Check out this cool bookshelf of Golden Dome Book Award nominees. Click on each book to view a book trailer (or book talk) about the book. Stop by the library to check one out. Don't forget to read at least five books this year so you can vote on your favorite!
Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts
Sunday, August 22, 2021
Thursday, August 5, 2021
Welcome to the 2021/22 school year!
Hi all - welcome back to the 2021/22 school year! It's not actually hear *yet* as we have a few more weeks of vacation, but I wanted to post a quick hello and share some information.
This year there will be classes in the library again. Yay! Students will learn about book care, library usage, digital literacy, online safety, robotics, and other fun stuff. We will also read the book award books together and have some fun with related activities. If you're interested in the book award books, here are the lists:
- Red Clover Book Award (grades K-4)
- Golden Dome Book Award (grades 4-8) (I forgot to post here that the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Book Award program was renamed to the Golden Dome Book Award program, a name submitted by our very own DBS 4th graders and voted on my students around the state!)
I hope you have been reading this summer and enjoying the sunshine (when it isn't raining!). I can't wait to see everyone back in the library again soon! The fish are excited to see you too! They get lonely over the summer.
Friday, October 23, 2020
Scholastic Book Fair
The Scholastic Book Fair is coming soon! However, due to Covid-19 restrictions our fall Book Fair is online this year! Please support our school and help your child discover new books, favorite characters, complete series, and more!
The Book Fair will open on Monday, October 26th, and run through Sunday, November 8th. You can shop the online book fair here: http://scholastic.com/bf/dothanbrookschool
Check out the new Virtual 3D experience to get an (almost) live feeling! :)
Monday, August 24, 2020
Vermont Middle Grade Book Award*
As many of you know, the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Book Award program is being renamed. The Vermont Department of Libraries formed a committee last spring, consisting of teachers, students, and Dept. of Libraries staff. Students from around the state submitted name ideas and I was hoping the committee would have a new name before school starts, but instead they have picked their top 10 and will let students vote on the final name. I'll be sure to share the voting information when it becomes available.
For now, regardless of the name, there are new award books to read this year! As usual, read them and enjoy them. When you read five or more books you get to vote on your favorite one. The book that gets the most votes from students around the state gets an award.
(Click on any book to view the book trailer.)
Check out some of the winners from past years:
2020 - Small Spaces, by Katherine Arden2019 - Refugee, by Alan Gratz2018 - Projekt 1065: A Novel of World War II, by Alan Gratz2017 - The Terrible Two, by Jory John & Mac Barnett2016 - El Deafo, by Cece Bell2015 - Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library, by Chris Grabenstein2014 - Wonder, by R. J. Palacio2013 - The Running Dream, by Wendelin Van Draanen2012 - Smile, by Raina Telgemeier2011 - 11 Birthdays, by Wendy Mass2010 - Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins
See the complete list of winners from 1957-2020.
* Formerly the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Book Award
Saturday, March 21, 2020
Keep on reading! #dbsreads
I will miss reading to all of my DBS friends during this Home Learning adventure, but I hope the kiddos don't miss hearing stories! Please continue reading with your children and feel free to share some of the many great online resources available. As coronvirus sweeps across the nation, authors everywhere have begun offering story times online, via social media or just posting on their websites. Check out some of these great ones:
- The Big List of Children’s Authors Doing Online Read Alouds & Activities
This is a curated list of authors who are reading their own books and offering literacy activities. Some authors have done one-time readings,while others are offering daily stories on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube. - Storyline Online
Well-known celebrities read popular picture books. This is a project from the Screen Actor's Guild Foundation. - Story Time from Space
This is one of my favorites! Astronauts read popular children's books FROM SPACE! You can see them floating in the International Space Station. You can see the Space Station behind them. It's very cool! - Audible
Audible is one of the most popular audio book services. My family uses it all the time! We listen to classics, and new books, YA novels and self-help books, picture books and best sellers. They have everything (mostly) and they are offering it free to students whose schools have been closed due to coronavirus. - Scholastic Learn at Home
Scholastic has created day-by-day literacy projects to keep kids learning at home home. These are great supplemental activities to your child's literacy education -- and fun too! - Epic!
Epic! provides thousands of digital books for students to read free online. Check with your classroom teacher for a class code.
I will record myself reading some stories as well and post them as activities in Google Classroom or Seesaw. Remember, reading and being read to are equally valuable. Read to your kids and explore these online resources together. Take advantage of this time when your children are home. Enjoy!
