4th Grade Parodies

4th graders had a great time studying, reading, and writing their own parodies. In addition, I created a wiki-space to showcase the best ones. Go to
http://4thparodies.wikispaces.com/ to hear them. Enjoy! Shelly

Holocaust Study/Project

Recently, the 6th grade has been studying the Holocaust. This cross-curricular project spans the literature/language/computer/and library classes. As a part of the wrap up, students studied an individual child of the Holocaust and created a memorial butterfly for the child. This project was used in conjunction with the poem "I Never Saw Another Butterfly" written by Pavel Friedman while he was interned in one of the concentration camps established specifically for children. The butterflies will be sent to the National Holocaust Museum in Houston as a part of their effort to collect 1.5 million handmade butterflies in memory of the 1.5 million children who died during the Holocaust. See more information about this global project at: http://www.hmh.org/ed_butterfly1.shtml

New Technology Items for Emerging Readers

Thanks to the PTF, we have received several new mini-DVD players to be used along with the Treasury of Storybook Classics. The DVD players will be available after Christmas to teachers in grades Kindergarten and 1st. In addition, players were purchased for our sister campuses. We have also been blessed with new CD and cassette players for each campus library to be used with audio books. Thank you, PTF

New Fun Tech Resource

I have found a new online resource that is both free and fun. It is called glogster.com. It allows students to create online projects that include text, pictures, video, and audio. It reminds me of e-scrapping booking meets blogs. Check it out at www.glogster.com. Click on the edu tab for a free subscription and up to 200 free student subscriptions. Miss Rudolph and I plan to use it in the spring for Great Depression projects. When the projects are complete, I will let you know. Shelly

Third Grade Evansville Unit

I have been working with the 3rd graders for quite a long time on reinforcing their study of Evansville history. Today, we were blessed to have a group of senior adults come in for interviews about how life in Evansville has changed since they were children. It was a great learning experience for them.

Talking Book Report Winner: Ryan F. aka Clementine Sweet

National Children's Book Week

Thank you to everyone who helped make National Children's Book Week such a great success. I value your input on how to keep improving the event. The winning infomercials are posted on YouTube. Enjoy!

New for Teachers

The following professional resources have arrived and have been added to our teacher library:
Think Harder
Research Without Copying for Primary Grades
The Quick Question Workbook
Tiered Literature Lessons
Daily Brain Starters
Brainy Acts
Comics in Your Curriculum
Gotcha for Guys
Even Hockey Players Read: Boys, Literacy, and Learning

Open Library Schedule

2010 – 2011 Library Media Center Schedule
Monday: 10:45-11:30


Tuesday: 10:45-11:45


Wednesday: 1:50-3:00


Thursday: 9:45-11:15; 2:30-3:00


Friday: 8:20-8:50 (except the 1st Friday of the month); 10:45-11:45; and 12:20-1:45 (except the 1st Friday of the month)

Library T-Shirts

A sign up sheet for new library t-shirts has been placed in the copy room. These are available in short and long sleeve and either blue or brown. Reserve yours by Sept. 8. Cost is 7.95 for short sleeve and 10.95 for long sleeve. Shelly

Wiki-Space Lesson Plans and Student Projects

I have listed links below to several of my virtual lesson plans and students' projects; feel free to use the plans and enjoy the projects.

Lesson Plans:
www.whome.wikispaces.com: a virtual lesson plan developed for 2nd and 6th grade science about reducing, reusing, and recycling.

www.openeyes.wikispaces.com:a virtual lesson plan developed for grades 5-8 on African American History.

Student Projects: These were developed last school year by students in Media Center classes.

www.ecshistory.wikispaces.com: a celebratory wiki space honoring ECS's 35th Anniversary developed by 7th grade students.

www.BigKidsRecommend.wikispaces.com: a wiki space that spotlights favorite children's book authors developed by
8th grade students.

www.ecs4poetrycorner.wikispaces.com: a wiki space that spotlights 4th grade students' audio versions of their favorite poems.

New Picture Books

We have added three new picture books for use with students of all ages. These books make great discussion starters for children in grades K-8.

Tight Times--a picture book by Barbara Shook Hazen that delves into children's feelings about the economic crisis.

Charlie Anderson--a picture book by Barbara Abercrombie about the frustrations of divorce and children being forced to live in two differnt households.

The Lotus Seed--a picture book by Sherry Garland about the country and culture of Vietnam.

These books are currently available in the professional section of our library for checkout by teachers only.

DI/RTI Materials Ordered/Laminating Info

Just wanted you guys to know that today I ordered several new DI/RTI materials for the professional section of the library/media center. These include:
1. The Quick Question Answer Book
2. Brainy Acts
3. Daily Brain Starters
4. Comics in Your Curriculum
5. Eight Cinderellas
6. Research Without Copying
7. Tiered Literature Lessons

In addition, some info on the laminating process. We will no longer be laminating due to the cost of machine upkeep and film. Teacher's Aid will give ECS teachers a 15% discount on laminating if you let them know you are from Evansville Christian.

AR Reminders

Students may not test on books read over the summer (except IM/MS summer reading requirements) unless they plan to reread the books after school begins. One again, I want to reiterate that there will be no A.R. testing until STAR testing is complete.

Welcome Back!!

Just a note to let you know about a few exciting things that have been going on in the media center. First of all, the cluttered closet is no longer cluttered, but is now a small professional library for teachers only. In addition to holding all our video/DVD collection, manipulatives and professional literature are now available in this new teacher's only section. We hope to continue to update resources for you. As we do, all updates will come via this blog. I have ordered a few new materials that were recommended at the recent DI meeting in Chicago. When those arrive, I will let you know.

Library classes will begin the week of August 23, and we are excited to announce the switch to the new online A.R. program. This program will allow students to test on any book that is A.R.; therefore, books that they purchase or check out at the local library can be tested on even if we do not have those books in our collection. We do want to insist, however, that the books that students test on be in their current A.R. level; therefore, until after STAR testing, no A.R. tests except for the IM/MS summer reading requirements.

For beginning readers, we have added a DVD set of popular children's books that allow the child to see the text on the computer screen while hearing it read. We are also in the process of adding a DVD player to our listening center for both pleasure and remedial usage.

I would like to reiterate that I value your input and desire to have updates on units that you would like me to assist with resources and research. I am here to be of service to you. Please feel free to communicate with me via this blog, e-mail, or in person about your upcoming needs. I am excited about serving you.