Last Chance!!

This week was the final opportunity for students to check out Library books.  Don't forget that all Library books are due Friday, May 30.  If your child doesn't return their book, your account will be billed.  Until payments are made, your report card is held.  Notices were sent home today (Thursday) for the books that were overdue.   Many students have books out, but they're not overdue -- yet!  Please contact me if you have questions at lduffina@chestnuthillacademy.com. Thank you!

Overdue Library Books

As the end of the year approaches, please be on the lookout for overdue notices from the Library.  Many will be sent home on April 25 in Friday folders.  If you have questions, please contact Mrs. Duffina at lduffina@chestnuthillacademy.com.
Don't forget to look for books in lockers, under beds, and in cars.  When I remind most of the children that they have an overdue book, they usually know where it is.  A gentle reminder from home to bring it back to school is appreciated.  Thank you!

Working with Reference Materials

For the past few weeks, students have been working with dictionaries and atlases.  The older students have been using almanacs and encyclopedias as well. We've had scavenger hunts, quizzed one another, and taken assessments.  By far their favorite activity has been looking through the atlases to show their friends where they have been!

 

Birthday Books

If your child has had a recent birthday or will be celebrating one soon, why not think about donating a book to the CHA Library?  I have many students who love a certain book which is not already in our catalog, and they donate it to the Library.  We usually read it aloud, and then I catalog it for check out for others to read.  If you're interested in donating a book, please let me know, and I can give you a list of suggestions.  Thanks!

Read Across America Week

Thanks to CHA's Student Council, the students have enjoyed many activities focusing around "Read Across America Week."  In Library, students had the opportunity to hear books written by Dr. Seuss and vote on their favorite out of 9 popular titles.  The Lorax was the clear winner, followed by How the Grinch Stole Christmas, then Yertle the Turtle.  Results are posted outside the Library door. 
We also discussed the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award given each year for the best children's book for beginning readers.  This year's winner was The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli.  The students enjoy hearing these books, regardless of their age.  They make wonderful read-aloud books too!

 

Celebrating Author Robert Munsch

For the past few weeks, the younger students have been enjoying hearing books by Canadian author, Robert Munsch.  Many of the titles shared were illustrated by Michael Martchenko.  Student have especially liked Thomas' Snowsuit and Andrew's Loose Tooth while checking out many others.  The children have enjoyed giggling along to these silly books.  Ask your child which one they thought was the best!

Miss Alaineus: A Vocabulary Disaster

In the upcoming week in Library, students will be hearing and discussing Miss Alaineus: A Vocabulary Disaster by Debra Frasier.  This book, written by the author of On the Day You Were Born, follows Sage, a fifth grader who has misheard and misunderstood her teacher's weekly vocabulary homework.  This "disaster" eventually turns into a triumph as it inspires a vocabulary parade.  CHA will be participating in a Top Hat Parade on Friday, January 31 and this book helps them prepare for the project.  Focused around Science vocabulary, the Top Hat Parade allows each child to create a top hat using a Science word that is grade appropriate.  More information about the project will be sent home soon by your child's science teacher.

Sharing Folktales

One way to learn about a country's culture is to read and share folktales.  This week in Library, students have been hearing stories and facts about the countries they are studying for the Multicultural Fair. Kindergarten heard Possum Magic by Mem Fox.  First graders heard two tales from South Africa while second graders heard some animal stories from Brazil.  I found a book written from a Singapore author called The Elephant and the Tree for third grade.  In fourth grade, students heard and shared Greek myths.

Rainbow Fish in Kindergarten

Kindergarten students in Library and Technology have been focusing around the character Rainbow Fish.  We have been reading various books starring this unique fish and playing a problem-solving game in Technology called "Rainbow Fish and the Whale."  Rainbow Fish and his friends have be swallowed by a hiccupping whale!  It is Rainbow Fish's job to free his friends.  Students must use their mouse to help Rainbow Fish with this task.  It's challenging for some of the students, but they do enjoy it when they accomplish a task!

Dewey Decimal System

This week, third graders started learning about how the non-fiction section of the library is organized by working with the Dewey Decimal Classification System.  We reviewed a PowerPoint presentation that parallels how a caveman might have viewed his world with the way the books are organized.  They also chose books from certain sections and had their peers guess where they found them.  Fourth and fifth graders also reviewed this information.

