Book Marks
Zilker Library: March 2016
Happy Spring!
I hope our Zilker community had a wonderful, relaxing and fun Spring Break. And that you found time to read a good book (or two)! I can't believe how quickly my first year here at Zilker is going by...just 10 weeks left. There are lots of fantastic events on the horizon-National Poetry Month celebration in April, author visits for 1st, 2nd and 4th grades and....
a dedication ceremony of the Jackie Kraal Library! You'll find more information below.
Cheers,
Mrs. Sharp
Zilker Librarian

Volunteers Needed in the Library
We're always looking for new (and recurring) volunteers for the library! Volunteers are needed especially on Thursdays and Fridays and during every Kindergarten class, but are welcome anytime. To sign up to volunteer, visit the Volunteer Spot calendar at http://vols.pt/5rg2TB. You can also contact Rebecca Sharp, Zilker Librarian, at rebecca.sharp@austinisd.org for more information!
What We've Been Up To
Question of the Week 3rd and 4th graders practiced research by trying out the new Question of the Week center. | Mancala! Some of Mrs. Cohn's students enjoyed playing Mancala in the library. | Thanks, PTA! We are so excited about the 6 iPads purchased for the library by our fantastic Zilker PTA! They will get put to good use. |
Question of the Week
3rd and 4th graders practiced research by trying out the new Question of the Week center.
World Read Aloud Day celebration
We celebrated World Read Aloud Day all week in the Zilker Library with guest readers, Skype connections with classes around the country and even a visit from a Zilker parent and author/illustrator, Laura Logan! Check out our map in the library hallway of all our celebrations.

Mr. Thomson Our very own Mr. Thomson joined us in celebration of World Read Aloud Day! He read Lester's Dreadful Sweaters to Mrs. DeVore's class. | Connections across the country Many classes Skyped with classes around the country, sharing together some of their favorite read alouds. Mrs. Caroline's class Skyped with 4th graders in Oregon. | Elizabeth Polk Came! Elizabeth Polk, the Assistant Director of Libraries in AISD, came to be a guest reader too! She read Martina the Beautiful Cockroach to Ms. Davis' 3rd graders. |
Mr. Thomson
Our very own Mr. Thomson joined us in celebration of World Read Aloud Day! He read Lester's Dreadful Sweaters to Mrs. DeVore's class.
Connections across the country
Many classes Skyped with classes around the country, sharing together some of their favorite read alouds. Mrs. Caroline's class Skyped with 4th graders in Oregon.
Zilker Parent and Author/Illustrator, Laura Logan

Dedication of the Jackie Kraal Library
Tuesday, April 12th, 2:15-4pm
1900 Bluebonnet Lane
Austin, TX
Join us for the dedication ceremony of the library in honor of the amazing previous Zilker librarian, Mrs. Jackie Kraal! More details to come.
New Look of the Jackie Kraal Library!

Makerspace in the Library!

MakerSpace in the Zilker Library
We would love to get a MakerSpace up and running in the library and we need your help (and your stuff)! The plan is to kick off a MakerSpace towards the end of the school year for a week in May with sign up opportunities for teachers who are interested in trying it out with their students. Then, there will be MakerSpace weeks in the library each month next year for select grade levels, building from there. It's going to be awesome!
Don't know what a "MakerSpace" is? You'll find lots and lots of videos on YouTube if you search, but this article on Edutopia gives those who want more information lots of insight. Here's a quick overview:
- STEM/STEAM heavy activities (STEM= Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, plus an "A" for Arts)
- Easily incorporated in curriculum/TEKS
- Made up of building, creating, critical thinking and research activities
- A big movement in libraries!
- Can be as simple as a marble run, building with Legos or as complicated as building and programming a robot
How do we need your help?
Donate your old or unused stuff! The library would accept:
- Legos, building blocks, etc.
- Cardboard boxes
- Marble runs or anything of the like
- Plastic Solo cups
- Duct tape
- Glue bottles/sticks
- Pipe cleaners
- GIFT CARD DONATIONS! (Plans to purchase LittleBits sets, Tinker Toys, etc. from Amazon)
Many thanks to these new Friends of the Zilker Library donors:
Patty Ramirez and Martin Christman