Check It Out

I modeled the following list poem for students.

Library Books

Whisper to students
“pick me, pick me”
Light up with anticipation
To be the selected one
The one checked out
Library books
Shake the dust off
Each night
Limber spines bend
as they play limbo,
Dance the title tango, or
Trick the
Librarian by
Switching places with
Notable nonfiction
Library books
Recite favorite passages
Written by
favorite author, the
One who brought
then to life first
Library books
Standing still
In the quiet

Happy Reading.

MsMac

I love the poem “This is Just to Say” by William Carlos Williams.  I was thrilled to receive a copy of his biography, River of Words by Jan Bryant, last fall during the CYBILS  judging. 

River of Wordsis a wonderful read.  It is written in a style accessible to students of all ages.  My first and second graders loved listening to it last week.  What surprised me was the close proximity of Williams hometown to my father’s hometown, Lodi, NJ. 

This book is on my list as an excellent example of a book with a strong metaphor.  Blending the Passiac River with the volume of ideas, thoughs, and words flowing from Willaims’ mind is brilliant.

I asked my aunt about it and she said, “Yes, I know who he was.  But we didn’t know much about him when we were growing up.  Sometimes the locals don’t know much about the home town folks.” 

I love the artwork by Melissa Sweet.  Her illustrator’s note at the end of the book tells a personal story how she was introduced to this great poet.  Her collage and art medium variety complements the text. Readers will want to linger awhile on each page.

I love Bryant’s message that a person can have a day joy, a career and yet find time to write poetry.  The time line at the end of the book is an asset. More to think about. The quote at teh book’s beginning should be one for all of us:

“When I was younger, it was plain to me, I must make something of myself.”– William Carlos Williams, “Pastoral”.

Anastasia is hosting Nonfiction Monday today. Thanks.

Happy Reading.

MsMac

Miss Huddle’s fourth grade class has been writing fibonacci poems about school and other things.  Sometimes the poem form morphs. There are more class poems on Miss Huddle’s page.

Reading
Quiet
Sensational
Amazing, bright
Magical and silent
Peaceful reading in the night
And when you finish a book you’re speechless.
—-Ashley , 4th grade

Chopper
Fast
He runs
Runs in rain
He never gets too cute
My dog runs faster than every race car
–Devon, 4th grade

Soccer
Athletic
Hard work
Sweating, bruises, scratches
Slipping, running, kicking, head it
Aggressive, eager to win, score goal we win.
~ ~ ~ Karsyn, 4th grade

School
Pencils
So pointy
Breaking when writing
The sound of pencils sharpening
The sound of pencils rolling down the desk
~~Ryan, 4th grade

Played the guitar.
And made bets drumming
making music
Making a band practice all day
Going around the world
singing songs.
~~Anthony, 4th

 Lisa at Under the Covers is hosting the Poetry Friday event today. 

Sending positive thoughts to Bridget today as she begins the first round of chemotherapy.

Happy Reading.

MsMac

This marks my 251 post on the blog! Hooray!

Today my morning begins with a meeting at the district office to discuss the library budget for the coming year. It will not be pretty, The one thing I know now is that the majority of the building administrators are supportive of the need for libraries to be funded. The majority are not interested in using the library money for anything but library books and materials.

Been writing poetry as examples for students.  Last week it was to write list poem about school.  Here is mine:

library books
sit on shelves
speak to
one another
when kids, staff leave
at day’s end
“She dog eared my pages! can you believe that?”
“He cried at the end.”
“I have not been checked out in a long, long, while.”
“I heard that if you sit on the shelf too long, you get discarded.”
“Is it true? Did Charlie really get stolen?”
library books
gossipers in the
night.

Happy Reading.

MsMac

Just yesterday, I checked in the hardcover copy of Blackbringer. It has seen great circulation.  Was it just yesterday that I met Laini? Planned a book party for her?  No,two years ago! Time flies.  Now on May 14, Blackbringer arrives as a paperback in stores.  Yippee!! Here is a re-post of my review:

Faeries of Dreamdark: Blackbringerby Laini Taylor

One word: WOW!! Laini Taylor has delivered a knock out punch with her first novel.

I am a historical fiction type girl. I always want to know about the spark, the event that led the author down the path to write the story.

This is funny because I was all about the faeries, fairy tales, and make believe worlds as a child. I read and re-read Tolkien. Then I switched to a more eclectic approach in my book choices and fantasy got left behind for the most part.

Faeries of Dreamdark: Blackbringerbrings me back to the world of fantasy. I thought that I would read it lickity-split (and I wonder if Laini has been thinking, why is she taking so long to read it). It is a book to savor. And that is exactly what I did. Savor. I didn’t allow myself to rush my reading.

Magpie Windwitch, the faerie, chases after devils that “mannies”or humans have released from bottles. She travels with crows who are both funny and protective of their Magpie. The troop heads to the forest of Dreamdarkwhen the fiercest of the devils, the Blackbringer, must be caught. He really is creepy. I have to tell you, I was at the edge of my seat as I finished the book this afternoon.

