Library Lesson: Being Knowledgeable about Reading

Being Knowledgeable About Reading

It saddened me to see many of our library books checked out and then sit in our students' backpacks, never to be cracked open and read. That concern sparked the idea for this lesson. Plus, I just love the envelope page corner bookmarks I have seen on Pinterest; I had to think of a way I could fit them into a lesson!

Recommended grade:  2nd grade

Materials:

·   Book Petunia by Roger Duviosin

·   Corners cut off of envelopes to make bookmarks

·   Pencils and markers

Lesson:

I was surprised that just about all of my second graders did not know what the word "wise" or "knowledgeable" meant. But after this lesson they did, and they started enjoying their library books versus letting them sit in their backpacks. Hooray!

1. Discuss with the students how checking out books and carrying them around in their backpacks will not help them become more knowledgeable. Even silly fiction stories can teach them a valuable lesson that will help them become more wise or knowledgeable. Discuss the meaning of both words.
2. Read story Petunia by Roger Duviosin.
3. Have students use the corner of envelopes to create a Petunia bookmark (need to first lick and stick them closed before cutting into triangle shapes). On the back of their bookmark, the students will write a sentence or more sharing what they learned from the story.

I love what this student wrote she learned from our lesson:
"I lernd (learned) that you have to read to get smart."

Library Lesson: Choosing a Just Right Book

Library Orientation: Choosing a Just Right Book

My second grade son last school year participated in this library lesson. He said it cracked him up and I had to do it again for this next bunch of second graders for their library orientation. His favorite part was me preparing to read the story in the chairs that were too big and too small and putting on socks that were also too big and too small. If you are going to do this lesson, be sure and have fun with it by over dramatizing and making your students smile!

Recommended grade:  2nd grade

Materials:

·   pictures of your family and things you like

·   chairs of various sizes (too small, too soft, and just right)

·   2 books: one that is too difficult for this age group and one that is too easy to read

·   socks of various sizes (too small, too big, and just right)

·   book Goldisocks and the Three Libearians by Jackie Mims Hopkins

Lesson:

Here is how I teach this lesson and what works best for me. Also, I hope to post pictures once I have taught it again this school year...

1. I start by introducing myself and showing pictures of my family and the things I like.
2. Next, I tell the students I have a book I want to read to them, but I first have to find a cozy spot to read it. I sit in a chair that is too small, too soft, and then “just right.” 
3. Then, I tell the students I am now ready to read. I start by reading the first paragraph of a book that is too hard (I use my husband's huge book The Caribbean by James A. Michener). Then, I read a few pages of a book that is too easy (I use the board book Hug by Jez Alborough). Finally, I tell them I am now going to get serious and read a book that is “just right” for them.
4. But before I read the book, I tell the students I need to put on some cozy socks because my feet are too cold. By now the students are cracking up laughing or groaning because they know what will probably happen next. I put on socks that are too little (the kids get a kick out of me trying on baby socks). Then, I put on socks that are too big (my husband''s soccer socks are massively big). Finally, I put on socks that fit “just right” (I use socks I received from Junior Library Guild that say "Librarians Rock!"). 
5. Now I really have their attention and I am ready to ask if the phrases I have used remind them of a story they have heard before (Goldilocks and the Three Bears). I share with them that I have a different version I am going to read to them called Golidsocks (hold up my feet) and the Three Libearians by Jackie Mims Hopkins. 
6. I then proceed to finally read the story. Every time I get to the main character Goldisocks, I drag out the word "Goldi..." and hold up my socked feet so the students will chime in the word "socks."
7. There is a part in the book where Goldisocks discusses using the "5 Finger Rule" to find a book that is "just right." I pause my reading of the story to discuss how to do the "5 Finger Rule." Then, I teach the students a song to reinforce the idea. I wish I knew where I found this song to give credit to whomever came up with it- give a shout out if you know where!
   The Five Finger Book Song
   (tune: “Yankee Doodle”)
   Here’s the way I choose a book-
   I count upon my fingers.
   See a word I cannot read,
   My fingers keep a record.
   
   
   Miss a word, that counts for one,
   Skip it and keep reading.
   Miss the next word, finger up,
   At five, I’ll choose another!
8. I finish reading the book and then tell students it is time for them to be a BEAR! I hold up a sign that is an acronym showing the word BEAR stands for "Be Excited About Reading!" They then get to practice using the "5 Finger Rule" to find a book for them that is just right.
9. As they leave, I hand out bookmarks to remind them to be BEARs, to use the "5 Finger Rule" when finding a book, and to help them remember when their weekly library time is.

Fun freebie:
Here is the bookmark that I created to hand out to the students at the end of this lesson. If you would like a copy, click on the picture below. Enjoy!

Bear graphics from Scrappin Doodles
Hand graphic from My Cute Graphics

Library Lesson: Monkeying Around

Library Orientation: Monkeying Around

This is one of the first lessons I wrote as a teacher-librarian. The students had a blast and couldn't wait for their next visit to the library! This lesson is designed to stress the importance of book care while having fun learning in the library at the same time. It is based off of Pat Miller's Library Monkeys cards. Be sure and visit her website at: www.patmillerbooks.com.

Recommended grades:  PreK and Kindergarten

Materials:

·   pictures of my family and things I love

·   monkey puppet (hidden in bag)

·   CD “Party Like a Preschooler” by Go Fish, CD player

·   Library Monkeys picture cards by Pat Miller

·   Damaged books/pages examples

Lesson: (see the link to this lesson posted on author Pat Miller's site by clicking here)

1. Introduce myself by showing pictures of my family and things I like.
2. Tell students I have a special library guest, so they have to show him how to behave in the library because sometimes he makes poor choices. Introduce monkey puppet (hidden in bag).
3. Ask students to raise their hand if they have heard the song “5 Little Monkeys.” Have students get up and sing and dance to the song “Five Little Monkeys” by Go Fish from their CD “Party like a Preschooler.”    
   CD or digital album
4. Talk about how the monkeys made some poor choices in the song. Show picture cards about some monkeys who didn't take care of their library books using Pat Miller’s Library Monkeys. Read and discuss cards.   
   
5. Show examples of book pages with problems like the ones from Pat Miller’s Library Monkeys. Before each example, say the following chant:   
   Five Little Monkeys
   by Mandy Watson (adapted from idea by Pat Miller)
   Five little monkeys reading in bed
   One jumped up and showed what he read
   Mama took the book and this is what she said,
            “I’m so sad you ruined what you read!”
6. Tell the students they are going to go looking for a special book to take home today. As they look, they are going to echo each line of my poem as they march around a table of pre-selected and age appropriate books:
   Library Monkeys
   by Mandy Watson
   We are little monkeys. (Children echo)
   We’re looking for a book.
   When we find a good one,
   First we’ll take a look.
   If we like what we picked,
   We go and check it out.
   We read and take care of it;
   “Reading’s fun!” we shout.

Fun freebies: 

I created these bookmarks to hand out at the end of the lesson in order for my students and their families to not forget their library day. If you would like a copy, click on the image below. Enjoy!

Monkey graphics from Scrappin Doodles