I am so pleased that the Mead School District is offering “Parenting in the Digital Age” to our community this week. Educators and teachers need to understand the impacts of screen dependency (this is a lighter word than addiction) and the huge potential and risks of social media on this generation of K-12 students. I know teachers can be considered part of the problem because of our own dependence on screens to deliver exciting and engaging content.
“But you need me to help teach the CORRECT way to interact with technology, I’m teaching you digital citizenship….” I justify.
We used Chromebooks and Zoom as an academic and pseudo-social lifeline during the first chapter of Covid 19 Pandemic virtual school. Even the families most leery of computer-based learning were forced at that time to adapt to the foreign new landscape of digital communication. In any case, there is an urgency for both parents and educators to understand screen dependency and partner with our students to appropriately and thoughtfully navigate our digital world.
Please work to attend the very important event centered around the documentary, “Screenagers” at Mead High School on May 21, 2024.
Best sellers, new titles and soooo many fuzzy journals!
I’ve been planning and tinkering with print and video promotional materials every day for the big reveal of the gorgeous layout Scholastic is famous for providing. The staff helped with planning the teacher/student previews and PTO volunteers showed up on Friday to help move and organize the library space and help display the goods which was so generous and amazing.
“Mom! I HAVE to have this right now. No, THIS one, oh it’s so cuuuute”
~ Every child present while their parents helped set up the book fair.
The most fun part of the “pre-show” was the student involvement! A group of Shark Council members got a first look and helped prioritize which books to feature (based on their enthusiasm) and just generally promote coming to the fair this week.
Monday November 6 will be a student preview/Wish List creation day (there will be cash registers for kids at lunch recess who come financially prepared on Monday) Afterschool will begin the first public sale slot.
Tuesday November 7 we will be open 8am-9am, lunch recess and afterschool from 3:20-4.
Wednesday, our schoolwide Grandparent’s Day will be the biggest day for shopping, starting at 8am. This will allow grandarents to shop beforehand, as the breakfast doesn’t begin until 8:30am. The shopping will continue until 9:40 am (as it is late start day) and we will stay open until 6pm that night.
Thursday is the last day, opening 8a-9a and 3:20-4pm. Students with an ewallet will help the flow of traffic tremendously. We hope you come, shop and enjoy!
Barbies, Taylor Swift and Dual Language offerings!
First, I’d like to share my Fall introduction video with you, which includes links to our Library expectations and the district-wide learning targets for each discipline. These learning targets have been collaboratively developed by myself and my nine colleagues over the past two years, and they are consistent across all Mead’s elementary schools. We’ve put a lot of effort into refining the language and goals to ensure they align with our educational mission
Let’s look at what’s happening in the library this year!
I went a little crazy with Barbie theme. But it’s a reflection of not only American society, but global demand and consumption. As of today the Barbie movie “has become the highest-growing movie of 2023 reaching $575.4 million domestically this week…It has already grossed $1.3 billion globally.” (Time.com)
Not that many of our students have actually seen the movie, (the intended audience being adults and teens) and that’s fine. Those who have, adored it, and usually had older siblings. But the display was carefully created by my 18-year-old daughter, who, with impressive imagination, played Barbie and Monster High with her twin sister for much longer than their peers. I played along with them of course, which is why I sobbed through much of the nostalgia-driven scenes. Also, my daughters are leaving me for college so I’m a little weepy anyway.
Sophia hard at work creating a displayEach Barbie and Ken has a book. The Classics!With pink lights! Professions to make them feel more than Kenough.Everyone has a Weird Barbie.
A great school or public library should always reflect not only the most high-quality traditional and contempory children’s book titles, but what is happening in popular culture, especially if it is a child-driven phenomenon. To be clear, I am not promoting the movie, I am promoting what Barbie (via Mattell) has done right: Representing the hopes and dreams of young children (both reasonable and seemingly unreachable goals!)
It’s been a long time since Dr. Jane Goodall was this young! My daughter’s hero.
There really IS a Sally Ride Barbie. These library displays coming soon..
