It is such a beautiful day that you might want to take a little field trip - check out some of these locations, near & far. Let me know what you think.
Have you ever been to any of these places in person? Which one(s)?
Where would you most like to visit? Why?
What was the most interesting thing you learned about each place?
Hello again,
Here is a post that I just found from a local author reading aloud her latest book
"The Breaking News". We own it in our Library, but of course we can't access it right now. This is a great story that can help calm some fears for students who may be feeling a little anxious during these strange times. I hope that you enjoy this, and if you do a followup activity please send me a pic of your work at linda_coviello@bedfordps.org and I will share it here and with the author.
Thx,
Ms. C
FROM THE PUBLISHER: When devastating news rattles a young girl’s community, her normally attentive parents and neighbors are suddenly exhausted and distracted. At school, her teacher tells the class to look for the helpers—the good people working to make things better in big and small ways. She wants more than anything to help in a BIG way, but maybe she can start with one small act of kindness instead . . . and then another, and another. Small things can compound, after all, to make a world of difference.
The Breaking News by Sarah Lynne Reul touches on themes of community, resilience, and optimism with an authenticity that will resonate with readers young and old.
Consider creating a project around “one small thing” that you can do for your community: grow flowers to share, set up a Little Free Library, or create a collaborative art project with others.
Today's offerings have some fun activities for you to do at home.
We call these activities STEM (an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math)
Add Art and and the activities become STEAM
And my personal favorite...add Reading and you have STREAM!
While all of these are TOTALLY FUN to do on their own, ask yourself:
1. WHAT is actually HAPPENING?
2. Did your creation work as planned? WHY? Or WHY NOT?
3. WHAT HAPPENS IF...I make a change?
4. Can I HACK THIS to create something NEW???!
As you work (or play!), try to take note of what you are actually doing. And if things don't go as planned, remember: FAIL is just another acronym for First Attempt In Learning 💡
and another favorite expression:
TRY...FAIL 😕
TRY AGAIN...FAIL BETTER! 😁
These websites each contain TONS of links to numerous STEM, STEAM & STREAM activities.
which ones do you like best? Book Inspired Technology & Engineering Activities
Spring is a wonderful time to view wildlife. Lots of animals are migrating back north, nesting, and waking up from hibernation. Have you been out for some nature walks? I saw lots of animal tracks in the snow, and it was fun trying to identify the animals that made them.
So if you are an animal or nature lover like me, I hope you will enjoy today's post with lots of links to explore. Again, some are videos on YouTube and/or Facebook. Others are websites to read about animals you know, and learn more about some that you don't know. Still others offer fun games and activities.
If you like what you see in this blog, let me know so I can continue to offer topics that interest you, my readers!
To get us started, here is an image and poem by Janet Wong, written especially for us in these challenging times. I hope that you enjoy it.
I am so grateful to be part of such a supportive group...authors, illustrators, publishers & educators from all over the country are either reading aloud themselves or granting permission for others to read & record their books so students can access them online (and not violate any copyright laws...important legal stuff!!). Are they awesome, or what?!
Check out this list below, and tune in for treat! This should be enough to get you started...
N-joy!
Ms. C
NOTE: Some of these are on YouTube, others on Facebook (so you will have to tune in on an adult's account unless you are 13 or older).
Hope you are doing well as we all adjust to this "new normal" way of life! If someone were to ask me what I love most about being a Library Teacher, I would have to say that there is ALWAYS something interesting that I can connect to...we can READ and LEARN about quite literally, ANYTHING. And what better place to learn about things than MUSEUMS?
Many museums are offering tours and content online JUST FOR YOU. So, lets call this MUSEUM MONDAY
Below are some links to museums that you might like to explore.
Write a comment below about something that you learned so we can keep in touch. My cats are happy to have me home during the day, but they are pretty boring because they sleep SO MUCH... I really miss you guys!!!
Massachusetts StatehouseFor a more educational tour, check out many of the rooms in the state’s most important government building.
Boston’s Black Heritage TrailThis virtual “walking tour” on the Google Arts & Culture page explores the rich history of Boston’s 19th-century black community on Beacon Hill.
Isabella Stewart Gardner MuseumThis Boston museum houses European, Asian and American art collected by Gardner, who asked that her collection be made available to the public for education and enjoyment. The museum does not have a virtual tour on its website, but the Google Arts & Culture page has panoramic images of the museum and the grounds.
Museum of Fine Arts - Boston The MFA has its own youtube channel. Visit this link for an inside look at its curators and collections. Tons of videos to watch & learn.
AND I found a TON of free online museum sites for TEXAS...I will be looking for more to add, so check back. Some require an app download, or recommend VR (Virtual Reality). Just explore, and enjoy the ones that work for you.
TUESDAY TREAT - Read alouds with authors & illustrators, access to free books online WILDLIFE WEDNESDAY - Sites & activities to do with the great outdoors THINKING THURSDAY - Problem solving with some fun MakerSpace activities FIELD TRIP FRIDAY - Explore some awesome places without leaving home
Sending regards from home. Hope you are all well. The author & illustrator community is sending their love over the internet. Here is another online storytime, just for you!
ScottM Magoon (Jessica's Rescue, The Boy who Cried Bigfoot, Linus, the Little Yellow Pencil, etc). Please share!
In this episode, Scott reads "The Boy who Cried Bigfoot" and shares his Bigfoot illustration techniques with you. Check this out and information about his other books on his website.
