Category: Social Emotional Learning

Read-Alouds and Presentations Week to Week by Grade Level

1/17/2022

Week of January 17, 2022 | TK and Kindergarten
Penguins and Growth Mindset

Video Penguins for Kids: Interesting Facts
Sergio Makes a Splash, by Edel Rodriguez
Even though he loves water, Sergio the penguin is afraid to swim in the deep water until he learns how.
Video Sergio Makes a Splash, presented by The Joyful Bookshelf.
Jabari Jumps, by Gaia Cornwall
After he passes his swimming test, little Jabari decides he's ready to try jumping off the diving board, but when the big moment arrives, Jabari needs to work up the courage to jump.
Video Jabari Jumps, presented by The Alphabet Book Corner
Crafty Connections Penguins coloring sheet and step-by-step how to draw a penguin

Week of January 17, 2022 | First Grade | Doing the Right Thing... When We Plant Honesty, Trust Will Follow

Do the Right Thing
What does it mean to do the right thing? Why is it important to do the right thing even when no one is looking? When we plant honesty, trust will follow. What does that mean?
Ruthie and the (Not So) Teeny Tiny Lie, by Laura Rankin
Ruthie love tiny things and when she finds a tiny camera on the playground she is very happy, but aftr she lies and says the camera belongs to her, nothing seems to go right.
Video Ruthie and the (Not So) Teeny Tiny Lie presented by The Joyful Bookshelf
Crafty Connection Step-by-step how to draw a flowerpot

Week of January 17, 2022 | Second Grade | Dinosaurs

Are the Dinosaurs Dead, Dad? by Julie Middleton
During a trip to the museum Dave keeps trying to get his dad's attention. The dinosaurs around him are springing to life!
Video Are the Dinosaurs Dead, Dad? presented by Bookworm Squirm.
What Happened to Patrick's Dinosaurs? by Carol Carrick
Patrick imagines that at one time dinosaurs were great friends of people and were responsible for building the world we enjoy today.
Video What Happened to Patrick's Dinosaurs? presented by Genevieve Polifroni.
Video United Kingdom: Birds Related to Dinosaurs Discovery Education (password protected)
Scientists study the link between modern birds and dinosaurs.
Dinosaur vs. Bedtime, by Bob Shea
Roaar! Roaaaar! Nothing can stop him!
Video Dinosaur vs. Bedtime presented by Bob Shea
Crafty Connection Draw Bob Shea's dinosaur following these video step-by-step directions

Week of January 17, 2022 | Third Grade
Perseverance, Grit, and Growth Mindset

Gators Have Grit
Grit is passion and perseverance for long term goals.
Video Using Grit to Succeed in School
The Chicken Who Couldn't, by Jan Thomas
A chicken who has fallen out of the farmer's truck must learn to believe in himself.
Video The Chicken Who Couldn't presented by Chris Castellarin
Hana Hashimoto, Sixth Violin, by Chieri Uegaki
With the help of her memories of the time she spent in Japan with her ojiichan, a professional violinist, a young girl practices and practices playing her violin for her school talent show
Video Hana Hashimoto, Sixth Violin presented by Rachel Linsmeier Hart

Week of January 17, 2022 | Fourth Grade | Empathy & Kindness

Video Silverback Mountain Gorilla is Dad of the Year
Ivan: the Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla, by Katherine Applegate
Known as the Shopping Mall Gorilla, Ivan lived alone in a small cage for almost 30 years before he was finally relocated to the gorilla habitat at Zoo Atlanta in 1994 where he lived to the age of 50 (1962-2012).
Video Ivan: the Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla presented by Read a Loud.
Video Ivan at Zoo Atlanta
A Boy and a Jaguar, by Alan Rabinowitz
The renowned cat conservationist reflects on his early childhood struggles with a speech disorder, describing how he only spoke fluently when he was communicating with animals and how he resolved at a young age to find his voice to be their advocate.
Video A Boy and a Jaguar presented by Mr. Lanza Reads
Video A Boy's Promise at Panthera.org
Kitchen Connection Nothing says kindness like sharing batch of Banana Spice Cookies!

Week of January 17, 2022 | Fifth Grade | Empathy and Kindness

Video Empathy explained by Murray the Muppet and Mark Ruffalo the actor.
The Three Questions, by Jon J. Muth
Nikolai wants to be a good person so he seeks advice about three important questions: When is the best time to do things? Who is the most important one? What is the right thing to do? A simple re-telling of a philosophical story by Leo Tolstoy. In the original, a man
Symbolism: a red kite floats through the pages, appearing, disappearing, and reappearing, but never mentioned in the text. Sometimes only the string in Nikolai's hand is seen, and sometimes only the kite itself with the string trailing down. It is not seen at all during his adventures at Leo's home, but he has brought it there.
Video The Three Questions presented by Storytime with Daddy
Video In Tolstoy's original story, a Tsar unwittingly rescues someone who is trying to harm him. By saving his enemy, he creates a profound connection with another human being. Consider this theme while viewing Ask Poppy: Turn an Enemy into a Friend.
Kitchen Connection Nothing says kindness like sharing batch of Banana Spice Cookies!

