Wordless Wednesday-Christmas Tree

Infographic

I was asked by our lead librarian to showcase what my library provides my school in a one page infographic.  It's hard to fit everything on one page.  It'll be given to our elementary principals as an example of why schools need certified librarian and what a certified librarian can do for a school.

It's making my brain hurt.  Ha!

I've been working on the infographic since yesterday.

But I think I've got it.  I showed my volunteer who's a retired public librarian.  She had me change some things to emphasize not only my degree and certification but why my position as a librarian requires a masters degree.

I'm showing it to my mom, an elementary school secretary, my mother-in-law, a retired reading teacher, my good friend, Marcie, a high school math teacher, my BFF, Emily, a former kindergarten teacher, and my good friend, Lara, a labor and deliver nurse (for a non-educator's point of view).  I also showed it to a teacher that loves the library and to a teacher who doesn't understand what it is that I do.

I'm pulling all their helpful criticisms and tweeking the infographic.  I'll post it here when it's in its final draft.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

Disclaimer: I get a small percentage of the books if purchase through the links provided.

For Myself:

Two by Two by Nicholas Sparks was not one of my favorites of Sparks' books.  To be honest I haven't loved too many of his recent books.  Not like some of his earlier works.  Anyway, in Two By Two a husband and father decides to leave his job and start his own business without consulting his wife.  In the end his wife gets a job to bring in money.  Their life is turned upside down by all the new decisions and husband and wife have a hard time with all the changes.  The husband's family is pulled in and we meet his parents and sister and her partner.  For me the book was fairly predictable. I read it for my book club.  No else loved the book either.

The Chemist by Stephenie Meyer Honestly I only picked up this book because it's by Stephenie Meyer.  I LOVED Twilight!  LOVED it like I made my family take a vacation Forks kind of LOVE! I liked The Host but not like Twilight.  I didn't really know what to expect out of The Chemist.  I admit it took me awhile to get into the book but on page 52 (the Kindle version) I was sucked in!  Like, "Everyone shut up! I'm reading!" sucked in.  I'm 82% of the way done.  I like the action, the science, the fighting, and the dogs in this book.  The romantic dialog can be a bit corny but I can overlook that! Ha!  I'm ready to see how this book ends.  I have some theories.

For School:

Woof: A Bowser and Birdie Novel by Spencer Quinn is on our Texas Bluebonnet Award List.  I assign each librarian in our district 2-3 books from this list to read and write 20-25 questions that start "In what book does..." for our Battle of the Bluebonnets at the end of the year.  I read this one.  This is a cute series of books about a girl and her dog.  They work together to solve mysteries.  In Woof (the first book in the series) we are introduced to Birdie and Bowser.  Birdie and Grammy adopt Bowser from a shelter.  Upon their return home they find that their prized marlin has been stolen. The local Louisiana police are the case!  But Birdie and Bowser can't help but stick their nose in where it's unwelcomed!

Five for Friday-Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

After Reagan's basketball game last night we raced to the movie theater to see "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them."  I was ecstatic to see there was a showing at 6:00.  Before I checked I was debating on being a bad mom and taking Reagan to see the movie at the midnight showing... on a school night.  But luck would have it!  A 6:00 showing!  We have been waiting very impatiently for this movie!  We thought Nov 17, 2016 would never get here but it did!!!

1.  WOW!

2.  When can we see it again?!?

3.  Oh the mention of people we know from Harry Potter!

4.  Love the quartet!

5.  Salty, buttery, heart clogging movie theater popcorn!

Joint 40th Birthday Party

Jay and I had a joint 40th birthday party this past weekend.  I turned 40 October 19 and he'll turn 40 December 1.

We had about 27 family and friends come to celebrate with us.  We rented a hall and I asked the school nurse and her husband to cater the party (they have a small side catering business).

We set up a photo booth with dress up items that represented both Jay and I and a dry erase board for people to write messages.

I asked the nurse to decorate in purples (my favorite color) and blues (Jay's favorite colors).  It turned out so pretty!

We had a great time!  The two hours flew by!

One of the paraprofessionals I work with is an amazing cook and baker.  I asked her to bake chocolate cupcakes for Jay and butterbeer (from Harry Potter) cupcakes for me.  I had her make some wedding cake ones too for people who didn't want chocolate or butterbeer.  They were delicious!

She had one of the teachers we work with use her Circut to cut out baseballs (for Jay) and books (for me... although that works for Jay too).

