Bring on the Book Talk: Darth Paper Strikes Back

So, I don't recall if I blogged about "The Strange Case of Origami Yoda" by Tom Angleberger after I read it last summer or not. I'm sure I could look back at previous posts and figure that out but I'm now on a mobile app version of blogger and that's a bit, ahem, cumbersome. I'm just happy to be squeezing in blogging at all. So I made it to this point in the year with both O.Y. (short for "The Strange Case of Origami Yoda" and how I will refer to it from here on out, as I noted #Nerdbery tweeter, Colby Sharp, does as well) and D.P. Being constantly checked out and even wait-listed. As spring break was approaching, I noted that both were on the shelve and decided that problem must be rectified. I did successfully book talk them both out of the library, but I held on to a copy of D.P. to read myself...since it was available. Awesome read! I really enjoyed the clever response from Dwight when asked for a "straight answer," he responded: "yardstick.". Perhaps even more exciting is that while reuniting with the twitter-verse, I noted that Tom Angleberger's new profile pic was a new book: "The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee", coming out in late August. I cannot wait and I know the readers of Pine Road Library can't wait either. Like its predecessors, Wookiee will be a hit. And base on the cover design, I think there's definitely a market for specially designed origami paper to create fortune tellers. Looks even easier than O.Y. and D.P., so, Tom, if you're reading this, I'm certain I have some kids here who would be happy to fold away on said paper.

And, if you haven't seen these books yet, by all means begin at the beginning. They are funny, original, and entertaining. I haven't met a kid yet who walked away from an O.Y. book. Enjoy!

Philosophical Toaster Pastry

This quote was found on the bottom of a box of toaster pastries (fancy name for organic pop tarts) in our house:

"A tree is known by its fruit;
a man by his deeds.
A good deed is never lost;
he who sows courtesy reaps friendship,
and he who plants kindness gathers love."
~St. Basil (329-379)

Now, I realize that in St. Basil's time there was awfully little gender equality, so I'll let that issue go. Besides that, I LOVE this quote and the wisdom of its words. I also love finding nuggets of inspiration around my home in hidden corners, like the pantry. April is National Poetry Month. And National School Library Month as well. Celebrate both. Visit your library and find inspiration all around you.

Cross posted at http://ellenzschunke.blogspot.com

Read Across America

Our school celebrated RAA on Friday, March 2nd. We had an all school assembly (split among our two large group rooms) with a special Seuss edition of PRTV complete with all sorts of features:
• Seuss Pledge of Allegiance
• Video from last year's LOC RAA celebration with first lady, Michelle Obama, as well as other read aloud celebs
• Lorax trailer
• Appearance from Dr. S, straight from the third grade wax museum
• Special Cat in the Hat version of "Mrs. Blakeman's Bookmarks"
• All school rendition of "Happy Birthday"

We were also joined by guest readers from Murray Avenue during the assembly. Following the assembly, partner classes went to classrooms to read with cross grade level buddies and later in the day, the whole school dropped everything to read. Overall, the day was a successful collaboration exhibiting the efforts of many to make a great day for all!

Here I am dressed as Dr. Seuss character, Daisy Head Mayzie in front of our library door. Our door is decorated for dual purposes. Our author visit was with "I Survived" author, Lauren Tarshis. Our door states "I Survived Read Across America". The door itself looks like the Cat in the Hat's hat and the stripes were created by students decorating index cards with favorite book covers.

Spring Break

Spring break has sprung! I'll be reading and blogging and reading some more this week. Stay tuned!

MLK Prezi

I found this Prezi on MLK on their featured education prezis and thought it was a neat example of how to use a timeline in Prezi.  Another possibility for our Wax Museum Future.

Martin Luther King, Jr. on Prezi

The Future of our Wax Museum

Xtranormal Xample Video

Friday Tech Tip (Murray Avenue Edition) - Using the Public Calendar in Outlook to book Computer Labs, Netbook & iPad Carts

Hi everyone -

Over the past few weeks, some of the netbook carts have been used without being signed out on the public scheduling calendar in Outlook. 

That calendar is there to help us keep ourselves organized, and to track the location of the various mobile devices we’ve got.  It works when we work it, so please be diligent about using it.

The video talks you through how to do it.

Happy signing-out!