Laini’s writing is tight, flowing, and the language rich. From the prologue, when baby Magpie, is blessed by the animals to the end as she and her family of crows and other friends head to the next adventure (can’t wait for the sequel), you, the reader, are mesmerized.  Jim Di Bartolo’s art work and cover conveys a faerie you just don’t want to mess with.

If I hear students saying “flummox me”, “jacksmoke” or “skived”, I won’t be alarmed. I will know they have pick up some great vocabulary from this book.  

Happy Reading.

MsMac

In honor of National Poetry Month and the fabulous Fibonacci form, introduced by Greg, here are Fibonacci poems by a kindergarten class.  The teacher saw the instructions in the library and decided to try it.  These poems use words rather than syllaybles.  But how great that the kinders are playing with the form.

Chihuahua
Play
In backyard
She likes treats
I like to walk her.
She likes to sit on my lap a lot.

By Toatai, K

Dog
Listens
Plays catch
To on walks
Likes to sleep with me
Likes to go in the car with us.

By Michael, K

I
Like
Candy because
It tastes good.
Cherry suckers are my favorite
I would eat candy everyday if I could.

By Savannah, K

Rainbows
Red
Orange yellow
Green, blue, purple
Rainbows are fun to see
I like them because they are very pretty.

By Brooklyn, K

 Polar
Bears
Dig in
The snow to
Find food, they eat fish
Polar bears go in the water to bathe.

By Robert, K

Me
And
Dad are
At Amos’ riding
Our quads on dirt ramps.
One time oil was leaking from the quad.

By Joseph, K

I
Saw
A zebra,
Tiger, mountain goat
At the zoo one time
With my mom, dad, sisters and my brothers.

By Tasha, K

Roxy
Likes
To play
With my mom
She is a little Chihuahua
She has to sleep in the garage alone.

By Breanna, K

Bears
They
Sleep in
The snow sometimes
They sleep in the winter
They eat meat and fish, but not people.

By Kelsey, K

 I mailed ten poem postcards this week.  More will go out next week.  Becky at Becky’s Book Review is rounding up the poetry.

 Happy Reading.

MsMac

We are into the state assessment period and the halls are quiet except for the scritchy-scratch of pencils.  I recently read two books to classes that were sent to me by publishers.

The first is a follow-up to Library Mouse by Daniel Kirk.  In Library Mouse A Friend’s Tale, Sam the library mouse gets to secretly pair up with Tom, left over student.  All the kids have partner’s to write a story and illustrate it except Tom.  Mrs. Forrester, the librarian, suggests to Tom that they work together but them a mystery unfolds.  Sam accidentally leaves his notebook on the librarian’s desk and when he goes back to get it, he leaves tracks to his little home in the reference section.  What happens when Tom follows the track? Will he reveal the library mouse secret?  What kind of story does Mrs. Forrester and Sam write or do they?  You will have to read and find out your self. 

Kids love these two book by Daniel Kirk.  Library Mouse came in second in the Washington state Children’s Picture Book Award.  The perspectives that Kirk uses in the illustrations engage students.  It will not be on the shelf long.

The second book, Hee-Haw-Dini and the Great Zambini by Kim Kennedy has kids laughing out loud.  This is a new author for me.  It is a fun tale about the power of practice, practice, practice.  Hee-Haw the donkey and Chester the mouse practice their magic tricks all day long.  But none of the other farm animals want to see the tricks because after all, they are just farm animals.

When the Circus train comes through and a mysterious trunk belonging to the Great Zambini is left along the countryside, Chester and Hee-Haw decide its time to pull the ultimate trick. The ending has a fun trick of its own. I did not expect the ending. Students were quite engaged in this book, too. Doug Kennedy’s acrylic paintings match the vivid text.

This brother-sister team rely on family stories about magic to tell a magical story about the power of believing in your self.

I am listening to Savvy by Ingrid Law. Wow what a great story. The Beaumont family each get their special “savvy” on their 13th birthday. Mibs’s 13th birthday is no exception and the events of that day lead her, her family, and a colorful cast of characters on a wild chase.

I keep thinking about how the characters of Savvy might like the characters Spinelli’s Star Girl.  There have been a couple times where I pull into the driveway at home and have to wait until the chapter is finished. On her blog, Law invites readers to share their savvy, their special know-how.  I think my savvy just might be the my diplomaticway with people.

Overheard, Alyssa D., 5th grader, “May 1, do you know what that date means?”  That’s when the seventh book of the Sisters Grim series by Michael Buckley comes out.

What are you reading?

Happy Reading.

