This week, 4th graders began using Biblionasium to continue to grow their reading lives. Biblionasium is a website where students can keep track of books they've read, books they would like to read, write reviews of books, give recommendations of books and much more! This not only fosters a love reading, but also helps to build a community of readers, as students are eager to share and recommend books with one another.
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Do you know what a wordless book is? If you said a book with no pictures, you would be correct! North Oakview 3rd graders are currently in the middle of a 3-week unit exploring Wordless Books. Readers have been having discussions about this format, why author/illustrators would choose that format for their book, how to read a wordless book, and the huge variety of styles in wordless books. By analyzing illustrations critically, readers are building skills they will use for our upcoming Mock Caldecott unit, also! Third graders have also had rich discussions about who wordless books are created for. After many thoughtful conversations, they have come to the conclusion that wordless books are for EVERYONE to enjoy! Check out some pictures of readers engaged with Wordless Books below! What is your favorite wordless book? Leave your comment below!
This week, 2nd grade readers had the chance to read to a very special reading buddy! Rest assured, it wasn't a bear! They did enjoy hearing the book Bears Make the Best Reading Buddies before having a chance to choose their own special reading buddy and finding a cozy space in the library to read. Each 2nd grader was able to choose a stuffed animal character, and that character's book. Not only does reading to a stuffed animal build excitement, engagement and stamina, but it also helps to build confidence in readers. Have your child have fun with reading at home by reading to a stuffed animal or pet!
North Oakview joined students around the world in celebrating International Dot Day this week. The celebration is based on Peter Reynold's The Dot and focuses on having a "can do!" attitude and "making your mark" on the world. All North Oakview students, from Developmental Kindergarten through 4th Grade, participated in a variety of Dot Day activities in all of their Unified Arts (music, art, physical education and library) classes this week. Check out some of the things we did in library this week for Dot Day! You'll definitely want to check out these great songs from Emily Arrow that celebrate Dot Day, too. We loved singing them in library, and if you play them at home, your child will probably jump right in and sing along!! HAPPY DOT DAY!!
HAPPY SPRING BREAK, READERS!!
I hope you are having a fantastic week. I also hope you are able to read some books you LOVE during your time off, too! In library class last week, we created our Spring Break Reading Plans for WHAT, WHEN and WHERE we were planning to read. Leave a comment below about WHAT you've been reading, WHEN you have been reading or WHERE you have been reading! Happy reading! Mrs. Davies Readers, if you would like to, you can have a grown up take a picture of WHAT, WHEN or WHERE you are reading over Spring Break and email it to me at [email protected]. North Oakview 3rd graders have been NUTS for NONFICTION! During their library classes, they have been engaged in an author study about Nic Bishop. Nic Bishop is the author and photographer of many nonfiction books for children. His captivating photographs are incredibly breath-taking! Third graders spent time investigating both Nic Bishop's books and his amazing website. I actually heard audible gasps from students as they explored his impressive photographs! Along with studying nonfiction in their classroom in both Reading and Writing Workshop, third graders have also been focusing on the nonfiction section of the library during library class. Students have eagerly been learning about using the catalog to help them find books they love to read! I think I definitely have some library assistants in the making! Click here if you'd like to check out Nic Bishop's website yourself! Head on over to the "Websites" tab above to check out more awesome literacy resources, too!
North Oakview kindergartners have been learning all about author/illustrator Mo Willems and his fantastically funny, begged-to-be-read again books! They have come to be experts on Mo's characters and books he's created, included Pigeon, Elephant and Piggie and Knuffle Bunny. This week, kindergartners had a chance to explore two wonderful resources to enhance their learning about Mo Willems and his books. These included pigeonpresents.com and the app "Mo on the Go!" on iPads. Both of these resources foster a love of literacy and engage young learners. The library was full of giggles and excitement from engaged, curious kindergartners! Be sure to check these resources with your child at home, too. Click below to hear Mo Willems talk about his newest Elephant and Piggie book, I Really Like Slop! North Oakview 2nd graders quickly found out author Ame Dyckman is just as funny in real life as she is in her books! All of our 2nd grade readers were treated to a Skype visit with Ame Dyckman this past Friday. She was eager to share about her process of writing, books she's been reading and loving and even asked students for their book recommendations for her! Students also had time to ask a few of their own questions, including if there would be a book trailer for her new book, Horrible Bear!, which is due out April 5th. Ame Dyckman told us that her publishing company is actually working on creating one right now! At the end of the Skype visit, students found out that this generous author has also sent each of them a bookmark, a sticker and a button. If you love to laugh, then you'll definitely want to check out all of Ame Dycman's picture books, including Boy + Bot, Tea Party Rules and Wolfie the Bunny. Be sure to be on the lookout for Horrible Bear, due out on April 5!
This morning, all three of our 1st grade classes were able to Skype with author/illustrator Deb Pilutti! During their library classes last week, 1st grade readers prepared by learning about Deb Pilutti, reading her book Ten Rules of Being a Superhero and brainstorming questions they wanted to ask her. As students gathered in the library this morning, you could feel the excitement in the air! Deb Pilutti showed students around her studio, introduced them to her dog, Wilson, read them her latest book, Bear and Squirrel are Friends, and even let them have a "sneak peek" of an illustration she is working on for her forthcoming book, Ruby Goes to Ninja School, due out in 2017! Students also had a chance to ask her some questions they had prepared as well. Deb Pilutti even sent an autographed copy of her book Bear and Squirrel are Friends to have in our North Oakview Library!
Do you recognize this medal? If not, just ask your child! All North Oakview students recently completed a Mock Caldecott unit in their library class. Students learned about the Caldecott Medal, which is awarded annually to the illustrator of the most distinguished American picture book. As part of that unit, students read, analyzed and wrote down their opinions and thoughts on 12 possible contenders for this year's North Oakview Mock Caldecott medal. The discussions students had, from DK all the way through 4th grade, were insightful and absolutely blew me away as a teacher. As the unit drew to a close, every student was able to cast their ballot for the book they felt should win the award. Here are the results from our whole school vote! Our 3 Honor Books were Float by Daniel Miyares, The Night World by Mordicai Gerstein and Wolife the Bunny by Ame Dyckman and Illustrated by Zachariah O'Hora. Our school-wide winner was Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear by Lindsay Mattick and Illustrated by Sophie Blackall! Each of these books is also now adorned with our 2016 North Oakview Mock Caldecott medal, designed by 4th graders Rylee Nguyen and Caity Draper! The Youth Media Awards, which include the Caldecott Medal, were then announced on Monday, January 11! Students watched the awards presented during their library class that week. It was incredible to hear students cheering for books they loved, especially when they heard Finding Winnie was also selected as the Caldecott Medal winner by the actual Caldecott Committee!
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