Another Reason I Love My Job

I was recently visiting the fifth grade class when I discovered a gem... The kids are currently participating in a book challenge, in which they are required to read a set number of books from various genres. I love this idea because it promotes free choice, while still encouraging students to read outside of their comfort zone (this is particularly great for those kids that "only like _______ books." It helps them to discover books they would otherwise never pick up.

Well, our wonderful fifth grade general studies teacher has the kids record the books they've read in a journal, as well as reflections to those titles. Well, let me tell you how ecstatic I was when I stumbled across the following:

And he just keeps reading!!! And asking for more suggestions. He is also open to a wide variety of suggestions. When I first met this voracious reader, I had no idea he was such a bibliophile... What a pleasant surprise it was!!!

Teaching Minecraft. Sigh.

Actually, it's more like a double sigh. Or just two long days of sighing.

I am a fan of game-based learning and in my ambitious desire to meet students where they're at, I thought, "Ah, a Minecraft enrichment course. Perfect." Um... Not so perfect. The concept is perfect, but the process is far from it. I spent so many hours on the computer trying to get all of the students' MinecraftEdu accounts connected to one central server that, I'm quite certain, my eyeballs were spinning.

The idea that MinecraftEdu has taken a popular game and modified it to make it appropriate for classroom use is brilliant, if only I could get it to work. There are a multitude of videos, wikis, blogs and sites dedicated to helping people like me configure their account quickly and sans hair-pulling-out. Sadly, between firewalls, "unable to connect" messages and a loss of patience, I left the school with slumped shoulders and a frown. Fingers crossed that tomorrow will result in jumping for joy and celebratory high-fives. Wish me luck! And send advice if you have any!

P.S. - For any MinecraftEdu aficionados, I installed the MinecraftEdu Classroom and was able to successfully get on the server, but after installing the client on school iMacs, I just kept getting a message that it wasn't able to connect to the server. I was using the offline mode to avoid any firewall issues but it didn't seem to help.

P.P.S. - The IT guy was out sick today and I am hoping and hoping (and hoping some more) that 1) he'll be back tomorrow and 2) he'll snap his fingers and it will all work perfectly. It's generally the case that his mere proximity makes tech issues magically vanish. It's the whole the-car-works-perfect-when-you're-at-the-mechanic syndrome.

Why I Have the Best Job E-V-E-R

Not only are costumes accepted, they're encouraged!

Reading books are not enough for me, I like to wear them, as well

I've been known to dress like my students (yep, those are both teachers)

... Or act like them

I take behavioral management seriously, as do my peers

Why yes, librarians do have super powers

And a keen sense of fashion

 I take my literary passion to heart

And I'm not afraid to embarrass myself

Seriously...

Or get a little edgy

Or walk like an Egyptian

Or a pirate

Like I said, best job E-V-E-R

Last but not least, who else has a LEGO mini action figure of themselves?

Tu B'Shevat Decor

My first year at a Jewish school has been a wonderful learning experience. I am especially excited to be introduced to all of the holidays and I am incredibly lucky to have such patient and supportive co-workers (and students) who are eager to slowly explain (and re-explain) holidays, traditions, food, religious practices, the list goes on and on.

One holiday I am anxious to start decorating for is Tu B'Shevat (unsure of what that is? Check out this great resource for a basic explanation). I love that the holiday celebrates trees and the environment. I was thrilled to be able to display my dear (and tremendously) talented friend, Luke Robertson's artwork.

If you look closely, you will see that he used the branches to spell the following: "Write to be Understood, Speak to be Heard, Read to Grow." This quote comes from legendary UCLA librarian, Lawrence Clark Powell. As a tribute, Luke carved Powell's name into the trunk of the tree.

I wanted to create a fun background for the piece and used Eric Carle (again, I know, but I LOVE him!) as an inspiration... I painted white tissue paper with various greens, let them dry and attached them to the bulletin board before hanging the tree. I am incredibly pleased with how it looks, I am thrilled for others to see it!

*I am currently working on a giant tree made out of recycled materials and tree-themed garland, check back later to see if they come to fruition!

Feeling a Little (Hermit) Crabby, Part 2

Following our Eric Carle author study lesson (check out the Feeling a Little Hermit Crabby, Part 1 post), our brilliant art teacher, Mrs. London took over our beautiful hermit crab shells. Mrs. London has put together a blog post about her work on this project, as well. We were very involved in one another's lessons throughout this unit and we were thrilled to be collaborating on such a fun project. It was so exciting to be able to tie one topic into the general classroom, the library and the art room. The kids were so engaged throughout the entire process.

Check out how we honed in on our inner-Eric Carle:

 The crab bodies were created using red modeling clay

They were sooo cute!

 Not only did the kiddos make hermit crabs, they also created underwater habitat homes!

 Next step, using Eric Carle's style for inspiration, Mrs. London had students paint tissue paper to adorn their habitats

"More paint, cover as much space as you can!"

 The following week, the kindergarteners used the tissue paper to create seaweed, starfish, coral, sponges, sea anemones and much more!

 Mrs. London's adorable example (she used dried flowers to decorate the floor of the habitat)

Amazing display in the front corridor of the school

 Lastly, I have to brag about our amazing kindergarten team and their stunning bulletin boards!!!

I hope you're inspired to do your own over-the-top Eric Carle study and have the opportunity to collaborate among departments. It was truly a joy!