Read-Alouds and Presentations Week to Week by Grade Level

1/10/2022

Week of January 10, 2022 | TK and Kindergarten
Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King, by Jean Marzollo
Focuses on highlights and accomplishments to help the very young appreciate Dr. King.
Crafty Connection Have courage and be kind coloring sheet
Crafty Connection Use crayons to create scratch art in the style used to illustrate the book. Directions

Week of January 10, 2022 | First Grade
Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day, by Mir Tamim Ansary
Introduces Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, explaining the historical events behind it, how it became a holiday, and how it is observed.
Strictly No Elephants, by Lisa Mantchev
Sweetly affirming, a boy and his unusual pet create a space where all are welcome.
Crafty Connection MLK coloring sheet

Week of January 10, 2022 | Second Grade
Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day, by Mir Tamim Ansary
Introduces Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, explaining the historical events behind it, how it became a holiday, and how it is observed.
The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade, by Justin Roberts
Sally McCabe is a very little girl who speaks out about the unkindness she sees, and people start to pay attention.
Crafty Connection Have courage and be kind coloring sheet

Week of January 10, 2022 | Third Grade
Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Video The Story of MLK by Kid President
My Brother Martin: A Sister Remembers, by Christine King Farris
Growing up in the segregated South forced a very young Martin to learn a bitter lesson, and as a seven-year-old he embarked on a journey that would change the course of American history.
Video Children give speeches inspired by Dr. King
Crafty Connection MLK coloring sheet

Week of January 10, 2022 | Fourth Grade
Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

My Uncle Martin's Words for America, by Angela Farris Watkins
The niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. recounts her uncle's work to promote racial equality and introduces key events during the civil rights era, focusing on key tenets of King's philosophy: freedom, justice, brotherhood and nonviolence.
Video Children give speeches inspired by Dr. King
What a Wonderful World based on the song by Bob Thiele and George David Weiss Illustrations and lyrics introduce a song, first recorded in 1967 by Louis Armstrong, which celebrates the wonders of nature, loving friends, and the promise of the future in a baby's cry.
Video Louis Armstrong sings What a Wonderful World with spoken word introduction.
Video What a Wonderful Word, animation
Crafty Connection What a wonderful world coloring sheet

Week of January 10, 2022 | Fifth Grade
Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Famous Speech On August 28, 1963, the "I Have a Dream" speech was delivered to over 250,000 civil rights supporters from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The March was partly intended to show support for civil rights legislation proposed June 11th by President John F. Kennedy.
Video I Have a Dream
President Johnson Signs Civil Rights Act Kennedy did not live to see the civil rights dream come true. The Civil Rights Act was signed by President Johnson on July 2, 1964. It outlawed major forms of discrimination against racial, ethnic, national and religious minorities, and women. It ended racial segregation in schools, the workplace, and public facilities.
The Cart that Carried Martin, by Eve Bunting In an example of how focusing on a smaller element of a larger story can cut to the heart of its meaning, Eve Bunting tells the story of the cart borrowed from a junk store that carried the body of Martin Luther King, Jr. through the streets of Atlanta, Georgia, on the day of his funeral.
Say Something! by Peter H. Reynolds
Encourages readers to say something using their actions and words to show the importance and power of their voice to bring about change.
Video Children give speeches inspired by Dr. King
Audio All You Need Is Love
Crafty Connection All you need is love coloring sheet

Read-Alouds and Presentations Week to Week by Grade Level

1/3/2022

Week of January 3, 2022 | Program Content Online for TK-5th Grade

Library Closed this Week | Mrs. Snively Returns January 10
Mrs. Snively will be taking care of a family commitment Jan. 3-7.
Return Library Books Next Week
Students had the opportunity to borrow extra books right before winter break.
Program Content Online
Teachers are invited to share the following grade level library program content with their students during the usual weekly class visit time.

Week of January 3, 2022 | TK and Kindergarten | New Beginnings

New Beginnings The new year will bring many hoped-for changes!
Video Life Cycle of a Frog for Kids (running time approx.3 min.)
Tad, by Benji Davies
When everyone in the big pond starts disappearing, Tad, the smallest tadpole in the pond, wonders if the Big Blub will get her too.
Video Tad, presented by Kinder Studios (running time approx. 5 min.)
Video Five LIttle Speckled Frogs by Tike Tunes (running time approx. 2 min.)
Crafty Connection Create a fun, silly, dangly-legged frog with paper and glue. Step-by-step instructions

Week of January 3, 2022 | First Grade | Stretchy Growth Mindset

National Bubble Gum Day Observed on the first Friday in February. Click here for the origins of the celebration, and here for more info.
Video Bubblegum How It's Made (running time approx. 5 min.)
On Account of the Gum, by Adam Rex
In a timeless tale of wordplay and humor, a family resorts to increasingly wacky measures to get a wad of gum unstuck from a kid's hair, causing everything from butter and scissors to the vacuum and a pet cat to become impossibly, hilariously entangled.
Video On Account of the Gum, presented by Storytime with Suzanne (running time approx. 6 min.)
Stretchy Growth Mindset
When gum is chewed it becomes so stretchy. Next time you get stuck while figuring something out, imagine your mind is like stretchy, bendy, swirly chewing gum, and see if you can get unstuck from the stuck spot in your mind, onward to a brand new avenue of thought. Keep trying new ideas!
Crafty Connection Gumball machine collage. Step-by-step directions

Week of January 3, 2022 | Second Grade | Growth Mindset Self-Talk

Get Ready for Reading with a Quick Review of Homophones
Words that sound the same but have different meanings. How many other homophones do you know?
Knot Cannot, by Tiffany Stone
A whimsical tale follows the experiences of a piece of rope that unhappily compares itself to a snake that can move and hiss, before a dilemma helps the rope discover the benefits of its knotting capabilities.
Video Knot Cannot, presented by Ms. Karamy, Crystal Lake Public Library (running time approx. 12 min.) Have paper and pencil ready for stop-and-jot participation, if desired.
Self-Talk and Growth Mindset Next time you get stuck while figuring something out, try not to compare yourself with others. Tell yourself you can do it! Keep trying new ideas!
Crafty Connections Click here for step-by-step video directions to learn several knots. Click here to create a silky knotted snake using rope, yarn, or paracord.

