October in the Library
2015
New Programing in the Library!
It's the year of library programing! So far this year students attended the Boston Book Festival, built robots in the library's new makerspace, and collected money for UNICEF. More to come!
Spotlight on: The Supernatural!
For the month of October, the focus, of course, had to be on spooky books. Supernatural books of all kinds, from ghosts to witches to werewolves were in high demand.
Makerspaces: BrushBots
Figuring It Out
Most students watched a tutorial online of how to put the BrushBots together, although some tried to figure it out on their own.
Working Together
Students who figured out more quickly how the BrushBots worked helped others.
Triumphant Success!
Within half an hour, all students had created functioning BrushBots and were making courses out of their books and Chromebook cases for them to twirl between.
Classes in the Library
6th Grade
Ms. Unger's Reading classes came to the library to choose books for their "heart map" project. Students will have to identify items that are important to the main character and how they help solve their problem. Students listened to book talks on a number of books and then had time to browse and check one out.
7th Grade
We missed you this month! We'll be seeing you in November though!
8th Grade
Ms. French's class came to the library to choose books. The focus was on graphic novels. Many students left with a new read.
Having built some background on the history of molasses and its uses, students in Library Research began researching the Boston Molasses Flood. Having already used a databases and web source, they read several excerpts from the book The Great Molasses Flood by Deborah Kops. Students focused on taking notes, summarizing, and making connections between what they read and themselves.
Book Reviews
How I Became a Ghost by Tim Tingle
Told in the words of Isaac, a Choctaw boy who does not survive the Trail of Tears, HOW I BECAME A GHOST is a tale of innocence and resilience in the face of tragedy. From the book's opening line, "Maybe you have never read a book written by a ghost before," the reader is put on notice that this is no normal book. Isaac leads a remarkable foursome of Choctaw comrades: a tough-minded teenage girl, a shape-shifting panther boy, a lovable five-year-old ghost who only wants her mom and dad to be happy, and Isaac s talking dog, Jumper. The first in a trilogy, HOW I BECAME A GHOST thinly disguises an important and oft-overlooked piece of history. - Goodreads.com
Tastes Like Music: 17 Quirks of the Brain and Body by Maria Birmingham
Humans may all look pretty much the same on the outside, but some people have unique conditions and amazing abilities! Whether it’s having no fingerprints at all (adermatoglyphia), hearing music every time you taste chocolate (synesthesia), or being able to see one hundred million colors (tetrachromacy), some conditions bring our understanding of the human body to another level entirely. An unparalleled tour of the hows and whys of these extraordinary human conditions, Tastes Like Music is accessible and playful. Each section presents an awe-inspiring snapshot of the biology behind one of 17 quirks, while short interviews with people affected by these conditions (including the author!) provide windows into real-life experiences. The book takes a balanced approach, highlighting the pros and cons of each condition and providing plenty of general facts about the human body. Readers will delight in the illustrations throughout and come away with a new appreciation for all the weird and wonderful things the human brain and body can do. - Goodreads.com
It's Almost 2nd term!
What do you have coming up that I can help with? Please let me know!
Email: alechan@dedham.k12.ma.us
Website: http://dms.dedham.k12.ma.us/pages/Dedham_Middle_School/academics/Library
Location: 70 Whiting Avenue, Dedham, MA, United States
Phone: 781-310-7413