Back to Blogging

I took a hiatus from blogging during the months of November and December while I was working on some technical issues with the blog.  To mirror the district's website, I had been using an older version of WordPress.  I spent a lot of time trying to make it work, but in the end, I found that the older version was limiting some of the things I wanted to do.  I have switched back to Blogger, and hope this will make posting easier and the blog more pleasing to the eye.  Look for more posts after vacation.  

HMS Chooses Favorite Ladybug Book

Harold Martin students anxiously awaited the results of the voting, as Mrs. Alibrandi and Mrs. Bohlman visited classes to pick up Ladybug Award ballots, and to drop off ladybug cookies. 

The results....Calvin Can't Fly came in third, 

Three Hens and a Peacock was the second place winner, 

and in first place was Pete the Cat.

We'd like to give special thanks to:

• The PTA for their generous donation for extra copies of the books
• Bill Carozza for reading/singing Pete the Cat at lunch time
• Bonnie Harlow and Pat Raymond for making special ladybug cupcakes for those lunches
• Carl Wood and Ed Girzone for set up/clean up and extra patience that day
• Our ladybug cookie decorators:  Ed Girzone, Liz Cannon and Bella, and Lori Aubertin
• Dot Blanchard and Betsy Wilder for reminding people to wear red the day of the voting
• Lois Scammon for holding down the fort while Michele and I made our Ladybug visits

Good News! HMS Students have BrainPop Jr.!

Our school was awarded a free 12 month subscription to BrainPop Jr. for school and home through the New Hampshire Digital Resources Consortium.

"BrainPOP Jr. provides educational movies for K-3 learners and addresses a wide range of grade-appropriate topics. Each animated topic has a movie, leveled quizzes, games, activities, and lesson ideas that develop critical thinking and inquiry skills. All content is read aloud so young students can browse the site on their own.

Because BrainPOP Jr. is delivered entirely online, there’s nothing to install or download. You can use BrainPOP resources with PCs, Macs, projectors, and interactive whiteboards. Getting started is easy by using the step-by-step Getting Started Guide."  The subscription does require a password, which will be sent home soon in Bill Carozza's newsletter or you can email me at nalibrandi@hopkintonschools.org (please include your child's name in the email).

The Library Doors

We had lots of fun reading The Library Doors by Toni Buzzeo, and singing the song with our principal, Bill Carozza. You can sing along with Mr. Carozza and Mrs. Forgiel's first grade class by clicking on this link: The Library Doors

(THE BACK) STORY
 A few weeks ago, I pulled a book The Library Doors by Toni Buzzeo off a shelf to use with first grade classes. It is a wonderful introduction to the library, set to the familiar tune of the "Wheels on the Bus." I looked for a CD in the back of the book, and finding none, made a mental note to see if Bill Carozza, our principal, would come in to sing it with the first graders ( I wasn't sure if students would recognize the tune if I sang it).

 SONG
 About a week later, I was reading a librarians' listserv, and noticed a request from another librarian wondering if there was a recording available for this same book. A few moments later there was a response from the book's author wondering if anyone would be willing to make a recording of the song (she apparently can't carry a tune either). It seemed serendipitous, so I emailed Bill to see if he would be interested. If you know Bill, you know he loves kids, loves to sing, and loves technology, so I was pretty sure the answer would be yes. We met with the first grade class to record the song in our school's Digital Media Studio. It was a lot of fun, and we were able to immediately play the song back for the students so they could hear it. Thanks to Toni Buzzeo for writing such a fun book, and for permission to post the song.

It's Ladybug Time!

Mrs. Alibrandi introduces this year's Ladybug Award Books

One of the literary highlights at HMS is participating in the Ladybug Award program. New Hampshire students in preschool-grade three listen to the ten nominated books, and then vote for their favorite book in November. We will announce the winning book for our school, and then will send our votes off to the State library, where they will count the votes from across the state. The winner will be announced in January, and the author and illustrator will receive a special award.

