Mrs. DeMarco’s Library Update Parents are the key to making our library a wonderful place for students of all ages. The books in our library are written by Christian publishers or screened by our dedicated parents. Eden parents have donated excellent books, bake goods and supported our successful Book Fair. Currently, we even have a large group of parents willing to come in and add new books into the computer card catalog to enlarge our book collection. Other parents add the protective coverings to protect our paperback books. Thank you to all the parents that partner with the Eden Christian Academy Wexford Library. Kindergarten and First Grade Each week, we read fascinating stories and discuss Bible verses that tie into Storytime. This week, students heard how Jesus walked on water followed by a fiction story called, ​
The Toy Boat​
by Randall de Seve. During library time, student also have an opportunity to stand up and give short book reviews about the library books they checked out the previous week. It’s amazing how this broadens students’ interests as they explore new genres and subjects they hadn’t considered reading about. Students are also given free time to explore the library and choose new books. There is always quiet time to read and we often do a little extension activity to reinforce the day’s lesson. This week, they cut and paste pictures retelling the story of Jesus walking on water. You can often identify the library artwork being sent home because the children love adding an official library stamp to their completed project. Second and Third Grade Students in second and third grade are encouraged to use even more of the library materials using the computer card catalog. They may participate in our Accelerated Reading contest. Students fill out a very brief form letting the librarian know what books they have read. Students look up the point value of their book using the website www.arbookfind.com​
. The class tries to earn as many points as they can to qualify for a class party. A third place party is a reading party, the second place party is a movie party and the first place party is a board game party. Students can earn individual prizes, too. Feel free to ask your child if they have participated. Second and Third grade students are enjoying the novel, ​
Paddington Bear​
. You may have heard about the stuffed Paddington that arrived in our library. Third and Fourth Grade Third and fourth graders are learning to be experts on locating materials in the library using the Dewey Decimal System and computer card catalog. Last month, students had fun playing a scavenger hunt game in the library. Using only call numbers, students had to find bookmarks hidden in books on the library bookshelves. It was fun to see the success! Third and fourth graders enjoyed hearing funny short stories like ​
Book Fair Day​
by Lynn Plourde and longer stories written by Christian author, Bill Myers, called ​
My Life as an Afterthought Astronaut. ​
The main character, Wally McDougal, learns the hard way why following directions is important. In February, students will be listening to a novel about a British Bear named Paddington. Third and fourth graders are eager to read library books because all the books they read on their free time are worth points! The value of a book is determined by ​
www.arbookfind.com​
. The more points the class collects the better their reward party! Students also can earn individual rewards such as scented stickers, erasers, bookmarks and scented pencils. This is a motivated group of students! Fifth and Sixth Grade Students in fifth and sixth grade are involved in a study skills program called, “​
You Can Take Charge.​
” Each week we tackle topics that they can apply to help them become better students. Some topics we have covered are managing time, organizing space and materials, studying tips, and preparing for tests. Future units include following directions, listening techniques, developing vocabulary and note taking skills. Last month, we reviewed the Dewey Decimal System and the students had a lot of fun with a scavenger hunt game using the call numbers. The students are learning numerous tools that will enable them to locate any library material that interests them. Fifth and sixth graders are working hard on our Accelerated Reading Point Contest. I am sure your child will love telling you how they can win prizes by reading library books. Birthday Blessing Program Do you want your child to have a birthday or half birthday surprise? Consider donating a book in your child’s honor to our library. The students are presented a Birthday Blessing Book in their honor on the library class closest to their birthday. Inside the book will be a bookplate stating your child’s name and how old they are. Your child may check out that book plus a regular library book. The next week they may return both books. Your child will enjoy seeing their book in the library for years to come. A good choice for a Birthday Blessing Book is a hardback book because they tend to be more durable. If it is a novel, a Christian author is better so it can go onto our shelves quickly. Feel free to drop a book off at the office. Please leave me a note telling me your child’s name and birthday. I am sure the book will give your child a big birthday smile.