The popcorn bar was for me.  I LOVE popcorn!  I am a butter and salt kind of girl.  But I know other people like flavors so the nurse put out some different flavored shakers for people to add to their bag of popcorn.  The popcorn made the hall smell so yummy!

Jay drinks sodas so we had a soda bar with tea and lemonade too.

Some how I didn't take a picture of the coffee bar.  I love coffee!  The nurse made an assortment of iced coffees and a pot of hot coffee and a pot of decaf.  She had 4 different creamers and sugar and sweeteners for people to add to their coffee for their drinking pleasure.

The candy bar was for Jay.  He's a huge fan of chocolate!  We had a chocolate fountain and a s'mores bar.  I couldn't be left out of the candy bar so I had the nurse add some sour candy for me.  

This is one of my favorite pictures from the photo booth.  Reagan and my bff, Emily.  Their sign cracks me up!  I've been meaning to ask them who came up with that but I keep forgetting.

These are my Nac girls minus one (she had to work).  Love these ladies!

Wordless Wednesday

I LOVE this Snapchat filter!

Book Character Collaboration

The Deaf Ed teacher and I have been working together to teach book characters.  For about the last month or month and half we've been dressing up as different characters in a book.  We are finally to the part where students get to choose a character and dress up themselves.

In the library last week I did one more lesson on book characters.  I also showed a Google Slides presentation of a few different book characters and then I found some DIY book character costumes on Pinterest to show them.

I don't know about y'all but I have to work to be creative.  I'm GREAT at stealing other people's ideas.  Not so great at coming up with them myself.  So I wanted to give them some ideas how easy dressing up can be.

Then we sent the students off into the library to find three books with characters they wanted to dress as. The Deaf Ed teacher created a poster for them to fill in with the title of the book.  She sent home a note with the three books listed of each student's choice so parents can help their child pick their final book.

I took some pictures to document the lesson... then accidentally deleted them to make room for the Veteran's Day program.  I do our school's website and social media so my phone stays pretty full with pictures.  I delete them as soon as I can.  I didn't look closely enough at all the pictures before deleting them. Sigh

But I did call the Deaf Ed teacher and ask her to take a picture of the poster she made.  Since she had it in the library last I noticed they've picked the books they're going to use and have circled them.

This collaborative lesson is almost done.  I look forward to doing more!!!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

*Disclaimer:  I get a small percentage of the items purchased from this blog.

For Myself

The Chemist by Stephenie Meyer  I'm not very far in this book yet but so far I'm enjoying it.  I like that the lead character is a women based off of Jason Borne.  I like a kick butt woman as much as I like a gentle woman.  I'm still at the point in the book where you don't fully know what's going on or why exactly people are trying to assassinate her or how she knows how to assassinate people.  I can't wait to finish this book!

For School:

Red Riding Hood: Superhero by Otis Frampton is a FUN retelling of Little Red Riding Hood.  When I was reading this to the Deaf Ed students they were so engrossed in the graphics that they didn't watch the teacher who was interpreting (I can sign myself but usually a book is hard to read and sign at the same time).  We tried to redirect them multiple times but ended up just letting them look at the graphics.  This is on Texas Little Mavericks list this year.

Date Night

My parents are in town this weekend so Jay and I going on a date!

1.  It's been too long since we've been on a date!

2.  We need this night to just focus on each other!

3.  Dinner and a little shopping. Gotta spend the birthday money burning a hole in my wallet!!

4.  Shopping on someone else's dime!!!!

5.  Holding hands without a 13 year old girl saying "gross!" lol

Basketball Game

Reagan had her first basketball game for the season last week.  These girls are like a different team! They work together!  Their shots are better!  Defense is better!  Their confidence is better! Everything is better!

We have strict instructions not to yell to loudly.... or clap to loudly.... or bring any undo attention to Reagan.... You know... we are just so embarrassing.

It so hard to follow those directions!

But we try... and sometime fail.



In this group selfie (is there a name for a group selfie?) there's Michael, he's one of our college students at church (the one with the big goofy smile) and Jeff is our preacher in training (making the made up Eagle sign).  They both came out to support Reagan.


The game was so intense that Jay and I stood up most of the time.  My adrenalin was pumping so hard that I started to tear up.  Michael made fun of me and also pointed out that while I was near tears Reagan wasn't even in the game.  I promptly told him to "Shut up Michael!"

