Happy Spring Reading!

As March comes to a close, we say good bye to our March Is Reading Month activities with appreciation for our Dr. Seuss Birthday party, our awesome author visit and our amazing book fair luau!  The students loved Jonathan Rand's visit with us on Wednesday, March 21.  His message stressed the importance of reading and the hard work and reward we get from being writers.  He enjoyed the mural we made to welcome him.  Who knows-maybe he will name his next book after the "Mutant Mustangs"! 

Our book fair was a great success!  Miller students were very excited about our selection of books and I saw them making great book choices to purchase.  Family night took place on Tuesday, March 24 and was filled with activities.  Families participated in a coloring contest, book scavenger hunts, a guessing contest, and of course many, many books to browse through.   The winners of our contests won a $5.00 gift certificate to use at the book fair.  We want to thank all of the volunteers who made our fair possible by helping in setting up, running the fair, helping during family night, and packing the fair up.  The media center was able to purchase over $800.00 in books and also received $1,000 to spend on book sets and other materials.  

Many learning activities are going on in the media center this week.  5th grade students are preparing to write and film their own book reviews; 4th grade students are listening to "The Odyssey - The One-Eyed Giant" by Mary Pope Osborne; 3rd graders are reading and decoding a fun mystery called, "The Mystery of King Karfu"; 2nd graders are reading a true story called "The Man Who Walked Between the Towers" by Mordicai Gerstein, 1st graders will be hearing two of my favorite pig stories, "The Piggie in the Puddle", and "Hog-Eye", and kindergarteners got to sing and act out "Pete the Cat - Walking in my White Shoes".  Be sure to ask your students about the activities and books we are reading.  I'm certain they would love to tell you about them. 

My website to share this week is www.abcya.com.  This is an award winning site full of games and activities developed by certified teachers.  Keyboarding, reading skills, math activities and holiday games are organized by grade (K-5) and easily navigated by even the youngest student.  

Growing Reader and Newbery Challenge Deadlines!!

Many of you have been emailing me and asking teachers about the deadlines for our K, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade Growing Readers program.  The last day to hand in your completed reading log is May 11.  We will be having our Ice Cream Sundae Celebration in the gym at 2:30 on Wednesday, May 23. 

Students participating in the Newbery Challenge reading program will have until Monday, April 2 to hand in their completed reading log.  We will having our Pizza and Root Beer Float Celebration in the gym at 2:30 on Wednesday, April 18! 

Stay tuned for my next post for some recommended book titles for your students:)