Week of January 3, 2022 | Third Grade | Doing the Right Thing

Do the Right Thing
What does it mean to do the right thing? Why is it important to do the right thing even when no one is looking?
A Bike Like Sergio's, by Maribeth Boelts
Money is tight for Ruben's parents so the chances of him getting the bike he wants are slim until he finds a hundred dollar bill. Finders keepers? Or honesty is the best policy?
Video A Bike Like Sergio's, presented by Readalotamus (running time approx. 13 min.)
Spread the Love
Because kindness matters! Click here to read about the origins of the Great Kindness Challenge and here for the school edition of the Great (socially distanced) Kindness Challenge

Week of January 3, 2022 | Fourth and Fifth Grade
Curriculum Connection to Social Justice Book Club Selections

California Young Reader Medal Nominee, Picture Book for Older Readers Category
Over the next few weeks, students in fourth and fifth grade will vote to help decide the favorite California Young Reader Picture Book for Older Readers. There are three nominees in this category:

Before She Was Harriet, by Lisa Ransome-Cline
The Skydiving Beavers, by Susan Wood
Let the Children March, by Monica Clark-Robinson (this week's selection)

Let the Children March, by Monica Clark-Robinson
Nearly 55 years ago, an anti-segregation march that came to be known as the Children's Crusade was instrumental in pushing President John F. Kennedy and Congress to adopt the Voting Rights Act. That event is chronicled as a semi-fictional narrative from the perspective of one of the young participants in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1963. Bolstered by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s assurances, the children endured snarling dogs, water hoses, and jail, emerging exhausted but undefeated. The illustrations bring to life the determination of the marchers without sugarcoating the reality. This story remains relevant as the struggle for justice and voting rights continues today.
Video Let the Children March, presented by StoryTimeWithMsMelange (running time approx. 7 min.)

Read-Alouds and Presentations Week to Week by Grade Level

11/14/2021

Week of November 15, 2021 | TK | Gratitude & Food Fun

Thanks for Thanksgiving, by Julie Markes
At Thanksgiving time, children express their gratitude for the people and things in their lives.
The Beastly Feast, by Bruce Goldstone
All sorts of animals bring a variety of foods to share: bears bring pears, parrots bring carrots, mosquitoes bring burritos, mice bring rice, and so on!
Crafty Connection Trace "turkey hand" on reverse of Thanksgiving coloring sheet

Week of November 15, 2021 | Kindergarten | Manners & Dining Fun

Mind Your Manners, B.B. Wolf by Judy Sierra
Politeness and manners are always in good taste.
The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson
A clever mouse uses the threat of a terrifying creature to keep from being eaten by a fox, an owl, and a snake-- only to have to outwit that creature as well.
Crafty Connection Trace "turkey hand" on reverse of Gruffalo Crumble recipe and coloring sheet

Week of November 15, 2021 | First Grade | Change & Step-by-Step

A Fine Dessert, by Emily Jenkins
Shows how food, technology, and families have changed throughout American history. Four families, in four cities, over four centuries, make the same dessert: Blackberry Fool. 1710 in Lyme, England. 1810 in Charleston, SC. 1910 in Boston, MA. Present day in San Diego, CA.
Video Author/illustrator interview and recipe
Recipe Blackberry Fool recipe and coloring sheet
Video Cranberry: How Does It Grow?
Time for Cranberries, by Lisl H. Detlefsen
A little boy helps his parents harvest cranberries on their family farm step by step: from flooding the field to preparing the vines for the picking machine to delivering the fruit to the receiving station.
Recipe Cranberry Pie recipe and coloring sheet

Week of November 15, 2021 | Second Grade | Harvest Fun/Gratitude

The Ugly Pumpkin, by Dave Horowitz
A lonely, oddly-shaped pumpkin is sad that no one chose him for Halloween, but he soon discovers where he belongs.
The Thankful Book, by Todd Parr
A celebration of the many things for which young children can be grateful, from everyday activities like reading and bath time to big family meals and special shared moments with parents.
Crafty Connection Draw or write a gratitude or two on the reverse of the Thanksgiving coloring sheet

Week of November 15, 2021 | Third Grade | Thanksgiving Traditions

Tony Sarg (1880-1942)

Felix the Cat 1927

Superman 1945

Father of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade by Stephen Brower A brief biography of Tony Sarg
Balloons over Broadway, by Melissa Sweet
The story of puppeteer Tony Sarg, the man who first invented the helium balloons that have become the trademark of the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
After World War I, Sarg moved to New York City and quickly gained a reputation as a practical joker, the life of the party and a tireless worker. In his various ventures, the designer, inventor and illustrator worked on cartoons, children’s books, mechanical toys, advertising, and window displays and balloons.
Thanksgiving Day Parade History and Balloons of Today social.macys.com/parade
Crafty Connection Thanksgiving coloring sheet

Week of November 15, 2021 | Fourth Grade | Thanksgiving History

Thanksgiving Is... by Gail Gibbons
Provides information about the origins and meaning of Thanksgiving in America, and describes many of the symbols and traditions associated with the holiday, including feasts and parades.
Website The National Women's History Museum provides a brief biography of Sarah J. Hale (b. New Hampshire 1788-d. Pennsylvania 1879)
Thank You, Sarah, by Laurie Halse Anderson
Relates how Sarah Hale, a magazine editor and author, persuaded President Lincoln to transform Thanksgiving Day into a national holiday.
Crafty Connection Fold a box from an old greeting card and fill it with messages of gratitude.

Week of November 15, 2021 | Fifth Grade | SEL Connection
Finding Room for Gratitude in Challenging Times

Feeling Thankful, by Shelly Rotner and Sheila Kelly
Words and pictures help children reflect on what they feel thankful for.
Ten Beautiful Things, by Molly Beth Griffin
Lily is moving from the city to her grandmother's farm without her parents and is sad about all the changes necessary in her life. But on the long drive her grandmother helps Lily open her eyes to find ten beautiful things --even though she is burdened by sadness-- giving her a technique for looking outside of herself and connecting with the world.
The Hill We Climb, by Amanda Gorman and recorded for TIME
Amanda S. C. Gorman is an American poet and activist. Her work focuses on issues of oppression, feminism, race, and marginalization, as well as the African diaspora. Born in 1998, Gorman is the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history. The Hill We Climb calls for unity, collaboration, and togetherness.