We always had these Ruth Handler biographies but now they are featured prominently, as least temporarily
Aside from answering the question “Why all the Barbies?” and pointing out it’s a global phenomenon and a literature tie-in opportunity, and that I have Kens featured, too, I am not teaching about anything Barbie. I don’t have time and and it’s silly. Just fun.
I’ve also borrowed the theme from the other global phenomenon, Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour” to promote our novel Section.
What I am teaching in the first few weeks is lots of academic and social expectations, a review of some of our wonderful new picture (“Everybody”) and science and fiction books. We also devote a lesson on the 22nd anniversary of 9/11 in the most age-appropriate manner
We are also gearing up for our first literature-centered monthly theme: Hispanic American History Month. In our library, we feature books and lessons from the following state or nationally recognized holidays:
September: Hispanic Heritage Month (9/15-10/15) , 9/11 Patriot Day. October: Bullying Prevention Month, International School Libraries Month, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Media Literacy Week, Halloween. November: Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertes), America Indian & Alaska Native Heritage Month, Veteran’s Day, Diwali, Thanksgiving. December: Pearl Harbor Day of Rememberance, International Hour of Code, Christmas across the world, Hanukkah and other winter holidays. January: Martin Luther King Jr. Day. February: American Heart Month, Black History Month, Groundhog Day, Lunar New Year, Valentine’s Day. March: Women’s History Month, Read Across America, Pi Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter. April: Poetry Month, National Park Week, Earth Day. May: Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, International Harry Potter Day, Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day. June: Great Outdoors Month, Pollinators Month, Father’s Day, Juneteeth.
Midway Elementary has expanded its offerings with the addition of two classrooms dedicated to our district’s Dual Language program. As a result, we are delighted to introduce a fresh collection of resources, including bilingual and Spanish picture books, informative science materials, and captivating novels. The Dual Language program has made a significant investment in an extensive array of high-quality Spanish paperbacks, thoughtfully curated to align with the curriculum and cater to the interests of our kindergarten and first-grade students. This impressive inventory will be readily accessible in the library, classrooms, and our dedicated book room, enriching the language and literary experiences of our students across various settings.
Thank for for reading this long post! Have a great Fall.
*blogging has been rebranded as “content marketing.” I had to look it up.
We are adjusting back to normal after our temporary shiny cute vibrantly-colored pop-up store that is the Scholastic Book Fair. It was a tremendous undertaking that only the joy of book-focused students and their generous, accomodating grandparents makes worthwhile.
My last blog entry was exactly a year ago. There are plenty of reasons why..however I think I’m still asking for Covid-related grace. A parent told me the other day she missed my blog and I was so pleased to know I had a bonified reader, I hastily promised to remake the committment to create new content. (See note above, no one blogs anymore!)
So here’s what we have been doing since September: 1. Digital Citizenship check in: what do students remember, what habits have they adopted, how many are on devices daily, etc. signed a digital citizenship pledge.
2. 9/11 with light focus on the terrorist event, and heavy focus on national unity and community helpers.
3. Hispanic American History, with this guiding thought as we watched a collection of videos about different countries: “Hispanic language and culture is evident in most areas of the Americas today, and it’s important to understand how different Hispanic cultures have greatly influenced our American culture and way of life. In the United States alone, it is estimated that over 50 million Hispanics or Latinos live in the U.S” (vistahigherlearning.com)
4. Washington State’s “Disability History Month:” Learning from kids and young adults about how they deal with and overcome ADHD, dyslexia and autism was illuminating for all the students; especially those who share the disgnosis, (or have brothers and sisters who do).
WHAT!? Tom Cruise has dyslexia?!”
(5 different 3rd/4th grade boys)
5. Why people love scary stories, and an attempt at writing two-sentence spooky stories of their own. Halloween history and traditions. The Fall Ball was an absolute joyous event that I was fairly involved in and delighted to be a part of. Even though I can’t really explain my last-minute costume here.?
6. We learned about the history importance of Veteran’s Day as well as participate in a veterans assembly that my collleagues Mrs. Bofenkamo and Ms Brasch organized because I was overwhelmed with the Book Fair.
