Manor Hill Library Review

Jody Jensen Shaffer visited our building on February 22nd. She met with all of the grade levels to talk about being an author and share about writing books.

4th and 5th grade spent time talking about what it takes to write non-fiction books. She shared that she spent lots of time researching people and places to get correct facts. She also shared the book Creep, Leap, Crunch her non-fiction book about the food chain.

2nd and 3rd grade classes met a really interesting character named Prudence who happens to be a part time cow. She does cow things, but also loves to invent and solve problems. We shared her story readers theater style.

Last kindergarten and 1st grade heard the story about the Emergency Kittens. Always there to help out in small and big ways. Their adorableness is hard for even the toughest bullies to defeat.

We really enjoyed getting to know this local author and hearing about her creative ideas and profession.

March Mammal Madness has hit the library! 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students are participating in an animal competition simulation. This competition allows us to research a set of animals to decide which one will win the competition. We learn about lots of new animals we have never heard of before like the Sparkle Muffin Peacock Spider while practicing important skills. Some skills we are working on include sharpening reading for details, researching to find facts that help us make informed decisions, and understanding the food chain more deeply. 3rd and 4th grade students have worked together in their classes to complete brackets. 5th graders were offered the opportunity to participate individually. Once the decisions are made we watch story videos to see the outcomes. It's a lot of fun and remember "if you are learning you are winning!"

Early in February kindergarten students listened to the story Memoir's of a Goldfish. A funny little story imagining the life of a goldfish and all the things that might happen as your fish tank starts to accumulate more animals and items. We then had a conversation about what a fish needs to survive. This included the idea of a self sustaining fish tank. Step one grow the plants, which has been a success. After spring break we will observe what happens when we add fish. We also plan to ask questions about fish and see if we can research to find the answers. Stay tuned to see how our little tanks change!

Our first graders took on the challenge of becoming experts on community helpers to tell everyone about the important role these people play in our community. They researched and wrote about them in their classrooms focusing on non fiction text features and informational writing. In the library we spent time learning about museums and using our iPads to create our displays. We used a photo app to make our dreams come true in photographs. Then used a recording app to read our writing for others to listen to when visiting our hallway. The results were impressive.

Check out our newsletter in April/May for the 2nd grade project about pollinators. We have been doing a lot of research to become experts on pollinators. Next we will design our own "Super Pollinators" based on the information we learned.

Every year LPS librarians invite an author to visit and share with students about their passion for telling stories. This year our visiting author is Jody Jensen Shaffer. She has written a variety of books including A Chip Off the Old Block, Prudence the Part Time Cow, and many nonfiction titles. She will visit Manor Hill on February 22nd. Each grade level will have a session with her where she will share about her work and inspire them to tell stories on their own. Please learn more about our author by visiting her website linked below.

Jody Jensen Shaffer

Also if you would like to purchase a book by Jody Jensen Shaffer to have at home we can have her sign it the day or our visit. Just send it to school with your student. Students may take it to the library, we will hold it until the visit day. Students that have purchased books will get it signed and then bring it home. We look forward to her visit.

Our first graders have been working diligently to expand their bug background knowledge. Inspired by our Show-Me Reader nominee I Eat Poop: A Dung Beetle Story by Mark Pett first grade students researched about bugs. Then designed paper models of the insect to share with our school community. The blooming bug expert's work is showcased on a tv in our library where other staff and students have been learning new facts like butterflies can taste with their feet and tarantulas have lots and lots of eyes. Check out out video by clicking the link below.

Blooming Bug Experts

In 3, 4, & 5 we have been reading away on our Global Read Aloud books. Third graders read the story Future Hero: Race to Fire Mountain. Fourth and fifth graders are listening to A Rover's Story. Both books have been enjoyable to read. We will finish these books in November. Students have been sketch noting the stories as we read to show some of their visualizations and understanding of the stories. Below are some examples of student work.

Kindergarten classes have been reading the Building Block picture book nominees. Three of these stories include a farm theme, providing us the opportunity to learn the difference between fiction and nonfiction books. We have become little farm experts. Check out our farm shadow puppet show telling everything we have learned about farms.

Kindergarten Farm 2023

During the month of October families were invited to use pumpkins to create their favorite book characters. We had a terrific response, thank you to everyone who created and shared their pumpkin with us. Check out our pumpkin parade to see everyone's hard work.

Pumpkin Parade 2023