Week Three: Back to school bingo

I've been told that it takes a few weeks for students to get back in the school swing.  With so many new faces Mrs. Jennings likes to play a back to school bingo game with 2nd-5th graders.  Each student receives a blank 'bingo board' and is asked to fill in the names of their classmates in the boxes.  Next after filling in all the names on their bingo board students receive a 'bingo calling card.'  Students are asked to fill out the calling card by placing their name at the top of the page and then listing three things about themselves.  Next week when all of the classes have completed the bingo boards and calling cards, Mrs. Jennings will read the calling cards, students will have to guess who the card is about, and then place a bingo chip on that student's name.  It's a great way for students to get to know each other! 

Here are some pictures of a 3rd grade class filling out their boards and calling cards with the help of Mrs. Jennings:

Kindergarteners continue to learn expectations and rules.  This week Mrs. Jennings read the books Clifford Goes to Dog school.  She also had students participate in a magnetic version of Brown Bear, Brown Bear by Bill Martin and Eric Carle.  Different laminated and magnetized animals from the story were passed out, when Mrs.  Jennings told the story aloud students were asked to listen for their animal and then place it on the magnetized board when it was their turn.  After moving around for the activity, students watched an animated Clifford story, went on a bear hunt with the action rhyme, and then finally completed a coloring page of Clifford.

First graders heard one of my favorite stories, The Pout Pout Fish.  This is the story of a fish who thought he was glum and gloomy no matter which one of his friends tried to cheer him up.  The book is filled with repetition and sing-able passages that encourage student participation.

I'm the Pout Pout fish

with the pout pout face

and I spread the dreary wearies

all over the place   



The story has a sweet conclusion, the Pout Pout fish falls in love and turns into a Kiss Kiss fish spreading cheery merries all over the place.  The class then watched a video of The Pout Pout Fish Goes to School sung by Gordon True.  


CEBS dispositions expressed this week:


Values Collaboration: Actively seeks out and incorporates ideas of others/  Takes leadership in working with others to improve the overall environment.  Regularly share information and ideas. 


Values Professionalism: Professional development and involvement.  References and makes use of professional organizations or publications.  Willingly participates in profession activities or events that promote professional development.


These dispositions and ethics were demonstrated when Mrs. Jennings and the new art teacher at Trunnell, Mrs. Dahl, conferences about grant money available to bring local productions of Shakespearean plays and other art related activities to the school.  Previously, Mrs.  Jennings had the opportunity to bring just one performance to Trunnel.  But by working together to fill out the grant money both teachers have the opportunity to bring creative and enriching programs to their students.


Trunnell is one Elementary school within the Jefferson County School system.  A large school system in Louisiville Kentucky.  The school system is so large that they have created a central office which offers support to all schools.  At the central office there is also someone who is the head of all media services and librarians.  Mrs. Jennings often calls to this office for help answering policy questions and procedures.  This is an example of professional and valuing rules, norms, and regulations.    


    

Week two! Check out!

This week each class reviewed check out rules and procedures.  Check out rules varied based on grade level.  Kindergartners need a bit more time adjusting to school and new responsibilities and do not start checking out books until week six or seven.  First graders are only allowed to check out books from the picture book section and the paperbacks.  Mrs. Jennings shows students books from the previous year that were damaged by students as examples for how students should respect library books.  After explaining how students should care for their books, Mrs. Jennings shows each class a short video about how to use the library.  She shows this video to the first graders:

Second graders got to see a fun video about Oscar the Grouch visiting the library:

Third, fourth, and fifth  graders watched a video on BrainPop.com about exploring your library, using a catalog, and finding a call number.

A neat feature of teaching each class about check out was Mrs. Jennings turning off the lights and with a flashlight highlighting each area of the library for check out.

I learned about LibraryWorld and helped each class check out items.

Week 1: Introductions!

Hello!  I am excited to welcome you to my blog where you will get a front row seat to the challenges and joys I will encounter while student teaching!  First, a little about myself.  My very first job was as a bookseller at Barnes and Noble.  I loved everything about this job.  Eventually I became their children's department lead and was able to spend all my days organizing and displaying children's books.  This grew into a passion which lead me to library school for my MLS.  I studied at the University of Kentucky and soon found employment at the Louisville Free Public Library.  Fast forward to today and I am now once again back in school for a second advanced degree to allow my transition from public librarian to school librarian!  I am attending Western Kentucky University and am almost done with the program.  The one things standing in my way?  Student teaching!  This blog will share my adventures, and mis-adventures, in learning what school librarians experience and overcome throughout their days.  My student teaching will be split into two placements- the first one with Mrs. Jennings at Trunnell Elementary and the second with a middle or high school librarian (I don't know yet who will have the pleasure of my company!)  


Yesterday was the first day of school for students.  Mrs. Jennings and I welcomed students with introductions about our own lives.  I showed pictures of my family and loved ones:

Norah

My family during my sisters wedding

Willie

My new niece Adelaide- 8 months old

After we introduced our selves, Mrs. Jennings read each class a book, showed a video, and handed out an activity.  

One of the books she read was 

One of the videos she showed was when Cookie Monster visits the library.

After introducing ourselves to students, going over the rules and expectations, reading a story to students, Mrs. Jennings then handed out a getting to know you worksheet where students were asked to interview another classmate in order to meet new people.  

Watching Mrs. Jennings build the foundation of classroom respect has been beneficial and will hopefully help me when I need to build respect in my own future media center.