Author Bethany Hegedus Visits Zervas Second Graders

On Tuesday October 18th, author Bethany Hegedus spoke to Grade 2 about her books Grandfather Gandhi and Be the Change. Students were also treated with stories of their favorite authors and illustrators that Ms. Hegedus has worked with at the Writing Barn, her writing retreat center in Austin, TX.

Her new picture book, Be the Change, is a Grandfather Gandhi story.  Second in her picture book series about Gandhi and his message of peace, told from his grandson Arun's perspective.  The provocative collage illustrations by Evan Turk guided the discussion as students read what the characters were feeling throughout the story.

Zervas Elementary is a Responsive Classroom school and Ms. Hegedus' picture book of peaceful resolution, aligns with the social emotional learning in our school.  Her visit and the message in her books will be reflected upon throughout the school year.

Ms. Hegedus shares her favorite books from her childhood

Exploring the pictures in the new book by Ms. Hegedus, Be the Change

Reflecting on Gandhi's message

Star Wars Reads Day

Star Wars Reads Day is a nation-wide celebration of reading that is sanctioned by Lucas Films.
Zervas Second Graders celebrated October 11th in library class. 

Students practiced searching the catalog in
visual search.After clicking on the BB8 
reading icon, students learned the 
location  of the Star Wars book in the library.

Listening Centers were set up.
Students scanned QR codes to watch an online story.

Students borrowed books, and chose a center.

Coloring stations were also available.

Some students designed their own lightsabers.
This student created an everlasting lightsaber.

Word searches and puzzles were a challenge to complete

Celebrating International Peace Day with Jubilee!

How can we be champions of peace?  What are our hopes and dreams for a peaceful school year?

These are questions third graders asked on September 21, the UN International Peace Day. Together we read Jubilee! One Man's Big Bold and Very Loud Celebration of Peace written by Alicia Potter and illustrated by Matt Tavares.  A local story about a musician who wanted to celebrate the end of the Civil War with the 1869 Peace Jubilee.

After reading this story, students then thought about their hopes and dreams and how they could help create peace at Zervas Elementary, in their neighborhoods, and during this school year.  We decorated cards that will be saved and opened in June to reflect upon their school year.