It was very mature of me and totally the example every child should follow.  Ha!  Luckily there was just parents in the stands.

The Lady Eagles won the game 20 to 17 against the team they haven't beaten in 4 years!

We are so proud of them!

Go Lady Eagles!

Melanie, a college girl from our church, also showed up to support Reagan.  And it was her birthday!

Reagan has a lot of christian college students looking after her and supporting her.  We are blessed to have them in our lives.

Wordless Wednesday

Stop Licking Friends!

Words I thought I'd never have to say in the library, "Stop licking friends!"

I had Pre-K in the library Friday afternoon.  Pre-k is fun cuz you never know what's going to happen or what they're going to do or say.

So when a little boy turns and licks another boys cheek... I really shouldn't be caught of guard.  Yet.  I am.

You know those brilliant teaching moments when you react in the textbook manner?  You know, in the way that gets you teacher of the year?

Yea.  This was not that moment for me.

Let me set the stage.  I have two Pre-K classes in the library.  It ends up being about 44 four year olds.  I have two paraprofessionals that stay with me.  I have the 44 four year olds sitting on the ABC rug with a few students sitting on the carpet cuz there aren't enough ABCs in our alphabet for 44 four years.  Then I see a boy lick the cheek of the boy behind him.

Me:  Stop licking him!  What's a matter with you?!?

Licker:  He told me too!

Me:  NO!  Just no!

Paraprofessional- laughing hysterically.  She's of no help!

A few minutes go by and the licker licks him AGAIN!

Me:  He is not a popsicle!

Licker:  I KNOW!

Like I'm the idiot in this situation.

Paraprofessional-literally ROTFL

And at this point... I couldn't help but get on the floor with the paraprofessional and roll around laughing too.  At least this gave me a slice for the week!

Have you seen any of Gerry Brooks' principal videos?  In this video he talks about students licking friends.  I thought it was a great video to go with this slice!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

For School:

I got my Junior Library Guild subscription last week and read all the picture books.  There were some really cute ones in this month's box!

The Magic Word by Mac Barnett, Paxton tells his babysitter to say the magic word.  His babysitter could never image that a walrus would end up chasing her!

Rabbit & Robot & Ribbit by CeCe Bell, Rabbit gets jealous over Ribbit and Robot's friendship. Rabbit and Ribbit get into an argument causing Robot to malfunction.  This is a great book to introduce synonyms and words relating to emotions.

Stepping Stones: A Refugee Family's Journey  by Margriet Ruurs, Rama and her family have to leave their peaceful village to escape the war.  They were only able to take the clothes they wore with them as they walked to freedom in Europe.

Truth in Sight: Cici: A Fairy's Tale 2, Cici is still trying to learn how to use her fairy magic in this graphic novel.  Cici's is also trying to figure out her place in school.  And she meets her mom's new boyfriend... whose daughter goes to school with her.

Doing Her Bit: A Story About the Woman's Land Army of America by Erin Hagar, this historical fiction tells the story of "farmerettes" farming the land to help the war effort.

They All Saw a Cat by Brendan Wenzel, everyone sees the cat but everyone sees something different. What do you see when you see a cat?


What are YOU reading?

Student Book Clubs

I'm starting our Student Book Club this month.  I'm a bit behind schedule this year.  Normally we meet for the 1st time in Sept but this year there was talk of the whole school doing clubs on one day during the week.  I wanted to participate in that so I held off starting my Book Clubs and LEGO Clubs.

Then that idea fell through and I was rushing to put my normal clubs together.  So here we are in November.

I'm excited to get started again!  I really enjoy talking with these students about the books they chose to read.

With 3rd and 4th grade I'm thinking about doing the standard "everyone read the same books and discuss it."

But with 5th grade I'm thinking about letting them each pick their own books then discussing it with the group the next month.  I've never done it this way before and kind of want to give it a try.  We'll see how it goes.

Happy Halloween!

The Happy Belated Halloween!

My 3 Nac Girls and I put together a Halloween party for our kids and the kids we go to church with. My good friend Marcie's house sets on a few acres so it's the perfect place to have a
party.

We set up games in her circular drive.

Obstacle Course

Pin the "boo" on the Ghost

Ring Toss

Mummy Wrap

And rented a bounce house.

Bounce House

The garage held the food and the photo booth.

Photo Booth
Hufflepuff Student, Elliot and ET, and a Pirate

And later that night a pinata.

Notice my hubby right in the middle of all the candy!