Curious George's First Trip

Here's a video I created about CG's trip to Branson, Missouri! We had so much fun shopping, eating, kayaking, taking in some shows, and generally, just RELAXING! My best friend went with us, so she took many of the pictures. I think my favorite part was the kayaking and seeing the Dixie Stampede show, although the miniature golf was tons of fun, too! I hope you enjoy the video. Please leave some comments!

Weekly Weed Number Two

Okay, so it has been more than a week since my last "weed," but I've been busy closing down the library, doing inventory, and saying goodbye to students. Here is the next weed I have taken from my collection to share with you:

This book's copyright is 1979 - written one year after my first visit to Washington, DC. My parents took me as a graduation gift when I finished high school in 1978. Mom and I visited as much of the Smithsonian museums as possible while my dad was in meetings.

The book gives information about most of the Smithsonian Institute buildings that are located on the mall between the Washington Monument and the Capitol building. The pictures are pencil sketches with a mustard-yellow coloring accent (yuck). The book is a little beat up and the last time it was checked out was 1985! It does have good information, just a little outdated. Maybe I can convince someone that they want to read about the places that Curious George and I will visit in a couple of weeks!

Happy summer reading everybody!

Saying Goodbye... sniff, sniff

Here's a little video I created for the teachers and staff at my school:

Weekly Weed Number One

I think I'm going to try to keep up with a new weekly post on my web called the "Weekly Weed." This is my first year in my library, and in a brand new library building. My assistant told me that when they moved into this new building that they weeded the collection and brought what they had left over. I am a diligent and determined "weeder" of library books; in other words, RUTHLESS! If the book is old, worn out, out of date, or otherwise inappropriate for our developing collection, it is not needed in the library. I learned in librarian school ~smirk~ that if your shelves are full of unused books, no one will know that you need new books! Fortunately, for our students and faculty, the administration is pro-library and has given us funds to purchase many new books this year. We've also had some donated by retiring teachers, family members, and other faculty members. I am always on the prowl for new books to show our students and teachers.

Our students are heavy AR users, so if a book isn't AR, they practically won't even look at it. Sad, but true. I've weeded the fiction, everybody, and finally, nonfiction sections of the library. I found so many interesting books during these weeds that I decided to feature some of them. Unfortunately, I decided this AFTER I had already distributed most of the fiction and everybody books. Here is a picture of my nonfiction weeds:

Here is my first Weekly Weed:

Crackerjack Halfback, by Matt Christopher, has a copyright date of 1962. Catcher with a Glass Arm, by Matt Christopher, has a copyright date of 1964. Both books were last checked out in 2005. Both have AR tests! Both books have sewn bindings, and both had their spines taped at some time. I'm amazed at the shape they are in. Unfortunately, the way they look is why students aren't checking them out. They look too "old fashioned and old," according to my boys.

I hope you enjoy my weeds as much as I am! Check in next week for the next highlighted book from our former collection!

Curious George Goes to Washington...DC That Is!

The students have spoken and Curious George is the winner of a grand tour of Washington DC and Colonial Williamsburg! CG and I will be spending four nights and three days exploring our nation's capital city. Then we will travel by train to Colonial Williamsburg so I can attend the Teacher Institute.

I will be posting pictures and updates via Twitter (@librarykittie), Facebook, and this blog. I hope you will consider following this blog, my Twitter feed, or me, on Facebook so you can keep up with our travels! I've booked a wonderful little Bed & Breakfast in a neighborhood row house in Washington that is close to a Metro (subway/train) station for our stay in the capital. Then, we will be staying right in the Colonial Williamsburg village for a week of great learning.

Reading to Grandma

Mrs. Tinney's mother visited us in the library for several months this spring. She enjoyed listening to many students read stories to her while she was here.

Third Grade Researchers

A couple of third grade classes have been doing some research for their science fair projects. The library played host to Mrs Knight's class while they used iPads and other library resources to do some research for their projects. We are always happy to have students working in the library!

COE Spring 2012 Book Fair

We are in full swing here at COE Library! Kids are donating to One For Books, choosing wonderful books for their summer reading, and generally enjoying everything there is to see at the book fair!

Students and teachers are enjoying the Luau theme and voting for which book character will accompany Ms. Sloggett on her trip to Colonial Williamsburg and Washington DC this summer. All the change donated by voting will be given to One For Books so that the library can purchase even more great books for our students to check out from the library.

Poetry Month at COE

The students at COE had a really fun time writing and reading poetry during the month of April. Lots of classes wrote diamante poems for their teachers. Many students created mini "stapleless" books full of poems that they collected and were ready with them in their pockets to read.

Poem In Your Pocket Day was a huge success! The library gave out around 100 prizes including bookmarks, books, treasure box items, and gift certificates to the Spring Book Fair as rewards for having and reading a poem from your pocket. Even some teachers won some cool prizes!

Here is Ms. Sloggett listening to a Pre-K student read his poem. Way to go, Jackson!

Proud of You!

We are so happy and proud when kids increase their reading levels and get to choose books that they have been wanting to read for a long time. Here's a good example!