Saturday, January 18, 2020
Multicultural Children's Book Day
January 31, 2020 is Multicultural Children’s Book Day. At Dothan Brook School we are preparing for MCCBD 2020 and hope you will join our celebration of diversity through children's books. As you may know, it is critical to expose children to books where they can see and learn about people like themselves (mirrors), as well as see and learn about people who are different from them (windows).
Multicultural Children’s Book Day‘s mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in home and school bookshelves while also working diligently to get more of these types of books into the hands of young readers, parents, and educators. According to their website, this non-profit has donated over 7,000 books to kids and that number continues to climb.
We will be celebrating Multicultural Children’s Book Day for a whole week at DBS! Starting on January 27th, class council lessons and library activities will focus on diversity in literature. We will also be introducing the concept of books as windows and mirrors. Lodge circles that week will focus on diversity in literature as well.
We would love for you to take this opportunity to discuss the importance of diversity in the books with your children as well. We understand that talking about diversity can be challenging and uncomfortable, even for parents and teachers! For many, there is a fear of saying the wrong thing, or opening up a conversation you aren’t able to fully address, and often it feels easier to just not even begin the discussion. We would encourage you to take this opportunity to give it a try. Remember, we are all learning together!
Here are a few suggestions for talking about diversity in literature with your children:
- As you’re reading, pause to ask questions, such as:
- What is it like to feel different and not fit in?
- Was there a time you felt like this?
- Don’t skip over foreign words. Make an effort to learn them. Practice saying them together.
- Point out foods and clothing in stories that might be different from typical American food and clothing.
- In your home library, have students find a book with a picture of someone who looks like them and a book with a picture with someone who doesn’t look like them.
If you are interested in exploring further, check out these sites:
- https://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/literacy-empathy-discovery-action-the-mission-of-mcbd2020/
- https://www.weareteachers.com/mirrors-and-windows/
- http://www.aldenhabacon.com/13-tips-how-to-talk-to-children-about-diversity
- https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/teaching-diversity-place-begin-0/
- https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/how-to-teach-children-about-cultural-awareness-and-diversity
Tuesday, December 31, 2019
Top 20 of 2019
In a Facebook librarian group I follow, someone posted their top 20 for the year and it got me thinking. As I scrolled through the replies I thought for sure my list would be all Minecraft, Dogman, and Amulet. Much to my surprise, other books made the list! I think the difference is in requested books versus checked out books. Certain books circulate much faster (Ninjago with the kinders) than others (Minecraft handbooks with the 3rd graders, for example).
Saturday, November 23, 2019
Lindsey Stoddard
We were so lucky to have author Lindsey Stoddard visit DBS yesterday! She is the author of Just Like Jackie (a Dorothy Canfield Fisher book award nominee) and Right as Rain, both excellent YA novels based (in whole or in part) in Vermont. Lindsey spoke with 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. She told them how she finds inspiration, how she has fed and watered "seeds" from her past that then grew into novels, and how they should look to their own experiences for inspiration as well. We even got a sneak peek at her newest book, coming out this summer. The kids were super excited. They had great questions and I now have a long reserve list for her books in the library. :)
Thank you Lindsey for signing everything they threw at you and inspiring our budding authors!
Thank you Lindsey for signing everything they threw at you and inspiring our budding authors!
Sunday, September 22, 2019
Banned Books Week
Each fall Banned Books Week rolls around and I never feel quite prepared for it. This year will be different. I've spent all weekend putting together a display and activities and, most importantly, words to have the discussion.
According to the American Library Association,
"Banned Books Week (September 22-28, 2019) is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Typically held during the last week of September, it spotlights current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools. It brings together the entire book community — librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular."
Every year books are challenged on the basis of gender, sex, language, racism, witchcraft, and many other topics. Libraries have a formal process for reviewing a book challenge and the American Library Association tries to document these events. Each year they publish lists of the most challenged and banned books and celebrate Banned Books Week in order to draw attention to the dangers of censorship. Libraries around the world participate in events and activities to bring awareness to these issues.
A challenge occurs when a person or organization attempts to remove or restrict materials or services based on content. A ban occurs when the outcome of the challenge process results in the removal of the challenged materials or cancellation of the challenged services, based on their content.
For more information, visit the ALA's Banned & Challenged Books website and the Banned Books Week website.
Friday, May 24, 2019
Three Little Pigs and First Grade
For the past few weeks in library, first graders have been studying different versions of The Three Little Pigs fairy tale. We talked about when it was first written and how the variety of versions are similar and different. The story was first written in the late 1800's by James Halliwell-Phillipps, with a more popular version written several years later by Joseph Jacobs, crediting Halliwell-Phillipps.
