Down by the Cool of the Pool

Down by the Cool of the Pool 

by Tony Mitton , Guy Parker-Rees (Illustrator) 

Scholastic, 2002

Summary: A frog, duck, pig, and friends dance themselves silly until they crash and splash into the cool pool. 

Lesson:   Based on its name, I was expecting a rhyming book,  but it was more than that.  It is filled with action verbs and onomatopoeias.  With K-2,  we made a dance of the action verbs and livened up the story.  With older kids, I would have talked more about onomatopoeia.

Level: K-2nd

Clifford's Pals

Clifford's Pals
by Norman Bridwell

Summary:  Clifford and his pals play in a construction site, where it is dangerous.  After several narrow scrapes, where Clifford has to break machinery and anger the workers, they decide to stop playing there and return to a safer place to play. 


Lesson:  One of our school-wide expectations is to "Be Safe".  After reading this book, we talked about why it was not safe to play at a construction site.  We also suggested some safe places to play. 

Level:  PreK-1st grade

OFF THE SHELF -- Seussville.com

http://www.seussville.com/

Perhaps I should call this installment  "Off the 'Net".  Seussville.com is a delightful site for children and adult Dr. Seuss fans of all ages.  Video clips, music, games, activities, and character sketches provide countless hours of fun on the website.  There is an author study and teacher lesson area, along with a tab for parents.  A visit to Seussville is a jog down memory lane!!!

Level:  all ages.

Joseph had a Little Overcoat

Joseph Had a Little Overcoat 

by Simms Taback

Penguin, 2000 Caldecott

Summary:  In this cut-out book, Joseph begins the story wearing a colorful overcoat.  As it becomes worn, with each page, he recuts the fabric to create a new, smaller garment.  From a vest to a scarf, he continues with each page until there is only enough fabric to cover a button. 

Lesson:  As part of Earth Day, we talk to the students about "Reduce, Reuse, & Recycle".  This is a great story to model how to reuse materials.  Instead of throwing away something when we are finished with it, we can find new uses.  A crafty follow-up would be to have them turn items into new products.  For example, with some string and the bottom half of a plastic bottle, they can make bird feeders.  Old cans can be decorated and turned into pencil holders.  Scrapped paper can be decorated into bookmarks.  Let your imagination sore!

Level:  K-2nd

AH, TO BE YOUNG AGAIN...The Definition of Retirement

As I was telling the students that their previous librarian had retired, I stopped to ask if anyone knew what "retirement" meant.  One brave fellow raised his hand and said, "It's when you are too tired to work anymore, so you don't go to work anymore."  Hello, ready for that retirement check already!  I hope everyone has a great Back to School and and a school year full of wonderment.

Austin Teen Book Festival

For all those fans of YA literature, the Austin Teen Book Festival will be taking place on Oct. 1 at the Austin Palmer Events Center.  It is Free and has tons of your favorite authors.  For more info, visit the website at http://www.austinteenbookfestival.com

Meet the Parents Night

It was billed as Meet the Teacher night, but really it was a chance to meet the whole family.  Tonight was my first glimpse of the community that attends my school.  I was so happy to see the kids peering in the windows at the books.  They brought their parents into the library and wandered around.  Many wanted to check out books right then!  I am excited to see such an eager group of kids.  The beginning of school is always such an exciting time.  I am really looking forward to working with these kids, and their parents.