Blog Archives

Read-Alouds and Presentations Week to Week by Grade Level

9/30/2024

Looking for content from previous weeks? Scroll further down.

Week of September 30, 2024 | TK & K | Hispanic/Latinx Heritage

Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes

Paletero Man, by Lucky Diaz
In a vibrant Los Angeles neighborhood, a little boy finally catches up to Paletero José, who has the perfect treats for a hot summer day. When he finds his pockets are empty, the entire community bands together to help with the dinero.

If You're Happy and You Know It

Crafty Connection Coloring sheet with paleta recipe

Week of September 30, 2024 | First Grade | Hispanic/Latinx Heritage

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 Sept. 30, 2024| Second Grade | Hispanic/Latinx Heritage

Federico and the Wolf, by Rebecca J. Gomez
A modern retelling of Little Red Riding Hood in which Federico rides his bicycle to the market for Abuelo's groceries, then stands up to a hungry wolf.

Crafty Connection Coloring sheet with pico de gallo recipe

Week of September 30, 2024 | Third Grade | Information Literacy
Part 1 | Website and Map of the Library

Fall Is Not Easy, by Marty Kelley
With new expectations to be met, fall can be a tough season for a lot of us.

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.

Explore the Library Website www.grandviewlibrary.info

Crafty Connection After checking out materials students may color code their Library maps to highlight the different sections. Map/Color | Map/Worksheet

Week of September 30, 2024 | Fourth Grade

No school Thursday, October 3, 2024

Week of September 30, 2024 | Fifth Grade| Hispanic/Latinx Heritage

Video Cesar Chavez: American Civil Rights Activist - Fast Facts | History (play to min. 1:40)
In 1968, Cesar Chavez led a boycott that resulted in a collective bargaining agreement guaranteeing field workers the right to unionize.

Harvesting Hope, by Kathleen Krull
When Cesar Chavez (1927-1993) was 10 years old, drought forced his family to leave its Arizona ranch and move to California. The family became migrant workers, poorly paid and badly treated. As an adult, Chavez organized a nonviolent revolt, culminating in a 300-mile protest march that produced the first farmworkers' contract. Cesar Chavez devoted his energies to other areas of social justice as well,

Crafty Connection Inspirational quotes in Spanish

Read-Alouds and Presentations Week to Week by Grade Level

9/23/2024

Looking for content from previous weeks? Scroll further down.

Week of September 23, 2024 | TK | Apple Season

Head and Shoulders Knees and Toes

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.

If You're Happy and You Know It

Crafty Connection Students craft an apple bracelet with a green pipe cleaner and red pony beads

Week of September 23, 2024 | 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 coloring sheet

Week of September 23, 2024 | 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 23, 2024 | 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 23, 2024 | Third Grade | Kindness & Apples

It's Mine! by Leo Lionni
Three selfish frogs quarrel over who owns their pond and island, until a storm makes them value the benefits of sharing.

Mine! by Candace Fleming
A group of forest animals vie for the same delicious red apple that is just about to drop. Compare and contrast with It's Mine!

Crafty Connection Apple tree coloring sheet

Week of September 23, 2024 | Fourth Grade | Kindness
Water... Apples... and the Ripple Effect

Water Is Water, by Miranda Paul
Highlights the various forms water takes throughout the year including autumn fog and rain, frozen ponds and falling snow, steam from cups of cocoa, and snow melt turning dirt to mud.

One Green Apple, by Eve Bunting
It's hard to be the new kid in school, especially when you're from another country and don't know the language. But a field trip to an apple orchard helps Farah feel connected.

Each Kindness, by Jacqueline Woodson
What if you're cruel to someone and never get the chance to make it right? This deeply personal story takes us full circle back to water. As a lake is rippled when a stone is tossed, a cruelty has repercussions than can never be undone.

Crafty Connection Apple tree coloring sheet

Week of September 23, 2024 | Fifth Grade
Spotlight On the Freedom to Read

A Book Worth Banning Is a Book Worth Reading
A list of several titles that have been banned or challenged elsewhere in the United States.

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.

Crafty Connection Read-dream-share coloring sheet

Read-Alouds and Presentations Week to Week by Grade Level

9/16/2024

Looking for content from previous weeks? Scroll further down.

Week of September 16, 2024 | TK | Having Grit Like Pete the Cat

Head and Shoulders Knees and Toes
We sing and move to settle the wiggles.

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.

If You're Happy and You Know It
A chance to sing and move before enjoying picture books independently.
Substitute as second verse: If you're happy and you know it tap your shoulders - tap tap.
Substitute as third verse: If you're happy and you know it look at books - look look.

