April 2016: Bookmark contest! The book fair is coming!

April is when I feel like things are hitting their stride and the kids can really do things on their own. It's wonderful, especially since I'm not feeling great pregnancy wise. I had preplanned so that the end of the year would be as planned ahead as possible (in case I was sick or unable to go in, most school things could still run as normal).

The bookmark contest is now an annual event. This is our second year! I saw the idea from another librarian. She had started it to celebrate School Library Month and National Library Week in April. She sent me her document. I changed the school and dates and viola, we had a bookmark contest entry form! This is this year's:

The book fair is coming May 4 - 6 and we are in full media blitz mode! See how I get the kids ready!

March 2016: March Author Madness!

I feel like January and February draaaaaaagggg on but March is really the worst culprit! Our school does not have a single day off in March :(

In some ways, this is great, as we can keep a momentum going. In other ways, it's terrible as there are no breaks to look forward to or rejuvenate with. It's also gray and gloomy and horrible outside.

To keep us excited, I have March Author Madness going:

A couple years ago, my husband taught me about March Madness. I wanted to get more kids into reading and thought this might be a fun way to reach more kids (especially kids that aren't usually readers). I was thinking about March Madness and decided to have March Author Madness! I have students vote for their favorite authors and then I make brackets and the authors go head to head to vote for the most favorite author of our school!

I use Google Forms and my class website to have them vote. To get ready for that, in January I made my class website a center. I taught students how to access it and then use it to have free choice between a few different educational websites (Encyclopedia Britannica database, Kid Info Bits database, Brainpop Jr., and Brainpop).

This made it easy to transition to voting every week, as they already knew how to get to the website. I showed them how to vote and they loved it! I also made a bulletin board to show the results. After only 3 years, I finally figured out how to make an actual bracket board! I also got smart and only let 16 authors through to the 2nd week (instead of 30 + like previous years).



After 5 weeks of voting, we have a winner!



Jeff Kinney wins again!

Coming in April, Bookmark Contest!

Googlepalooza 2015 - Ctrl+K

I went to Googlepalooza 2015 today and yesterday! I learned a lot of stuff, including one thing that blew my mind: Ctrl K.

Ctrl K makes words linked!

For example, I want to link back to a post. I find the post. Then highlight and copy the URL:

Then I want to add the link. Let's say to these words: sharpies!

I need to highlight the words. 

Then click Ctrl+K. 

I can paste the link right there! 

Let's say to these words: sharpies! Ahh! Cool! 

September - Overview, procedures

In September, I spend A LOT of time working on procedures. This year, my plan is to teach how to go to the different centers or computer work, and focus on independent work.

I potentially will have 5th grade, so my plan is to have them learn how to log in to their Google drives. For K - 2, we'll do centers as usual. 

The plan for 5th grade:
Week 1 - Introduce self, set expectations, assign computers, go to Library Website. Explore. (If volunteers in place, checkout)

Week 2 - Review expectations, give out Google Drive log ins, go to assigned computers, practice logging in - have 2 - 3 activities for students. Explore drive, time to regroup and turn and talk at tables. Make Anchor Chart - Google Drive!
What we know --- What we want to know
Checkout.

Week 3 - Review expectations, go to assigned computers, log into Google Drive, explore, do survey, include what do you want to make. Checkout.

Week 4 - Review expectations, go to assigned computers, log in to Drive, according to survey, have students make X (doc/slide/form.), with end goals (below). Checkout.

Goals by November:

Slideshow on how to checkout,
Doc on how to log in to Google Drive,
Form to ask students favorite book

Ok, time to set up those things.

First, what are the expectations?

Independent Work:
1. Walk.
2. Whisper.
3. Ask 3 before me.

Classroom Work:

1. Be quiet in the library.
2. Listen to everyone with respect.
3. Walk in the library when you are moving around,
4. Raise your hand when you have something to say. Wait to be called on.
5. Whisper in the library when you are working or selecting books.

