Sad news!
As many of you know, I've been completing my Masters in Library Science at Simmons College while I've been working at the O'Donnell School for these past five years. Fortunately, I've graduated in May. Unfortunately, I've been offered a full time position at another school, so I will be leaving the O'Donnell School at the end of the year. I have so appreciated everything I've learned from all the students, families, and staff in my time here, and will greatly miss everyone!
Public Library Field Trips
This month, all students are visiting the East Boston branch of Boston Public Library. When classes visit, we meet the children's librarian Caitlin, we get a tour of the library, and all students receive a library card and check out one library book. The books are due back to the public library three weeks after the visit. Through the field trips, we hope students and families will regularly use the library over the summer to borrow books. There are also many free events and programs at the library in the summer for children and families. The library is located at 365 Bremen St. and their phone number is 617-569-0271.
There is more information about the library on their website. |
Arthur Dorros Visit
We were so excited to have Arthur Dorros visit the school! Students got to see pictures of Arthur Dorros as a child, learn about where he gets his inspiration from, and see the writing and drawing process from start to finish. Arthur Dorros drew a picture for each class, autographed his books, and all students received a bookmark drawn and signed by him. Attached are some pictures from the visit.
Arthur Dorros coming to the O'Donnell!
We are excited to have author Arthur Dorros visiting the school on Monday, April 11. The second and third grade classes have been preparing by reading his books and doing our own writing and research. We are focusing specifically on Abuela and Isla, but students have been exposed to many other books written by Dorros. In preparation, students wrote their own stories similar to Abuela, and then did research to see if Isla could be an island in the Caribbean. Wondermore has been generous enough to donate some books to the school library and classrooms in addition to organizing the visit.
Diversity Centers
For Black History Month in February, I have created centers that focus on all types of diversity. Students read a variety of books, including some illustrated with Bryan Collier's collages, and students are creating their own collages to see the beauty when different shapes, sizes, colors, and mediums are combined in art. Students are writing and illustrating what diversity, culture, equality, and fairness mean to them. They are also choosing and recreating their favorite images from the books we've read, including some nonfiction books with photographs from countries around the globe. Through these centers, students' eyes are being opened to the diversity and also similarities in their school, their neighborhood, and the world.
Youth Media Awards Annoucement
I was lucky enough to attend the American Library Association Midwinter conference in Boston, where they announced the Caldecott Award, Newbery Award, Coretta Scott King Award, and Pura Belpre Award, among others. When I came back, I shared the video of the announcements (which can be found here), with students, who were excited to see the winners. Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear, written by Lindsay Mattick and illustrated by Sophie such as Last Stop on Market Street, written by Matt de la Pena and illustrated by Christian Robinson.
Caldecott Award at the O'Donnell
Second and third grade students are getting excited and ready for the Caldecott Award announcement in January! On January 11, the Youth Media Awards (including the Caldecott, Newbery, Coretta Scott King, Pura Belpre, and others) will be awarded in Boston. The second and third grade classes have learned about the qualifications of the Caldecott Award and have read and thoroughly examined many of the books published in 2015. Each class has held their own elections. They are excited to find out the American Library Association winners and to see pictures from the actual awards ceremony! The O'Donnell Caldecott winners are:
Ms. Arciero
Medal - The Night World, by Mordicai Gerstein
Honor - Waiting, by Kevin Henkes
Ms. Ciccarello
Medal - When Sophie's Feelings Are Really, Really Hurt, by Molly Bang
Honor - The Night World, by Mordicai Gerstein
Ms. Lynch
Medal - The Night World, by Mordicai Gerstein
Honor - Waiting, by Kevin Henkes
Ms. White-Jones
Medal - The Night World, by Mordicai Gerstein
Honor - Last Stop on Market Street, by Matt de la Pena and Christian Robinson
Ms. Arciero
Medal - The Night World, by Mordicai Gerstein
Honor - Waiting, by Kevin Henkes
Ms. Ciccarello
Medal - When Sophie's Feelings Are Really, Really Hurt, by Molly Bang
Honor - The Night World, by Mordicai Gerstein
Ms. Lynch
Medal - The Night World, by Mordicai Gerstein
Honor - Waiting, by Kevin Henkes
Ms. White-Jones
Medal - The Night World, by Mordicai Gerstein
Honor - Last Stop on Market Street, by Matt de la Pena and Christian Robinson
Library Centers with Pat Mora
I have integrated library centers with the Focus on Kindergarten and Focus on First curriculums into the library. Students are reading books by the author Pat Mora and are each working on a variety of activities related to Pat Mora and her books. Students are inspired by Pat Mora when they are writing and illustrating their own books. Others are practicing handwriting vocabulary words related to the library. Some students build the settings of her books with blocks or act out her stories. During our time at the centers, we are constantly noticing the theme of thankfulness found in many of her books.
