Chain reaction machines

Fourth graders built chain reaction contraptions in their classroom and were eager to continue the experience in library.  They came up with some pretty amazing designs and were able to redesign them as necessary to make the "chain reaction" part work.  

Holiday Engineering

I challenged students to make Christmas trees with the Keva planks today.  Then I surprised them with buttons for decorations.  I love the different ways they came up with to meet the goal.

Today

Today we worked on making letters and shapes and putting them together in "concertina," which means accordion style, so they fold up. The kids copied the models, but were quick to make their own variations as well. 

T for Turtle

T for Turtle, S for Squirrel, and W for Woodpecker.

We learned that letters and shapes are easier to make when they have vertical symmetry.  The letters and shapes that are not symmetrical (vertically) take a lot more thinking and planning in order to get them to "pop out" the right way.

Of course, we also had plenty of crafting and building going on in the library today.  We have a handful of kids in each class that sit right down and read too, but I never think to take those pictures.  :)

Halloween craftiness!

They were excited to see the Keva planks out again.

A great start to the year!

We've had a great start to the school year here at the DBS library.  We reviewed what it means to be Caring, Safe, and Responsible in the library; we read some "library" stories and "back to school" stories; and this week the kids all got to check out books to take home!  They were pretty excited for that!  I had more than one kindergardener ask to "buy" a book, and one sweet little boy even wanted to "buy" a book for his little sister. 

I have been surprised and pleased with how many kids now how to use the online catalog system to find books they are looking for.  We talked a lot about the importance of putting books back where they belong so the next person who tries to find  the book can!  Everyone agreed that it's very frustrating and disappointing to not be able to find the book, even if the catalog says it should be on the shelf.  One very persistent student searched ALL of the shelves and eventually found the book he was looking for, even though it definitely wasn't in the right place!  It made for a great example of the importance of putting books back.

In addition to books and reading, the kids got to build with KEVA blocks and create in the art corner.  There is lots to do in the library!

Towers and ball races and drawing, oh my!