November
Visit the .gov website linked to the image below to find out about all the organizations that join together to pay tribute to the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans. Then follow this link to see some of the books recommended by the Seattle Public Library. This focus will guide my attention to Thanksgiving so that I can share some background about how that holiday is viewed by Native Peoples.
I'll be sharing the introduction to this fantastic PBS program, The Warrior Tradition, which is a great combination of Native American Heritage and Veterans Day. I will also be reading Encounter, by Brittany Luby, a fictionalized account of Jacques Cartier's first expedition to the land now known as North America.
This great article in the School Library Journal reflects much of my thinking about my role as Librarian, Teacher, Parent and ciitizen - I hope you will find a few minutes to read it and maybe think about how we can all contribute to a safer, welcoming world for our children.
Global Reading Challenge is up and running! Students have been placed in teams and are excited to dive into their assigned books. Thank you to the parents who volunteered to be team Mentors - your support and encouragement are vital to the success of this program!
We've been talking about Mr. Rogers and National Kindness (wear a cardigan) Day, 11/13/19. Here's a google doodle that you might like to watch!
Ms. Binkow shared a great resource with me and it deserves a place on the library page! It's the website Story Time From Space where real astronauts read books aloud to be shared with children on earth! Visit the website to watch a story video and find out so much more about life on a space station.
An exciting adventure! Exxpedition is the journey of a group of women scientists who will sail around the world to explore new solutions to the world's plastic crisis. Here is the video I shared with students (scroll down the page for the video) and I intend to check in regularly to see where this inspirational group have traveled. You can follow them yourselves on Instagram if you'd like to keep up with them at home and while you're there, check out what's new in the Wolfpackbookbag!
We'll be taking a break from Sasquatch now that Global Reading Challenge is starting, but will be back in action in the spring. Visit the ALA site to check out the nominees for this year.
Our K-2 students will be enjoying the nominees for the Children's Choice picture book award in weekly read alouds. Take a look at this year's nominees at the WLA website.
The Towner Award nominees for 2020 were chosen by WA State librarians and I'm excited to share the 10 books with our students. These informational texts are sure to offer something of interest to everyone.
K-2 students are encouraged to read the 6 books nominated for the early reader Otter Award. If they read or listen to all the books and turn in their challenge sheet, their name will take pride of place on the Otter Wall of Fame! Visit the Otter Award page to find out which books have been nominated this year and ask your student to bring home the challenge sheet.
Here are some of my recent reads. Click on the book cover if you'd like to read a review and then maybe you could check it out from our library. Happy Reading!
You can see more book suggestions if you follow me on Instagram, where I post pictures of books @ Wolfpackbookbag.
Have you read the Rebel Girls books? Well there is now a podcast where you can listen to stories about amazing women. Follow this link and find out what else is on offer on the Rebel Girls Boundless website.
Technology
Digital Citizenship
Montlake students are digital natives and our job is to help them navigate that world in a safe and responsible way. “Digital citizens recognize and value the rights, responsibilities and opportunities of living, learning and working in an interconnected digital world, and they engage in safe, legal and ethical behavior.” The Washington State Technology Standards outline detailed ways to teach digital citizenship to our students. This year I'll be collaborating with classroom teachers to weave technology needs into library classes.
Volunteer Information:
Volunteers keep our program going. In order to provide students with the highest quality of educational experiences it is necessary to rely on volunteers to support some of the ongoing non-student contact tasks like shelving of titles. If you are interested in attending and assisting in the library while your child is (or isn't) present contact Vivian van Gelder, our Montlake Volunteer Coordinator, vavangelder@seattleschools.org.
Volunteer opportunities include shelving, check in/out, book repair, special projects! Thank you for your support.