7. THE BOOK FAIR. I love hearing parents talking with their kids about what their just right books might be–sometime barging in on conversations with data such as what other books their children have checked out this year and thus what they might most enjoy. 🙂 I know I have posted elsewhere but I appreciate so much sharing my library space with grandparents!
As far as core curriculum goes, November is the best! We did historic photo analysis to infer what a young Native girl’s her life might have been like, learned about the contributions of hisporic and contemporary Native Americans. Along with 5th grade teachers we touch on the different perspectives of Thanksgiving and perform Dav Pilkey’s “Twas The Night Beffore Thanksgiving” via Reader’s Theater.
After Thanksgiving Break, we will celebrate The International Hour of Code to coincide with Computer Science Week on December 5-11. http://www.code.org always comes up with a fantastic variety of new coding games all of which tie in beautifully with our Washington library technology standards: “Students break down problems into smaller parts, identify key information and propose solutions.”
🎄 We also do a study of how people celebrate Christmas all over the world and I love the “find the weirdest tradtion” game.
If you are still with me then congratulations because man this has been a long post. I think I remember why people have the best of intentions with blogs and journals and diaries, and then….
After a fun-filled end of 2024, we’ve started out the first quarter of 2025 by creating New Year’s Resolutions, learning about Spokane author Kelly Milner Halls as we get ready for her visit on January 21. And this week, we are researching Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. If he were still alive, he would be 96 on Wednesday, January 15.
Me in my work clothes being in charge of a few school events and making uncessary updates to compelling lessons…probably running late.
We have 20 of Kelly’s 50 published books for elementary and middle school readers.
Cozy Up to Reading: A Pacific Northwest Wonderland
Join us on the evening of January 21, right after the Martin Luther King holiday, for a fun and creative celebration of reading and writing! We’re calling it “Cozy Up to Reading: A Pacific Northwest Wonderland.” Fingers crossed for a light dusting of snow—not enough to make the roads tricky, but just enough to invite everyone into the warmth of storytelling. (Cold weather is perfect for our theme!)
We’re thrilled to host two incredible guests:
Jennifer Lebrett, a Spokane Tribal member, will share the story of Salmon Boy, a legend of the Sechelt People. According to fifth-grade teacher Kristen Labrie, “Salmon are a vital part of Native culture, especially here in Spokane. The Spokane Tribe relied heavily on salmon for survival, gathering annually at Spokane Falls to witness the salmon’s return to spawn. Salmon Boy teaches the importance of protecting these incredible creatures.” Mrs. Labrie’s class is currently raising salmon eggs in a freshwater tank, and attendees will get to meet the baby salmon while hearing this remarkable story.
Kelly Milner Halls, an award-winning author known for her fascinating books on dinosaurs, life-saving animals, and paranormal phenomena, will spend the day inspiring our students with her craft. She describes herself as “the kid who asked too many questions” and writes thoughtful non fiction to help other curious kids get answers. She’ll join us in the evening to share her passion for smart storytelling with young audiences.
The evening will also feature:
Hands-on activities like creating texture books and bookmarks.
A bookwalk with exciting prizes.
We can’t wait to celebrate with you—mark your calendar and cozy up to an unforgettable night of reading, storytelling, and creativity!
And due to popular demand, the Scholastic Book fair is coming in exactly a month! We’ll be holding it during parent teacher conferences, with the first 1.5 days dedicated to students creating book wishlists and purchasing. It will be open to the public the afternoon of February 12, just after school lets out on the half day (first day of parent teacher conferences) It will run until 5:30pm. We will run the fair noon-7:30pm on February 13 and 8am-12noon on Friday February 14. The theme? For the LOVE of Reading, because Valentines Day 💞
See? That is why I’m moving briskly and wearing my best hat and carrying a briefcase. Running a school library is serious business! And I love it.
