Literary Magazine

The library staff is currently accepting entries for the first ECS Literary Magazine.  A letter was sent to parents and teachers of students in 2nd through 8th grades.  We are seeking superior writing of prose and poetry, as well as artwork, and photography done by our students.  Entries are being accepted through March 1. If enough entries are submitted, the magazine will be published in the spring. 

Helpful Information

For the past year and a half, I have been compiling a wikispace with valuable research steps and links for projects.  I have passed this information along in the past, but wanted to remind you of this valuable tool.  The space can be accessed at www.ecsresearch.wikispaces.com.  Please consider using the steps in the Big 6 provided as a guide to teaching research and using the links as well.  Let me know if you have questions. 

Library T-Shirts

Orders are being taken for the newest library t-shirts.  Sign ups are in the workroom at the East Campus.  The shirts are pictured below.

Common Core: How's that Working for You?

There's a whole lot of informational text being decifered in the media center, and it's not just by 8th graders.  First grade students will begin a unit on non-fiction reading strategies using our ever popular dog series beginning this week.  Second grade students have been reading, discussing, and pulling apart solar system books in order to find facts that they will include in their fantasy stories about space, third grade students are currently finishing up their Evansville history unit by perusing a website that details the terms of each of Evansville's mayors. 4th graders are beginning a volcano unit where they will research volcanoes and develop lesson plans for Kindergarten and 1st grade students. 5th graders are beginning a research teaching unit on ecosystems, 6th graders will begin a space unit in January; 7th graders are doing research on Victorian England and how it affected the writing of Charles Dickens, and 8th graders just finished partner texts that showed the development of themes in the writing of J.R.R. Tolkien.  You don't have to read between the lines to understand that our media center is being used alot to help our students understand the research process while delving into informational text.  Come by sometimes; you might learn something. 

Living Wax Museum PSA:

Living Wax Museum

The library staff is so excited about our upcoming Living Wax Museum events. On Friday, Nov. 9, we will begin our festivities with our annual book character parade presented by Pre-K,K, 1st, and 2nd graders. The parade will signal the opening our of Living Wax Museum in the gymnasium. The 3rd grade exhibits will come to life from 1:00 p.m.to 1:35 p.m. followed by the 4th grade exhibits from 1:40-2:15 p.m. All exhibits will feature browsing and the historical "wax figures" will come to life when a crowd member pushes their button. Can't wait to see what great things we can learn at the ECS Living Wax Museum. See you there.

The Great Mystery Food Box Challenge

We wrapped up an interesting research unit on the Food Plate and nutrition by hosting our very own Mystery Food Box competition with our 2nd graders this week in library class. After studying what makes up the food plate, the different food groups, and servings needed in each group, students were placed in groups and given a mystery box. The box contained items from each food group. Students were given seven minutes to build a food robot with only one item per food group. After the competition, students were required to explain the robot while detailing the group each food belonged in. It was a messy, fun time of learning.