Mann Library
February and March 2016
Mrs. Scheivert
Email: scheivert.jennifer@iowacityschools.org
Website: http://www.edline.net/pages/Horace_Man_ES/Library
Phone: (319) 688-1147
Also, in February, I had the privilege of attending the Friday night dinner for the One Book Two Book festival here in Iowa City. It was wonderful to see so many student authors and to hear their fabulous writing pieces. Among them was our own Siena Brown, whose writing was selected from Mann Elementary! The keynote speaker, author Gene Luen Yang, was also very inspiring and entertaining to listen to (see picture below). His platform as the National Ambassador to Children's Literature challenges us to Read Without Walls. He wants us to:
- Read a book about a character who doesn't look like you or live like you.
- Read a book about a topic you don't know much about.
- Read a book in a format that you don't normally read for fun. This might be a chapter book, a graphic novel, a book in verse, a picture book, or a hybrid book.
Kindergarten
In February, kindergartners wrapped up fiction and non-fiction by using the online Bookflicks tool. Students read a fiction book online that was paired with a non-fiction book. We also talked about library organization some more. We practiced ABC order in a variety of ways: dot-to-dot activities, interactive activities from abcya! on the white board, and reading some ABC themed books.
We've also been talking about story elements. We read a Pete the Cat book and talked about story sequencing. We also read two different Scaredy Squirrel books and talked about plot. Students were able to identify and write down 3 main events from the story.
Book checkout day is FRIDAY for both classes.
1st Grade
In February, 1st graders wrapped up fiction and non-fiction by using the online Bookflicks tool. Students read a fiction book online that was paired with a non-fiction book. We also talked about the differences between fiction and non-fiction call numbers. We then switched gears and started talking about fairy tales and folktales. We discussed traits about these unique types of stories. We also compared and contrasted the traditional tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears with the fractured fairy tale, Goldirocks.
In March, we talked about retelling stories. We practiced this skill with a few different books: A Small Thing But Big and Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend. We identified characters, setting, problems, and solutions for the stories.
Book checkout day is FRIDAY for both classes.
Book checkout day is FRIDAY for both classes.
2nd Grade
Book checkout day is on FRIDAY for 2nd grade.
The wooden sword : a Jewish folktale from Afghanistan
Martina the beautiful cockroach : a Cuban folktale
3rd Grade
During February and March, we continued to talk about the Optimist Good Reader program. We read a few different books, covering different kinds of literary genres, to put towards our reading award for the program (Coretta Scott, Trombone Shorty, and The Whisper). Great job to those students who completed some other reading books and reading activities at home! We also talked more about another type of genre, folktales, and identified certain elements of these stories in a chart. We also wrapped up our time looking at literary genres by working on a packet. In it, students were given a list and summary of a variety of books. Students had to match which genre paired with which book title. We also had a nice ceremony with an Optimist representative to acknowledge students and their successes with the program!
Book checkout day is on TUESDAY for Mrs. Cernuto.
Book checkout day is on FRIDAY for Mr. Green
4th Grade
During February, we continued to talk about the Optimist Good Reader program. We read a few different books, covering different kinds of literary genres, to put towards our reading award for the program (Coretta Scott, Trombone Shorty, and The Whisper). Great job to those students who completed some other reading books and reading activities at home! We also wrapped up our time looking at literary genres by working on a packet. In it, students were given a list and summary of a variety of books. Students had to match which genre paired with which book title. We also had a nice ceremony with an Optimist representative to acknowledge students and their successes with the program!
In March, we switched gears to look at research. Students are researching individual topics in their classroom, and I tried to supplement it with some lessons during library time. We talked about research and different tools to use through the process. I also compared research to a treasure hunt! I let students know that sometimes it takes time to find the treasure, and patience is needed. We also started looking at good vs. bad presentation slides. We looked at several pointers for slides and then students created one good and one bad slide on their own!
Book checkout day is on TUESDAY for Mrs. Aitken.
Book checkout day is on WEDNESDAY for Mrs. Perry.
5th and 6th Grade
In February and March, 5th and 6th graders continued with various Rotating Stations during library. They included various activities with Type to Learn, coding apps, Dewey Decimal instruction/practice, Internet Safety, and Dash the robot programming/coding. One of the most recent stations with Dash challenged students to create a pathway for him that they had to navigate him through with coding! Students were very engaged in this.
Book checkout day is on WEDNESDAY for Mrs. Mulligan.
Book checkout day is on THURSDAY for 6th grade.
Internet Safety book online
Coding with Dash
Dewey Decimal group work
Dewey Decimal lesson
Dewey Decimal practice
Programming Dash!
Dash coding
Dash coding
Dewey Decimal Practice/Library Catalog work on the iPads
It is the policy of the Iowa City Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status in its educational programs, activities, or employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy, please contact Kingsley Botchway II, Director of Equity