Mrs. Alibrandi and Mrs. Bohlman visited classes to introduce this year's books, and to read one of the books on the list, The Perfect Square by Michael Hall. Mrs. Bohlman found some fancy origami paper, and students in some of the classes were challenged to think what they could make out of a perfect square. What did Mrs. Alibrandi and Mrs. Bohlman make out of theirs? Ladybugs, of course!

Student points out what he sees in the perfect square

Students created pictures from their "perfect squares."

September Whirlwind

September is a whirlwind of classes in the library because we introduce or remind all students about the rules and procedures for using the library, encourage them to explore various areas, and offer techniques for book selection.

Kindergarten students have learned how to select books using the "Special K" box or using "shelf keys" to keep the library shelves in order. To learn about book care they heard a story about "Mr. Wiggle" and saw examples of books that have been mistreated. They've been given a plastic book bag to carry their book home, and were encouraged to find a spot at home to keep their library book out of the reach of pets, and younger brothers and sisters who may not know yet how to treat a book.

Students use shelf keys when they select books to keep the shelves in order

First grade students listened to I Took My Frog to the Library and then were challenged to place the animals mentioned in the story in the library places named in the book. This introduces the students to new vocabulary and different areas of the library.

To learn about book care, they heard a story called The Shelf Elf and then looked at posters and saw examples of damaged books that illustrated the book care rules mentioned in the story.

Second grade students listened to a story called I. Q. Goes to the Library, which reviews sections of the library as well as book care rules. They were shown objects related to book care and had to determine whether the object belonged in the "Yes, Yes Always" box or the "No, No Never" box.

In addition, second grade students listened to the story, Goldilocks and the Three Libearians, and learned how to select a "Just Right Book" (also know as a "Good Fit" book). They should be able to tell you about the Five Finger Rule.

Student uses the 5 finger rule when selecting books
(hold up a finger for every word on a page you don't know, if you get to 5 the book is too difficult).

We have also talked about the Features of Nonfiction, and then had a scavenger hunt to find the various features in a nonfiction book and label them with post-it notes. Some classes have also begun researching Backyard Animals, and are learning to take notes.

Second grade students use sticky notes to label nonfiction text features in their books.

Third grade students have completed a Fiction Book Hunt, a Nonfiction Book Hunt, and have had a lesson on using the Library Catalog to find books. This gives third graders practice finding books in the "Everybody," "I Can Read," "Fiction," and "Nonfiction" sections when given a set of call numbers. This is a great way to get students browsing in sections they might not usually peruse, and we can also check for a student's understanding of alphabetical order.

Third graders use call numbers to hunt for books.

We are finding that students in third and fourth grade can use some more practice with alphabetical order.

Fourth grade and sixth grade students have come in to use the Accelerated Reader program, which tests their comprehension of books they've read. The fourth grade students have had a refresher lesson on using the library catalog to find books by participating in our Accelerated Reader Book Hunt. A couple of fourth grade classes have also started research on Ocean Animals. The sixth grade classes have come in to hear about a book selection technique called CAN IT BE FOR ME? Each letter in that question stands for something to think about when considering which book to read. They also had a lesson on using the EBSCO database (one of many databases available through the NH State Library). They will be using the database for a science assignment with Mr. Miner.

Fourth Graders listen to the story, Help Me, Mr. Mutt before learning how to take an Accelerated Reader  quiz.

 There's lots more ahead for the month of October .... stay tuned!

Try Tumblebooks!

If you've had trouble accessing Tumblebooks in the past week, please try again. It should be working now. If you're not familiar with Tumblebooks, it is an online collection of animated talking picture books with added puzzles and games. Harold Martin students can access it from school or from home. If you need the password, email nalibrandi@hopkintonschools.org - please include your child's name in the email.

And We're Off and Running!

