This Week

@ the Library

Explore the This Week @ the Library Archives to find content from weeks and months past

Summer 2020 Reading Suggestions from the TSC Library

Check out these lists of suggested summer reading compiled by your TSC Librarians for students entering Kindergarten to 5th grade and Middle Division. The lists include books on Sora and other sources. Click on the home tabs to find other curated book lists, articles, resources for anti-bias and social justice reading and learning, and fun activities to do at home this summer.

Grades K–5 Summer Reading Suggestions

Grades 6–8 Summer Reading Suggestions

Summer Literacy Resources

An easy guide to all the Literacy Resources available to TSC families for summer 2020

Summer Reading Bingo!

Can you complete all the reading challenges this summer?!

3rd Grade Robot Festival!

Spring 2020

After researching robots from several different angles, 3rd grade robotics engineers brainstormed an idea for their own robot and worked to refine this idea based on feedback. Eventually they developed a "professional" blueprint and some chose to create commercials, prototypes, write news articles, or do a news interview. Now it's time to celebrate and meet the robots!

There are robots to protect the environment, help with social distancing, assist fire fighters, help with luggage handling, pet care, shopping, restaurant service, and even shelve books in the library! Meet all these robots and more on the 3rd Grade Robotics Festival page!

Keeping the City Going, an expression of gratitude to essential workers, by author-illustrator Brian Floca.

Gratitude

Research shows that cultivating gratitude makes students "happier and more resilient," has "lasting effects on the brain," and helps "people refocus on what they have instead of what they lack."

Explore the materials below to learn more about how gratitude can benefit us, read stories about the joy and power of gratitude, and discover ideas for encouraging and enjoying gratitude in your home and community.

With gratitude from your TSC Librarians,
Ms. Neffson & Ms. Renazile

TSC Students Say "Thank You". . .

Expressing gratitude can take many different forms: A poem, a letter, a drawing, a song. Enjoy these orginal works by TSC students on the theme of Gratitude from Spring 2020.

"Ode to My Pink Tennis Ball"

By Aaisha C. (4A)

"Thank You"

by Sasa G. (4C)

"Saranac"

by Dash F. (4C)

"Sammie"

by Sienna S. (4A)

"To Snuggly"

by Annike P. (4B)

"Thank You"

by Grace D. (KB)

"Notebook"

by Shreya M. (4C)

"Valentina"

by Catalina G. (5A)

Read . . .

Articles, books, and poems about gratitude. For help accessing books on Epic! contact your classroom teacher or librarian.

We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga

By Traci Sorell

Look and Be Grateful

By Tomie de Paola

Thanku: Poems of Gratitude

Edited by Miranda Paul

The Thank You Letter

By Jane Cabrera

Thank You, Omu!

By Ogi Mora

Gracias-Thanks

By Pat Mora

Poems That Say Thank You

"Classic and contemporary poems of gratitude to send when you’re feeling thankful." Source: The Poetry Foundation

Gratitude for Kids: Why It's Important and How to Encourage It

A simple summary of the benifits of gratitude for children and 10 concrete suggestions for how to encourage it. Source: Mindful Little Minds

Grateful Schools, Happy Schools"

"Research on gratitude finds that it helps younger kids and at-risk students to be happier and more resilient." Source: Greater Good Science Center

Encouraging Gratitude In Kids Reduces Materialism, Study Finds

"A study from the University of Illinois finds that there’s a strong inverse connection between gratitude and materialism."Source: Forbes

What is Gratitude & Why Is It So Important?

"From a scientific perspective, gratitude is not just an action: it is also a positive emotion that serves a biological purpose." Source: Positive Physchology

Character Milestones, Age 6: Gratitude

"Beyond 'Thank You:' Helping Your Six-Year-Old Understand and Express Gratitude" Source: PBS Kids for Parents

Watch & Listen . . .

Videos and podcasts that explore what gratitude means and the science behind the benefits of a grateful mindset.

What does it mean to be thankful?

"What does it mean to be thankful? Let's talk about what it means to be thankful, so more happiness can find it's way into our lives!"Source: The Backyard Menagerie

The Science Behind Gratitude

"Research shows that an 'attitude of gratitude' can measurably improve your overall well-being." Find out more about how. Source: Tremendousness

Kindness 101 with Steve Hartman: Gratitude

Steve Hartman teaches an online class for kids on gratitude with lessons learned from his show On the Road. Source: CBS News

Rescued Animals Thank Their Rescuers

"These animals are SO grateful to be rescued...saying “thanks” to the person who saved them in their own special way."Source: The Dodo

Is There Someone You Need to Thank?

"Children's book author, Yuyi Morales, discovers the power of writing a "gratitude letter" to the librarian who changed her life." Source: Science of Happiness Podcast

An Antidote to Dissatisfaction: Gratitude

An animated exploration of the science behind the power of gratitude "one of the strongest predictors of how happy people are, how easily they make friends and how good they are at dealing with hardship." Source: Kurzgesagt–In a Nutshell

Gratitude Revealed

A visual meditation on "what gratitude is, why it’s important, and what we can all do to live more gracious lives." Source: Moving Art Films

How We Can Exprience Gratitude Through Dance

"Successful people...share fascinating stories about how gratitude has helped them get to where they are now." Source: The Gratitude Podcast

Try . . .

Activities and practices to explore and expand gratitude.

"Discover some of the most popular exercises and activities for this, as well as tips to cultivate your own gratitude practice."
Source: Positive Physchology

Gratitude Questions for Kids

"Sheltering-at-home with kids? These questions can help them, and us, focus on the good things in life."
Source: Greater Good Science Center

Meditation for Gratitude

"Find a comfy place and sit down with your eyes closed. Listen as the author of The Affirmation Station, takes you on a trip through your grateful garden."
Source: Today's Parent

Gratitude 365

Dr. Christine Cartrer discusses describes 3 of her favorite family gratitude practices.
Source: Greater Good Science Center

Free Hugs Coupons

Is there someone you're grateful for but you can't give that person a hug right now? A friend? Family member? Teacher? Neighbor? Try sending them one of these "free hugs" coupons from illustrator Todd Parr—or make your own!
Source: ToddParr.com

A Collection of Templates & Ideas for Your Gratitude Diary

"A gratitude journal is, quite simply, a tool to keep track of the good things in life."
Source: Positive Physchology

The Science of Gratitude Infographic

A visual represenation of the science behind the benefits of gratitude.
Source: Tremendousness

Gratitude Jar

A visual represenation of the science behind the benefits of gratitude.
Source: Three Part Life

An original poem & gratitude challenge from Ms. Brown

Gratitude

We want to start our exploration of gratitude by thanking all students, families, faculty and staff for your joyful participation in TSC's Poetry Month celebration. It was important for us to continue this beloved tradition, so we pivoted by having our first virtual celebration, and you all came through with true TSC spirit!

We hope you'll come back to this page soon, and often, to find new community materials. To begin, please enjoy a very special original poem and gratitude challenge from Ms. Brown.

Warmest thanks from your librarians,
Ms. Neffson & Ms. Renazile

National Poetry Month—April 2020

This year the TSC Library celebrated National Poetry Month by featuring poems read by members of the school community each day. Scroll down to hear all the wonderful contributions. Thank you to all the writers, readers, and listeners!