Crafty Connection Pete the Cat coloring page

Week of September 16, 2024 | Kindergarten | Fall Leaves

Head and Shoulders Knees and Toes
We sing and move to settle the wiggles.

I Am a Leaf, by Jean Marzollo
A simple introduction to the life cycle and functions of a leaf.

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.

If You're Happy and You Know It
A chance to sing and move before enjoying picture books independently.
Substitute as second verse: If you're happy and you know it tap your shoulders - tap tap.
Substitute as third verse: If you're happy and you know it look at books - look look.

Crafty Connection Fall leaves coloring sheet

At-Home Crafty Connection Use the reverse of the fall leaves coloring sheet to transform ordinary leaves found in the yard into colorful nature collages. Directions

Week of September 16, 2024 | 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!

At-Home Crafty Connection Make a book-nibbling bookmark. Directions

Week of September 16, 2024 | 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 16, 2024 | Third Grade | Ghost Stories

Leo : a Ghost Story, by Mac Barnett
Leo is a friendly house ghost--but when a family moves into his house, and tries to get rid of him, he leaves and roams the city looking for a friend.

Video YouTube Cracking ice cubes out of a tray

Cold Feet, by Cynthia DeFelice
When Willie McPhee, the finest bagpiper in all of Scotland, falls on hard times and is in danger of freezing, he takes a pair of boots from a man who --he thinks-- no longer needs them. Now though his feet are warm, something worse than freezing lies ahead.

Video YouTube Highland bagpiper in the snow

Crafty Connections Cut a spiral paper ghost and enjoy a haunted house coloring sheet

Week of September 16, 2024 | Fourth Grade | Making Your Mark
Celebrating Peace Week by Making Connections to Foster Peace

Whoever You Are, by Mem Fox
Aims to inspire tolerance and understanding by showing how, around the earth, across cultures and generations, children share commonalities.

Read and Reflect Students will think about what peace means to them at home, at school, in their community, and around the world.

[Red: a Crayon's Story, by Michael Hall An amusing but affecting story about staying true to oneself in this tale about a blue crayon in a red wrapper. Skip this year to make room for Whoever You Are]

The Dot, by Peter H. Reynolds. A delicate fable about the creative spirit in all of us.
International Dot Day is September 15-ish.

Crafty Connection With crayons and thin markers, students will personalize a square sheet of paper containing the outline of a one fourth of a circle for a bulletin board display. Though we are uniquely ourselves, we can join together in beauty and harmony.

Week of September 16, 2024 | Fifth Grade
Sharing the Joy of Books and Celebrating Peace Week

Video Getting to Know Little Free Library The non-profit organization was founded in 2012. Now there are over 150,000 little libraries worldwide.

Little Libraries, Big Heroes, by Miranda Paul
The story behind the founding of the Little Free Library non-profit by Todd Bol (1956-2018) which began in Wisconsin as a tribute to his late mother, a teacher, and spread around the world. Learn more at littlefreelibrary.org.

Little Free Libraries Flourish in Manhattan Beach The Beach Reporter tells about local Little Free Libraries and highlights one hosted by Chris Primm, the Library Resource Specialist at Meadows Elementary. The former Pennekamp Library Resource Specialist hosts a variation on the theme called a Puzzle Perch. Click here to view alternative little free libraries...even one with fetch sticks for your dog.

Whoever You Are, by Mem Fox
Aims to inspire tolerance and understanding by showing how, around the earth, across cultures and generations, children share commonalities.

Crafty Connection World peace coloring sheet

Read-Alouds and Presentations Week to Week by Grade Level

9/9/2024

Looking for content from previous weeks? Scroll further down.

Week of September 9, 2024 | TK | Self-Reliance

Head and Shoulders Knees and Toes
We sing and move to settle the wiggles.

Small Bunny's Blue Blanket, by Tatyana Feeney
It's laundry day: will Small Bunny's blanket ever be the same?

If You're Happy and You Know It
A chance to sing and move before enjoying picture books independently.
Substitute as second verse: If you're happy and you know it tap your shoulders - tap tap.
Substitute as third verse: If you're happy and you know it look at books - look look.

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 9, 2024 | Kindergarten | Making Friends

Head and Shoulders Knees and Toes
We sing and move to settle the wiggles.

Halibut Jackson, by David Lucas
Because Halibut Jackson is so shy, he makes special outfits to blend in wherever he goes. Introduce the story by explaining camouflage; show the halibut photo and then halibut video. After the story show the octopus video.

Videos Camouflaging halibut and an extreme example of the skill demonstrated by the octopus

If You're Happy and You Know It
A chance to sing and move before enjoying picture books independently.
Substitute as second verse: If you're happy and you know it tap your shoulders - tap tap.
Substitute as third verse: If you're happy and you know it look at books - look look.

