Math / Reading Nights

We've now completed 3 of the four grade levels' Math / Reading Nights for families of our Kindergarteners, 3rd graders, and 1st graders. The 2nd graders night had to be rescheduled for March 11th due to a SNOWSTORM (can you believe it?). Each "night" began at 5:00 with a supper meal provided and then the families went to their child's classroom. The students became the "teachers" for the night, showing their parents/family the various Math & Reading games and activities they do in class. They each got a gallon Ziploc with a book, games, & other goodies to keep. They ended their night with a Library Scavenger Hunt. That's where I come in.

Overall, I've only heard good comments about the experience from the parents/families (teachers are another issue entirely). As far as I'm concerned, here in the library, we had a GREAT time! I loved meeting the parents and families of the students I serve each week. It was a lot of fun watching the kids show their family around the Media Center as they did their Scavenger Hunt (posted earlier).

Would I change anything? Only that more students and families would come AND that the SmartBoard PhotoShow would have worked correctly as it should have. Each night we had a pretty good amount of people come through the library, and I know that not everyone stayed for my Finale. I gave out special bookmarkers, coloring posters, and tatoos (depending on the grade level). See some of the highlights on the slideshow!

WSRA Highlights...

ANY time I can meet and learn from authors and/or illustrators, THAT is always a highlight for me! Two authors really stuck out in my mind at this convention: the Keynote Speaker, Patricia Polacco and presentor John Archambualt!

First, though we had to be up long before the crack of dawn to make it from Fond du Lac (where we were holed up for the night because of bad weather) to Milwaukee in a snowstorm, it was well worth the effort to hear Patricia. We even got our picture taken with her! (You'll have to see the slideshow.) She is a masterful storyteller, and I could have listened to her talk for the hours! I learned a lot about her background and books that I didn't know before (even though Mrs. Bray studied up on her and knew almost everything there is to know!) It made me want to order every book she's ever written. Her books all stem from her own life and background, which was very diverse as she was growing up. She even brought the "Keeping Quilt" with her, but my pictures were too dark and far away. She was a delight!


John Archambault was SO much fun! I absolutely LOVE and AGREE with his philosophy that kids (people) learn better/faster/remember longer what they've learned through music. So...he SANG several of his books to us, and we joined in too. He's a very animated performer, coaxing even the reluctant teachers into joining him. I could envision kids just loving him. Unfortunately, I had to sit in the back row because we had to leave about 15 minutes before he was to be done, so my pictures of him are too far away, dark, and fuzzy! How disappointing! Now, though, whenever I order any of his books, I'm going to ALSO order the CD!

1st Grade Scavenger Hunt

1st Grade Scavenger Hunt
in the
Library Media Center

Students: Show your parents around the Library.
Draw a smiley face (or put an X) when you find each item.


__________ Story rug

__________ Holiday books (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Halloween…)

__________ Mrs. Carlson, the Library teacher

__________ Paperback books on the black spinning racks

__________ Magazines (by the Reference books)

__________ Books about animals

__________ Checkout counter

__________ Big screen TV

__________ Puppet Show Theater

__________ Magic Tree House

__________ Hallway where we line up after Library class

__________ Tell your parents the 2 Library rules

__________ Tell your parents your favorite book you’ve read this year.

___________ Watch the SmartBoard presentation

3rd Grade Scavenger Hunt

3rd Grade Scavenger Hunt
in the
Library Media Center

Show your parents around the Library.
Write a title for each of the following:


Easy Fiction book __________________________________________

Holiday book ______________________________________________

Paperback book ____________________________________________

Magazine _________________________________________________

500’s book (animals) ___________________________________________

921’s book (biographies) ________________________________________

Fiction/Chapter book _________________________________________

Draw a smiley face after you have shown your parents:

__________ Puppet Show Theater, story rug, & Magic Tree House

__________ Checkout counter & where we line up after class

__________ Introduce your parents to Mrs. Carlson and/or Mrs. Hotzel

__________ Tell your parents the two Library rules

__________ Tell your parents your favorite book you’ve read this year.

__________ Watch SmartBoard presentation

2nd Grade Scavenger Hunt

2nd Grade Scavenger Hunt
in the
Library Media Center

Students: Show your parents around the Library.
Write a title for each of the following:


Picture storybook __________________________________________

Holiday book ______________________________________________

Paperback book ____________________________________________

Magazine _________________________________________________

Animal book ______________________________________________

Easy Chapter book __________________________________________

Fiction/Chapter book _________________________________________

Draw a smiley face after you have shown your parents:

__________ Puppet Show Theater & Magic Tree House

__________ Checkout counter & hallway where we line up after class

__________ Introduce your parents to Mrs. Carlson

__________ Tell your parents the two Library rules

__________ Tell your parents your favorite book you’ve read this year.

__________ Watch SmartBoard presentation