And so it begins...

Another school year begins, during the first week of school in library class students get to listen to stories, we discuss the rules and expectations in class, and most of all, what they loved doing last year and they want to do again in class this year.  No surprise, every grade loved using the iPads, checking out books, and coding.  All of these will be done again in library class this year.


September 15th is International DOT Day, a day created by the author and illustrator Peter H. Reynolds.

In the story The Dot, a child finds her artistic freedom of expression.  Students in grades 1-5 watched the Tumblebook of The Dot, and thought about their hopes and dreams and how they would make their mark on this school year in library.

Students watched the Tumblebook of The Dot.  Tumblebooks are available to watch at home, see me for details!

After reading The Dot, students designed their own dot to make their mark, and used the app Quiver to make their Dot 3D.  Quiver is a free app, and the children were very excited to make their designs!

After reading The Dot, students used the app Quiver to make 3D Dots for Dot Day

The Pokemon craze is here, some students make Pokemon dots and tried to capture them using Quiver 

Quiver has lots of possibilities for different pictures.  It's a free app, ask your kids how!

One student wrote a poem dot

Lots of reading themed dots

and more reading themed dots

Get in the Game...READ!

Let the Games Begin!

This year the Newton Free librarians and the Newton Elementary School library teachers got together and came up with suggested reading lists for children entering grades 1-6.  The Newton Free Library is hosting all kinds of wonderful reading events and prizes, details can be found here:

Zervas Elementary School Library

Individual reading lists can be found under each grade tab.  Remember, these are suggested reading lists, the important thing is to READ and HAVE FUN!

Library books are due!

My least favorite time of year, trying to get library books back, when I have spent all school year putting books into gleeful children's hands.  But it is that time, and books are due.  If you have a concern about your child's book, believe they have brought it back, or that it may be lost, please feel free to contact me.  Something can always be worked out.

Oak Hill Middle School Librarian Visits Zervas Grade 5

On Wednesday, June 1st, Ms. D'Elia visited Zervas fifth graders.  Students learned that life at Oak Hill Middle School library is very different than Elementary School.  Our soon-to-be sixth graders are eager to use the 3D printer, try out the green screen, and use a library that is much larger than their library at Zervas@Carr.

Oak Hill also is participating in a One Book One School program.  EVERYONE in the Oak Hill Community will read Losing It by Erin Fry


Information about Oak Hill's Middle School library and reading program can be found here:

Oak Hill Middle School Library

Local Author Visits Grade 3

The Magic of Norumbega

The temperature almost hit 90 today in Newton, but we kept cool in the library with a special visit from local author Leena Kutner.  Ms. Kutner captivated her listeners with stories about historic Newton and the long lost park of Noruembega.  Currently this park is a dog park, but decades ago, it was a popular destination spot.

Peppering her talk with historic photographs, and wondrous stories of this park that no longer exists.  At the turn of the last century, Norumbega Park was THE park in all of New England.  Rides, boating on the Charles River, a zoo, and the famous Totem Pole Ballroom.  Third graders were spellbound by stories of Newton's past, and laws, and many wish Norumbega still existed today.  Thank you, Ms. Kutner for your stories!

Norumbega Park, opened in 1897 and closed in 1963

Spellbound Third Graders

Grade 4 and 5 Coloring and Coding

Fourth and Fifth graders have been testing for PARCC and MCAS for several days.  I decided they needed a brain break during library class for some coloring and coding.

Jung believed that coloring was a great relaxation technique.  Coloring activates different areas of our brain, and as we color we focus on the project in front of us and not on our worries.  I found large group coloring book and fifth graders took turns coloring it together.  I also printed out coloring pages on card stock, cut them, and students got to color their own bookmarks.

Coding and puzzles have a similar effect, students get to use both parts of their brain.  When students complete a level or solve a puzzle, their brains produce the feel-good chemical dopamine, improving their performance and skill.

All in all a lot of positive energy can be created in 30 minutes!

Coloring bookmarks

Group coloring

Coding

Thinking the puzzle through

Students were so pleased with themselves for solving these puzzles!

Thinking the puzzle through

Coding!

Group coloring, and making bookmarks

Irene Smalls visits Grades K-3

On Monday May 16th, local Boston writer visited grades K-3 for storytelling, poetry, movement, and songs.  A special thank you to the generous Creative Arts and Sciences Program for funding this wonderful event!

We have several of Ms. Small's books in the Zervas Library, see Ms. Kinney for availability.

Kindergarten acting out "Down Down Baby"

Grade 1 listening to the story of the Jack Muh Lantern

Grade 2 Taking Dancing Steps