All grades except grades 1 and 2 will be hearing nominees for the California Young Reader Medal. Handily, the nominees in the category Picture Books for Older Readers bear on current topics for grades 3, 4, and 5. Grade 3 is preparing for their poetry play with Ms. Radha, so students in that grade will hear Wabi Sabi, by Mark Reibstein, which features haiku poetry, including that of Matsuo Basho (1644-1694), a Japanese poet known for his use of the form. Grades 4 and 5 will hear Henry's Freedom Box, based on a true tale from the days of the Underground Railroad, which ties in nicely with our observance next Monday of the birthday of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Also in recognition of equal opportunity and nondiscrimination, grades 1 and 2 will hear (respectively) Clancy the Courageous Cow, by Lachie Hume, and Metropolitan Cow, by Tim Egan. These very amusing picture books nonetheless present serious ideas--the virtue of being "inclusive" (one of the traits to be recognized in our next character assembly) and the importance of eliminating discrimination based on appearance or background.
The 4th-grade book club met last Friday. We discussed The Secret Zoo, which received a fair amount of praise once we really got down to talking about it; and we chose our next selection, The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, by Tom Angleberger. The Manhattan Beach branch of the County of Los Angeles Public Library will be getting copies for our club--just ask at the reference desk, and call first to check availability (310-545-8595).
The 5th-grade book club meets this Friday, January 13, at lunch recess in the library. We will discuss Orwell's Luck, by Richard Jennings, and choose our next selection. Wear your wrist band, eat lunch before coming to the library, and bring a friend--new members are always welcome!
There is an optional contest going on for students in grade 5! I am looking for a 5th-grade student to accompany me to the school board meeting on the evening of February 1, at which the Manhattan Beach Historical Society will present the library with a gift of $600 for the purchase of history-related books. Students are invited to write a paragraph on the theme "Why learning about history is important to me." Any student who 1) can attend the February 1 school board meeting, AND 2) submits a complete paragraph (of the "green-yellow-red" format) will receive extra credit toward their history grade. A winning paragraph will be chosen based on content, clarity of expression, spelling and grammar, and overall effect. The winning student whose paragraph is chosen will read the paragraph aloud at the school board meeting on February 1, so students who submit a paragraph must be available for this event. The deadline for submissions has been extended to Friday, January 13. Students should turn in their paragraphs to me at the library. Thank you for your help in expressing our gratitude to the Manhattan Beach Historical Society.
The 4th-grade book club met last Friday. We discussed The Secret Zoo, which received a fair amount of praise once we really got down to talking about it; and we chose our next selection, The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, by Tom Angleberger. The Manhattan Beach branch of the County of Los Angeles Public Library will be getting copies for our club--just ask at the reference desk, and call first to check availability (310-545-8595).
The 5th-grade book club meets this Friday, January 13, at lunch recess in the library. We will discuss Orwell's Luck, by Richard Jennings, and choose our next selection. Wear your wrist band, eat lunch before coming to the library, and bring a friend--new members are always welcome!
There is an optional contest going on for students in grade 5! I am looking for a 5th-grade student to accompany me to the school board meeting on the evening of February 1, at which the Manhattan Beach Historical Society will present the library with a gift of $600 for the purchase of history-related books. Students are invited to write a paragraph on the theme "Why learning about history is important to me." Any student who 1) can attend the February 1 school board meeting, AND 2) submits a complete paragraph (of the "green-yellow-red" format) will receive extra credit toward their history grade. A winning paragraph will be chosen based on content, clarity of expression, spelling and grammar, and overall effect. The winning student whose paragraph is chosen will read the paragraph aloud at the school board meeting on February 1, so students who submit a paragraph must be available for this event. The deadline for submissions has been extended to Friday, January 13. Students should turn in their paragraphs to me at the library. Thank you for your help in expressing our gratitude to the Manhattan Beach Historical Society.
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