In the first four days of school, I've had a chance to meet with all classes in grades one through six (with the exception of one fifth grade class that we just could not fit in the schedule - I'll see that class on Tuesday). Maple Street students have had the opportunity to come in and check out books. Most Harold Martin students will begin borrowing books this week. In addition to grades one through three, I'll also meet with the kindergarten classes this week. At Maple Street, fourth grade students will be learning how to use the Accelerated Reader program to help check their comprehension of some of their independent reading books. -----------Image adapted from Flickr image by rosmary.

Get the "Buzz" on Books

This year I want to get the word out about the great resources that we have in the elementary libraries. Each week I will be featuring a book in a quick ( about one minute long) mini-podcast. To hear about the featured book, check out the podcasts in my book blog called Awesome Book Choices. Eventually I hope to put a QR code in our library books, so students can scan the code and get an instant "Book Buzz" book talk while they are browsing for books. I also hope to link to these podcasts in our Library Catalog, so when they are searching they can click on a link to hear the podcasts and be further encouraged to read the book.
-----------Photo by Enokson.

Great Stone Face Books on our Nooks

The Maple Street School Library has recently purchased two Nooks.  I loaded many of the 2013 Great Stone Face Award books on to them, and Mrs. Raymond and I are busy reading them over summer vacation.  I have read eleven of the twenty-five books so far, and I have really liked all of them except for one (more about that later).  I plan on writing all about them, so stay tuned.

We will also have hard cover copies of the books available when you come back to school in September, or if you want to get a head start – here’s the Great Stone Face List for 2013.  We appreciate the PTA’s support of this program which enables us to buy multiple copies of the books.  The books are always in high demand.

What are you reading this summer?

Yay Summer!

For educators, summertime is a time of transition and renewal.  It is a time to let go of the last school year, and start preparing for next year's classes.  Some educators will take courses, travel, or catch up on professional reading.  They will plan lessons, organize materials, and reflect on ways they can teach more efficiently and effectively in the coming year.  For many of us educators, this means finding new ways to incorporate technology into our practice.

This summer, I will be exploring new ways to get the word out about how our libraries support learning.  First, I am taking a WordPress course so that I can update the library web page.  Second, in collaboration with the high school librarian, I will be expanding the use of LibGuides to the elementary level, to make it easier for students and staff to find resources.  Third, I will work with one of our Tech Integrators, Karen Locke, to coordinate efforts to provide consistent instruction in regards to use of Internet resources.  And last but not least, I am also looking forward to joining colleagues in a Responsive Classroom Book Group.

I am grateful for this time of year to retool, sharpen my skills, and recharge my batteries so I can start the school year with new ideas and fresh energy.

Made Me Smile

A student came in this morning and said,"Mrs. Alibrandi, here is my permission slip so I can check books out over the summer.  I don't want to be reading deprived."  She told me she usually reads about seventy five books over the summer.  Talk about making my day!

"Clip art licensed from the Clip Art Gallery on DiscoverySchool.com"

"Clip art licensed from the Clip Art Gallery on DiscoverySchool.com"

"Clip art licensed from the Clip Art Gallery on DiscoverySchool.com"

• "Clip art licensed from the Clip Art Gallery on DiscoverySchool.com"

Winding Down the School Year

Winding down the school year is definitely a misnomer for this time of year.  Things rev up at the library, just as they do throughout the school.  Many classrooms choose to come to the library to work on research projects as a culmination to the skills they've learned during the year.

MAPLE STREET
At the Maple Street School, fourth grade students came to the library to explore poetry.  Since poetry is meant to be heard, students were invited to find a poem that they enjoyed, and to step up to the Poetry Pedestal to share it with classmates.

Several students stepped up again during the Arts and Science day, and read some poems as part of the lunch time entertainment.  I was invited to read some environmentally themed stories (I chose Michael Recycle Meets Litterbug Doug, Herman and Marguerite an Earth Story, Tops and Bottoms, and The Trouble with Dragons); and principal Bill Carozza sang songs related to the books.