I may have to change somethings around, but I will start with these and can slowly let go of some things as we get to know each other. Previous experience has taught me to be overly strict and then slowly give up control as students learn their roles, I also like to give students autonomy but need structure at the beginning of the school year.

Now I need activities...I'm planning on something for SOAR (our online catalog), maybe a scavenger hunt? Google Doc, write what you did this summer, what is your favorite book? why? etc. Google form on what they did today? Padlet to share your own ideas, and talk about online etiquette?

Then if you get through all 3, a reward - game? Make your own something? Coding? Maybe I need to think this through...or just look at Pinterest? =)

Thanks for reading! How do you introduce Google Drive to your 5th graders? I would love to hear your wonderful ideas!

Keep reading!
Mrs. Thakkar

Getting ready for back to school!

Depending on who you ask, we go back to school sometime in the next 2 - 4 weeks =) 

Thinking about going back, I'm trying to get ready for the year overall:

September - Overview, procedures
October - Checkout, practice / review procedures 
November - Introduce / focus on nonfiction
December - Book fair / holidays
January - Library website / research
February - March Madness - Vote for your favorite author! 
March - Book mark contest
April - School Library Month! / Book Fair
May - Wrap up
June - Public library tie in and ways to keep learning over the summer!

Seems so simple! 

Thanks for reading! What does your year look like? I would love to hear your wonderful ideas!

Keep reading!
Mrs. Thakkar

Annual Bookmark Contest!

We had our first annual bookmark contest!

I talked about it in library class and sent out emails to teachers. I also gave every teacher 30 copies of the entry form. Shout out to Kelly Cook for the awesome idea, and for sharing her entry form file!

The entry form said: 

First Annual Bookmark Contest to celebrate 

April’s School Library Month!

Design a bookmark in the space below using only black and white. We suggest practicing 

in pencil first and then go over with a fine tip black marker or pen. We will be making 

copies of the winning bookmarks!

Please return your entry to the Ogden East School Library by April 20th! We suggest you 

stay within the theme "Unlimited possibilities @ your library®." Contest is open to 

Grades PreK – 5. Two winners will be chosen from each grade and copies of their 

bookmarks will be available in the Ogden East School Library during May! 

The winners will receive a coupon for a free book (up to $11.00) at the Spring Book Fair! 

Good Luck!

I was not expecting much, but we got about 60 entries and picked 12 winners! Here a few:

 

Here is one of our most excited winners: 

She was so happy to show off her book fair certificate! Each winner received $11 for the book fair! (The number one is lucky in India, so I always try to include it!)

Here is our cutie-patootie spending her winnings! 

Thanks for reading! Do you have a bookmark contest? Please share what you do! I would love to hear your wonderful ideas!

Keep reading!
Mrs. Thakkar

Book Fair is coming! This is how we get ready!

Hi everyone!

Our 2nd book fair is coming and I made these a long time ago, but finally shared it on TPT! They are IB at the Book Fair posters! Enjoy!

I also have sort of a media blitz for our book fair this time!

I sent out:
4 weeks to Book Fair: April Calendar + info on the back

   

Website for Calendars

Please plan to visit the Spring Book Fair doc

3 weeks to Book Fair: Nothing - week before Spring Break
2 weeks to Book Fair - Coloring sheet (online from Scholastic) + info on the back (same as April Calendar)

1 week to Book Fair: Classroom Wishlist (Color/draw/write choice) + info on how to purchase for Wishlist

 



On the back of all: 

I use these and put some up (have fast finishers do two (ask them very excitedly and they are usually happy to do it) and send the rest home. Great way to remind parents and students! Need these? Go to the Book Fair Blog Post Folder to find the Classroom Wish Lists (all 3 versions) and the Classroom Wish List instructions (back). 

Thanks for reading! Let me know how you get ready for the book fair! I would love to hear your wonderful ideas!

  

Keep reading,

Mrs. Thakkar