Crafty Connection Autumn mandala coloring sheet

At-Home 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 9, 2024 | First Grade | We Are Growing

Head and Shoulders Knees and Toes
We sing and move to settle the wiggles.

Titch, by Pat Hutchins
Titch feels left out because he is so much smaller than his brother and sister until he gets a little seed.

Rooting for You, by Susan Hood
A seed puts out one little root, then one little shoot, and learns that there are plenty of friends around for encouragement.

Crafty Connection Autumn mandala coloring sheet

Week of September 9, 2024 | Second Grade | Try a Different Book

Charlie Cook's Favorite Book, by Julia Donaldson
A literary adventure in reading that showcases some of the many types of reading materials and genres of books to be enjoyed.

Crafty Connection Autumn mandala coloring sheet

Week of September 9, 2024 | Third Grade | Spider Season
Compare and Contrast Nonfiction and Narrative Nonfiction

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 9/15/24-11/24/24

Video Get a taste for the experience with this video from 2010.

At-Home Connection String figures such as Running Dog

At-Home Connection Instructions to cut a lacy web for decoration

Crafty Connection Autumn mandala coloring sheet

Week of September 9, 2024 | Fourth Grade
Social Emotional Learning | Spotlight on Stereotype

Big Mean Mike, by Michelle Knudsen
Mike is proud to be the toughest dog in the neighborhood, so when tiny, fuzzy bunnies start showing up in his big, mean car he sees them only as a threat to his reputation. But they are SO adorable!

Crafty Connection Autumn mandala coloring sheet

Week of September 9, 2024 | Fifth Grade | Unlikely Friendships

Pine & Boof: the Lucky Leaf, by Ross Burach
One blustery day, Boof the bear's lucky red leaf gets swept away by the wind. Fortunately for him, Pine the porcupine just happens to walk by with his lucky compass-and the two set off on an adventure to find the lost leaf, only to discover true friendship in the process.

Tarra & Bella: the Elephant and Dog Who Became Best Friends, by Carole Buckley
Proving that best friends come in all shapes and sizes, a lone elephant at a sanctuary in Tennessee befriends a stray dog.

Crafty Connection Autumn mandala coloring sheet

Read-Alouds and Presentations Week to Week by Grade Level

9/2/2024

Looking for content from previous weeks? Scroll further down.

Week of September 2, 2024 | TK | Welcome to the Library

Head and Shoulders Knees and Toes
We sing and move to settle the wiggles.

Flappy Waggy Wiggly, by Amanda Leslie
Mr. Bear the puppet shares a simple peekaboo riddle book with colorful pictures of favorite animals.

If You're Happy and You Know It
A chance to sing and move before enjoying picture books independently.

Crafty Connection Students decorate a bookmark to keep

Week of September 2, 2024 | Kindergarten | We Know Our ABCs

The Alphabet Song with Mr. Bear the puppet

Llama Llama Loves to Read, by Anna Dewdney and Reed Duncan
Teacher helps Llama Llama and the other children practice their letters, shows word cards, reads stories, and brings them to the library where they can all choose a favorite book. By the end of the day, Llama Llama is recognizing words and can't wait to show Mama Llama that he's becoming a reader!

If You're Happy and You Know It

Crafty Connection Students decorate a bookmark to keep

Week of September 2, 2024 | 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.

At-Home 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.

Crafty Connection Students decorate a bookmark to keep

Week of September 2, 2024 | Second Grade | Finding a Perfect Book

Goldie Socks and the Three Libearians, by Jackie Mims Hopkins
Goldie chooses a "just right" book when she uses "the 5 finger rule" inside the cozy home of three bears.

A Library Book for Bear, by Bonny Becker
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.

Crafty Connection Students decorate a bookmark to keep

Week of September 2, 2024 | Third Grade | Hispanic/Latinx Heritage

With Lots of Love, by Jenny Torres Sanchez
Rocio and her family move from Central America to the United States, leaving behind their extended family and many happy memories, but Rocio's Abuela finds a way to send her something special for her birthday.

Video Oye Como Va, recorded by Carlos Santana
Oye como va mi ritmo (listen how my rhythm goes)
Bueno pa' gozar (it's good for enjoying) -- pa' is an informal way to say para (for)

Chato's Kitchen, by Gary Soto
Chato, the coolest, low-riding cat in East LA, is cooking up a feast to serve with his new neighbors, a family of five plump mice-- who have no idea they are to be the main course at their own housewarming party. Luckily, the mice are bringing a surprise guest!