Later on in the month, fourth graders gathered facts on ocean animals to create PowerPoint presentations.  Some of the fifth grade classes came in to research topics on Space and also Westward Expansion.  Ancient Civilizations were the focus for sixth grade research.

HAROLD MARTIN
At the Harold Martin School, third grade students came in for a refresher lesson on using the library catalog to find animal resources for their biome research. While bugs were busy buzzing outside, second grade students were busy buzzing around the library, gathering information from nonfiction insect books.  In the classroom, they made posters about their insects using the nonfiction text features they learned about earlier in the year (headings, diagrams, labels, captions, sidebars, etc.).

Moms are definitely unsung heroes, so instead of reading typical books about Mother's Day, first grade students heard stories about superheroes and also "small heroes doing quiet deeds."  These stories included Max by Bob Graham; Dex:  the Heart of a Hero by Caralyn Buehner; and Atomic Ace:  He's Just My Dad by Jeff Weigel.  The following week, they heard stories about characters doing good deeds (Rosie Sprout's Time to Shine by Allison Wortche), and characters who made a difference in their communities (Wanda's Roses by Pat Brisson and A Bus Called Heaven by Bob Graham).  Hopefully, they got the message that it doesn't take a superhero to make the world a better place.

SUMMER CHECK OUT
This is the time of year that we try to round up resources that have been checked out during the school year.  Once we have accounted for what's here and what's missing, we start letting things go out again for Summer Check Out.  If students have returned all their materials from the school year, and return a permission form signed by a parent/guardian they may check out books for the summer.   Click here for more information and the permission form.
A variety of links related to Summer Reading can be found here, including books that can be read online.

HOPKINTON TOWN LIBRARY SUMMER READING PROGRAM
We also collaborate with the Hopkinton Town Library to let students know about the summer programs that are offered there.  You can find information about their summer reading program here.

I frequently podcast with principal Bill Carozza.  For more in depth information, listen to Bill Carozza's HMS Podcast #42.

Happy National Library Month!

What better month to relaunch this blog than National Library Month!  We've had lots of activity going on in the library in the past month.

The Foot Bone is Connected to the Ankle Bone...

If an alien had just landed from outer space what would it want to know about the human body?  Third grade students brainstormed some questions to guide their research about human body parts.  In addition to learning science content about the human body, students practiced information literacy skills by taking notes using key words and phrases (rather than complete sentences); learned to organize their information using color coding; and cited their sources.  A big thank you goes out to the many parents who volunteered their time to come in and lend a helping hand to students who needed assistance.  Students used their research to write a report and create an accompanying project at home.  Mrs. Grady's class created a podcast the "ABCs of the Human Body"  featured in Bill Carozza's HMS Podcast #42.  

Stormy Weather...

Three of the four second grades came in to research various types of weather including snow, lightning, wind, sunshine, fog, and rain. (The other second grade will come in after vacation).  They read brief nonfiction books to build background knowledge about their topic, and then went back and took notes on the important information.  They used special note taking sheets in the shape of their type of weather (snowflakes for snow, raindrops for rain, etc.).   They then used their note taking sheets to make a weather mobile.  This project was intended as a quick and fun beginning research project to give students practice in taking notes and writing a simple citation with author and title information.

Story time ...

The first grade students have been in to hear some Spring time stories (Kite Day by Will Hillenbrand, Stuck by Olive Jeffers, and Flip Flap Fly (by Phyllis Root). During another visit, they were asked to compare and contrast two stories about hens Emma's Eggs by Margriet Ruurs and The Easter Egg Farm by Mary Jane Auch.  In honor of National Library Week, we read Our Library by Eve Bunting, and heard about a true story called The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba.   

Meet the Author:  Mo Willems

Kindergarten students learned a song about what authors and illustrators do, and then heard about books by author and illustrator Mo Willems.  They watched this brief video in which Mo Willems talks about his books for kids who don't know how to read yet:

Students might enjoy this website featuring the characters from Mo Willems books and some fun games to play: Meet Mo Friends!