MsMac

 Yesterday was a terrible day for me. More bad news about budget: library budget cut in half and then to find out that on top of all the state cuts to teacher’s salaries, the bonus for being a national board certified teacher may be on the chopping block.  I am working on this article to submit to the local paper to raise awareness about the library program:

Shh! Quiet! As The District Cuts the Heart of the School Out: The Library Program

This is my thirty-fifth year of teaching. For years, I have listened to friends and colleagues discussing the budget woes in the neighboring state to the south. Perhaps I was a bit smug to think budget woes would not be in my vocabulary. I was wrong.
My district declares that all students should be able to be “world competitive upon graduation.” Yet, during this economic crisis, the district wants to cut back on the library media program. Research has shown libraries to be integral programs for students to become world competitive.
However, this district is about to cut the heart out of the school, the library program, by making cuts in the number hours support staff works and by slashing funding for books, programs and materials.
It’s a quiet proposal, not one that many patrons would think about until the impact of the cuts realized. It undermines two of the four pillars of a great library media program: staffing, budget, facilities, and student learning goals.
On paper, it might make sense. The library media program looks healthy and strong. Every school building has a minimum of one fulltime certified library media specialist and a fulltime library assistant. Cutting assistant time in half saves a potential six hundred thousand dollars for the district.
Any cut means cuts to kids. Currently, the elementary library media specialist provides a thirty-minute planning time for each classroom teacher. At middle and high school level, classes sign-up to work on research projects, get questions answered and find resources for assignments. It is possible for over 150 students to visit the library on a daily basis.
While classes are in session, other students use the library for book check out, research, a place to go for recess, and a quiet place to read. Staff members come to the library to get resources for upcoming units of study. The assistant locates and checks out the books for them. If classroom audio visual or computer equipment fails, either the assistant or the library media specialist leaves the library to troubleshoot. Reduction in staff means staff and students will have to wait.
Today, the services offered in the library have grown with technology demands. Technology has both simplified and complicated teaching in the library. Students are required to be productive users of technology, as well as academic users of technology. This requires that the library media specialist collaborate closely with staff to engage students in thinking strategies for the 21st century. The ability to do this will be extremely limited if the library media specialist must take on the duties of library materials processing and data entry, jobs of the library assistant.
Currently, the library budget is an average of $11.50 per student for books, programs, and materials. The average cost of library books is $20.00 per book. The district is preparing to reduce the budget by half. The library media program supports the core curriculum: literacy, math, science, and social studies. Will I be forced to rely on book fair sales to raise money for library books? Selection of materials to support the core needs is part of my training as a library media specialist.
I wonder how I will support the needs of staff and students when the budget cut in half. The average age of my collection is twenty years old How will I ensure that the collection does not fall behind any further in currency? Teachers used the titles in the collection more than ever as mentor texts for students.
In addition, district administration wants every child to have the opportunity to check out book whether their book is overdue or they have a book fines. As of last fall, approximately $38,000 dollars in outstanding school fines owed to the district. I admit there are some circumstances in which the child should not be held hostage because the library book is missing. Where is the fiscal responsibility in allowing students to have books when they have unpaid fines?
My district needs to consider options that will save money in ways aside from reducing important services to students and staff every day. Options could include being very selective with information databases, limiting assistant hours to student attendance days and hours, and developing a plan to curtail the rising dollars in lost or overdue materials.
Study after study has shown a clear correlation to student achievement and fully funded library programs, which includes a full-time staff assistant. The district, known for its strong library program, is dangerously coming close to stepping backward. Why take a step backward? How disheartening to hear about potential cuts to the program because of its strengths. Let’s continue to strive to be world-competitive upon graduation and keep the heart of the school in place. A fully funded library media program enables students to compete in a 21st century world.

Kepp reading. Keep using the library.

MsMac

We are back in the swing of things after spring break.   Fifth Grade worked on some poems styled after the William Carlos Williams’ poem “This is Just to Say”

This  is just
to say
I have eaten the
box of pizza
that was in
the refrigerator today
And which you were
probably saving for
my sister’s birthday
Forgive me…
can we get another one another day?
–Courtney, 5th grade

This is just
to say
I am sorry
I ran into some
trouble at school
One day I
couldn’t forget it.
It was like a bubble
pushing and pulling me
some way
I guess  I will take my
punishment
Oh brother,
what can I say?
–Kimberly, 5th grade

This is Just to Say
I have eaten all
the maple bars

and which you
were probably saving
for dessert

Forgive me, they
were irresistibly
delicious and warm
–Marcus, 5th grade

This is Just to Say
I have picked your pencil up
from the ground
I sharpened it
and chewed it
just like I do any
other pencil
I knew it was yours because
in bold letters your
name was written on the side.
I really shouldn’t of
used it
said not to you probably
wanted to use it
without teethmarks and slobber
Forgive me.
But is was so pretty with the blue polka dots
On yellow cover with a
few green stripes.
It had an “A” on it
my name starts with “A”
I might of thought it was mine
I will give it back
If you REALLY want it.
–Alyssa, 5th grade

Head over to Carol’s Corner for more great poetry. Do you want a poem postcard by a student? Contact me to participate in “Poem Postcard Project”.

Happy Reading.
MsMac