I’m not talking about avoiding a hot slide to protect your backside. Although you probably should do that, too. The “Summer Slide” is the “tendency for children to lose some of the academic gains they had made during the previous school year. Research has shown that children experience significant learning loss over the summer.” (Tacoma Public Library)
There are so many online resources for my avid readers who may finish books before it’s convenient to get to a brick and mortar library! All you need is a device and, in some cases, a library account or a password. I will give you all that I know about!
Here are links to our Midway Elementary databases.Pebble Go (1st-3rd graders LOVE researching their favorite people and places) username is Midway1 and password is school. The password for Gale is “goldfinch.”
All you need to access our collection of 85 eBooks is your student’s username and password to sign in to Destiny. Below is a instructional video explaining two methods of signing in. ⬇️
Unite for Literacy is a collection of open access ebooks (no passwords needed!) for Kindergarten and first grades. Or younger! Books will narrate for non-readers.
To access the summer schedule and check out items from 4 digital catalogs, create a Spokane County Library account and visit their digital library at this link.
Oxford Owl is a free e-book program that does require an account. It is London-based so read these words with a British accent:
“Oxford Owl for Home is our website for parents and carers. Here, you’ll find information about the primary curriculum along with tips and activities to help your child with reading, English, and maths at home.” (See? “Maths” Jolly Good.)
Read to earn UW Swag!
Participating students K-8 read at least 20 minutes a dayon30 separate days to earn a Husky reward and reading certificate. Offer open to all students, but perhaps most enjoyable for Husky fans! 🐾
“Let’s find a way to be isolated, and together at the same time,” says Mo Willems, who is the number one author for grades pre-school-2. Mostly because of his Elephant and Piggie, and Pigeon franchise.
Out of new, strange necessity, Mr. Willems decided to create a new live program: “Lunchtime Doodles with Mo Willems” to keep kids creative and engaged (with
Lunchtime Doodles with Mo Willems
something other than Netflix, Disney+ and video games). He teaches how to doodle and he is a silly man (who is just so likable!!) and like many authors and people whose job it is to be public figures, not able to be in the public right now, so….enjoy him and enjoy whatever time you can get your kids to spend with him, and YOU.
Speaking of GETTING kids to SPEND time, I have to say I was both inspired by a colleague’s schedule she created for her kids (It’s AMAZING!)
and shamed by the fact that I not only A. Failed to create such a schedule, and B. know that if I proposed such a schedule my own teenagers would laugh in my face and not be interested in hearing me read aloud, even! But I DO DIFFERENT VOICES, I’d plead again. “Yes, mom, we know. It’s awkward.”
“Well, my students love it!” I mean, most of them, I think.
Anyway, please be easy on yourselves if you have no such rigorous plan. Do what you can, and please check on Google Classroom. I’ll be posting an instructional video to do so, as well as other lessons and reading ideas. Here’s our district-wide set of suggestions for tech, reading and STEM activities for now.
Media Literacy is a 21st-century approach to education. It provides a framework to access, analyze, evaluate, create and participate with messages in a variety of forms — from print to video to the Internet. Media literacy builds an understanding of the role of media in society as well as essential skills of inquiry and self-expression necessary for citizens of a democracy.” ~ Center for Media Literacy
This video below (starring Joey Papa, who I didn’t previously know, but now respect) is short, compelling and starts the conversation I’m having this week (and, really, I touch on the topic weekly, be it with discussions of literature, digital citizenship, or online safety.
“Media literacy is the ability to ACCESS, ANALYZE, EVALUATE, CREATE, and ACT using all forms of communication. In its simplest terms, media literacy builds upon the foundation of traditional literacy and offers new forms of reading and writing. Media literacy empowers people to be critical thinkers and makers, effective communicators and active citizens.” ~ NAMLE (National Association for Media Literacy Education)
Here are a few slides from the Media Literacy lesson I’m presenting with the 4th and 5th graders.
Slide from class presentation
Another slide from class presentation
“Media Literacy describes the act of being capable of handling different forms of media and being competent, critical and literate.” ~ Urban Dictionary (Defined with no swears! That’s pretty rare, actually!)
If you want to go deeper into the myriad elements of “media literacy” here is the CML’s “glossary.”
