

March is Dr. Seuss month!

Dr. Seuss's birthday was on March 2nd. We will be focusing on Dr. Seuss and reading a few of his books in the library this month. Pull out some of your Dr. Seuss favorites and enjoy his creativity, color, themes, and thoughts! Oh, the things you can think!

Bella Vista Elementary

Welcome to Bella Vista's library! My name is Michelle Sanders and I am one of two aides filling in for Paula Poulson while she is on leave. A little bit about me - I have a degree in English Literature, but strangely enough I ended up with a career in the business world. Last year, I decided enough was enough and left the business world, a decision I have not regretted. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Bella Vista since it combines many of my favorites; books, children, and wonderful co-workers.

This week is our Book Fair, so all library activities have been suspended for the week. This gives us a chance to catch up on the duties that get pushed to the side, things like book repair, long-term planning, catching up on e-mails, blogging... well, you know how it goes.

It is well known that March is Dr. Seuss's birthday, but it is also National Women's History month. For part of March, we will focus on "If You Lived When Women Won Their Rights" by Anne Kamma and Pamela Johnson for the upper grades. It tells about women's lives before and after they could vote. The before and after comparisons make it interesting and fun.

For the younger children, I will read "When the Root Children Wake Up," retold by Audrey Wood.