January, 2008

New Books:
Mrs. McKay adds new books to the library all the time.  Here is a cross section of new arrivals:

Science:
The AIDS Update (2008 -  the latest info)
Scien-Trickery (humorous poems and riddles about science)

How-To:
Folding for Fun (origami for kids)
Ralph Masiello’s Dragon Drawing Book (how to draw all sorts of dragons)

History:
New Series: Virtual History Tours (Look Around an Egyptian Tomb, a Greek Temple ...)

Animals:
Cows Sweat Through Their Noses (strange animal trivia)
The World According to Horses (Not only gives facts about horses, but also explains how we know)

Fiction:
New Series: The Midnight Library (scary stories)
New Series: The Fairy Chronicles (ordinary girls who discovery they have magical powers)
Picture Book: Straight to the Pole (A child struggles through a blizzard to the Pole- a bus stop sign)
Raleigh’s Page (Eleven-year-old Andrew serves as a page to Sir Walter Raleigh in the late 1500s)
Phineas L. MacGuire...Erupts! (Fourth graders have to work together on the science fair)

Circulation stats:
So far, 10,184 books have been checked out by faculty and students!

Information Literacy Lessons
The Kindergartners are reviewing vocabulary words such as “title,” author,” “spine,” and “call number.”    In addition to reviewing call numbers, First Graders are also learning how to select an appropriate book using the “five-finger” method.  They read a sample of text, holding up one finger for each word they have trouble with.  If they hold up all five fingers on one page, the book is probably a little too hard for them for right now.

Older classes are getting into research.  Third graders have begun their study of Elizabethan England.  They are working in groups on topics including London, Daily Life, and  Elizabeth I.  The Fourth graders are finishing up their reports on the men who signed either the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution.  The Ninth grade is deep into their formal research paper.  They have chosen topics related to European History.  The Eighth grade will begin their research papers soon; they will be focusing on global conflicts.

REQUEST for Bee Pictures
Don’t forget!!! If you have a pet (or baby) dress him or her up as a bee and take a picture! I’d love to have members of the Upland family for the “Bee of the Day” poster I keep on my desk.