Read-Alouds and Presentations Week to Week by Grade Level

11/6/2021

Week of November 8, 2021 | TK and Kindergarten
Picture Book Month and Seasonal Veggie Silliness

I Yam a Donkey! by Cece Bell
Last week we met a bored potato. This week, a stern yam corrects a grammatically-challenged donkey.
Crafty Connection Draw a yam bookmark on orange construction paper.
Website picturebookmonth.com

Week of November 8, 2021 | First Grade
Picture Book Month and Feasting Season Silliness

The Wolf, the Duck, and the Mouse, by Mac Barnett
When a mouse is swallowed by a wolf, he learns that a duck devoured earlier has set up a table to enjoy the food the gluttonous predator eats.
My Little Sister Ate One Hare, by Bill Grossman
Little sister has no problem eating one hare, two snakes, and three ants, but when she gets to ten peas, she throws up quite a mess.
Crafty Connection Rainbow food choices coloring sheet
Website picturebookmonth.com

Week of November 8, 2021 | Second Grade
Picture Book Month and National Monuments

Video Washington, D.C., tour
One More Acorn, by Don Freeman
As winter nears, Earl the Squirrel searches for the acorns he stashed in the parks of Washington, D.C. Iconic author/illustrator Don Freeman began this story in 1963. His son completed it with help from an illustrator almost 50 years later.
Crafty Connection Make leaf rubbings on the reverse of the Find the Alligator coloring sheet.
Website picturebookmonth.com

Week of November 8, 2021 | Third Grade
Picture Books and the Role of Empathy in Conflict Resolution

What Grew in Larry's Garden, by Laura Alary
Helping her teacher next-door neighbor with his amazing garden, young Grace learns powerful lessons in community teamwork and environmental mindfulness when a plan for the garden's vegetables is threatened by an unanticipated problem.
Give It a Try This video shows how to start tomato plants from tomato slices.
Crafty Connection Conflict resolution strategies coloring sheet
Website picturebookmonth.com

Week of November 8, 2021 | Fourth Grade

Thursday class visits canceled due to Veterans Day Observed annually on November 11th, the holiday was originally called Armistice Day and marked the end of World War I. Here is a brief history.

Week of November 8, 2021 | Fifth Grade
Picture Book Month and the Power of Self, the Power of Unity

I Talk Like a River, by Scott Jordan
When a boy who stutters feels isolated, alone, and incapable of communicating in the way he'd like, it takes a kindly father and a walk by the river to help him find his voice.
Unstoppable, by Adam Rex
When a bird and a crab team up to combine the advantages of flight and claws, it gives them an idea: why not expand the team to include other animals who have a special trait--and soon they all set out to rescue their lake from development, because united together they are unstoppable.
Website picturebookmonth.com

Read-Alouds and Presentations Week to Week by Grade Level

10/4/2021

Week of October 4, 2021 | TK | Spider Season

There's a Spider on the Floor, on the Floor Let's sing a silly song!
The Very Busy Spider, by Eric Carle
The farm animals try to divert a spider from spinning her web, but she persists and produces a thing of both beauty and usefulness.
Aaaarrgghh! Spider! by Lydia Monks
A clever spider is lonely and longs to become a family pet.
Website Spider Pavilion at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles open 9/26/21-12/5/21
Video Get a taste for the experience with this video from 2010.
Crafty Connection The Very Busy Spider coloring sheet

Week of October 4, 2021 | Kindergarten | Spider Season

There's a Spider on the Floor, on the Floor Let's sing a silly song!
Be Nice to Spiders, by Margaret Bloy Graham
The zoo animals become happy and peaceful when Helen the spider spins webs and catches the flies that had made them miserable.
Website Spider Pavilion at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles open 9/26/21-12/5/21
Video Get a taste for the experience with this video from 2010.
Crafty Connections Draw a spider bookmark in the library. Wish YOU could have a pet spider? At home, watch the video instructions to make a puppet.

Week of October 4, 2021 | First Grade | Hispanic Heritage Month

YouTube Tortillas de Agua, San Pedro, Sonora, Mexico (view to 1 min. 35 sec.)
Tiny Tortilla, by Arlene Williams
Juan Carlos discovers that with patience and the right touch he can transform a tiny ball of special tortilla dough into unexpected shapes.
Crafty Connection Coloring sheet with tortilla elephant ears recipe

Week of October 4, 2021 | Second Grade | Monster Season

When a Monster is Born, by Sean Taylor
What happens when the monster comes to school, eats the principal, wanders into town, and falls in love? He becomes the parent of a baby monster, who may grow up to be an under-your-bed monster in this circular tale of possibilities.
Quit Calling Me a Monster! by Jory John
A little monster resents being labeled as a monster.
Crafty Connectionc Trace hand print bookmarks from monster-green paper. Embellish with pointy fingernails before cutting out.

Week of October 4, 2021 | Third Grade | Spider Season
Compare and Contrast Nonfiction and Narrative Nonfiction

The following will be presented to Mrs. Dever's class. Due to the September days off, the other classes are a week behind and will have the catalog lesson from last week.

Spinning Spiders, by Melvin Berger
Describes the characteristics of spiders and the methods they use to trap their prey in webs.
I'm Trying to Love Spiders, by Bethany Barton
A humorous introduction to spiders.
Website Spider Pavilion at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles open 9/26/21-12/5/21
Video Get a taste for the experience with this video from 2010.
Crafty Connection String figures such as Running Dog
Crafty Connection Instructions to cut a lacy web for decoration

Week of October 4, 2021 | Fourth and Fifth Grade

Due to the September days off, fourth and fifht grade classes are a week behind and will have the catalog lesson from last week.

