What Do YOU Do With A Box?

                                             This week we are literally thinking outside the box.

What can you make with a box?  Using our imagination helps us become better readers.  When students can find a way to escape to the world that is in their book the possibilities are endless.  So often students forget to pretend and be silly. Having a tea party or reading in a silly voice is fun. I remember that I used to be the best mud pie maker in my neighborhood.  That is until the neighbor actually ate one.  This week I am going to be teaching each class from the inside of a box. We are exploring the endless possibilities of a box. I Can't wait to hear what they come up with. Happy Reading!
                     Mrs. Mercer

           
 

September Read Aloud.

               

We're All Wonders 

By:

R.J.Palacio

Every student is unique.  Every student has special gifts and talents.  In the Media Center we read this story. We took some time to discuss our differences and our similarities as students.  We also talked about the tough subject of reading levels.  Not every student reads on the same level, and that's ok.  Every student has the right to read.  This Book gave us the ability to discuss bullying as it applies to the library.  Our Media Center is full of books for every type of reader.  Not every student is going to like the same book, and they have that right. No one has the right to make fun of, or bully just because they read slow.  Meadow students are always shocked to hear that I don't really care for fantasy books.  My favorite genre is historical fiction and cookbooks are a close second. 

Please enjoy this short video. Take a minute to watch it with your kids.  Ask them what we talked about during their visit to the Media Center this week.  

As always,

Happy Wondering.

Mrs. Mercer

Welcome back!

It has been a long summer and an even longer start to the school year.  This week was our first week in the library and we are really excited to announce our theme for the 2017-2018 school year.  

Yep, that is it! I WONDER!

It is my goal this year to help students become more critical thinkers.  When students question the world around them it takes learning to new levels.  I have heard a lot of funny wonders this week.

I wonder why we have hair?

I wonder what I am going to have for dinner?

I wonder why the moon turned red?

I wonder what was used before toilet paper?

I wonder why cats are born with their eyes closed?

I wonder how the water get's into the hose outside? 

These are all things, that as adults we might laugh at. But think of a child who is exploring science or math or reading for the first time. Questions take learning one step further.  It is my hope that by encouraging students to search for answers to their questions they will become more critical thinkers, and in turn lifelong learners, 

Next week we will be reading 

We Are All Wonders 

by

R.J. Palicio

Camp Wriddastoree
5th grade personal narrative day!

Today the 5th grade read stories, listened to storytellers, ate hot dogs and learned about writing our own story.  All of the elements of storytelling were represented in break out groups throughout the school.  This day will culminate on Monday with students reading their finished product.  An amazing day filled with fun and learning.  Meadow magic at its best.  

I found this valuable information on this blog

http://www.teachinginroom6.com/2012/06/guest-post-preventing-summer-slide.html

The “summer slide” occurs when students sit idle for 2-3 months. In comparison to the regular school year, a student’s daily academic rigor and routine may significantly slow down. Daily lessons are replaced with summer camp, day trips, and sometimes lots of lounging! These are all important things and the value of summer camp and/or a relaxed summer schedule isn’t being challenged. But, in addition to all of these fun and exciting activities should be a daily routine for reading and/or “mind stretches”. Experts share that students who read during the summer gain reading skills. Those who do not read, consistently slide backward. According to Scholastic, research shows that struggling readers who read at least 6 books will have a better chance of not regressing over the summer months.

So how can you keep your child/students reading during the summer months? Here a some tips:

•  Make sure your child has an active library card. Make it a point to visit the library regularly. Some libraries offer summer reading programs for children to participate in. Your local library is a primary summer resource; be sure to take advantage of it!
•  Build time into your child’s daily schedule for reading. Just like during the school year, it is important to keep your child on a reading schedule.
•  Keep a book in a bag! Take advantage of “wait time” (i.e. dentist appointment, long lines, etc.). Also, long car rides, train rides and time on the beach are great opportunities to read.
• Provide a variety of reading materials for your students/children to choose from.
• Lead by example. When your child is reading, show them that it something that the family can enjoy. Pick up a book and read along with them, or, get engrossed in one of the books that have been sitting on your reading list.
• Read to your child. This helps to model fluency, strengthens vocabulary, and helps to improve listening comprehension.

Happy Reading,

Mrs. Mercer

Harnessing the wind

Continuing on our journey through Africa. We will be reading,

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

By: William Kamkwamba & Bryan Mealer

It is the true story of a teenager whose family is starving to death in a small village in Africa.  Young William saves his family farm by constructing a windmill out of scraps he finds in the junkyard.  

This week we will make windmills out of toothpicks and marshmallows and propel a small boat with air. We will also discover how testing the theories in non fiction books can be fun.  

STEAM activities stand for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math.

This is our first exploration of STEAM in our library, 

We are literally going "Full STEAM ahead!"

All aboard,

Mrs. Mercer

Africa

Welcome to Africa.  

We have traveled to 5 of the 7 continents this school year.  I have been waiting all year for this weeks presentation.  Hippo's are Huge, by Jonathan London and Illustrated by Matthew Trueman, is a factual picture book. 

This book introduces students to the facts about Hippo's.  But I love the illustrations the most.  We will be talking about the importance of the illustrations in picture books.  How young readers rely on the pictures to decode words and keep their interest.  On the flip side the older students will be looking for Hippo size facts using different reference materials.   We are digging deep in Africa this week, I hope the kids are ready for the trip of a lifetime.

Fasten your seatbelts,

Mrs. Mercer