First Full Week Back To School

In The Library This Week...

We worked on rules, manners and expectations in the library. With these lessons we shared Library Lion by Michelle Knudson and If You Take a Mouse To School by Laura Numeroff with 1st graders.
They created a Mouse of their own and even did a bit of writing. Here is a sample:

I also introduced our students to the new Golden Ticket Store in our library. At Kennedy Primary we started a new, positive reinforcement  to our students behavior. The students have the opportunity to earn golden tickets for positive behavior. For all students making good choices and doing what is expected.

Each week students will get to come into the library and spend their golden tickets. They will have the opportunity to purchase snacks, books, bookmarks, erasers, pencil grippers, notebooks, gel pens, coloring books, puzzles, crayons, water bottles, pencil boxes/bags and large note books.

A few photos of our first shopping day...

I shared some books that are represented on our wall in the library with my kindergarten friends.
Corduroy by Don Freeman and Clifford The Big Red Dog By Norman Bridwell.

The character from left to right: Koala Lou by Mem Fox, Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss, Curious George By H.A. Rey, Franklin By Paulette Bourgeois, The Nook (One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish) Dr. Seuss, Arthur by Marc Brown, Clifford by Norman Bridwell, and Corduroy by Don Freeman.

What I've Been Reading

I finished the book Remember Me by Sabine Durant
 Remember Me This Way is a spine-tingling, suspense-laden psychological thriller. The novel is full of clever twists and turns. Leaving you wondering until the end.

On the one year anniversary of her husband Zack’s death, Lizzie Carter is finally ready to visit the site of his accident and finish settling his estate. She is surprised to see that someone has left a bouquet of memorial flowers at the accident scene, but it is the attached message that rouses a few suspicions. When she reaches his cottage, she is further unsettled by some missing items that lead her to believe that Zack might have faked his own death. After she returns home, Lizzie becomes certain that is Zack alive and he is stalking her. When no one takes her fears seriously, she begins her own investigation and Lizzie quickly discovers that she really did not know Zack at all.

Lizzie is a somewhat unreliable narrator because she is rather fuzzy on the day to day details of her life. She feels guilty for some of the events that occurred in the days leading up Zack’s death and her lingering grief further clouds her judgment. There are also some very strange occurrences that bolster her belief that he is still alive but why would Zack fake his death? The answer to that question is revealed bit by bit through the lies that Lizzie uncovers and her memories of her relationship with Zach.

The most chilling revelations are share through passages from Zack’s point of view. As he reflects on his previous relationships and his marriage, a frightening picture begins to emerge. In the days and months leading up to his death, he becomes increasingly controlling of Lizzie and his behavior grows more volatile and erratic. 

This story leaves you guessing clear up to the end. I loved it.

The Sunlight Pilgrims, by Jenni Fagan, takes place from November 2020-March 2021. The polar caps are melting, and a new Ice Age appears to be imminent. The world’s leaders are unprepared to deal with a catastrophe of this magnitude. Still, some stockpile food and warm clothing, prepare fuel to heat their homes, check their generators, and keep a close eye on the forecast. No matter how prepared the survivalists are, however, the fact remains that temperatures are plummeting; major rivers are icing over; people are freezing to death; a huge iceberg is headed towards Scotland; and if spring does not bring a major thaw, Earth could become uninhabitable. 

This book is wonderful and the writing is truly amazing. 5 stars for me.

I just started this beauty, The Ex by Alafair Burke.  I will let you know my thoughts next week.

Swaps:

Chaotic Goddess Swaps 

Once again it is time for the Books N Bloggers Swap by the lovely ladies at Chaotic Goddess Swaps.
Important Dates to Remember

• Sign-Ups Close on August 22nd, 2016
• Partners Assigned by August 24th, 2016
• Packages Ship by September 3rd, 2016
• Swap Show-Off Post  September 7th, 2016
• This is one of my most favorite swaps hosted by Chaotic Goddess! So excited!

The Girls On The Same Page

THE BASICS

The What:

The Secret Sister project is essentially a cheer club. Think Secret Santa but all year round (in 6 month intervals) with less emphasis on big presents, and more thoughtful notes, cards, small somethings sent just to let your secret sister know that you are thinking about her!

The When:

• Sign-ups will go live on July 16, 2016
• This round will run from August 2016 through January 2017

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 Please share what you are reading in the comments.

Happy Reading.

Mrs. Shamhart

Welcome August

Welcome Back:

Summer has skipped on by rather abruptly, and I am anxious to share it with all of you. I am heading back to Kennedy Primary School next week to get my library together and ready for students. I am so excited to see my friends and meet our new friends at Kennedy.  I have some changes in the library this year that I am excited to implement with new center activities and some STEM centers as well.

I will share all of these centers as I introduce them in the library. 

Books On Tour

I am excited to share my involvement with a group of 12, librarians and teachers across the U.S. We have created a new group called Books On Tour. This group will be sharing advanced reader copies (arcs) of books and/or new books to us. We then will share our thoughts and ideas and send the book on to the next member. I guess it would be like a traveling book club. The books do the traveling of 6,160 miles round trip. I am so excited to get to know these ladies and share our common passion of reading. A great big thanks to Audra Reed at her blog  The Reeding Librarian for putting this wonderful group together.

I also want to thank Liza Wiemer the author of  Hello?. I had commented on her twitter and won an arc of Rainbow Rowell's newest book called Kindred Spirit. I was so excited to win this book as, it isn't even available for purchase yet. When she realized that I am a librarian (albeit of primary students) she asked if I could use some of her arcs and books she was going through. I was so excited.... Christmas in July.  She is so very generous. I am happy to say that many of these books will be starting our Books On Tour group. All of these books will be in the hands of readers. I am so very grateful to Liza Wiemer.  

I also, received a copy of Liza's book Hello?  Often, when I am given a book and I am unfamiliar with it or with the author, it is exciting to see what you find therein. I was most pleasantly surprised with Hello?.  I loved this book and could not put it down, quite literally. 

For me, I really enjoyed how each character had a different style of narration. I loved that each character shared their point of view, and their personality through this perspective. This writing style promotes the reader to quickly become engaged in the story while easily, distinguishing between each character.

The reader will most definitely find someone they can relate to in this story. The issues within the story are realistic for teenagers today. This should be a must read for every student, coming of age. Enabling parents, teachers and peers to open up and discuss topics of  love, friendship, loss and hope. This book is beautifully written. This story will be one I am reflective upon for a long while.  

Swaps:

 This was a fun swap! I was paired with Kaitlin Michelle over at Vivacious Hobo

I shared how much I absolutely love Game Of Thrones and she sent me a leather bound collectible set. Which I love, aren't they lovely?  A great big thanks to Kaitlin Michelle and to the wonderful ladies over at Chaotic Goddess Swaps
                                

On August 1st the #otspsecretsisterswap began it's 5th session. I am starting my 3rd session and I am still absolutely loving it. It is uplifting and promotes our love of reading. The wonderful ladies over at On The Same Page do an incredible job. 

What are you reading?

 Please share in the comments what you are reading....

I'm listening to Emma Straub's Modern Lovers on Audible.

I'm reading Lisa Beazley's Keep Me Posted

Happy Reading

The Primary Librarian

Tula Shamhart