Read-Alouds and Presentations Week to Week by Grade Level

9/27/2021

Week of September 27, 2021 | TK | Apple Season

Little Mouse's Big Secret, by Eric Battut
Little Mouse has found a delicious-looking apple and doesn't want to share a bite. So he buries it, and no matter how many of his friends ask what he hid, Little Mouse won't tell. But when a tree sprouts from the seeds of the fruit, there are enough apples for everyone-and Little Mouse realizes some secrets are even better when they're shared.
One Red Apple, by Harriet Ziefert
Chronicles the life cycle of an apple: from fruit growing on the tree, to market, to picnic, to seed, to sapling and tree, and finally to a new apple. A joyful introduction to the amazing and delectable way the earth provides food.
Ten Apples Up On Top, by Dr. Seuss writing as Theo. LeSieg
Lion, Tiger, and Dog are balancing ten apples on their heads when two cranky bears chase them.
Crafty Connection Students craft an apple bracelet with a green pipe cleaner and red pony beads.

Week of September 27, 2021 | Kindergarten | Apple Season

Video Apple life cycle
Our Apple Tree, by Gorel Kristina Naslund
A whimsical look at the life cycle of the apple tree. Two sprites guide the tree from spring, when the apple tree blossoms, through summer, when the fruit grows, to fall and the harvest.
Crafty Connection Apple tree color by number

Week of September 27, 2021 | First Grade | Apple Season

The Apple Doll, by Elisa Kleven
Lizzy's best friend in all seasons is her apple tree. When school starts, Lizzy sees how her apple tree can help her overcome her shyness and make new friends.
Crafty Connection Apple doll instructions
A Friend for Dragon, by Dav Pilkey
When Dragon befriends an apple that is eaten by a walrus he is saddened by the loss, but the remaining core brings about wondrous happenings.
Crafty Connection Dragon coloring sheet

Week of September 27, 2021 | Second Grade | Apple Season

Applesauce Season, by Eden Ross Lipson
Describes a family's applesauce-making ritual: the buying, peeling, cooking and stirring; the wait for the sauce to cool and the first taste.
Crafty Connection Applesauce recipe and coloring sheet

Week of September 27, 2021 | Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grade
Information Literacy Part 4 | Catalog Demo and Scavenger Hunt

Dewey Rap

Classic catalog

Discover catalog

Due to disruption in usual library programming during distance learning last year, all three grades will experience the standard third grade unit in information literacy.

1: Website & Map -- 2: Dewey Decimal System -- 3: Video "The Lure of the Library" -- 4: Catalog Demonstration and Scavenger Hunt -- 5: Quiz Show What You Know Part 1 of 2 and Scavenger Hunt -- 6. Quiz Show What You Know Part 2 of 2 and Scavenger Hunt.
Students will earn the privilege of using the library computers by part 4 of the 6-part practicum designed to allow them to demonstrate their awareness of library procedures and their ability to execute simple catalog searches.

Video Dewey Rap A fun, silly way to learn about the Dewey Decimal System.
Demonstrate the Catalog Show the path to get to the search page from the Catalog tab at grandviewlibrary.info. Demonstrate an author search using Shel Silverstein as an example and show on the library map where to locate the various books in their various locations. Show the path to get to Destiny Discover from the icon at grandviewlibrary.info or from the menu at the left on the Catalog page.
Scavenger Hunt and Using the Computers Students search for pre-determined books in small groups and then take turns searching for books using the computers to look up call numbers.

Week of September 27, 2021 | Additional Content for Fifth Grade
Banned Books Week and the Freedom to Read

A Book Worth Banning Is a Book Worth Reading
A list of several titles that have been banned or challenged.
Video Puppet Book Banners
A brief discussion about why the American Library Association supports and celebrates the freedom to read.
Video "Parthenon" of banned books
Little Red Riding Hood, retold by Trina Schart Hyman
This adaptation of Little Red Riding Hood landed on the naughty list, though the illustrations merited a Caldecott Honor (1984).
Wolf in the Snow, by Matthew Cordell
When a wolf cub and a little girl are lost in a storm, kindness and cooperation save them. In the end, it's all about keeping an open mind.

Read-Alouds and Presentations Week to Week by Grade Level

9/20/2021

Week of September 20, 2021 | TK | Having Grit

Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons, by Eric Litwin
Pete the cat loves the buttons on his shirt so much that he makes up a song about them, and even as the buttons pop off, one by one, he still finds a reason to sing.
Video Pete sings his song
Crafty Connection Print this Pete the Cat color by number

Week of September 20, 2021 | Kindergarten | Fall Leaves

Fall Leaves Fall! by Zoe Hall
When fall comes, two brothers enjoy catching the falling leaves, stomping on them, kicking them, jumping in piles of them, and using them to make pictures. Includes a description of how leaves change through the year.
Fall Is Not Easy, by Marty Kelley
With new expectations to be met, fall can be a tough season for a lot of us.
Crafty Connection Transform ordinary leaves found in the yard into colorful nature collages. Directions.

Week of September 20, 2021 | First Grade | Books and Reading

I Am a Story, by Dan Yaccarino
A celebration of the art of storytelling traces how it has evolved from cave paintings and the invention of the printing press to the digital technologies that inform and unite today's diverse world. Sharp eyes will take note of the starry transition from cave people to contemporary folk as astrological signs reappear as constellations, with a tiny red bird on each page to remind us that stories give flight to our imagination.
Crafty Connection Tiny Birds coloring sheet
I Don't Like to Read, by Nancy Carlson
Henry the mouse likes everything about first grade except reading, but with some extra help at school and home, he is delightfully surprised.
Connection Read a book, of course :)
Nibbles the Book Monster, by Emma Yarlett
Nibbles the Monster enjoys books a little too much!
Crafty Connection Make a book-nibbling bookmark. Directions.

