RES Library Media Center News

Fourth grade scholars have been finishing their Capstone Presentations this week in their Library Enrichment classes. These presentations are the final step in the self-directed Capstone Projects they have been working on this spring. Over the course of these projects, each fourth grader: Chose a topic that interested him or her Developed a research question to answer about the topic Researched and took notes Chose a presentation format to share his or her research findings Created a presentation to share these findings Below is one example of a presentation created by an RES fourth grader. Many more examples can be seen on the RES Enrichment Library class blog at  ThinkCreateCollaborate.blogspot.com The fourth graders will be sharing their presentations with the RES community on Monday, June 2 at 6:00 p.m. Please contact Mrs. Redford for more information. How was basketball invented and why?

Second graders at RES are in the middle of a unit on picture books that have won the Caldecott medal for best illustration. One of the requirements for a Caldecott book is that the illustrations must add meaning to the text. The scholars have been sharing Caldecott books, first with the text alone and then with both the text and illustrations.They have been asking the question, "What do the illustrations add to the text?" and discussing their observations with partners. Sharing with partners about what the illustrations add to the text Here are some of the Caldecott medal-winning books they have shared. Ask yourself: What do the illustrations add to the text? Where the Wild Things Are  by Maurice Sendak Grandfather's Journey by Allen Say My Friend Rabbit by Eric Rohmann

life cycle partners with their science notebooks Third grade scientists have been researching animal life cycles during their library classes. Last week they used PebbleGo online database and World Book Online to collect information for their science notebooks. This week they began working with partners to create Google Presentations like the example below. This project has allowed them to practice their note taking skills as well as learn some great features in Google Apps like using template documents, sharing documents, and collaborating with other students to create a presentation together. Next week they will also have a chance to practice citing their sources. The scholars have also been having some great conversations about similarities and differences in animal life cycles. Did you know that ferrets have live births and blue jays have egg births, but they both have about six young at a time? Why do you think that is?

Throughout the school year, the RES library shares scholars' artwork with all the RES community members who visit the library for classes, meetings, quiet reading time, and group project work. If you've never visited the library, come in and enjoy some of the beautiful student artwork we have on display! Right now in the library we have a picture book written and illustrated by kindergartners, sculptures by first graders, window art by kindergartners, Westward Expansion wanted posters by third graders, a giant mobile by fourth graders, and a whole wall of poetry from scholars throughout the school. The work of our creative scholars makes the library an inspiring, joyous place to learn!

All though April, the creative scholars at Richmond Elementary school were writing poetry. They chose to write in several different poetic forms including concrete poetry, in which the placement of letters and words adds to the meaning of the poem;  haikus, which have 5 syllables on the first line, 7 syllables on the second line, and 5 syllables on the third line and reverso poems, which can be read top to bottom or bottom to top The video below includes some of the many poems our scholars wrote in April. We are very proud of all our poets!

As part of my work with third graders this year, I have been collaborating with their classroom teachers on their current writing unit. The scholars are writing fairy tales in their Writing Workshop. They began this unit by reading and listening to dozens of fairy tales, both in their classrooms and in the library. We held a day of special guest readers in the library (teachers, parents, and our principal). I had a chance to read my favorite fairy tale, Andersen's "The Wild Swans," to one class. I checked out dozens of the library's fairy tale books to the classrooms so students could have these mentor texts close at hand when they began writing their own. Once the writing began, I helped students in their classrooms as they reread, revised, and added details to their own fairy tales. It has been a privilege to work with these talented writers as they learn and develop their skills! I can't wait to read the published stories. - Mrs. Redford ...

Last week RES fourth grade scholars completed their participation in the annual Dorothy Canfield Fisher (DCF) Award reading program. Every year, Vermont scholars in grades four through eight who participate in this program read titles from a list of new books. Each scholar who reads or listens to at least five titles on the list can vote on his or her favorite book. At RES, fourth graders who read at least five books on the current DCF list will also receive invitations to a lunchtime pizza party in the RES library. When RES fourth graders voted for their favorite DCF book, the winner was: The Expeditioners and the Treasure of Drowned Man's Canyon by S. S. Taylor Top DCF results at RES: The Expeditioners and the Treasure of Drowned Man's Canyon RES Winner Wonder tie The Boy on Cinnamon Street tie Chomp tie The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls tie I Funny tie Summer of the Gypsy Moths tie The One and Only Ivan tie The statewide DCF Book Award winner ...