Category Archives: Links

Dec
20
2011

Fourth Grade Wordle Recommendations

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Wordle: recommendationsIn 4th grade library classes we have been examining book reviews and recommendations.  We looked at reviews from The New York Times, Kirkus Reviews as well as online book blogs.  Students were asked to figure out the difference between reviews and recommendations, as well as the main parts of book reviews.  They were then asked to write their own book recommendation featuring a book they had read and enjoyed lately.

After this was completed, fourth graders copied their text into the online wordle tool ( http://www.wordle.net ).  This free tool takes text and blows it up into word clouds.  The more times a word appears, the bigger it is in the cloud.  Students manipulated their word clouds, and then printed a copy out.  Kate and Steve’s class has their reviews up on the library bulletin board, and Dina and Hilary’s class has their reviews in the classroom.  Many students were quite excited about this tool.  Why not ask your 4th grader how to create a wordle and play around a bit at home?

Apr
22
2011

Poetry Fun!

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poetry magnetic pieces

As most of you know, April is National Poetry Month, and in the library we have been having some fun!

Third graders used laptops to create some magnetic poetry!  How can they do that, you ask?  Well, with the help of a super fun site of Magnetic Poetry Games !  Students paired up, negotiated how they would create their poems, and started clicking and dragging.

There’s nothing like the sound of laughter in the library!

Nov
03
2009

Library Field Trips!

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Some of the wonderful things about being at LREI are the field trips!  We do love our own library, but it is fun to get out into the city and make connections with other libraries, authors and programs that connect with our own.  Recently the 3rd and 4th grades have been able to do just that on library field trips.

The 4th grade went up to the New York Public Library Stephen A. Schwarzman Building on 42nd Street.  We first visited the new Children’s Room where the students explored the collection and were able to see first hand the original Winnie the Pooh toys that belonged to A.A. Milne’s son!  They then got to hear a reading by author Jacqueline Kelly from her new book The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate.     The students then asked Jacqueline questions about the writing process and about how she conducted research for the book.

On the front steps

The 3rd grade made their way up to the Children’s Museum of Manhattan for a look at the Gods, Myths and Mortals exhibit.  There they got to solve an archeological mystery, and compete against gods and godesses in interactive exhibits designed to enhance their already formidable knowledge of Greek mythology!

arrival at the museum

Both the library and the Children’s Museum had LREI students excited and engaged.  I can’t wait for the next library field trip!

Jan
20
2009

4th Graders Meet Cornelia Funke

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On Thursday, January 15, both 4th grade classes bundled up for a trip to the New York Public Library on 42nd Street. Even though temperatures were low, spirits were high, since the destination was a question and answer session with esteemed children’s writer Cornelia Funke.

rinkclose.JPGAfter a short subway ride, the students took the opportunity to watch some of the skaters at the rink in Bryant Park. They soon entered the library, and were escorted up through the hallowed halls into the Trustees Room. For many students, this was their first trip to the 42nd Street library. Their teachers made sure that they looked up as they walked through the hallways, noticing the architectural details. The students were quite impressed!

Cornelia was accompanied by Eliza Bennet (who plays Meggie from the Inkheart book in the film of the same name). Cornelia and Eliza both gave short introductions about their roads towards writing and acting, and then the floor was opened up for questions. The students asked questions ranging from “What is your inspiration?”, and “Were you nervous trying out for the part?”, to “Is it difficult condensing a novel into a movie script?”, and “Who is your favorite character that you have ever written?”. Cornelia spoke quite eloquently about the writing process, and let students know that she didn’t even begin writing until the age of 28. When one student asked her if she liked the feeling of power of controlling her characters, she answered with a short chuckle and told the student that he should let his characters out of his power, and then he will really see where his stories would really go!

Eliza in turn, spoke about acting and her love of the book Inkheart. Many children were quite interested in the process of moving a book off the pages and into a film.

emilysign.JPGAfter the questions were asked, each student got a chance to meet Cornelia and Eliza and have their book (or poster if they did not have a book) signed. Thanks to the New York Public Library for hosting this special event!

trustees.JPG

The 4th grade had a wonderful morning, and yes, Cornelia Funke’s books are flying off the shelves! Why not come into the library and check one out!

Feb
22
2008

Kids Advocate Against Censorship

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In The Night Kitchen

Kidspeak is an organization that was created by kids in response to the banning of Harry Potter books in a Michigan School. The Lower School and Middle School librarians just hosted the high school Dangerous Language class in the 6th Avenue library space for a discussion on children’s books and censorship. Students are always surprised by the titles that land on banned book lists year after year. They are also amazed that book banning is alive and well in the United States. Head on over to Kidspeak and take a look!