Wanamaker Library Newsletter
April 2024
Happy Spring!
Reading is Fun!
The second book we read was titled Mustache Baby Meets His Match by Bridget Heos. When Baby Billy is born with a mustache, his parents have to decide if it's a good-guy mustache or a bad-guy mustache!
We ended our lesson with the students creating their own mustaches on a stick! We sent some interesting looking kiddos out the door that day!
There is nothing better than sharing a read aloud and a laugh with the students! It makes everybody's day a little bit better!
What do the King's subjects have planned to help them convince the King that there is more to presiding over a kingdom than his handsome face? Read Mustache! by Mac Barnett to find out!
Mrs. Reinert gets into the spirit by donning a mustache during the first graders' library class!
Baby Billy and Baby Xavier set out to prove their manliness in Mustache Baby Meets His Match by Bridget Heos!
March Madness--basketball AND books!
We had our own March Madness going on at WE! March Book Madness is an international online bracket-style tournament that matches books in one-on-one "games." The games were decided by a simple vote on a Google Form. Students voted individually or as a whole class.
Nineteen classrooms participated in this year's tournament. The students had a great time voting and watching the bracket in the hallway to see if the books they voted for advanced in the competition.
The teachers also felt that it was a worthwhile activity. Mrs. Medlicott, 4th grade teacher, had this to say about her class's experience with it, "March Book Madness was a great way to spend some class time enjoying literature. We loved reading the books in class, and I loved hearing the great discussions after the readings. My class thoroughly enjoyed participating in March Book Madness, and I will definitely add it to my March lesson plans for next year!"
The purpose of March Book Madness is to spread the love of books and reading. I think it definitely served its purpose at WE!
Mrs. Armstrong displays her shooting finesse!
The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt was the picture book champion this year.
Mrs. Reinert's impressive slam dunk!
Library Leaders Lend a Helping Hand!
We have 6 sixth grade students who act as library leaders this year. They applied for the positions, and have proven to be a big help in the library. Some of the tasks they perform include: checking in/out books, shelving books, helping younger students with book choices, putting up/taking down bulletin boards, and anything else that we ask of them!
When asked if he likes being a library leader, Easton replied, "I like being a library leader because I get to help out and be surrounded by books" while Ella stated, "I like the responsibility that being a library leader brings with it."
Thank you, Easton, Ella, Lillyanna, Hadley, Amarah, and Aubrey for all your help and enthusiasm!
Mrs. Reinert Takes Spring Break Field Trip!
I first read about The Rabbit hOle in the School Library Journal in January 2023 (see article link below). The immersive museum for children's literature in North Kansas City opened during Spring Break 2024! After learning that it would be opening during our break, I immediately put that field trip on our list of "things to do", and being the good sport that my hubby is, he was all in!
We had a great time exploring all the displays centered around a diverse collection of stories from past and present. We loved revisiting favorites like Blueberries for Sal and Caps for Sale, stories that we read over and over with our own four children when they were young. And mixed in with all our older favorites were newer, more contemporary stories and characters. Each display contained nooks and crannies to be explored by kids! Multiple copies of the books could be found at each display, inviting people of all ages to sit and savor the written word.
If you are looking for a literary adventure, whether by yourself or with others, consider The Rabbit hOle as an option. There is something for everyone, young and old alike!
Mrs. Reinert poses with the character from Caps For Sale, one of her favorite stories enjoyed with her own children when they were young. She can still hear her kiddos chanting, "Caps for Sale! Caps for Sale! 50 cents a cap!"
The Green Room from Goodnight, Moon was amazing! Every detail was perfect.
Mrs. Reinert tries out the chair from A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams. The author wrote this book in memory of her mother.
Can You Guess It?
On most days before students report to their classrooms, you can find several of them in the hallway outside of the library pondering a sign on the wall. What are they pondering? They are making their best guesses on the Emoji Book Title of the Week that is on display!
The title might be a picture book or it could just as easily be the title of a chapter book! It's been a blast to see what guesses the students (and staff!) have come up with! Students put their best guess in a bucket in the library, and the first person whose name is drawn that has guessed correctly, is treated to a blow pop sucker and a coupon for a Chick-Fil-A kids meal.
According to 5th grader, Rosalie, "The emoji book title guess is a fun way to start my day! It's mind-boggling, but fun!"
Guessing the weekly emoji book title is a great way to start a student's day!
Second graders put their guesses in the bucket! Who will be the lucky winner?
Hmm, what's your best guess?
Student Council Corner
The Bucks 4 Books campaign held during February brought in over $900.00. This will allow Wanamaker students to make a sizable donation to the American Library Association for the Haiti Relief Fund. This fund is used to help re-build libraries around the world that have been destroyed by natural disasters. Several years ago, Wanamaker donated $2,000.00 and our school was featured in an online article published by ALA.
The campaign allowed our younger students to work on learning their money concepts. Everyone who donated their change also enjoyed the feeling one gets when contributing to a worthwhile cause. We are grateful to have such a nice collection in our school library, and we want others around the world to experience the power of books as well.
The classroom donating the most money at each grade level (Sharples, Macha, Orr, Greene, Kromminga, Norman, and Augustine) will be rewarded with an extra recess. The classroom donating the most money overall (Mrs. Kromminga's 4th grade class) will be treated to a special lunch sometime in May.
Thank you to our families who donated to this school-wide fundraiser!
Upcoming Dates
April 5 & 19--Student Council meetings in the library at 8:00 AM
April 23-- Student Council members go to Rolling Hills Health Center to celebrate Earth Day and springtime with the residents.
April 26-- No school. Professional Learning Day
April 29- May 3-- Star Wars Celebration in the library! May the Books Be With You!
May 6-- Volunteer Luncheon in the library for all WE volunteers. Thank you to Judy Liezert, Judy Schultz, Sharlene Christenson, and Patty Jolley for being part of the library squad! We couldn't do what we do without your help!
May 10-- Final Battle of the Books meetings in the library during 4th - 6th grade lunch periods.
May 16 & 17--Battle of the Books competition for students and staff in the WE gym.
May 17-- Last Student Council meeting for ALL members in the WE library at 8:00 AM
May 17-- Tropical Day. Student Council sells leis ($1 each) earlier in the week
May 20-- Used Book Exchange held in the WE library
May 23--Last day of school for students!
We strive to make our library a welcoming place that fosters the love of reading and empowers the school community to become effective users of information.