Endeavour Library Newsletter
November 2017
Maternity Leave
I will be out on my maternity leave from November 30 - February 23, returning on Monday, February 26th. I will be sure to send pictures of baby Walter Skosky to staff and many students are already asking that I send pictures so feel free to share anything I send with your classes! Amy Cromwell will be my long term substitute. She substituted for Elizabeth last year so I am confident things will run smoothly until my return :)
Hour of Code
During the month of December, students in grades 1-5 will be participating in the Hour of Code during their library time. This worldwide event is sponsored by Code.org and is a great way to introduce students to the fun world of coding.
What's Happening in the Library - Expanded Edition!
Kindergarten
During my leave students will be participating in a Washington Children's choice bracket tournament. Each week we will read 2 nominees and vote on our favorite. The winners will move on until we have the 1 book with the most votes. These votes will then be sent to the Washington Library Association and the state winner is announced in May.
1st Grade
During my leave students will participate in the Hour of Code and the Washington Children's Choice bracket tournament. Each week we will read 2 nominees and vote on our favorite. The winners will move on until we have the 1 book with the most votes. These votes will then be sent to the Washington Library Association and the state winner is announced in May.
2nd Grade
During my leave students will participate in the Hour of Code and the Washington Children's Choice bracket tournament. Each week we will read 2 nominees and vote on our favorite. The winners will move on until we have the 1 book with the most votes. These votes will then be sent to the Washington Library Association and the state winner is announced in May.
3rd Grade
During my leave, students will participate in the Hour of Code, continue reading Otter Award books and learn more about the Dewey Decimal System.
4th Grade
During my leave, students will participate in the Hour of Code, continue reading our read aloud - The Wild Robot, and learn more about citations.
5th Grade
During my leave, students will participate in the Hour of Code, continue our read aloud - The Wild Robot, and participate in the Battle of the Picture Books!
Second Step - Book Connections
This book follows a child's emotions from silliness to anger to excitement, coloring and changing each day. A good book for younger students on identifying different emotions.
Beatrice is so well-known for never making a mistake that she is greeted each morning by fans and reporters, but a near-error on the day of the school talent show could change everything. This book focuses on anxiety and self-confidence.
Vashti is frustrated. He is unhappy with all his efforts during art class and declares, “I just can’t draw!” After gentle coaching from his teacher, Vashti calms down, uses positive self-talk and starts by making a mark on his blank page. Readers will then see where that mark takes him!
Mean Jean is the biggest bully on the school playground until a new girl arrives and challenges Jean's status as the Recess Queen.
A little girl has a wonderful idea. With the help of her canine assistant, she is going to make the most magnificent thing! She knows just how it will look. She knows just how it will work. But making the most magnificent thing turns out to be harder than she thinks and causes a lot of anger and frustration.
When Anh becomes angry and says hurtful things, his grandfather tells him to go to his room and sit with his anger, which allows Anh to feel better. Based on teachings about mindfulness and Buddhism by Thich Nhat Hanh.
Technology Tips!
Planboard for Lesson Planning
Planboard is a lesson planning app that is free to individual teachers. It allows you to create and access your lesson plans anywhere and easily share them with colleagues. Templates are available that allow you to attach documents, videos, pictures and files. Everything saves and can be used from year to year!
Blended Play Game Creator
Blended Play is a free online portal where teachers of any subject and grade level can create games to review material. There are currently four games that teachers can select from including Mountain Climber, Viking Fleet, Sushi Takeover, and Space Sale. The games are played by teams of students and no devices are needed. The game is projected for all students to see and you can decide if you want the questions to be displayed along with the game or if you would prefer to read the questions out loud and only display the game.
Using Comic Creations in Elementary Schools
Makebeliefscomix.com is totally free, but the site has somewhat limited graphics. It’s drag and drop, easy to move, resize, or delete the options. The kids pick it up rather quickly and have a blast with it. Also, the children don’t need to make an account. It is also available as an iPad app. The website also allows you to write in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Portuguese!