After reading several versions of the story and retelling it, we started making our own stop motion version of the fairy tale.
Next week we'll finish the video and students will have a chance to make their own stop motion fairy tales. I can't wait to see what they come up with!
After reading several versions of the story and retelling it, we started making our own stop motion version of the fairy tale.
Next week we'll finish the video and students will have a chance to make their own stop motion fairy tales. I can't wait to see what they come up with!
Thursday, May 23, 2019
Book Awards and Celebrations
The Red Clover and Dorothy Canfield Fisher book awards have been decided for the 2018/19 school year.
Students at DBS were on the mark with both awards! For the Red Clover book award, The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors, by Drew Daywalt, won the vote at DBS and went on to win the state-wide vote as well.
This funny book explains the back story of these three great warriors and without fail every child starts playing the game as soon as the book is over.
The older kids were busy reading Dorothy Canfield Fisher book award nominees all year and when they got the chance to vote the results were a tie: Refugee and Ban This Book, both written by Alan Gratz! When the votes were tallied across the state, Refugee took the win.
Refugee is a powerful story of three separate children, in three separate periods of time, escaping their dangerous homelands and seeking refuge in a safer place.
Sadly we can't go to the award ceremony this year, but I hosted a little celebration in the library for those who read and voted in the Dorothy Canfield Fisher award. We had brownies, ice cream, and a fun Skype session with Terry Lynn Johnson, author of Falcon Wild! She talked about falconing, mushing (dog sleds!), and her new book. The kids had lots of great questions for her.
The 2019/20 list is out for both awards and the books are in. I'm looking forward to sharing them with students next fall.
Students at DBS were on the mark with both awards! For the Red Clover book award, The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors, by Drew Daywalt, won the vote at DBS and went on to win the state-wide vote as well.
This funny book explains the back story of these three great warriors and without fail every child starts playing the game as soon as the book is over.
The older kids were busy reading Dorothy Canfield Fisher book award nominees all year and when they got the chance to vote the results were a tie: Refugee and Ban This Book, both written by Alan Gratz! When the votes were tallied across the state, Refugee took the win.
Refugee is a powerful story of three separate children, in three separate periods of time, escaping their dangerous homelands and seeking refuge in a safer place.
Sadly we can't go to the award ceremony this year, but I hosted a little celebration in the library for those who read and voted in the Dorothy Canfield Fisher award. We had brownies, ice cream, and a fun Skype session with Terry Lynn Johnson, author of Falcon Wild! She talked about falconing, mushing (dog sleds!), and her new book. The kids had lots of great questions for her.
The 2019/20 list is out for both awards and the books are in. I'm looking forward to sharing them with students next fall.
Friday, May 3, 2019
Shelf markers
This week kindergartners have been learning a "big kid skill" and loving it! Earlier in the year they each decorated a paint stick in art class, then I added bar codes and called them shelf markers. This week the kiddos learned how to use them. They were very responsible with them.
Monday, March 11, 2019
Dorothy's List on NPR
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
Library / Spanish Collaboration
One of the Red Clover books this year has several Spanish words, so the Spanish teacher and I are taking advantage of that for a few collaborative lessons! With second grade several weeks ago, and again this week with third (3U) we were able to co-teach the class. We met in the library with the kids in their spots. We started with the regular Spanish greeting, then I read The Rooster Who Would Not Be Quiet! while she wrote down the Spanish words on the board as we read. We took breaks to discuss the words and add additional words based on the illustrations. The kids pointed out things they already knew, in Spanish, from the book's illustrations. It was a really engaging class. I'm looking forward to finding more opportunities for collaboration.
Friday, December 21, 2018
Vacation time!!
Happy holidays to all. I hope you enjoy a peaceful vacation. I came across this on Facebook today and it made me smile.
If you need a good book for your daughter, check out Dear Girl, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. I've had it sitting on my shelf for a month or so, but I finally picked it up and read it and it made my heart melt. I just ordered a copy for my 11yr old. Even big kids like picture books!
Sunday, November 4, 2018
Explorer Academy: The Nebula Secret
I just finished a fun book by Trudi Trueit. I loved both the story and the physical format. The pages are think and colorful, and the back matter contains true information about some of the tech in the story. If you like adventure, exploring, and cool tech, check out Explorer Academy: The Nebula Secret. It would make a great holiday gift!
