Fall 2014!

Well here we are, starting another school year and the cool breezes of autumn have begun!  What a beautiful time of year, take a moment to enjoy the colors, aromas, and feel of fall.

Our classes have been great so far.  Kindergarten loves being read to each week and choosing books.  They are learning the jobs of an author and illustrator, and are naming the parts of a book.

First grade has a larger area within the library to choose books from, and they are making some great choices.  We have read about a dragon in the library, a very scared squirrel, and a little girl named Louise, just to name a few.  First graders are also learning how to look up information in print form (i.e. dictionaries, encyclopedias) and learning about each section of the library.

Third grade is learning how to use our library software, Destiny Quest.  They are doing great, and they are beginning to understand how our non-fiction materials are organized via the Dewey Decimal Classification System.

Fourth grade is reviewing all their library skills, as well as, interpreting a book we are reading by illustrating the story as it is read aloud.  Later in the year, we will introduce study skills, which will prove to be an invaluable skill as they continue their education.

Fifth grade Language Arts Enrichment, is currently working on their reading fluency.  They have short assignments to do each week, and during class we practice reading comprehension and test taking skills.

Middle School Enrichment classes are working independently via project based learning on their iPads.  I am more  of a "facilitator" as they explore and dig deeper into the biographies they have been assigned for this marking period.  Their interest and hard work is amazing!

Look for some good book recommendations coming soon!  Feel free to respond to any of the above.

Happy Reading:)

Here comes summer.....

Another school year is almost at an end!  I am so blessed to spend my days with the students of Rev. Brown School.  Each day is a new adventure and I couldn't ask for a better place to be!

We had a great Spring Book Fair, once again we sold over $10,000.00 worth of books in one week!  So glad books are still selling so well, the students love the book fair and the feel of a new book in their hand.


Having said that, I have also expanded our eBook collection for those who love to read in a digital format (I, personally, love both).  Next school year with our one on one computing initiative, I am so excited to offer the upper grade students a free app that will allow them to borrow and access our eBooks at anytime, on their own.  More information to follow....


We accomplished so much this year.  Kindergarten has gotten use to borrowing books, taking care of their books and learning how the books are organized on the shelves. 

 First grade has explored more non-fiction titles, and learning about different authors, which helps them choose books and learn what they like to read.  

Second grade has the full library to explore, and explore they did!  We are currently reading a mystery, discussing plots, suspects, clues, evidence, etc., and they love it! 

 Third grade learned a lot about how all the books are organized on the shelves, including non-fiction (via the Dewey Decimal System); and began using our computers to look up their materials.  They did an amazing job of finding their books on their own, and when they weren't sure, they asked for assistance, which is exactly what they should be doing.  

Fourth grade was introduced to Study Skills during the second half of the school year.  They created Study Skills folders where we kept our work each week.  We worked on note taking skills, organizational skills, memorization skills, and time management skills, plus other ways to help us study more efficiently.

Fifth grade, Language Arts Enrichment, we expanded on many skills learned in Language Arts, and learned about plagiarism, citing sources, copyright law, etc.  

Sixth and seventh grades were introduced to our 21st Century Skills course, where we worked on collaboration, communication, creative and critical thinking skills, and ended the year with a research project on the various space programs, from the early 1960's to today.


Overall, it has been a great year of learning and working together!  As the summer approaches, please don't forget to keep reading, especially for enjoyment during the hazy, lazy days of summer!

Here are some titles of very good books, just suggestions for when you or your child "don't know what to read next":


Froggy Builds a Tree House - a fun easy read for kindergarten through second grade.

The Dragons of Wayward Crescent - three different books written by Chris d'Lacey, good chapter series for 2nd and 3rd grade.

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore - a sweet beautifully written story about the love of books and reading, easy read for 1st grade and up, but the meaning is much deeper.

The Sasquatch Escape - a new series adventure/fantasy series, 3rd grade and up.

Magyk - a great fantasy series for 4th grade and up.

Fablehaven - another fantasy/adventure series recommended for 4th grade and up.

Runaway King - a follow-up to The False Prince (5th grade and up)

The Mother Daughter Book Club - 3 books in a series about a mother/daughter book club.(4th grade and up)

Bomb - a non-fiction history of how the United States developed the first Atomic Bomb written for a younger audience to understand. (5th grade and up)

Jackpot- another installment by Gordon Korman in the "Swindle" series (3rd grade and up)

The Book Thief - for students in 5th grade and up - an incredible and well written story that takes place before and during World War ll.

The Witches - a Roald Dahl book (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), that is one of his best and fun to read - 3rd grade and up.

A good non-fiction adult read:  Impossible Odds the story of Jessica Buchanan (her capture and rescue from Somalia pirates).

Some adult fiction - On Foley Beach by Karen White, The Storyteller by Jodi Piccoult, The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd, and The Book Thief (great for adults too!).

All the best for a great summer!  Don't forget to visit my website, link below.

https://sites.google.com/a/patdioschools.org/mrs-velivis-library