Crafty Connection Mexican tile coloring sheet

Week of September 2, 2024 | Fourth & Fifth Grade | Info Literacy
Reviewing the Library Resources and Databases

Library Website Visit grandviewlibrary.info and click around to explore the resources available 24/7. Children should be supervised by a responsible adult when using the Internet.

Library Map Review general layout.

Catalog Review using the classic Destiny catalog and the Destiny Discover interface. Log in to place a hold or to add a book review.

Reference Databases On site and remote access to Encyclopedia Britannica is provided to all California K-12 students by the CA State Library Project. On site and remote access to World Book Online is provided to Grand View families and staff by GVPTA. Email Mrs. Snively at [email protected] for the log-in ID and password. Find these and more under the Resources tab at grandviewlibrary.info.

Melvil Dewey (1851-1931) The education reformer and librarian who developed the organization system used in libraries around the world. Melvil Dewey divided all knowledge into ten basic categories by pretending to be a caveman thinking about the world.

Read-Alouds and Presentations Week to Week by Grade Level

Week of September 30, 2024 | TK & K | Hispanic/Latinx Heritage

Week of September 30, 2024 | First Grade | Hispanic/Latinx Heritage

Week of Sept. 30, 2024| Second Grade | Hispanic/Latinx Heritage

Week of September 30, 2024 | Third Grade | Information LiteracyPart 1 | Website and Map of the Library

Week of September 30, 2024 | Fourth Grade

Week of September 30, 2024 | Fifth Grade| Hispanic/Latinx Heritage

Read-Alouds and Presentations Week to Week by Grade Level

Week of September 23, 2024 | TK | Apple Season

Week of September 23, 2024 | Kindergarten | Apple Season

Week of September 23, 2024 | First Grade | Apple Season

Week of September 23, 2024 | Second Grade | Apple Season

Week of September 23, 2024 | Third Grade | Kindness & Apples

Week of September 23, 2024 | Fourth Grade | KindnessWater... Apples... and the Ripple Effect

Week of September 23, 2024 | Fifth GradeSpotlight On the Freedom to Read

Read-Alouds and Presentations Week to Week by Grade Level

Week of September 16, 2024 | TK | Having Grit Like Pete the Cat

Week of September 16, 2024 | Kindergarten | Fall Leaves

Week of September 16, 2024 | First Grade | Books and Reading

Week of September 16, 2024 | Second Grade | Empathy

Week of September 16, 2024 | Third Grade | Ghost Stories

Week of September 16, 2024 | Fourth Grade | Making Your Mark​Celebrating Peace Week by Making Connections to Foster Peace

Week of September 16, 2024 | Fifth GradeSharing the Joy of Books and Celebrating Peace Week

Read-Alouds and Presentations Week to Week by Grade Level

Week of September 9, 2024 | TK | Self-Reliance

Week of September 9, 2024 | Kindergarten | Making Friends

Week of September 9, 2024 | First Grade | We Are Growing

Week of September 9, 2024 | Second Grade | Try a Different Book

Week of September 9, 2024 | Third Grade | Spider SeasonCompare and Contrast Nonfiction and Narrative Nonfiction

Week of September 9, 2024 | Fourth GradeSocial Emotional Learning | Spotlight on Stereotype

Week of September 9, 2024 | Fifth Grade | Unlikely Friendships

Read-Alouds and Presentations Week to Week by Grade Level

Week of September 2, 2024 | TK | Welcome to the Library

Week of September 2, 2024 | Kindergarten | We Know Our ABCs

Week of September 2, 2024 | First Grade | Responsibility

Week of September 2, 2024 | Second Grade | Finding a Perfect Book

Week of September 2, 2024 | Third Grade | Hispanic/Latinx Heritage

Week of September 2, 2024 | Fourth & Fifth Grade | Info LiteracyReviewing the Library Resources and Databases

Library Program

Archives

Categories

Week of September 30, 2024 | Third Grade | Information Literacy
Part 1 | Website and Map of the Library

Week of September 23, 2024 | Fourth Grade | Kindness
Water... Apples... and the Ripple Effect

Week of September 23, 2024 | Fifth Grade
Spotlight On the Freedom to Read

Week of September 16, 2024 | Fourth Grade | Making Your Mark
Celebrating Peace Week by Making Connections to Foster Peace

Week of September 16, 2024 | Fifth Grade
Sharing the Joy of Books and Celebrating Peace Week

Week of September 9, 2024 | Third Grade | Spider Season
Compare and Contrast Nonfiction and Narrative Nonfiction

Week of September 9, 2024 | Fourth Grade
Social Emotional Learning | Spotlight on Stereotype

Week of September 2, 2024 | Fourth & Fifth Grade | Info Literacy
Reviewing the Library Resources and Databases