In recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, the students did not have school today. Teachers met to discuss curriculum issues, and for my teaching partner and me, that included making lists. Lists of books for the spring book festival inventory. Books for each grade level's 2012 summer reading list. I just love this, she told me. I loved it, too.
We looked for books by favorite authors, hoping for new titles to be released before the end of March, and added books like Betty Bunny Loves Everything by Michael Kaplan and The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate. We searched for series books that children love and added Fancy Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet by Jane O'Connor and Abe Lincoln at Last by Mary Pope Osborne (#47 in the Magic Tree House series).
We pored over our order lists since the beginning of the school year and started designating newly acquired books for the grade level lists. Clementine and the Family Meeting by Sara Pennypacker was added to the second grade list. Drawing From Memory by Allen Say was added to the fifth grade list. Now we will begin the thoughtful task of annotating all those books to complete the summer reading lists in time for release at the beginning of June.
It is always a good day when we are immersed in book titles.
You are getting an early start on those summer reading lists, bravo! I am reading--and thoroughly enjoying--a 2011 book called The Aviary by Kathleen O'Dell. Think you'd like it, too.
ReplyDeleteYou and Lynn always amaze me by how thoughtful and careful you are with your collection, and by all the ways that you make books accessible to your students in a meaningful manner. You are stellar at your job.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, thanks for your list of recommendations at the right. I just requested several from my local library, though I was disappointed some of them are still not in the county system yet.
a day spent swimming through words and plots and settings and characters...what an experience to celebrate.
ReplyDeleteI reserved The Aviary, Joyce. Thanks for the recommendation.
ReplyDeleteCheck out mnlink.org to get books not yet in our library system, David. I look forward to seeing you at school :)
It was a terrific day with words and books, Brattcat. Later in the day, our principal noted that we do not just select books for the collection...we also know to which readers we will give those books when they arrive. What a compliment!
I'm glad your principal recognizes your skill.
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