Wanamaker Library Newsletter

All staff members were invited to kick off December with a craft activity in the library. Fourteen staff members gathered to make Folded Book Christmas Trees. Several crafters commented that the repetition of folding the book's pages was therapeutic! Craft supplies, refreshments, and holiday jazz music was provided for the participants. It was a fun way to usher in the holiday season!

Jacob Tanner, 15 years old and a former Wanamaker student, shared his story with our current 3rd and 4th graders. Jacob is the author of I Wonder Why I Have Autism. He told the students that he wrote the book because he wanted to share his experiences with autism as well as help parents who may have children who have been diagnosed with autism.

Jacob visited with the students about how some life experiences are different for him because of his autism, but that autism is part of who he is and he wouldn't be the same today if he didn't have it. He also talked to the kids about bullying and the importance of accepting others for who they are, even if they are different from others. He is thankful for his own friends who accept him for who he is.

Perseverance is another one of Jacob's qualities. Because he kept working hard, he was able to publish a book about his experiences. He told the students that publishing a book takes a long time and a lot of patience.

Thank you, Jacob, for this wonderful opportunity for our students! We appreciated you taking the time to visit us and the valuable messages you shared.

The four 2nd grade classes participated in the Global Read Aloud Picture Book Illustrator Study this fall in their library classes, along with millions of other students from around the world. Pernille Ripp created the Global Read Aloud in 2010 with one goal in mind: One book to Connect the World.

We connected in several ways with our buddy classes from California, Texas, and New Jersey, respectively. The classes kicked off the Global Read Aloud with a Mystery Skype, an engaging way for classrooms to introduce themselves to each other. Students used their map/geography/communication skills to guess the geographical location of the other classroom.

Other ways that we connected included Google Meet sessions to share what we liked best about Christian Robinson's artwork or which of his books were favorites of the students and why, Padlet (an online bulletin board) where we shared our ideas, and Snail Mail by writing and exchanging postcards with our new friends. We also have a couple of new books to add to our library because we exchanged books about our respective states with our buddy classes.

We spent 6 weeks studying award-winning author-illustrator Christian Robinson and his works. The students loved learning about Robinson's unique art style and his life as an illustrator. Robinson's books sparked some excellent discussions about topics such as why we all matter, bullying, gratitude, and how we can't judge someone's life and character by the way they look.

When asked what they liked best about the Global Read Aloud, 2nd graders, Alaina and Roman both responded that they liked Skyping with our buddy classes and guessing where they are from. Their classmate, Novaleigh, followed with, "I liked learning about Christian Robinson and his artwork." Charlie summed it up by saying, "I liked all of it!"

We celebrated Picture Book Month with a challenge to the students to read as many picture books as possible! Many students took us up on the challenge and earned rewards for reaching individual reading milestones. Rewards included unique and interesting bookmarks, Chick Fil A coupons for a cookie or brownie, and chances to put their names in for a drawing for five $10 gift cards to Barnes and Noble. Congratulations to the winners of the gift cards: Haven, Ethan, Jonathan, Colin, and Flynn.

We read 4, 610 picture books, easily surpassing our school-wide goal of 4,000! Our mystery picture came alive as students put stickers on the poster for each book they read (see above photo). It was fun to hear the students and staff speculating on what they thought the picture was going to be. The most unique guesses were "a turkey's heart" and "two squirrels fighting over an acorn"!

Students enjoyed checking out the staff's favorite picture books as well as discovering some of their own new favorites. Flynn, a 3rd grader, stated, "I really liked reading new books that I haven't read before. Last year I only read 10 picture books, but this year, I'm almost to 50!"

Way to go, WE students! Thank you to Chick Fil A and Reinert Wealth Management for partnering with us and providing rewards for the students who reached the individual milestones.

Winter break is the perfect time to snuggle up with a good book and a cup of hot chocolate! Feel free to print off this Winter Break Reading Bingo page from Capstone Publishing to keep your kiddos reading over break! It's a great way to keep reading fun and entertaining when the kids are out of school. Consider participating along with your student(s) for an extra special bonding experience!

Dec. 2-- Student Council Meeting at 8:00 AM in the library

Dec. 15-- Student Council representatives and alternates visit Rolling Hills Health Center to sing carols with the residents. Each resident will receive an ornament that was made by Student Council members.

Dec. 16-- Student Council and the different grade levels present their holiday donations to pre-determined organizations. Student Council's donations (purchased with the proceeds from the sales of the Boo Grams) will go to The Villages.

Dec. 17-- Winter Break begins!

Jan. 6 & 20-- Student Council Meetings at 8:00 AM in the library

Jan. 3-6-- Introduce Battle of the Books to Grades 4-6

Feb. 13-16-- Scholastic Book Fair (watch for information to come home with your student and for book fair volunteer opportunities).