Today was a really neat day for our 3rd and 4th grade students, their teachers, and myself. I will be honest about the fact that many of the opportunities that have been presented to us have absolutely caused chill bumps to spread across my arms and butterflies in my stomach from excitement. I leave work on so many days thinking, "Wow! That really happened today!" I never in a million years knew that I would be able to be a part of and help others be a part of such awesomeness. Being a library media specialist and making connections has literally changed my life, and I would like to think that I am helping our students and teachers be a part of something bigger and inspiring them.
Last week, I was sent an email about a live streaming event at the Library of Congress with Dr. Carla Hayden, the Librarian of Congress, and Cokie Roberts, American journalist and author. The program was in celebration of Women's History Month and about her book Ladies of Liberty: The Women Who Shaped the Nation. It was open to 3rd and 4th grade students. I asked Mrs. Harmon (4th grade teacher) and Ms. Starnes (3rd grade teacher) if they would like to participate. They both said yes. So I hurriedly sent an email saying we would love to be a part of the event. Karen Jaffe, children's librarian at the Library of Congress, promptly emailed me back with more details. Our 3rd and 4th grade students were sitting attentively in the floor of Mrs. Harmon's room listening to Cokie Roberts speaking about influential women in American history. There were so many details I had forgotten or never known (such as Sacajawea being 15!) that I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to be reminded and to learn. Plus, it feels like we met a celebrity (well, in her own way, she is!), as well as traveled to Washington D.C. without having to leave our school! Also, we were able to submit a question that was answered live and our school was mentioned live. How cool is that!?! I loved how our students were participating by answering questions that were being asked during the live event, and mentioning information that they had learned in their classes. It was a great time to share their knowledge and expound upon it. I am not going to lie. Today is a day that I will go home and say, "Wow! That really happened today!" as I already feel the chill bumps forming on my skin and the butterflies in my stomach. These opportunities are what education is all about- opening doors, inspiring, empowering, encouraging, and exciting students about learning. May we never stop learning, growing, and seeking. Our kids depend on us, and they are worth it.
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Last week was my very first Read Across America week to organize. We had different dress up days, a Dr. Seuss poetry contest, and had a few guest readers via Skype. I absolutely felt like a kid on Christmas morning this past week! One of my new librarian friends and co-planner/co-teacher for some upcoming events (stay tuned for more information on connected activities) was able to Skype Tuesday and read Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now! to our kindergarten class. They were so very excited (so much so that I was asked to read it again after the Skype session ended)! They also enjoyed seeing her Marvin K. Mooney stuffed animal and making connections with the book. I have been hoping for a few months that we would be able to Corey Rosen Schwartz and Rebecca Gomez visit with us. Our schedules have not worked out until this past week! Thursday morning K-3 was blessed with the opportunity to Skype with Corey Rosen Schwartz, and 4-6 got to Skype with Rebecca Gomez that afternoon. Corey Rosen Schwartz is the author of Ninja Red Riding Hood, Hensel and Gretel: Ninja Chicks, and Three Ninja Pigs- just to name a few. We are very much looking forward to her new book that comes out this year. The students and teachers have already requested that we add it to our collection. She spent time speaking to the students this morning about where to get ideas for writing, where she gets her ideas for writing, her books, her family, and let them ask her questions after she read. She was also very entertaining and captivating. All eyes were glued to the front of the room, and listening ears were on. Rebecca J. Gomez has co-authored books with Corey Rosen Schwartz including What About Moose? She read the book Hensel and Gretel: Ninja Chicks to our 4th and 5th grade students. They thought it was very punny! :-) She did an awesome job reading, and helping create interest in the book by changing her voice to match the text. Then, I had the opportunity to read to kindergarten students at Langston Elementary in Hot Springs, Arkansas where Mrs. Ronda Hughes is the librarian. I was absolutely thrilled! I enjoyed seeing the smiles on their faces and hearing them discuss if they would eat green eggs and ham or not. To end the week, we did our very first Cat in the Hat/Dr. Seuss Breakout EDU with 2nd grade. All in all, I would say it was a great week, and I have so many more ideas for and am looking forward to next year! |
Kimee ReedI am a Teacher Librarian that believes in out of the box experiences to make learning fun, inspire, encourage, excite, and empower students. Archives
June 2018
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