School Library Month!

Can you believe it's April already?  I know, the weather doesn't make it seem spring-like, but we are gearing up for summer here in the LMC.  My last book orders of the year are in; inventory has started, and we are celebrating National School Library Month by studying how we are persuaded by media.

Students are starting their study of persuasion by creating their own advertisements -- some print, and some electronic -- promoting school libraries or reading.  We briefly talked about slogans and some visual elements, but for the most part, the students are in discovery mode.  I try really hard not to give too many directions, as I want their creativity to flow.  There are some really good ideas out there!  I can't wait to see what they create.

As a school, there will be some trivia activities, a bookmark contest, and of course, a Drop Everything and Read moment.  It should be fun, and fast, and we will be entering May before we know it!

Events Update

Just thought I'd take a few minutes and bring everyone up to date on the progress of any LMC events.

1. Battle of the Books is officially over.  More than a dozen students managed to stick with the weekly meetings, giving up recess to talk about the books and take practice tests.  Toby M., Carson H., Carson O., Nathan M. and Mackenzie N.  snagged the spots as the state battle team and earned 171 points on the state test.  Not bad, but we already have plans to do better next year.
2. Believe it or not, the spring book fair is right around the corner!  The fair will run during conferences the week of March 11.  We stay open in the evenings on Tuesday and Thursday; other times can be arranged with me, as they depend on my teaching schedule.  We will use some of the proceeds to buy books for the preschool this year, so please stop in.
3. Read Across America and World Read Aloud day are fast approaching.  We will be sponsoring a Seuss trivia contest for classes to participate in, making sure teachers have a couple of Seuss books for read alouds, and asking students to create some 3-dimensional, futuristic readers for display in the LMC.  Packets will go out to classroom teachers by Wednesday.  Prizes awarded will be certificates to spend at the book fair.

That should be enough to keep us busy until the snow starts to melt!

LMC in December

A lot happens in a school during the month of December.  Choir rehearsals, decorating, special activities, and dress up days are just a few.  Not to be outdone, the LMC is having a reading challenge this month.  I call it the Charity Challenge.

For each book a student reads, he or she can fill out a blank ornament (available at the LMC desk).  When they turn that ornament in, we will place it on our wall, and 25 cents will be donated to the Heifer International charity  (http://www.heifer.org).   With that money, we will -- hopefully -- be able to help a needy family become self-sustaining.

This challenge is based on the book Beatrice's Goat, which tells the story of how receiving one goat helped a family in Uganda afford to send their child to school.  Depending on how much reading the students are willing to do, maybe we can help Heifer International afford another goat.  The final count of ornaments will happen on Jan. 7.  Keep reading!