Saturday, October 20, 2018
The Book Fair is Coming
Hi family and friends -- once again the Scholastic Book Fair will be at DBS the last week of October. Just in time for parent conferences! This year they have a new feature called eWallet that should make shopping easier for all.
Learn more and set up your account on our book fair web page: www.scholastic.com/bf/dbs
Learn more and set up your account on our book fair web page: www.scholastic.com/bf/dbs
Friday, October 5, 2018
A message from Alan Gratz
Author Alan Gratz wrote the book that won the Dorothy Canfield Fisher book award last year. He has TWO books on this year's list! He wasn't able to attend the award ceremony, but he did send this video for Vermont students!
Watch the video now!
This year he has two books on the list: Ban This Book and Refugee. They are very different books, but both excellent in their own way.
Watch the video now!
This year he has two books on the list: Ban This Book and Refugee. They are very different books, but both excellent in their own way.
Sunday, May 13, 2018
Local Libraries
Hey all, did you know that Hartford has four town libraries that are open all summer and have special programming for adults and children? Library cards are free. Please consider taking your kids to the library this summer so they can continue reading and practicing their literacy skills to avoid the summer slide.
Wilder Club and Library
We also have several great libraries just outside of Hartford. These libraries may charge a small fee for non-residents to check out books, but their programming is free to the public and they each have unique features that are well worth exploring.
Hartford Library
1587 Maple Street
Library Hours
Monday
|
9:00 am - 6:00 pm
|
Tuesday
|
9:00 am - 6:00 pm (Story Hour at 10:00 am)
|
Wednesday
|
12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
|
Thursday
|
9:00 am - 6:00 pm (Story Hour at 10:00 am)
|
Friday
|
12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
|
Saturday
|
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
|
Sunday
|
Closed
|
West Hartford Library
5133 VT Route 14
Library Hours
Monday
|
2:00 pm - 8:00 pm
|
Tuesday
|
9:00 am - 6:00 pm (closed 12:00-1:00 pm for lunch)
|
Wednesday
|
10:00 am -7:00 pm (closed 12:00-1:00 pm for lunch)
|
Thursday
|
9:00 am - 6:00 pm (closed 12:00-1:00 pm for lunch)
|
Friday
|
Closed
|
Saturday
|
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
|
Sunday
|
Closed
|
Wilder Club and Library
78 Norwich Avenue
Library Hours
Monday
|
Closed
|
Tuesday
|
10:00 am - 1:00 pm (Story Hour at 10:00 am)
|
Wednesday
|
2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
|
Thursday
|
2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
|
Friday
|
2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
|
Saturday
|
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
|
Sunday
|
Closed
|
Quechee Public Library
1957 Main Street
Library Hours
Monday
|
10:00 am - 6:00 pm
|
Tuesday
|
2:00 pm - 7:00 pm
|
Wednesday
|
10:00 am - 6:00 pm (Story Hour at 10:00 am)
|
Thursday
|
2:00 pm - 7:00 pm
|
Friday
|
10:00 am - 6:00 pm
|
Saturday
|
9:00 am - 2:00 pm
|
Sunday
|
Closed
|
We also have several great libraries just outside of Hartford. These libraries may charge a small fee for non-residents to check out books, but their programming is free to the public and they each have unique features that are well worth exploring.
Kilton Public Library
80 Main Street
Library Hours
Monday
|
10:00 am - 8:00 pm
|
Tuesday
|
10:00 am - 8:00 pm
|
Wednesday
|
10:00 am - 8:00 pm
|
Thursday
|
10:00 am - 8:00 pm
|
Friday
|
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
|
Saturday
|
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
|
Sunday
|
Closed
|
Lebanon Library
9 East Park Street
Lebanon, NH 03766
www.leblibrary.com/
Library Hours
Monday
|
10:00 am - 8:00 pm
|
Tuesday
|
10:00 am - 8:00 pm
|
Wednesday
|
10:00 am - 8:00 pm
|
Thursday
|
10:00 am - 8:00 pm
|
Friday
|
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
|
Saturday
|
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
|
Sunday
|
Closed
|
Howe Library
13 South Street
Hanover, New Hampshire 03755
www.thehowe.org
Library Hours
Monday
|
10:00 am - 8:00 pm
|
Tuesday
|
10:00 am - 8:00 pm
|
Wednesday
|
10:00 am - 8:00 pm
|
Thursday
|
10:00 am - 8:00 pm
|
Friday
|
10:00 am - 6:00 pm
|
Saturday
|
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
|
Sunday
|
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
|
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