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MTRSD Elementary Libraries: January 2025

Take a look at what's happening in our elementary school libraries!

BSE Library News--January 2025

Each January brings a sense of anticipation to the library, because at the end of the month many major book awards will be announced by the American Library Association. In the following weeks at BSE, grades K-4 will continue the tradition of participating in a ‘Mock Caldecott’ unit, reading outstanding picture books from 2024, then voting on the one they think deserves the prize for the best illustrations. Take a look at this year’s contenders for BSE’s Caldecott Award below.

Trying something new this year, grades five and six will participate in our first annual ‘Mock Sibert’ unit. The Sibert Award is given yearly to informational books for children. Check out a few of this year’s contenders for our own Sibert award, and stay tuned to find out the results of our votes at the end of January!

To end this month’s update, I’d like to leave you with a snapshot of an average morning in our library community. Before heading to their classrooms in the morning, students often stop into the library to return a book, choose something new to read, sign up for the talent show (yes, it’s coming soon!), or simply to say hello. On a cold morning last week, a second grader popped to tell me that he just needed to find a cookbook because he’d decided that being on ‘Master Chef’ was his goal. Done. Next, a fourth grader came by to get yet another nonfiction title in her area of interest - U.S. presidents. Got it. A second grader came in next, asking for help finding The Wild Robot to read with her mom before they saw the movie. Found it. And finally, a sixth grader had a mission of kindness - she wanted to borrow a picture book to read to a kindergarten buddy on the bus that afternoon. Success! We have a community of readers, and I feel enormous gratitude to be entering into 2025 with your inquisitive and kind children. Happy New Year!

New Books at BSE and Library Catalog!

Sanderson Library News- January 2025

It’s January! What might you find if you visited the Sanderson Library this month? Gazing out of the panoramic windows, you might shiver at the chilly, snow-painted landscape outside. The winter wind rattles against the window panes, but inside, twinkle lights are warm and welcoming. As you browse, you might encounter a book that inspires a New Year’s resolution, or find yourself reciting Dr. Martin Luther King’s famous I have a Dream speech as you peruse books about Dr. King and other freedom fighters. You may also notice the gold, silver, or bronze medals decorating the covers of many books on display. Why? January is when the American Library Association declares its Youth Media Award winners: the Caldecott, Newbery, Sibert, Coretta Scott King, Pura Belpre, and Stonewall, just to name a few. Our “cozy corner” (called the “VIP Section” by some fourth graders) invites you to plop down with a good book and stay awhile. I’ll admit, it’s not totally quiet in the library. For example, you will hear lots of “beeps” coming from the circulation desk. This is the wonderful sound of students checking out new stories, adventures, or discoveries. As we enter 2025, I feel incredibly grateful to be a caretaker of this beautiful space, to help students as they find their next great read, and to witness these amazing kids as they learn and grow. Thank you to all who have supported the Sanderson Library, and to all those who help kids keep reading!

This month in Sanderson Library…

Fifth and sixth grade students will explore nonfiction by taking part in a ‘Mock Sibert, ’using the actual Sibert criteria to pick their favorite of a few 2025 nonfiction contenders.
First through fourth graders will gain appreciation for various illustrators as they engage in a Mock Caldecott to pick their favorite of the year.
Kindergarteners will read about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and learn about Lunar New Year.
Preschoolers will engage with winter-themed books through fun activities.
Third graders finally kicked off this year’s Storyline Project, where they will design and build a library within the Sanderson Library. The first task: complete a scavenger hunt to find the pieces of our story’s first “Chapter. After putting the pieces together (see below), they read it aloud as a group. Stay tuned for updates!