This week, the 3rd/4th grade classes learned about challenged and banned books during Banned Book Week. They were very surprised to learn that several books with which they are very familiar have been banned or challenged in some places.

We talked about each title and students guessed why it was banned. In several instances, students objected to the reason for banning; for example, students didn't think William Steig meant any disrespect when he drew police officers as pigs in the anthropomorphic Sylvester and the Magic Pebble. The reasons for banning some books, like The Lorax by Dr. Seuss and Wings by Jane Yolen, were difficult to figure out. Others, like In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak, were very easy to understand almost immediately!

Every year, students around the world participate in International Dot Day on (or around) September 15th in order to celebrate creativity, courage, and collaboration.

This year, classes gathered in the Lyman Library to celebrate. We read "The Dot" by Peter Reynolds,  talked about the different ways we can "make our mark" on the world, and discussed ways that we feel encouraged and ways we can encourage others.
Afterwards, students collaborated with each other in making dot art (both 2D and 3D), used a virtual dot-making application on iPads, and designed Core Ethical Value dots.

The following week, library classes got to experience a Skype conversation with another class in order to talk about how International Dot Day was celebrated elsewhere. We Skyped with other local schools as well as schools in other states. In Minnesota, for example, we learned that one class celebrated by having a dot scavenger hunt, and in another school, everyone made dots to hang on a dot wall - even the school's principal and superintendent!

Yarr!
Today be Talk Like a Pirate Day!

Avast ye scurvy dogs, the 1st/2nd grade is reading "How I Became a Pirate" and "Pirates Don't Change Diapers" writ'n by Melinda Long and illustrat'd by that landlubber David Shannon.

So don't ye be surprised when ye find them runnin' a Jolly Roger up yonder pole!

Honesty, Respect, Responsibility, Kindness, Courage

This week, 3rd/4th grade classes designed elements for a bulletin board display in the library all about how our Core Ethical Values relate to how we use the library.

They came up with some terrific ideas, including:
Honesty: If you lose your book, tell the librarian.
Respect: Treat all materials in the library with respect so others can use it as well.
Responsibility: Keep track of your books and bring them back on time so that others may check them out.
Kindness: If someone is looking for a book, you can help them find it.
Courage: Trying a book that is different that what you're used to takes courage. Also, it can take courage to share with someone else why you liked a book.

This project is something that can be done anywhere! Some Core Ethical Value displays can talk about values at home, while playing sports, going on vacation, and so much more. It's easy to do and uses very few resources.
Here are the instructions:

• First, think about what Core Value you want to display. Brainstorm ideas.
• Get your materials: a rectangular piece of paper (we used colorful construction paper), and a marker.
• Fold the piece of paper in half and, on the outside, write the name of the value you decided on.
• Inside, explain how you can use your value in your chosen situation.
• Hang it up and admire your work.