Room on the Broom

"The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the greatest intention."

-Oscar Wilde

I have been crazy busy these last few weeks.  This is exciting to me, because it means that the library is being used as it's supposed to.  Yay that!

Today I just wanted to write a quick blurb because I read one of my all-time favorite books during Book Talk today.  Instead of just allowing my regular book talkers to come, I made the entire room of kids who were in here during lunchtime today come and listen.  They came slowly, dragging their feet.

Ok, so confession: it's a picture book I wanted to read to them.  So it wasn't really a book talk, more of a Book Read.  I'm totally ok with that.

I wasn't sure how a picture book would go over.  These are middle school kids after all.  I told them that this is a Thanksgiving book, and that while I read they were to listen for the reason it's a Thanksgiving book -- instead of a Halloween book, because it has a witch in it.

Then I started to read.

They were enraptured.  They didn't say a word, except for one student who made a perfectly appropriate comment at one point.  Which was something to the effect of, "wow, she really loses things often."  Which told me he was totally engaged and into the story.

I finished the book and then asked them what their response was.

"It's definitely a Thanksgiving book," said a girl.  "They all helped the witch and then she said thank you.  Thanksgiving is about helping, like the Indians helped the Pilgrims.  And the Pilgrims should have said thank you."

My day is complete.

Happy Reading!

Together

"Coming together is a beginning.  Keeping together is progress.  Working together is success."

-Henry Ford

When I looked at my schedule this morning, I was a little overwhelmed.  What a busy, busy day I had planned!

Mr. Levengood had scheduled his classes to have their library orientation periods 1 - 5.  We would have the November FFB during nutrition.  I had a book talk scheduled.  *whew*

First of all, I love library orientation.  It's that time near the beginning of the school year when I get to talk at each and every student in the entire school and remind them how awesome the library is.  We go over rules and procedures--how to behave, how to check out books--and why the library is important.  We cover fines and the cheapest way to replace a lost or damaged book.  But most importantly, I get to connect with every one of my students.  I have 700 of them this year and it's so great to remind them that the library is here for them, that I am here for them.

The November FFB was hosted by our awesome history department.

Historians Extraordinaire: Mr. Gearin, Ms. Arzanipour, Mr. Lisker, Ms. Benjamin-Joseph, Mr. Cornett

Being as dedicated to historical events as they are, they included some historical information about our breakfast.

They served Starbucks coffee (now we're getting fancy!), juice, muffins, bagels, and fruit.

What a spread! 

Artful display arranged by our awesome parent volunteers while I taught Mr. Levengood's classes. 

Awesome.

Blurry photo of breakfast drinks and 8,000,000,000,001 creamers.

There are two more that I left in the fridge.

Once again, just before the nutrition bell rang folks started to show up, nosh, talk, and laugh.

Mrs. Teems with bagel and A Brief History of the Bagel

Mr. Brener, Mr. Catanzariti, Mr. Lisker, Ms. Valverde, Mrs. Macris, Mrs. Teems, Ms. Winberry,  

Mrs. Cook, Ms. Strong, Mr. Levengood

Mr. Brener, Mr. Lisker, Ms. Strong, awesome parent volunteer

This time there were many comments.  I heard, "this is so great.  I love seeing everybody!"  I also heard, "oh you just wait until the science department's turn comes!" This all makes me very, very happy.

During lunch, I quickly set up Doctor Who and all the Little House books I could find, which were a lot, thanks to Ms. Strong's personal library.  This time only two kids came to the book talk, but they were both very present and attentive, and thought that the idea of covered wagons was "really cool."  They also particularly enjoyed when I talked about Pa carrying a shotgun, trapping game to feed his family, and how he had to cut down trees to build them a home.  I tailored the book talk for the boys, what can I say.

Little House on the Prairie with the Raggedy Doctor

Mr. Levengood observed to me that I seem to be always busy, the library phone is always ringing (he had to answer every time it rang while I was teaching his classes), and I don't ever seem to stop.  I like that observation; to me, being busy all the time means that I'm getting a lot done.  I hope to continue doing so for a long, long time.  <3

Happy Reading!

What Makes a Rainbow?

"Every problem has in it the seeds of its own solution.  

If you don't have any problems, you don't get any seeds."

-Norman Vincent Peale

Remember when I wrote about my wish list?  Remember those photos of our signage that were lovely and important but boring pine, and I asked for a gift certificate to Home Depot so that they could get painted?  Well, we got a gift certificate--which means they got painted!

Check out their story:

First they were primed:

 Eighth grade scholar Alex Loza helped a parent volunteer with the priming and painting.

I took pictures.

I'm helpful.

then painted:

Gillikin Purple

 Winkie Blue

Quadling Red

then placed back on the shelf in all their glory:

Emerald Green

 This one is my favorite.  First we painted it blue, then decided that was too dark, so we went over it in red, 

but only the front.  You can still see the blue.  I call it the Superman Sign.

Look how much they brighten up the back wall of the library!

I am surprised how much adding just a splash of color does to cheerify the space.  Ms. Winberry popped in for a brief moment to drop something off and immediately mentioned how much they add to the ambiance in here.

I'd like to thank everyone who contributed to this project -- the donor, the painters, and the admirers.  It's people like you who make life so much better for our kids.

Happy Reading!

In November

"Dull November brings the blast 

Then the leaves are whirling fast."

-Sara Coleridge

Here's the November calendar (so far):

The November calendar was illustrated by two of my library practice students.  I freaking love the turkey.

Wow, we've got a ton of stuff planned!  Crochet Club, Book Talks, Book Club, Game Day--plus, our next FFB, Coffee with the Principal, Library Committee meeting, and a Booster Club meeting.  A lot goes in on here!

Happy Reading!