Week of September 20, 2021 | Second Grade | Empathy

Empathy is defined as the ability to understand the thoughts, feelings, or emotions of someone else. An example of empathy is feeling the same amount of excitement as a friend, when they tell you they are getting a puppy or a kitten.
Video Sesame Street: actor Mark Ruffalo and Murray help explain the feeling of empathy.
A Letter to My Teacher, by Deborah Hopkinson
Written as a thank you note to a cherished teacher, the ending brings the love of learning and teaching full circle.
Discuss Do you think the new teacher will be able to feel empathy for her students when things don't go quite right for them? How might having empathy affect our relationships at home or at school?
Draw and Write Students draw a picture of themselves with their teacher and write a note including a personality trait that they know their teacher will enjoy, and a behavior that they hope to improve during second grade.

Week of September 20, 2021 | Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grade
Information Literacy Part 3 | Navigating the Stacks

Due to disruption in usual library programming during distance learning last year, all three grades will experience the standard third grade unit in information literacy.

1: Website & Map -- 2: Dewey Decimal System -- 3: Video "The Lure of the Library" -- 4: Catalog Demonstration and Scavenger Hunt -- 5: Quiz Show What You Know Part 1 of 2 and Scavenger Hunt -- 6. Quiz Show What You Know Part 2 of 2 and Scavenger Hunt.
Students will earn the privilege of using the library computers by part 4 of the 6-part practicum designed to allow them to demonstrate their awareness of library procedures and their ability to execute simple catalog searches.
DVD The Lure of the Library
Students learn the conceptual structure of the Dewey Decimal System and the content of the ten major sections. Supports students in developing research skills by showing the functions of the catalog and call numbers.
Activity Dewey Decimal Scavenger Hunt.
Library Map Show the map. Demonstrate finding one of the E area call numbers from one of the cards.

Read-Alouds and Presentations Week to Week by Grade Level

9/13/2021

Week of September 13, 2021 | TK | Self-Reliance

Llama Llama Red Pajama, by Anna Dewdney
Baby llama creates bedtime drama!
Small Bunny's Blue Blanket, by Tatyana Feeney
It's laundry day: will Small Bunny's blanket ever be the same?
Crafty Connection Students can draw Small Bunny and his blanket on a card stock bookmark after being shown simple shapes and lines.

Week of September 13, 2021 | Kindergarten | Making Friends

Halibut Jackson, by David Lucas
Because Halibut Jackson is so shy, he makes special outfits to blend in wherever he goes.
Videos Camouflaging halibut and an extreme example of the skill demonstrated by the octopus
Crafty Connection Students can color their own camouflaged fish. Supplies: this fish coloring page printed out, a sheet of colorful patterned wrapping paper measuring at least 8" x 11", scissors, crayons or markers, tape or glue. Directions: cut out the fish shape, tape or glue it to the piece of wrapping paper, color in the fish using similar colors and patterns that match the wrapping paper.

Week of September 13, 2021 | First Grade | Responsibility

Where Are My Books? by Debbie Ridpath Ohi
A little boy finds that though he put his book back in its proper place, it turns up missing.
Crafty Connection Learn how to draw squirrels from Debbie Ridpath Ohi
Don't Spill the Milk! by Stephen Davies
Over the dunes, across the river and up the mountain, Penda lovingly carries a bowl of milk to her father in the grasslands. But will she manage to get it there without spilling a single drop? Students learning to be responsible for one library book will appreciate the magnitude of the task set before Penda.
Fun Extender Try walking with a large plastic bowl balanced on your head, as Penda did in the story. Click here to see how these children first place a rolled up cloth or towel on top of the head.

Week of September 13, 2021 | Second Grade | Next Favorite Book

Charlie Cook's Favorite Book, by Julia Donaldson
A circular tale in which each new book character is reading about the next, beginning and ending with Charlie Cook.
A Library Book for Bear, by Bonny Becker
What is YOUR favorite book? Bear is quite certain he has all the books he will ever need right at home and there is no need to visit the library.
Crafty Connection See this video to make a paper mouse finger puppet and read your favorite book to your new little friend.

Week of September 13, 2021 | Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grade
Information Literacy Part 2 | Dewey Decimal System

Due to disruption in usual library programming during distance learning last year, all three grades will experience the standard third grade unit in information literacy.

1: Website & Map -- 2: Dewey Decimal System -- 3: Video "The Lure of the Library" -- 4: Catalog Demonstration and Scavenger Hunt -- 5: Quiz Show What You Know Part 1 of 2 and Scavenger Hunt -- 6. Quiz Show What You Know Part 2 of 2 and Scavenger Hunt.
Students will earn the privilege of using the library computers by part 4 of the 6-part practicum designed to allow them to demonstrate their awareness of library procedures and their ability to execute simple catalog searches.
Website page Library map
Website page Dewey classification chart
PowerPoint The Caveman's Guide to the Dewey Decimal System created by Mount Erie Elementary School, Anacortes, Washington

Read-Alouds and Presentations Week to Week by Grade Level

8/30/2021

Week of August 30, 2021 | TK & Kindergarten | Welcome to School!

Mrs. Snively without a mask :-)

Head and Shoulders Knees and Toes
We sing and move to settle the wiggles.
Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come! by Nancy Carlson
Henry the mouse faces his first day of Kindergarten, and despite his fears about not being ready for a busy day he soon discovers how fun it will be.
If You're Happy and You Know It
A chance to sing and move.
Teachers Rock! by Todd Parr
A celebration of the ways in which teachers change the world, from encouraging creativity, to making students laugh, to helping them form friendships, always wanting everyone to succeed and making the classroom a great place to be.
Itsy Bitsy Spider
A playful song to say goodbye until next time...