You know librarians are some of the most likely people to hoard books? That’s why it’s a delight when we get to host temporary book stores in our libraries. They’re the beloved Scholastic Book Fairs!
I happen to be fortunate enough to have a school/neighborhood parent who LOVES putting on the book fair. And I mean PUT ON from the beginning; concept to Pinterest board posting to decoration to volunteer acquisition. The decor is extravagant and detailed and color coordinated and I keep it around for months after the sale.
The community shows up for their students, particularly during the Grandparents Day, which was yesterday and I manage the website and social media account so I get to take all kinds of photos. The sight of an older person leaning over to gently lead, or be led by their grandchild is beautiful.
The Scholastic Book Fair has so many great deals on paperback books, and an equal number of sparkly overpriced journals that draw the attention of young customers…particularly the young girls, and I work to divert the kids from the junk corner. I tell the kids to expect the items to last from 2 days to two weeks. I am constantly working to promote reading so why would that change in what is essentially a book store. I actually told one of my students today “I will not let you buy this chocolate calculator. ”
I already heard the complaints of a student who bought the mini chocolate calculator: “It doesn’t smell like chocolate, the keys are too small and it was overpriced.”
‘Yes,” I agreed, “that is a bummer.” You don’t go to a seafood restaurant and order spaghetti and meatballs. You don’t go to a book fair and buy cute office supplies.
Anyway, it’s been fun and I’ve been teaching outside of the library and leaving my water and laptop and books behind in random classrooms but it’s all worth it!! Thank you to Angela Wolverston for all of her time and creativity and time and more time and her n=husband who dressed up as Dogman and ran into walls and couldn’t fit through doorways. AND THANK YOU, FAMILIES, for coming! And getting books into children’s excited hands!
The book fair is usually the largest source of income for the library but during this budget shortfall year, it is the only one!
This picture book is WONDERFUL! By Adam Rex, the award-winning illustrator of The Day the Crayons Quit.
The Midway Sharks are a little younger this year, which means more malleable minds with which to develop a lifetime love of reading! Because our sixth graders moved to the Sixth Grade Center, we had extra classrooms which now house active, curious kindergarten and first graders! While it is more challenging to teach first graders how to sign in to Chromebooks (picture the GIF below, but a 6-year-old version.) it is delightful to hear them giggle and watch them marvel listening to a thoughtful, funny and rich picture book. (PS Reading aloud with different voices
is my favorite thing in the WORLD) We are learning how to hold, identify, categorize and generally take care of books and electronics, as well as take care of our classmates and communities by being good citizens in real life and online. Digital Citizenship is the main guideline for 4th grade, but I begin to touch on it early, as all of our young students now have access to online devices.
We are beginning to promote the upcoming book fair, which begins September 30. The book fairs are always very successful community events because our families value books, have a positive background with literacy and are engaged in their students’ activities and interests. And we all love a fun community event! As we did last year, our Grandparents morning celebration will coincide with the book fair this year, also, on Wednesday, October 1. Thank you for your support and partnership in raising readers and thoughtful digital citizens.
Coming to Midway September 30-October 3 (with a last-minute grab before school on Friday, Oct 4)
You know librarians are some of the most likely people to hoard books? That’s why it’s a delight when we get to host temporary book stores in our libraries. They’re the beloved Scholastic Book Fairs!
I happen to be fortunate enough to have a school/neighborhood parent who LOVES putting on the book fair. And I mean PUT ON from the beginning; concept to Pinterest board posting to decoration to volunteer acquisition. The decor is extravagant and detailed and color coordinated and I keep it around for months after the sale.
is beautiful.
Anyway, it’s been fun and I’ve been teaching outside of the library and leaving my water and laptop and books behind in random classrooms but it’s all worth it!! Thank you to Angela Wolverston for all of her time and creativity and time and more time and her n=husband who dressed up as Dogman and ran into walls and couldn’t fit through doorways. AND THANK YOU, FAMILIES, for coming! And getting books into children’s excited hands!
Mrs. Rossi's Library Tech Page! 