LIBRARY

Students have been checking out books--1 book for Kindergarten students; and 2 books for 1st, 2nd & 3rd Graders.

All books are due on your student's Library Day (Days 1, 2, 3). The due date is stamped in the back of the book.

Enjoy reading at home!

LIBRARY CLASSES

Kindergarten students have reviewed the parts of the book, the sections of the library, & understanding Fiction. K students have read animal nonfiction books and have filled out a graphic organizer for each--drawing what their animal looks like, what they eat, and where they live.

First Graders have reviewed the sections of the library, and understanding Fiction and Nonfiction. The students have been learning about folk tales and are experts on the 5 elements that make a story a folk tale!

Second Graders have reviewed the 5 parts of a story. Grade 2 students are learning how to find books in the Library by locating the call number on the spine label, and have been exploring an author study on Jan Brett.

Third Graders have learned about the Caldecott and Newbery Awards and have been introduced to the (RICBA) Rhode Island Children Book Award Nominees for 2026--writing book reviews about the book nominees we have read in class.

Kindergarten Graphic Organizer

Folk Tale Elements for First Graders

Jan Brett Author Study for Second Graders

RICBA Nominees

CLICK on the RICBA Logo to see the 2026 Nominees--voting by 3rd-5th graders begins in March across the state. Students must read at least 3 to be able to vote. (We have just finished reading 2 in class--the students can't wait to read one more so they can vote!)

Library Circulation

Days 1, 2 & 3 in the Library Makerspace are favorite days at Aquidneck--Book Circulation! Below, find the ten most popular books that have been checked out of the Library for September-December 2025!

Did your child get a reminder note to bring back a Library book? That's Okay! Students will receive a friendly reminder note with a picture of the book if they forget to bring their book on their Library Day. It is a gentle reminder so they can bring their book back as soon as they can to check out their book on hold!

#1--Dogman, Grime and Punishment by, Dav Pilkey

#2--Dogman, Mothering Heights by, Dav Pilkey

#3--Dogman, Big Jim Begins by, Dav Pilkey

TOP TEN CIRCULATION TITLES:

1. Dogman, Grime and Punishment by, Dav Pilkey

2. Dogman, Mothering Heights by, Dav Pilkey

3. Dogman, Big Jim Begins by, Dav Pilkey

4. Dogman, For Whom the Ball Rolls by, Dav Pilkey

5. 5-Minute Star Wars Stories by, Pilot Studios

6. Dogman, Fetch-22 by, Dav Pilkey

7. The Good Egg by, Jory John

8. Dogman, A Tale of Two Kitties by, Dav Pilkey

9. Pete the Cat and The Missing Cupcakes by, Kim Dean

10. Star Wars The Force Awakens: Incredible Cross-sections by, Jason Fry

STEAM

All grades discussed how teamwork is important to complete the STEAM challenges in the different subject areas:

S=SCIENCE

T=TECHNOLOGY

E=ENGINEERING

A=ARTS

M=MATH

All classes worked as a Team to build a surprise structure out of Keva Planks for thier first STEAM challenge!

It has been a busy few months in the Library MakerSpace! Here are just a few of the fun STEAM activities that occurred this Fall:

Kindergarten students have completed projects including: building a bridge out of Keva planks to support 5 "pumpkins;" a hideout for their "turkey;" and findiing the center of gravity on their paper robot.

First Graders have designed & built the tallest structure out of plastic cups; created leaf rubbings and learned how leaves change colors; and designed puppets similar to puppet balloons in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.

Second Graders have been busy scientists, conducting an experiment to find the strongest shape that could hold the most books; explored spiders and created their own webs; studied absorption; and have started coding with DASH the robot!

Third Graders engineered a marble maze from a paper plate; explored the attributes of pumpkins and found out if pumpkins sink or float; designed a boat that could float, sail, and hold weight; and have started coding with DASH the robot!

Technology Fun in Second and Third Grade with DASH the Robot!

STEAM will look a little different starting in January. All grades will begin the new Smithsonian Carolina Engineering Design Unit in the Library Makerspace. Students will be exploring one theme for both Trimester Two and Three.

Kindergarten students will ask: How Can We Stay Cool in the Sun?
First Graders will ask: How Can We Send a Message Using Sound?
Second Graders will ask: How Can We Stop Soil From Washing Away?
Third Graders will ask: How Can We Protect Animals When Their Habitat Changes?

These Units will have hands-on learning in a team environment--I am excited to start this new curriculum with the students!

Be on the Look out for Family Book Clubs for each grade. Click on the Flyer (Family Book Club Image to the left) for more details. We had a so much fun at the First Grade Book Club in November!

BOOK RECOMMENDATION

Check out this heartwarming book by X. Fang: We Are Defintely Human. WINNER of the Ezra Jack Keats Best New Illustrator Award • An American Library Association Notable Children's Book. "The importance of kindness shines through this farcical tale, and the creatures know it too." —STARRED REVIEW, Kirkus Reviews! This book is fun from start to finish and is always checked out of the Library!

Jennie Grant, School Library Media and Makerspace Specialist, MLIS

Please feel free to contact me at any time! Happy Reading and Exploring!

Email: jgrant@mpsri.net
Website: mpsri.net
Location: Aquidneck Elementary School, Reservoir Road, Middletown, RI, United States
Phone: 401-847-4921

Image Resources

Images--all images are from Google Search December 17, 2021-December, 2025 for educational purposes only; all photographs are by Jennie Grant, September-December 2025

Family Book Club Image, The Creative Librarian, December 2024

Jan Brett Image, Comprehension Connection, November 2023

Librarian Image, East Providence School District, November 2023

Library Image, Clip Art Library, December 2021.

Library Kids Image, Clip Art Library. December 2021.

STEAM Clip art image. American Eagle Academy, November 2023

AQUIDNECK SCHOOL LIBRARY MAKERSPACE

First Trimester 2025

LIBRARY

LIBRARY CLASSES

Kindergarten Graphic Organizer

Folk Tale Elements for First Graders

Jan Brett Author Study for Second Graders

RICBA Nominees

Library Circulation

#1--Dogman, Grime and Punishment by, Dav Pilkey

#2--Dogman, Mothering Heights by, Dav Pilkey

#3--Dogman, Big Jim Begins by, Dav Pilkey

TOP TEN CIRCULATION TITLES:

STEAM

Technology Fun in Second and Third Grade with DASH the Robot!

BOOK RECOMMENDATION

Jennie Grant, School Library Media and Makerspace Specialist, MLIS

Image Resources

STEAM & Library classes have been exploring in Sharkie's Library Makerspace! STEAM & Library classes have been exploring in Sharkie's Library Makerspace!

LIBRARY

LIBRARY CLASSES

Kindergarten Graphic Organizer

Folk Tale Elements for First Graders

Jan Brett Author Study for Second Graders

RICBA Nominees

Library Circulation

#1--Dogman, Grime and Punishment by, Dav Pilkey

#2--Dogman, Mothering Heights by, Dav Pilkey

#3--Dogman, Big Jim Begins by, Dav Pilkey

TOP TEN CIRCULATION TITLES:

STEAM

STEAM Classes STEAM Classes

Technology Fun in Second and Third Grade with DASH the Robot!

First Grade--Creating a Monster as a Team out of Shape Blocks! First Grade--Creating a Monster as a Team out of Shape Blocks!

CHANGES TO STEAM... CHANGES TO STEAM...

Family Book Clubs Family Book Clubs

BOOK RECOMMENDATION

Jennie Grant, School Library Media and Makerspace Specialist, MLIS

Image Resources