Week of August 30, 2021 | First Grade | Welcome to School!

School's First Day of School, by Adam Rex
It's the first day of school and everyone's just a little bit nervous, especially the school itself.
If You're Happy and You Know It
A chance to sing and move.
The Pigeon HAS to Go to School! by Mo Willems
Why does the Pigeon have to go to school? He already knows everything! What if he doesn't like it? What if the teacher doesn't like him? What if he learns too much?

Week of August 30, 2021 | Second Grade | Welcome to School!

Mrs. Snively without a mask :-)

Excellent Ed, by Stacy McAnulty
Ed, the Ellis family dog, has many talents, but none of them matches the excellence of the five Ellis children's in this story that reminds us everyone is excellent at something.
Ragweed's Farm Dog Handbook, by Anne Vittur Kennedy
Ragweed blithely breaks all his own farm dog rules, collecting biscuits as he goes.
Discussion What are you good at, what is your job, what is your special treat?

Week of August 30, 2021 | Third Grade | Welcome to School!

Mrs. Snively without a mask :-)

Judy Moody, by Megan McDonald
Third grader Judy Moody is in a first day of school bad mood until she gets an assignment she enjoys.
Pete the Cat and His Magic Sunglasses, by Kimberly and James Dean
Pete the Cat wakes up feeling grumpy--nothing seems to be going his way. But with the help of some magic sunglasses, Pete learns that a good mood has been inside him all along.
Discussion What might be your mood lifter? Tell about a small, medium, or large thing that can lift you.

Week of August 30, 2021 | Fourth Grade | Welcome to School!

Mrs. Snively without a mask :-)

The Best School Year Ever, by Barbara Robinson
The teacher's assignment is for each student to write a compliment for each classmate and Beth must think of one for awful Imogene, a member of the notoriously rotten Herdman family, the worst family in the history of the world.
We Don't Eat Our Classmates, by Ryan T. Higgins
It's the first day of school and Penelope is not having much success at making new friends until the class pet steps in to save the day.

Week of August 30, 2021 | Fifth Grade | Welcome to School!

Tomas Rivera, age 10

Dr. Rivera, circa 1980

This is a unique year, with a unique learning environment. It won't be money that will make the biggest difference, although it has sadly been further evidenced by learning during a pandemic that financial resources have a profound impact on learning success.

But a case can be made that a part of school success comes from within each student: personal determination and a love of learning. And for those of us lucky enough, if there is an educator who can open up the world of books to us.

Consider the example of Tomas Rivera. He was born in Texas in 1935. A migrant worker who valued education, he became a writer, a professor, and a national education leader. When Dr. Rivera died in 1984, he was the chancellor of the University of California at Riverside. The campus library now bears the name of the boy who was once encouraged to read by a librarian in Iowa.

Video An interview with author Pat Mora.
Tomas and the Library Lady, by Pat Mora
While helping his family in their work as migrant laborers far from their home, Tomás finds an entire world to explore in the books at the local public library.

Explore For those interested in reading more about social justice and the migrant farm worker experience in California, I recommend The Circuit, by Francisco Jimenez. It is an honest and powerful account of a family's journey to the fields of California. Once an undocumented immigrant, Dr. Jimenez is now a professor at Santa Clara University.

Explore For those interested in reading more about social justice and living as an undocumented immigrant, I recommend Dear America: the Story of an Undocumented Citizen, by Jose Antonio Vargas. Brought to the US from the Philippines as a child, he didn't learn of his undocumented status until he applied for a learners' permit and spent the next 20 years hiding in plain sight, writing for prestigious news organizations.

Explore For those interested in reading about an alternate school experience I recommend The Library Bus, by Bahram Rahman. Five-year-old Pari accompanies her mother on her library bus rounds for the first time, stopping at a village and a refugee camp so that girls there can exchange books and have a lesson in English. Talking with her mother as they drive, Pari learns that she is lucky that she can attend school the next year. Pari's mother had to learn in secret when it was forbidden to teach girls to read, and the young women the bus visits weekly have no other access to education. Inspired by the first library bus to operate in Kabul, Afghanistan. The afterword is an eye-opening glimpse into what childhood was like for the author, who grew up in war-torn Afghanistan.

MBUSD begins the 2021-22 school year with full-day in-person learning

The library is open to students and staff beginning August 30, 2021. All will wear masks inside at all times and will be mindful of physical distancing.

Library Program

Our students enjoy weekly visits for a presentation crafted to instill a love of reading, to enhance
Common Core classroom lessons, and to inspire life-long learning. Visits include checking out materials, practicing information literacy, and exercising digital citizenship.
Colleagues are welcome to borrow program ideas.
California Model School Library Standards

Read Aloud 15 Minutes.
Every Child. Every Parent. Every Day See why it matters at readaloud.org

Week of January 17, 2022 | TK and Kindergarten​Penguins and Growth Mindset

Week of January 17, 2022 | First Grade | Doing the Right Thing... When We Plant Honesty, Trust Will Follow

Week of January 17, 2022 | Second Grade | Dinosaurs

Week of January 17, 2022 | Third GradePerseverance, Grit, and Growth Mindset

Week of January 17, 2022 | Fourth Grade | Empathy & Kindness

​Week of January 17, 2022 | Fifth Grade | Empathy and Kindness

Week of January 10, 2022 | TK and Kindergarten​Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Week of January 10, 2022 | First Grade​Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Week of January 10, 2022 | Second Grade​Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Week of January 10, 2022 | Third Grade​Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Week of January 10, 2022 | Fourth Grade​Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Week of January 10, 2022 | Fifth Grade​Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Week of January 3, 2022 | Program Content Online for TK-5th Grade

