And we're off...

The library has been open for two weeks and I'm stunned at how quickly it has gone by. I'm very pleased with the classes this year and it's nice to be a returning librarian instead of the new kid on the block. It was a lot of fun seeing all the familiar faces this year and getting to know the new ones.

We spent last week getting reoriented in the library and going over the nuts and bolts and rules and regulations. The 1st graders got to hear The Shelf Elf by Jackie Mims Hopkins to remind them of library procedures while 2nd -5th had a shortened orientation before checking out books. The Kinders heard Splat the Cat by Rob Scotton, Manners at the Library by Carrie Finn and The New Bear at School by Carrie Weston. We also talked about the way to have good manners in the library and we sang a song called The People in the School. Ask your child if they can sing it for you (hint: it's the same tune as The Wheels on the Bus).

This week I introduced 3rd-5th graders to our "More Perfect Union" Bookshelf and we read Tico and the Golden Wings by Leo Lionni. The 4th and 5th graders had some time to discuss what a "perfect union" might look like and some of the 5th graders wrote down their thoughts so we could record them on the library Wiki.

The 2nd graders heard The Shelf Elf Helps Out by Jackie Mims Hopkins to familiarize themselves with all the different areas of the library. Ask your child what their favorite "neighborhood" is in the library. The 1st graders heard The New Bear at School and Goldisocks and the Three Libearians by Jackie Mims Hopkins. We talked about selecting books that are "just right" for them. Hopefully your kiddos can explain the Five Finger Rule to you!

Kinders got their first lesson in using shelf markers in preparation for checking out books. I was amazed at how well they caught on and how quickly they learned the different parts of a book. We sang the shelf marker song over and over again so ask them to teach it to you!