12/5/2022 0 Comments What Happened to You?Although our Expeditionary Learning framework is infused throughout the year with topics such as empathy and diversity, in recognition of International Day of Persons withe Disabilities on December 3rd, we are reading the book, "What Happened to You?" The most important thing about this book is that it is authentic both in understanding the audience and also from the lived experience of its author. From his perspective as a person with a "visible disability," it is never ok to ask a stranger "what happened to you." If you get to know someone with a visibility, it is their choice to tell you, when it feels safe for them. You can watch a short video by the author that explains his motivation for writing the book here. And a video of him playing soccer here.
Jeff the bear accidentally leaves his house wearing underwear and the forest animals are shocked when they see him. Jeff knows "something is wrong" but it isn't until he finds his true and trusted friend Anders the Rabbit does he find out what is wrong. Although this is a silly story with a twist at the end, it reinforces social emotional skills that are important for our students to understand - empathy, compassion and friendship.
Beginning Tuesday, September 27th, our Media Center will be available for family browsing and check-out after school from 3 - 3:30 PM. We will be open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. We will not be open on Wednesday, September 28th due to our Flu Clinic. Vanessa learns that being special is not about what you wear, it's about who you are. And it is always best to be yourself. You can use this link to hear the author read the book.
We will be begin Open Library Check-Out on Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursday starting Tuesday, September 6th from 3 - 3:30 PM. Families can come into the library using the front entrance and browse our collection. Adults can check out up to five books at a time. I have always been a fan of hippos and I am originally from Cincinnati so when a baby hippo was born at the Cincinnati Zoo in 2017, I shared the story with the students at Winnona Park. Born six weeks prematurely, her name was Fiona and she was the smallest hippo to ever survive. The zookeepers had to bottle feed her and teach her to swim. Fiona also became an internet sensation and had several children's books published about her and her story. Fast forward to August 3, 2022 and Fiona now has a brother named Fritz. In addition to several fiction and non-fiction books in our library, students watched short video clips of Fiona, and Fritz and made hippo stick puppets. You can also follow Fiona and Fritz on Instagram - @cincinnatizoo.
The library is really like a Target. Students are learning that we have different departments in the library - picture books, chapter books, non-fiction, and graphic novels. After you select your book, you have to go to the check-out line, however, our books are free! Kindergartners are to keep the book they have checked out and not put it back in a random location where Ms. Zeff and Ms. Siver will not be able to find it. First graders are learning where to find our large collection of chapter books and after the September break, they will be able to check out two books - a choice book and a "just right" book that they can read independently. Second graders are excited to be able to check out all of the books in our library including the really scary ones!! And, after the September break, we will be inviting parents to visit the library for check-out at the end of the school day.
Students were able to check out books this week and they were SO excited. I read the book, "What Happened to Marion's Book" to the kindergarten classes, and then summarized it for first and second. As I only have 30 minutes with each class, I want the older students to have more time to select their books. It is a humorous introduction to taking care of our books. In addition, the first and second graders take home a "healthy book bookmark" as a reminder to be "good stewards" of our books. You can find out all of the details of check out, our schedule and other media center details on the Media Center's website. And please do not hesitate to email me directly if you have specific questions - [email protected].
For the first week of school, we welcomed students into the library for a read aloud and craft project! We learned how to come into the library, how to Be Safe, Be Good Stewards, and Be Respectful. The yellow circle at the bottom is highlighting our new fairy door - stay tuned!!
Kindergarten and First Grade
Keyboarding was our topic for this week. Students were introduced to the VIP keys - space bar, backspace, return and shift keys. Most kindergarten classes used "Keyboard Climber" while first graders used "Dance Mat Typing." As so many students are used to touch screen, devices, learning to use the keyboard and track pad have become skills that need to be deliberately taught. These are great websites to practice at home and do not require the student to log in. Second Grade Students were introduced to Accelerated Reader(AR) quizes. These are short quizes taken on the computer that can be used to motivate students, check comprehension, and help guide "just right" book choices. Beginning Monday, students will be able to come to the Media Center in the morning to take AR quizes, as well as in the classroom. Quizes cannot be taken at home. If you have any questions about this product, please email me directly - [email protected]. |
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About Ms. ZeffClick here to see some of Ms. Zeff's favorite things. |