BUTLER ORIGAMI FUN

We held an after school activity to learn about Origami. We read some books about paper folding and paper cranes and made origami items like Yoda, cranes, dogs, etc. We served popcorn in a little origami bag.

Then we invited all our students to bring their creations to hang on our 

"Origami Tree".

                   The origami ranges from very elementary to sophisticated.

                     This ninja star is amazing because it moves within itself.

                              The origami projects have been pouring in!
                        We got some new origami books in our last order.
                                              Kids LOVE origami.

Oakdale

These 'stay in for recess' days are creating bad behavior with our students...but they weren't really THAT bad!

Oakdale Elementary

ERIC TAYLOR ROCKS! 

Sprucewood Elementary

We seem to have a number of students request books that have been made into movies.  We wanted to encourage them to read the book before they watched the movie.  We created a bulletin board "Read the Movie" and spotlighted books that have been made into movies.  Our students loved this idea.  We try to keep up on books that have had the rights sold to be made into movies, and we recommend them before the movies hit the theaters. We always remind them that the book will be better than the movie.  We were careful to only highlight books that have been made into "G" rated movies.
Janette & Karen
Sprucewood Elementary

Bella Vista Elementary

Destiny Quest

A Library Search Engine and more…

Destiny Quest is a computer program that assists students in gaining information about books in the school library for their personal use.  The third through sixth grade students have been educated on the capabilities of Destiny Quest and how to create a personal account during class visits to the school library. Younger students may create personal accounts with the help of a parent/guardian at home or an older sibling. 

On Destiny Quest, students can develop a personal book list, renew their own library books, place their own holds, write book reviews, recommend books to friends who are members of Destiny Quest, request books to be purchased in the school library and more!  For more information on Destiny Quest ask one of the Library Media Specialists, Mrs. Allison or Mrs. Coombs at Bella Vista Elementary.  

Books are even more fun with Destiny Quest!

Oakdale

Sorry for posting three in a row.  I just want to share a little known but fabulous website.  Please visit wegivebooks.org to read children's books online.  If you are lucky enough to have a projector hooked up to a computer in your media center, you can read stories to students with the book projected on the screen.  They have some great books.  And even better, they give away books every time one is read online.

I have used some of the following with my classes:

Miss Rumphius
The Snowy Day
Little Dog Lost
Hope for Haiti
Big Red Lollipop
Snowmen at Night

Call me and I will tell you how to get past the firewall that you will encounter as you login.


Tami
ext. 68959
(I work Monday, Wednesday and Friday)

Oakdale Elementary

At Oakdale, our students enjoy comfy, little reading nooks.  Previously in this area, we had a 'beach', with wooden adirondak chairs, and 'ocean' and a 'palm tree'.  The chairs were dying a slow death.  So, out with the old, in with the new.  We created a 'READERS' CAFE'.  We were going for a hip 'Starbucks' type of vibe.  A parent made and donated the window cling. The rug came from funds from our book fair.  Our students LOVE hanging our and reading here.  This is in addition to our 'castle' area (see previous post) and a little area with a rug and three bean bag chairs.

Creating these nooks is a challenge given the restrictions from the Fire Marshall, but we think we have accomplished it!