Monday, January 26, 2015

Caldecott Awards

Recently the 3rd, 4th and 5th graders have been examining picture books during their library time. I selected a number of books that are possible Caldecott Award winners (winner to be announced on February 2nd), spread the books out over the library tables, and divided students into groups to examine each book and fill out a ballot giving their assessment of the book.

Each class created a list of their favorites and on February 2nd we will compare our preferences with those the Caldecott committee selected! Students were intent on evaluating each book carefully and were fully engaged in finding their favorites.

In other grades:

Kindergarteners have been listening to stories by Phillip and Erin Stead (A Sick Day for Amos McGee; A Home for Bird; Bear Has a Story to Tell).

First graders have been listening to a variety of texts: Big Snow by Jonathan Bean; Down the Back of the Chair by Margaret Mahy; and coming soon: books by Grade Lin as we get ready for her visit on March 17th!

Second graders were engaged in listening to and borrowing "pourquoi" stories (how and why stories) in November, winter poems in December, and recently we've been reading books by Susan Meddaugh. Soon we will start reading some picture books by Grace Lin as we prepare for her visit to Lawrence on March 17th!