Tuesday, December 7, 2010

November Brrr!

The official Read for the Record count is in; 2,057,513 people were recorded for reading The Snowy Day.

We have a display of Newbery Medal winning books and our own Mrs. Bortner did a Newbery Medal book talk. Mrs Bortner has read most if not all of the Newbery books and gets one every year for her birthday. You can find all of the Newbery books here:

http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/newberymedal/newberymedal.cfm

Students have been writing their favorite books on our library graffiti wall by the circulation desk.

Helen Keller made an appearance in the library for Mr. Deiner's class. Helen loved hot dogs and learned to read in four languages. "No barrier of the senses shuts me out from...my book friends. They talk to me without embarrassment or awkwardness."

To kick-off the Thanksgiving holiday, students were transported back in time to Plimoth Plantation with a read aloud story about the first feast between the Pilgrims and Wampanoag peoples. It's interesting to hear how different people viewed the same event.

Starting this week the library will be promoting reading by sponsoring some Fun Fridays. This week, Prop your feet up and read. Wear holiday socks or toe socks to show your support.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Chilling Out With Some Good Books

It was a rainy day outside but that didn't stop us from having our book talk tables after lunches in cooperation with Palmyra Public Library. This month's theme was Winter Sports and Holidays. Students received bookmarks and signed up to win free books. There are lots of book talks happening in the classrooms and I presented a book talk on the Titanic. After reading biographies,  Mrs. Flury's class participated in a speed friending event. I was Helen Keller and found out that I probably would have been friends with both Eleanor Roosevelt and Jackie Kennedy.

Check out the Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominees here: http://www2.scasd.org:16080/developers/dkd11/SCASD/2010-11_Movie.html

Monday, October 25, 2010

Teen Read Week

On October 19th we had a book talk table at lunches where some frightfully great books were featured from the public library and our own middle school library. The public library sponsored a drawing for some free books and passed out some Frankensteintastic bookmarks and stickers. I know the librarians enjoyed interacting with the students and are looking forward to doing another lunch book talk table in November.

If you see any students carving pumpkins and counting the seeds it might be because the featured book for the Read Aloud was How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin by G. Brian Karas where Charlie discovers that of the three pumpkins his teacher brings to school the smallest pumpkin has the most seeds; yes "small things can have a lot going on inside them."

We featured thirteen mystery staff readers on the morning announcements. The staff members favorite book was shared along with three clues about them. Posters were displayed in the library and school cafeteria where students could place their guesses. Winners were drawn each day from the correct guesses. The winners could choose a free book or school supplies.

Even though Teen Read Week is officially over we hope everyone will keep on reading!

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Welcome!

Welcome to the Palmyra Middle School library blog. Here you will find out what is going on in the library, new books and any other interesting tidbits of information. Thanks to everyone who came out to hear The Snowy Day in support of Jumpstart's Read for the Record on October 7, 2010. We added 171 students and teachers to the count for a world record. If you want to know more check out www.readfortherecord.org.

We are displaying some 7th grade gargoyles and have a few activities planned for teen reading week next week. On October 19th there will be book talk tables at lunchtime displayed in the courtyard. You can sign up for a read aloud during 8th period: 6th grade Tuesday, 7th grade Wednesday, and 8th grade Thursday. We will be featuring a mystery staff reader on the announcements each morning. The staff members favorite book will be shared along with three clues about them. Be sure to participate in our mystery reader guessing game by stopping in the library to place your guess.