Author/Illustrator Visit in the Making
I am working with Wondermore, who will be assisting us in bringing an author or illustrator to the O'Donnell School to supplement the library curriculum in addition to an all-around fun experience! Stay tuned for more!
Back to School!
I hope everyone had a fantastic summer! Even though it is September, we're still feeling the summer heat this first week back! A few students have already brought back their completed O'Donnell Library READ-O sheets, and I'm excited to hear how many students were busy reading, going to the library, and doing other productive (and fun) things with their time off! Like last year, upper grade students will be able to travel around the library, completing their Passport Around the Library to encourage reading across many genres and topics. Due to the increased implementation of the "Focus" curriculum in the lower grades, I will be incorporating library centers into my lessons with Kindergarten and First Grade. More to come on what those centers will look like!
School Librarian Conference
I was able to attend the Massachusetts School Library Association Conference this past weekend in Amherst, MA. I connected with many other school librarians from around the state and was inspired by many of their great ideas. I look forward to using these connections to increase our book collection and plan a summer reading program for the O'Donnell School.
Reading during the holidays
The holidays and vacation from school and work are a great time to spend time reading with your child. Here are some tips:
1) Read with your child for at least 15 minutes every day.
2) Pick a quiet place. Sit close together so your child can see the pictures while you read.
3) Read slowly to allow your child to keep up with the story.
4) Use your voice to keep your child’s attention. Be playful with sounds; use different voices for different characters; exaggerate rhyming words.
5) Point to details in the pictures that might interest your child.
6) Let your child turn the pages.
7) Stop often and encourage your child to talk about the pictures and the story.
8) Reread a book as often as your child wants. Repetition helps promote language skills and reading readiness.
9) Have fun together!
(Taken from Only You, by Rosemary Wells)
Even when your child can read on his or her own, it is still important to continue reading together. Let your child choose a book, sit down together and take turns reading each page, or have your child read you the book. Discuss words that your child may not know. Make predictions about what is going to happen in the story. Practice having children retell the story. Reading together is a great way to stay connected with your child as he or she grows older.
If you set aside a short family time to read together everyday, your child will see that reading is important. The more you reinforce reading at home, the stronger a reader your child will become!
Donation from Harvard University Office of Middle Eastern Studies
The Office of Middle Eastern Studies donated over 50 children's books to the O'Donnell Elementary School library. Some books were fiction, including Middle Eastern folktales as well as modern stories, while others were nonfiction about holidays or countries in the Middle East. Our library is continuing to grow thanks to their generosity!
Passport around the Library
We are back to school and getting back into the swing of things! Students in grades 3-5 were given Passports around the Library. With this passport, students are encouraged to read books from a variety of genres and topics, including both fiction and nonfiction books, to travel all around the library and expand their knowledge and reading experiences.
Books from RIF
Thanks to Reading is Fundamental (RIF) for donating a large box of new multicultural books, both fiction and nonfiction, to the O'Donnell School Library!
Have a great summer!
Summer is a great time to relax and have fun, but it is also a great chance to enjoy reading and other educational activities without the pressures of school. Read your favorite books, and visit museums and new parts of the city to keep your mind active while on break. September will be here before we know it!
"Read for the Record" Record
On October 4, 254 students at the O'Donnell School read Ladybug Girl and the Bug Squad, by David Soman and Jacky Davis. In total, 2,385,305 people around the world read that book, beating the record from last year. Great job everyone!
Read for the Record
On October 4, we, as a school, will be participating in Read for the Record. We will help to set a record for the most number of people reading the same book on the same day. This year's book is Ladybug Girl and the Bug Squad, by David Soman and Jacky Davis. The book can be read online at We Give Books. For more information, click here. Para mas informacion en espanol, clic aqui.
First Book Grant
First Book is an organization which gives books to disadvantaged children. The library won a $500 grant (from Jet Blue) in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. In addition to the $500 for the library, we received 50 copies of the book Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., written by Dorreen Rappaport, and illustrated by Bryan Collier. A few copies have been added to the library collection, and others have been passed out to students.
Welcome!
Thank you for visiting the O'Donnell School Library website. Please look around at the links for parents and students and book recommendations by our students and staff. If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to contact me.