Pop Art Projects

After completing an artist biography research assignment, third graders in Miss Tennant's class learned about the pop art genre and the work of Andy Warhol during a library lesson. Students then had an opportunity to create their own "Warhol" by either choosing a current popular celebrity or product to embelish and repeat several times.

Read to Your Dad On Father's Day

I Love You Always and Forever by Jonathan Emmett

My Father, The Dog by Elizabeth Bluemle

Piggy and Dad go Fishing by David Martin

Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney

Hugging the Rock by Susan Taylor
Readers will enjoy the tender relationship that blossoms between father and daughter after mom walks out.

Summer Reading

Be sure to make time for some good books this summer. The Burlingame Public Library offers a great summer reading program. Or, how about reading some of the books from Washington's Academy Awards of Books? The Burlingame Public Library's summer reading book lists are available on line and at the main branch of the library. A list of all of the categories and nominees from the Academy Awards of Books is available in Washington's Library through the end of the school year.

Books to Celebrate Moms

Owl Babies by Martin Waddell
"I want my mommy!" is the memorable line from this story about 3 owl siblings waiting for their mother to come home.

When Mama Comes Home Tonight by Eileen Spinelli
Playing, feeding, helping, and holding are just some of the things mother's do when they get home from work.

Koala Lou by Mem Fox
"Koala Lou, I DO love you!" is something Lou hasn't heard her mother say in a while.

My Working Mom by Peter Glassman
"It isn't easy having a working mom." Especially when she's a witch.

Mama Talks Too Much by Marisabina Russo
"They talk and talk and talk. Blah, blah, blah" is board Celeste's response after each person her mother stops to chat with while on their way to the market. That is,until they meet Mrs. Castro and her new friend.

Mama, Don't Go Out Tonight by Sally Gardner
The little girl in this story doesn't want her mom to go out for the evening, but enjoys the company of her babysiter Daisy. And, when mom does come back she pops in to say "sweet dreams, my sweetheart."

On Mother's Lap by Ann Herbert Scott
A boat, a doll, a puppy, Michael and the baby? - ". . . there is always room on Mother's lap."

Just for You by Mercer Mayer
Remember: When doing something special for mom, it's the thought that counts.

Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman
There's just no mistaking the real thing.

Piglet and Mama by Margaret Wild

Just for You by Christine Leeson

Won't You be My Kissaroo by Joan Ryder

Llama Llama Red Pajamas by Anna Dewdney

Baby Bat's Lullaby by Jacqulyn Mitchard

Mommy Mine by Tim Warnes

The Academy Awards of Books Winners - "The Catties"

Best Performance by A Princess
Rapunzel by Paul Zalinsky

Best Performance by Snow
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

Best "This Really Happened" Book
The Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordecai Gernstein

Best Performance by the Moon
Kittens First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes

Best Adventure or Suspense
Mirette on the High Wire by Emily Arnold McCully

Best Performance by an Animal Character in a Leading Role/Main Character
Sylvester in Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Stein

Best Multi-Cultural Folktale
The Little Woman (Japan) by

Best Performance by an Animal Character in a Supporting Role
Rabbit in My Friend Rabbit by Eric Rohmann

Best Nature Appreciation Book
The Littlest Island by

Best "Make Believe" or Use of Imagination
Flotsam by David Wiesner

Newbery Trivia and Caldecott Scavenger Hunt Contest Winners

The winners of the Newbery Trivia and the Caldecott Scavenger Hunt Contests will be posted in the library on Monday, April 30th. Prizes will be awarded to the winners either duirng their weekely library classes or placed in their teachers' mailboxes.

Thank you to all who participated.

Who Will The Winners Be?