Wish Lists

Students spent the first few days this week creating "wish lists" at the Scholastic Book Fair.  The Book Fair opened Tuesday and will be opened through Fall Festival.  A big thank you to all the volunteers to make this Book Fair be so successful! 
Remember, if you're unable to come to the Book Fair in person, you can always shop on-line: http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bookfairs/cptoolkit/homepage.do?method=homepage&url=chestnuthillacademy.  The link is also found on the CHA website.

So many books!!

Preparing for the Scholastic Book Fair

This week in Library class, the students watched the promotional Book Fair video based on their reading interests and grade levels.  They were very excited and already have some ideas on what titles they would like to purchase at our Book Fair next week.  If you'd like to preview the titles, you may take a look at the website designed just for the CHA families:

http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/chestnuthillacademy

 

On Monday and Tuesday next week, students will have an opportunity to fill out wish lists.  The Book Fair hours are as follows:

Tuesday, October 22: 3:30 - 5:30 pm

Wednesday, October 23: 2:30 - 5:30 pm

Thursday, October 24: 7:45 - 9:15 am AND 2:30 - 5:30

Friday, October 25: 2:30 - 7:30 (during Fall Festival)

 

We hope to see you there!

Library Reminders

This week, students who had overdue books from the Library received notices in their Friday folders.  Students are allowed to check out one book a week, however, the older students may check out an additional book if it is for a school project. If students haven't finished their book in a week, they may also request to renew it for an additional week.  Most students have done a fantastic job making sure their books are returned on time.  Thank you!

Next week, we will officially start our Book Fair kick off by watching a promotional video and hearing excerpts from books featured in the Fair.  More information will follow.

Read for the Record!

This week, Kindergarten and First Grade students heard the book Otis by Loren Long.  CHA was invited to be part of Jumpstart's "Read for the Record" where schools all over the country share this book and try to break the world's record.  There were 83 students who participated. This book is about a tractor named Otis who makes friends in the most unlikely of places.  There are sequels which will be shared later this month.

At-Home Reading Ideas

Hello Parents,
I was sent this article by Scholastic written by author James Patterson.  I wanted to share the ideas with you on how to promote reading at home.  I found it useful not only as a parent, but as a teacher.

http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/article/parent-child/how-james-patterson-got-his-son-hooked-books?cid=SBC/e/20130912////Newsletter_Sept_P_10341///Z-PNLK/////&ym_MID=1497153&ym_rid=20180729

I have been working with all grades helping them find "just-right" books using suggestions from teachers, students, and other librarians.  All students have had the opportunity to check out books.

Kindergarteners Practice Shelving and Checking Out Books

This week, Kindergarten students practiced using shelf markers and checking out books.  They learned that books have their own special place in the Library, and they're usually alphabetized by the author's last name.  They practiced in pairs and then individually. 

We will continue talking about proper book care this month. 

Don't forget that students may check out one book a week.  Ms. Conrad's check out day is Wednesday, Mrs. DeWitt's is Thursday, and Ms. Lundberg's day is Friday.  You can help your child remember to return their book outside their classroom in the proper basket on the correct day.

CHA Library Ready for Check Out!

Many of the older students had the opportunity to check out books this week from Library. 
Students come to Library in their homerooms. 

Below are the days when homeroom classes will be able to check out books: 

• Mondays: James, Kim, Taylor
• Tuesdays: Blair
• Wednesdays: Setting, Conrad, Douglas, Box
• Thursdays:  Anderson, DeWitt, Newell
• Fridays:  Daffara, Lodwick, Lundberg, Jarvis, Banker

Books are due one week after they are checked out. Students check out one book at a time (unless additional books are needed for a school project).  If students need an additional week to read a book, they may bring the book back during check out so it can be renewed. 

We were able to acquire many new titles over the summer, and the students are anxious to start reading!

Library Inventory

First, I would like to thank all of you who helped remind your children to turn in their library books on time.  ALL library books are due Friday, May 31 so I may do inventory.   I have been sending reminders home.  If books are not returned, you will be billed to replace them.  Please contact me (lduffina@chestnuthillacademy.com) if you know your book is lost.
Thanks again for all your help!  The students will be continuing to learn library skills and enjoying books in library time during the next few weeks.

Reminder from the CHA Library

As the year winds down, I wanted to remind you that all CHA library books are due Friday, May 31.  Reminders have been going home all week.  If you have questions about a lost book, please contact me lduffina@chesnuthillacademy.com.  If books aren't returned, your account will be billed (or you may contact me to get a replacement.)  Thank you!

Practicing Dictionary Skills

Students have been practicing using a dictionary the past two weeks.  They have been learning about sections of the dictionary and guide words.  They have been using a variety of dictionaries:  picture, children, and intermediate.