Online Book Talks

I hope that you enjoy!

Busy happenings this week at Mechanicsville Elementary School. Here is a clip of the 4th grade musical. I hope that you enjoy!

I hope you enjoy this new installment of Mustang News Bites!

I hope you enjoy watching Ms. Heim’s class present their insects.  They did an amazing job!

I would like to take the time to welcome our new blog authors!  Kristen in 5th grade and Katelyn in 3rd grade now have the ability to post things to the blog!  They are going to be telling you about the things that they are reading and some of their favorite books.  I hope that you enjoy reading what they have to say and if you are interested in becoming a blog writer, please let me know!  You can email me at: slkahle@carrollk12.org. 

Kristen, I had to change your settings and I think you should be able to post your own blog entry now.  If you can’t, please let me know!!

When I started my quest to read so many books this year, I wasn’t really sure why I was doing it.  To become a better person?  Maybe.  To know about the books I was “selling” to the kids?  Sure.  To find the best books to buy for the students?  Yeah.  But I didn’t expect to inspire and be inspired! 

Nate finished his quest to read 55 books! Way to go, Nate!

When I first announced what my goal was, Nathan, 2nd grader, told me that he was going to read 55 books this year.  Little did I know, (and I am sure Nathan didn’t know either) he finished his goal HALFWAY through the year!!  When he came in this morning with his book of books he read, I became inspired to perservere through my reading – I still have half a year to meet my goal!!   But, you know what?  If I don’t make my goal of reading 2011 books, I have encouraged Nathan and Mrs. Gentile’s class to read and keep track of what they are reading – and it was worth it! 

 I was looking through his book and he has read some really interesting books.  He read about snakes and UFO’s.  He read stories about the Magic School Bus, Star Wars, and the Magic Tree House.  He even read a book about becoming a Bounty Hunter!  Is that what your going to be when you grow up Nathan?  I asked him how many books he was going to read during the summer.  He started with just 3, but by the time he left the media center he was going to read 100.  Whatever number he decides on, I am sure he is going to meet his goal - because that is the kind of kid he is!  I’m proud of you Nathan!!

I know I haven’t blogged in a while about the 2,011 books I was supposed to read this year, and it is because I am doing terribly!!  I can barely read 100 books in a month and if you know math, then you know I am way behind.   Well, I have some help!  Mrs. Gentile’s class said that they would read some books for me!  I am so thankful that these first graders are helping me out and reading!!  Here are some pictures of them creating their books and wondering what to write in them.  Mrs. Gentile’s class added 169 books to my total.  Way to go, Mrs. Gentile’s class!!!!  Thank you!!

Already writing in her journal!What did I read? Hmmm...

Batanglo  Reading list Dorsey  Reading list Oneda  

4th graders have been working on summer reading lists in media the past couple of weeks (although Mrs. Chucko’s class still has to do this!) They have been using an online database from Carroll County Public Library called Novelist. Anytime that you read a book and you think, boy that was a great book, I’d love to read another one like it, go onto Novelist and type in your fabulous book and it will spit out 9 other book titles that you might be interested in! So we talked about what they liked about books – adventure seemed to be a keyword – and then used those ideas to choose books similar to their favorites. Each class received their lists, but I told them that I would post them on here to see what others in their grade wanted to read. I hope they have a great time reading. Please comment to this post over the summer to let us know if Novelist was any good at picking new favorites!!

Thank you to everyone who came to Mechanicsville’s Reading Night at the Finksburg Library. We had a wonderful time promoting reading to all of the families who were able to come. Kids enjoyed face painting, crafts, a scavenger hunt around the library and Wii bowling and tennis. I also saw a lot of families going home with an armful of books! Yay!! If you are interested in seeing some photos from the fabulous night please click below. The password to get into the site is Mustangs.

http://s777.photobucket.com/albums/yy51/slkahle/Reading%20Night/

Also, some kids were asking how I got their favorite literary characters as a Mii character. With your parent’s permission, you can google your favorite character and include Mii or Wii in the search. Then you will get the directions to create your favorite character. There are videos or written directions – I suggest those, because they will count toward your summer reading goals!!