Kate Messner at Write to Learn Conference

       This past week I attended the Write to Learn Conference at the beautiful Tan-Tar-A resort in Osage Beach, MO.  I know that I'm now a librarian however after looking at the conference brochure I decided that there was a lot there for me as a school librarian.
       Kate Messner was a Thursday pre-conference workshop presenter.  I have followed her career as an author of wonderful children's books and also as a teacher for teachers.  Her revision book is once that I have featured earlier in a blog post.  Unfortunately she was snowed in and couldn't be at the conference in person.  When I found out that she was going to lead the workship via Skype, I wondered how that would translate.  It was fantastic!  Of course I would have loved to have shaken her hand, but she was such a wonderful presenter that sort of thing became not so important.  I was able to see and hear her excitement about writing for about 6 hours. She spoke about mentor texts,  a topic I had read about and sort of understood, but now really understand.  This topic will certainly be applicable to the work I do in the library.

     
         She continued her presentation with teaching the process of revision.  What I gleaned from this is that revision shouldn't be so formal and structured.  It should take place in smaller chunks in such a way that students don't even realize they are doing it.  She spoke to that dreaded phrase that we all hear from students, "I like it the way it is,  I don't want to change anything."  And, the also popular, "My mom thinks it looks great."  Defending against those types of arguments can be daunting.  That is why not giving kids a lot of time, all at once, is so important.  Let the combination of several mini revisions be what sets the stage for learning how to make growth in writing happen.
          This first day set the stage for what was a wonderful conference.  I left the room feeling excited about my place in the world as a teacher librarian.  I figured out that just because I'm not in a classroom, I can still give students what they need to be successful writers.  I'll just be doing that from a different perspective.  And, here's the perk...  I'll get to have a lot of fun and won't have to do the actual grading.  Shshsh,  don't tell my teacher friends that.  They will all want to become librarians!

Chill Out With a Good Book...

Our area of the world hasn't quite caught onto the fact that it's winter.  Two years ago we had already been out for a week of snow days.  This year I have yet to drag out my heavy coat.  I usually don't even wear a jacket most days.  So, I'm having a hard time getting behind my old go-to "Chill out with a good book."  

I have snowmen and snow-women decorating the library.  I usually do this because I don't feel like I have to rush back in to re-decorate after Christmas break.  This theme works for both December and January.  

Two of my favorite winter, "chilly" books are:

Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner (link to book trailer), illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal

and, Sizing Up Winter by Lisann Flatt, illustrated by Ashley Barron.

These books provide wintertime scenes that are comforting and they also teach some facts about how animals adapt for winter.  Author Lisann Flatt has other books designed to teach about animals and the other seasons.  Here is a link to a bookseller with those books. 

Fall Favorites for the Library

Today I visited my favorite store.  Shout out to Barnes and Noble!  Of course, I headed to the children's section to look for Fall books to read to the little ones in the library.  I have several. But, can you really have too many?  I took advantage of their sale to pick up two new books.  The first is Click, Clack, Boo!  A Tricky Treat by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin.  Can Farmer Brown muster the courage he needs to get through the holiday he hates the most? I'm looking forward to sharing this with the Kindergarten and First Grade.  

Another new book I purchased was Llama Llama Trick or Treat by Anna Dewdney.  I know the Preschool class will love this one.  

My most favorite, favorite Fall book of all time is Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White and Megan Lloyd.  Here is a link to that book being read aloud.  Enjoy!

Too Many Pumpkins read aloud

Summer Reading List: 5 Books on Professional Development | Edutopia

This article by on Edutopia presents some things that I haven't read yet.  Looks interesting and there is still time this summer!

Summer Reading List: 5 Books on Professional Development | Edutopia

Saying Goodbye...

Saying Goodbye...

This past week I lost someone from my life.  My high school science teacher passed away suddenly from a heart attack.  I had seen him about a month before and had talked to him, briefly.  There are people who influence you, and push you, and are in the back of your mind when you are attempting to do something.  He was one of those people for me.  I have several memories of our time together.  One speaks to me almost daily.  In my senior yearbook he wrote "You have a bright future ahead of you, just push yourself a little."  He knew then that I can be a little lazy.  Even though I don't like to admit it, I sometimes don't quite finish as strong as I should.  I hope that I have taken your advice and that I have pushed myself a little over the years.  I know I can do more.  I have had the privilege of having many great teachers and working with many great teachers.  Bob Ed Angle was one of those BEST of the GREATS.

Learning Commons

A library is not just a place to house books.  We all know that.  But, what is the role of the library in the school climate?  Since I became a librarian I have heard the term "Learning Commons."  I kind of like that term.  The library is a place for students to come learn new things together.  It is a common space for students of all ages to congregate together for the sake of learning.  This year our library will change.  There is a space for students to sit comfortably.  There is a space for them to work at tables.  And, there is a space for them to create "stuff."  I'm still working on what my "makerspace" will look like and be like.  It is definitely a work in progress and that's okay.  

Homesick

Throughout all the Superbowl frenzy and the inevitable Sunday afternoon laundry, I was able to read a book this afternoon.  Kate Klise's book Homesick kept me needing to turn the page.  I was anxious to begin reading it because the setting of her book is not too far from where I live and it's always fun to read an author's interpretation of where you live.  I feel that she captures a small town in the Ozarks fairly accurately.  

The main character in the book, Benny, lives in a small town.  He faces challenges just like all young people face, in his case, the impending divorce of his parents.  His mother leaves him with his father to strike out on her own, promising to come get him when she gets settled.  His dad goes a little crazy and switches from being a collector to an all out hoarder.  This causes concern for the townspeople.  The plot that continues follows all those challenges that young people will face when this type of dishevelment strikes a family.  The ending to this book is realistic and really captures what this area faced during a specific, memorable time in it's history. 

This book is also a good read-aloud and I plan on beginning it this week with my 3rd through 5th grade classes.  I know they will enjoy it as much as I did!