Book Fair - Coming Soon!

Two of our Library Helpers are showing their excitement for our upcoming Book Fair. These fellows had already done lots of tasks in the library including making deliveries, dusting, and stacking chairs. They were quite willing to help getting the word about the Scholastic Book Fair. This fundraiser will be held November 2 - 7. Students in Grades 1-4 shop during their library class, but we have plenty of hours open for families to shop together. Here are the times:

Monday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Tuesday 8-4
Wednesday Family Night 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Thursday 8 -4
Friday 8-4
Saturday Family Event 9 -12

More information will be coming home about the Book Fair.
Volunteers Still Needed so please fill out those forms that came home a few days ago. PTO is such a help in getting this community event to be a big success. All proceeds go to our library resources to benefit students, staff, and families. If you have questions about the Book Fair, you may reach me at cerei@chariho.k12.ri.us.

The following photos are Library Helpers from Mrs. Parker's 4th grade class as they help organize the magazines in the library. Thanks, kids!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

We spent the afternoon learning more about Eric Carle and his book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Mrs. Wright, our Reading Coordinator, told us about the JumpStart Read for the Record day which focused on this wonderful book. Can you believe it has been 40 years since it was published?

The first photo shows students from
Mrs. Pearce's 2nd grade class enjoying the videos of Eric Carle talking about his book and also Carle's reading of his classic.

The second photo has some students from Mrs. St. Clair's 3rd grade class enjoying the website videos on our SMART Board.

If you like to share good websites with your child, try www.eric-carle.com to get these short videos, pictures and video of the artist at work, a coloring sheet, and more. If you really enjoy his work and art from other picture book illustrators, you might want to make a trip to Amherst, MA to the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. It's a fantastic place and quite worth the 2-3 hour drive. There are changing exhibits of many illustrators, a gift shop, and a wonderful place for children and families to make art.

Finally, the photo below is of the master author/illustrator, Eric Carle, reading our featured book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Congratulations and Happy 40th Anniversary!

Open House Visitors!

Here are three of our happy students who came to visit the library during Open House. They were just a few of the many smiling faces who brought their families to see our new SMART Board, visit with friends and say hello.

At times it was quite busy in the library, especially Monday night. If I didn't get a chance to meet you I hope to see you another time.
Also, feel free to come to the library if you want to introduce yourself, ask about books, or just to look around at our collection. Parent accounts are welcome so just let me know if you want to be able to check out books in your own name. It's always best to check ahead for times when I can plan to be less busy and more able to talk with you. It's so rewarding to get to know the families of our students.

Another opportunity to visit will be during our annual Book Fair, November 2-7th. There will be much more information about the Book Fair coming home in the next few weeks.

Have a great weekend!

Mrs. Reiser-Jones

As you can see, I'm still excited about our new SMART Board. If you stop by the library during Open House you can see our wonderful library and a PowerPoint with photos of each library class. I love to see our students and to meet everyone. Kindergarten families are especially welcome because I may not have yet met your family members. Hope to see you!



Here's another slide from the PowerPoint with one of our 4th grade classes. The photos will also be in the hallway display case. Don't we love seeing pictures of our children!

Mrs. Reiser-Jones,
Librarian

We're in Full Swing!

It feels good to be back in the "full swing" of school days and to move on beyond review and routines. This week we began the Library Helpers that some 4th graders like to do as an extra program

In the first photo you will see two hard-working boys from Ms. Miceli's class. These students came as Library Helpers yesterday afternoon and they stacked chairs, made deliveries to classrooms, and turned off computers for the evening. You'll see another photo below of them proudly showing their Library Helper badges.

As noted last week, all students in Grades 1-4 have now borrowed a book at least once. Kindergarten students will begin this routine later in October. I hope you read the Library Information sheet that went home with everyone. It lists their library class day plus important information about our library. However, it seems I forgot to update this year's sheet to include this blog that I began last year. Oh well, if you're reading this, you obviously found it!


Here's the other photo of our Library Helpers from Ms. Miceli's class. They wanted their picture taken in front of our new SMART Board. Don't they look great?

Happy Reading!

Mrs. Reiser-Jones

Welcome Back!

Wow! We have a new SMART Board! After wanting one for some time, we're really using this new tool for learning. I'm learning, too, as I try to figure out all the features for teachers to enrich their work on this interactive whiteboard.

The photo here shows some of the students from classes that were able to view President Obama's speech today. It was videostreamed via www.whitehouse.gov and we watched it on the big SMART Board screen. You can also see the TV in this photo that was tuned to C-SPAN. Since live videostreaming can have bandwidth problems, I wanted to make sure we were able to watch the speech somehow in case our live feed failed us - but it didn't!

Library classes are off to a great start. Most classes in Grades 1-4 have begun borrowing books. However, the Labor Day holiday and a couple of fire drills means that some students haven't borrowed yet. Rest assured that everyone in these grades should be bringing home a book this week. Kindergarten students will be having their first checkout later in the fall as we are working on routines and getting to know each other.

It's great to see our students back. Stay tuned for more blogging from our library!

Mrs. Reiser-Jones, Librarian

Keep Reading

This photo is a favorite of mine because it "says it all". What more could you want than a smiling kindergarten student cuddled up with a book in our library beanbag chairs? Actually, I've kept this photo for years. Today I asked the student and his parents about featuring him on this blog because I simply love the picture. It's been around a few years and this fellow is now heading to 5th grade!

No matter your age, we can all keep reading and learning. If you're a parent, read to your children - no matter their age. If you're a student, be sure to enjoy many books this summer. and remember - Be a Smartie - Keep Reading!

Mrs. Reiser-Jones