Check It Out!
MTRSD Elementary Libraries- December 2022
Author/illustrator of the month: Phoebe Wahl
News from the BSE Library!
Highlights from the past month in the BSE library included celebrating Indigenous authors and illustrators, and beginning lessons in digital citizenship. In the past year, our library has been fortunate to acquire several books featuring the talented Julie Flett, a Cree-Métis author and illustrator. Younger students enjoyed learning Cree words and phrases in her book We All Play / kimêtawânaw, and connected to their own lives by sharing ways they like to play with friends and family. Older students listened to “A Girl’s Best Friend”, a short story by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Muscogee citizen) that features a girl named Sophie Bigheart who really wants a dog - a sentiment many could relate to!
Digital citizenship Is the responsible use of technology to learn, create, and participate (commonsense.org). All BSE students in grades K-6 get to participate in digital citizenship lessons this year as part of our library curriculum. Classes will participate in 3-6 lessons throughout the year, with many unplugged options, and lessons that include discussion and collaborative activities. Check out topics we’ll be covering in the graphic below.
Colrain Central Library Update
The C.C.S. community came together recently to celebrate the "Grand Reopening" of the Colrain Library. We had a celebration planned by the sixth grade and inspired by the celebration in the book, The Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library. The sixth graders planned decorations, reading buddies, and a cake to celebrate! The students got to try out the new furniture and check out a brand new book. It was wonderful to see the students reading to each other and excitedly showing off their contributions to the library.
The final part of a service-learning project like this is a reflection piece. The students will be reflecting on the contributions to the library and on the idea that we all belong in the library. Student reflections will take shape as permanent art displays that reflect how the students see themselves represented in the library.
The new books, rugs, and furniture were made possible by the Mary Lyon Foundation, FRCOG, and individuals who donated to our Donors Choose project online. Now that our library is updated and more comfortable, we're looking forward to lots of comfy reading, digging into research skills and technology lessons. The library at CCS is a great place to be!
News from the Sanderson Library
December will be a different but exciting month in the Sanderson Library! While Pre-K through 2nd graders will continue to hone their library navigation skills, grades 3 - 6 will experience more technology integration into their library lessons, starting with the Hour of Code.
The 'Hour of Code' is a nationwide initiative by Computer Science Education Week and Code.org to introduce millions of students to one hour of computer science and computer programming. It is held each December in recognition of the birthday (December 9, 1906) of computing pioneer Admiral Grace Murray Hopper. This month, Sanderson students will learn about and practice some basic coding skills using both offline and online resources. By the end of the month, students will have coded an animated dance party that they can share with the class. Check out code.org if you would like to learn along with your child.
In preparation for the Hour of Code, students at Sanderson have also been discussing “media balance and well being” using a standards-aligned digital citizenship curriculum called Common Sense Education. Digital Citizenship is the responsible use of technology to learn, create, and participate. Throughout the year, students will work through various lessons that promote media literacy and a healthy relationship with technology. We will be using the books What Can a Citizen Do? by Dave Eggers and The Table by Peter Reynolds to support our discussions.
Sanderson students enjoyed a “Thankfulness Challenge” the week before Thanksgiving. Each student had 1-2 minutes to write down on index cards as many things they were thankful for as they could. After, table groups had 10 minutes to create the tallest tower possible using nothing but their notecards. There were some very creative approaches! It was fun to see students collaborating to achieve a common goal.
6th Graders Create Comics in the MTRS Library!
Local Public Library Events
Upcoming Events at Buckland Public Library!
LEGOS in the Community Room Starts 12/2/22
Every Friday from 4 - 6 pm our new LEGO collection is ready for builders with creative minds! Come and enjoy the newest addition to our assortment of toys and games.
"Crafternoons" Continue Every Tuesday
Crafternoons with Ms. Amy will be every Tuesday from 4:30-6:00 pm. Bring your 3-11 year old for crafts, friendship, and stories. Come for all or part of the time. Age bracket is flexible.FREE PUZZLES Every 4th Saturday
Pick up a few puzzles to replenish your supply for the darker, chillier nights.
Events at the ARMS Library!
Jewelry-Making Class Two-in-one
Make Felted Ornaments - Cookie Cutter Style!
This is an easy, fun way to make ornaments for the holiday season. We have several dozen different cookie cutter shapes, and lots of dry needle felting supplies.Dec. 3, at 4 p.m. in the upstairs reading room at the Arms Library in Shelburne Falls, MA.
Events at Colrain's Griswold Public Library
See Ms. Betty's Take and Make December Craft https://youtu.be/8GAUQAsXWJ0