We have been having a great time this last week with the theme "Set Sail on
a Reading Adventure: Find Treasures in Books." Last week for the first day of
Children's Book Week I dressed up as a pirate and leaped into each classroom
with an "Ahoy, mateys! I am Captain Book!" I carried a book about pirates, a
stuffed parrot, and my wonderful weapon - a pencil. I explained the theme and
then left a treasure map that had seven places to be filled in. I gave a first
question to be answered. I found some wonderful paper at the office supply store
that looks like rolled up parchment. On it I printed a question every day, one
per grade level, along with a graphic of a treasure chest. It also asked students
to write down the author, title, copyright, and page number of the book they
used to answer the question. Each class could choose how to answer the question
- from a book in their classroom, their whole class coming to the library to
look it up, or a small group coming to look it up. The library aide and I assisted
the small groups when they came. When the correct answer had been recorded,
a paper coin was given to them to glue on their maps. I just made those out
of gold and silver wrapping paper. They were stored in a cardboard treasure
chest in the library. The chest also had gold and silver beads hanging out of
it.
After the classes answer the seventh question tomorrow they will be given
little
plastic treasure chests to take back to their classroom. There's one per student.
I just love these little chests. I get them from http://www.smilemakers.com
. They're Lucky Tooth Treasure Chests and intended to be a place to keep a tooth
when it falls out. Each treasure chest has a secret message rolled up in it.
We'll send them back to the classrooms in a sack along with a key to the secret
code. Each classroom has a different message which tells them to "Look for a
book about ___" in the library. For example, one class is to look for a book
about cats. When they go to the cat section they'll find a piece of paper that
tells them they have found their treasure and should ask Captain Book for it.
I'll be dressed up in my costume again.
I have used those candy coins for prizes before but I couldn't find them
this
time. They're also quite expensive. I was thrilled to learn about Nestle's Treasures
which are chocolate wrapped candies in the shape of treasure chests! That will
be the final treasure.
The kids have been very excited. There were wonderful moments such as when
a kindergarten autistic child told me they needed a nonfiction book. Students
learned what copyright meant and how encyclopedias and dictionaries don't have
authors. There were also disappointing times when I realized that many of my
students have no clue that encyclopedias are a source of quick, basic information.
It's going to be a wild and crazy day tomorrow. Besides the end of the
treasure
hunt, student council is having a "Bad Hair Day." It's also the last day of
school before Thanksgiving break. It's the first time our school has not had
to go to school on the day before Thanksgiving. Have a great break!
Belinda Holbrook
Media Specialist
Harrison Elementary
Davenport, IA
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=
All postings to LM_NET are protected under copyright law.
To quit LM_NET (or set-reset NOMAIL or DIGEST, etc.) send email to:
listserv@listserv.syr.edu In the message write EITHER:
1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL or 3) SET LM_NET DIGEST
4) SET LM_NET MAIL * Please allow for confirmation from Listserv.
For LM_NET Help see: http://ericir.syr.edu/lm_net/
Archives: http://askeric.org/Virtual/Listserv_Archives/LM_NET.shtml
See also EL-Announce for announcements from library media vendors:
http://www.mindspring.com/~el-announce/
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=
LM_NET
Mailing List Home