Week of January 3, 2022 | TK and Kindergarten | New Beginnings

Week of January 3, 2022 | First Grade | Stretchy Growth Mindset

Week of January 3, 2022 | Second Grade | Growth Mindset Self-Talk

Week of January 3, 2022 | Third Grade | Doing the Right Thing

Week of January 3, 2022 | Fourth and Fifth GradeCurriculum Connection to Social Justice Book Club Selections

Week of November 15, 2021 | TK | Gratitude & Food Fun

Week of November 15, 2021 | Kindergarten | Manners & Dining Fun

Week of November 15, 2021 | First Grade | Change & Step-by-Step

Week of November 15, 2021 | Second Grade | Harvest Fun/Gratitude

Week of November 15, 2021 | Third Grade | Thanksgiving Traditions

Week of November 15, 2021 | Fourth Grade | Thanksgiving History

Week of November 15, 2021 | Fifth Grade | SEL ConnectionFinding Room for Gratitude in Challenging Times

Week of November 8, 2021 | TK and Kindergarten Picture Book Month and Seasonal Veggie Silliness

Week of November 8, 2021 | First GradePicture Book Month and Feasting Season Silliness

Week of November 8, 2021 | Second GradePicture Book Month and National Monuments

Week of November 8, 2021 | Third GradePicture Books and the Role of Empathy in Conflict Resolution

Week of November 8, 2021 | Fourth Grade

Week of November 8, 2021 | Fifth GradePicture Book Month and the Power of Self, the Power of Unity

Week of October 4, 2021 | TK | Spider Season

Week of October 4, 2021 | Kindergarten | Spider Season

Week of October 4, 2021 | First Grade | Hispanic Heritage Month

​Week of October 4, 2021 | Second Grade | Monster Season

​Week of October 4, 2021 | Third Grade | Spider SeasonCompare and Contrast Nonfiction and Narrative Nonfiction

​Week of October 4, 2021 | Fourth and Fifth Grade

Week of September 27, 2021 | TK | Apple Season

Week of September 27, 2021 | Kindergarten | Apple Season

Week of September 27, 2021 | First Grade | Apple Season

Week of September 27, 2021 | Second Grade | Apple Season

Week of September 27, 2021 | Third, Fourth, and Fifth GradeInformation Literacy Part 4 | Catalog Demo and Scavenger Hunt

Week of September 27, 2021 | Additional Content for Fifth GradeBanned Books Week and the Freedom to Read

Week of September 20, 2021 | TK | Having Grit

Week of September 20, 2021 | Kindergarten | Fall Leaves

Week of September 20, 2021 | First Grade | Books and Reading

Week of September 20, 2021 | Second Grade | Empathy

Week of September 20, 2021 | Third, Fourth, and Fifth GradeInformation Literacy Part 3 | Navigating the Stacks

Week of September 13, 2021 | TK | Self-Reliance

Week of September 13, 2021 | Kindergarten | Making Friends

Week of September 13, 2021 | First Grade | Responsibility

Week of September 13, 2021 | Second Grade | Next Favorite Book

Week of September 13, 2021 | Third, Fourth, and Fifth GradeInformation Literacy Part 2 | Dewey Decimal System

Week of August 30, 2021 | TK & Kindergarten | Welcome to School!

​Week of August 30, 2021 | First Grade | Welcome to School!

Week of August 30, 2021 | Second Grade | Welcome to School!

​Week of August 30, 2021 | Third Grade | Welcome to School!

Week of August 30, 2021 | Fourth Grade | Welcome to School!

Week of August 30, 2021 | Fifth Grade | Welcome to School!

MBUSD begins the 2021-22 school year with full-day in-person learning

Library Program

What Mrs. SnivelyIs Reading...

Archives

Categories

Week of January 17, 2022 | TK and Kindergarten
Penguins and Growth Mindset

Week of January 17, 2022 | Third Grade
Perseverance, Grit, and Growth Mindset

Week of January 17, 2022 | Fifth Grade | Empathy and Kindness

Week of January 10, 2022 | TK and Kindergarten
Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Week of January 10, 2022 | First Grade
Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Week of January 10, 2022 | Second Grade
Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Week of January 10, 2022 | Third Grade
Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Week of January 10, 2022 | Fourth Grade
Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Week of January 10, 2022 | Fifth Grade
Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Week of January 3, 2022 | Fourth and Fifth Grade
Curriculum Connection to Social Justice Book Club Selections

Week of November 15, 2021 | Fifth Grade | SEL Connection
Finding Room for Gratitude in Challenging Times

Week of November 8, 2021 | TK and Kindergarten
Picture Book Month and Seasonal Veggie Silliness

Week of November 8, 2021 | First Grade
Picture Book Month and Feasting Season Silliness

Week of November 8, 2021 | Second Grade
Picture Book Month and National Monuments

Week of November 8, 2021 | Third Grade
Picture Books and the Role of Empathy in Conflict Resolution

Week of November 8, 2021 | Fifth Grade
Picture Book Month and the Power of Self, the Power of Unity

Week of October 4, 2021 | Second Grade | Monster Season

Week of October 4, 2021 | Third Grade | Spider Season
Compare and Contrast Nonfiction and Narrative Nonfiction

Week of October 4, 2021 | Fourth and Fifth Grade

Week of September 27, 2021 | Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grade
Information Literacy Part 4 | Catalog Demo and Scavenger Hunt

Week of September 27, 2021 | Additional Content for Fifth Grade
Banned Books Week and the Freedom to Read

Week of September 20, 2021 | Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grade
Information Literacy Part 3 | Navigating the Stacks

Week of September 13, 2021 | Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grade
Information Literacy Part 2 | Dewey Decimal System

Week of August 30, 2021 | First Grade | Welcome to School!

Week of August 30, 2021 | Third Grade | Welcome to School!

What Mrs. Snively
Is Reading...