Welcome, parents, to the library web pages for Fuller Meadow Elementary School in Middleton, MA. On these pages you will find updates about what we are working on in library this year and useful links and information: Volunteer, Book Fair, SORA, and Useful Links.
Welcome to the library webpage for Fuller Meadow families. Library class begins with a lesson. The lesson might include a story and discussion, introduction to library skills such as citing pictures and information or library organization, or the lesson might include an introduction (or review of) an ongoing project.
After the lesson, students check out books and then work on an activity. The activity relates to the lesson, so if I have read a story, the activity will be a reflection on the story. If the lesson was about library skills, the activity would reinforce those skills, and if students are working on a project, the activity will be the project.
I expect students to always make the kindest choice.
I expect students to listen during the lesson.
I expect students to raise their hands to speak.
I expect students to make contributions to the discussion.
I expect students to do their best work.
During the 2020-2021 school year I will also expect all students to check out books.
I expect students to ask for help when they need it.
I expect students to give their best effort.
For myself, I will always check-in with all students during class to make sure they understand directions and are completing the activity. I will help students find books. I will provide both written and spoken instructions and I will repeat those instructions before sending students off to work. I will do my best to get to know all of my students (that is close to 550 students).
If you have a little free time during the day, consider spending it in the library. Volunteering is a fun way to see your child in school and find out what is happening in library. Volunteers help by shelving books, straightening shelves, checking books in and out, helping with book selection, and helping with activities.
Email mmorgan@middletonps.org if you would like to volunteer!
Fuller Meadow Update
We started the year talking about library rules and procedures and book care. One of my favorite children's book characters is Mo Willems' Pigeon and I use Pigeon to help explain these basic concepts to children.
We are currently talking about how to incorporate peace into our lives. Working collaboratively with our music teacher, Lisa Rupp, I introduced students to International Peace Day and the Pinwheels for Peace project. I read several books about peace to Kindergarten students, such as The Peace Book, Let There Be Peace on Earth, and What Does Peace Feel Like? I read peace books to second grade students as well. They first met Paulie in the book Paulie Pastrami Achieves World Peace, and then I read the story, When I Grow Up I Will Win the Nobel Peace Prize. In the first story, Paulie’s actions match his wish for peace and he makes an effort to do kind things for his family, friends, animals, earth, and the world. In the second story, the little boy plans to win the Nobel Peace Prize, and talks about all the good he will do when he grows up, but his actions now do not demonstrate the same kindness we saw in Paulie. We talked about the Nobel Peace Prize and second graders all agreed that they would award it to Paulie. To wrap up our peace unit students made pinwheels to plant in our library peace garden.
Coming up in October, I am looking forward to participating in the Global Read Aloud author study with my students.
Howe-Manning students who read at least 5 of the MCBA 2021-2022 books were able to cast a vote for the winning book. The MCBA ballots were due by 11:59 pm on Friday, March 13th. In total, 5% of our students cast a ballot. I would like to see a higher percentage of students vote next year! The winning book will be announced on March 30, 2020. I can't wait to see which book wins. Would you like to know which book had the most votes at Howe-Manning??????? Maxi's Secret. I wonder if that will be the winner among all participating students?
The MCBA was started in 1975 by professors at Salem State University (SSU) who realized that students in upper elementary school were not reading as much as students in lower elementary or high school. They started the MCBA as an effort to highlight some of the wonderful stories for upper elementary school children. Each spring, SSU nominates 20-25 books that they think students will love. Students have a year to read the nominees. Students who read at least 5 of the books earn the privilege of casting a vote for the winning book.
I love that this award is chosen by the students, not the adults!
I have been reading the books and sharing book talks with students about the books. I created a Kahoot! about the books to see if students remembered my book talks (they did!!) and to get students excited about the books. I have never seen books fly off my shelves as quickly as the MCBA books. I have two or three copies of all MCBA books in the library (when they are not checked out) and most, but not all, of the MCBA books are available in SORA as an eBook or audio book.
Parents, students can read the books by themselves, or you can read the books to your child, either counts! After students finish reading one of the MCBA books, they should see me and complete a reading response. I will keep track of how many books each child reads, and for all students who read 5 books, I will provide them with a link to cast a vote for the winner.
To further encourage students to engage with the MCBA books, I have a Question of the Week challenge. Each week, I post a question about one of the MCBA books. Students who know the answer to the question complete a slip and put it in the box. Once a month I will draw a winner from each grade from the box and winners will receive a small prize. For the Question of the Month, I do not require students to read the book. They can look at the summary, browse the book, or look online for the answer. It is my hope that through the browsing activity, students will want to read the book.
For more information, follow this link: http://massachusettschildrensbookaward.blogspot.com/