The Washington Cattie Awards are quickly approaching. Students are becoming familiar with each of the 5 nominees in their classes' category of books. All nominated books have won the Caldecott Award. For example, students in Miss Johnson's 1st grade class are debating the performance of the moon in each of the books they've heard so far in order to decide which performance is the best. At the same time, 2nd graders in Mrs. Fambrini's class are learning to appreciate nature and will ultimately decide upon one book that best represents the appreication of nature. Fourth graders will hear a folktale from Japan, China, England, Africa, as well as one from a Native American tribe before deciding which one is the best multiculural folktale. And, the 5th grade is handling the "best documentary" category by choosing the best non-fiction book - So You Want To Be President,The Glorious Flight,The Man Who Walked Between the Towers,Snowflake Bentley, or They Were Strong and Good.

The Washington Catties (The "Academy Awards" of Books)

In recognition of School Library Media Center Month, the Washington Elementary School Library is hosting the Cattie Awards. A Cattie is an award given to a book in a particular category, similar to an Oscar given to a movie. Cattie awards are chosen by students as part of their library time. All categories and nominees are posted on the Cattie Awards bulletin board in the library.

Each class has been assigned a category of books. Each category has 5 nominees (all Caldecott Award winning books) which will be read to classes, one at a time, during weekly library visits. After all 5 nominees have been read, students will vote for the best book in that category. Winners will be announced in an envelope opening "and the winner is. . ." ceremony during library time.

Reif Review

The China Doll by Eliza Strong

2nd grade and up. In The China Doll, Sarah, a china doll, has the perfect idea for a birthday present for her girl, Jessica - a tea set. But, "where was a china doll going to find such a gift?" Not one to give up, Sarah sets off on an adventure determined to find Jessica a tea set for her 5th birthday. She encounters several characters to ask for help along the way, but has to give each something in order to get an answer. Cracked, dirty, and wet, Sarah finally returns to Jessica's bedroom with a tea set. Having to always give something to get something, Sarah assumes Jessica's mother expects the same when she begins to clean her up. "'I don't need anything from you. It is enough that you make my daughter smile,"" is Jessica's mother's response.

School Library Media Center Month

April is National School Library Media Center Month and the library at Washington will be celebrating with two special contests - one for 1st and 2nd graders and another for 3rd,4th, and 5th graders. Mrs. Reif will be announcing the contests to all the classes during library the week after spring break.

Do you know . . .?

Do you know what Kira, Kira, Bud not Buddy, The Westing Game, The 21 Balloons and all of the books on display in the fiction section have in common? If you think you know tell Mrs. Reif, or leave her a note. Correct responses win a prize.

Reif Review

Mr Fine, Porcupine by Fanny Joly, illustrations by Remi Saillard

All Grades. Mr. Fine is a lonely porcupine because everyone is afraid of his spikey "hair". People run away from him because he is "prickly!stickly!" A little boy who is blowing bubbles bursts into tears when Mr. Fine gets too close and pops them all. He attempts to change his "hair do" in a couple of humorous ways but ultimately realizes he can't hide his appearance. Just as Mr. Fine is wondering "'would I forever be alone? would anyone understand me?'" he discovers a she and "it's divine."

This is a fun book about accepting yourself and realizing that there is always "someone [who] will love you for just being you!"

Reading Reason #4 - 5th grade library lesson for 3/12

Reading Reason #4 - Reading is Hard - and "Hard" is Necessary (from Reading Reasons by Kelly Gallagher)

Reading can be difficult especially when it comes to the fine print. But, understanding the fine print is necessary when it comes to signing an agreement, like a cell phone contract. By signing a cell phone contract, you agree to all of the terms and fees included within it. Look at the Disney Individual 400 cell phone agreement and answer these questions:

1.) How much will you be charged when you go to the store purchase this cell phone plan? Does this include the price of the phone itself?

2.) What happens if you want to switch to a different plan after 6 months?

3.) How many hours of minutes to you get per month?

4.) Can you call your friends between 7pm and 8pm for free on weeknights?

5.) Can you text message for free? If not how much does it cost?

6.) How much will it cost if you go over your montly minutes?

Happy Birthday Cat in The Hat

Click on the title above to send the Cat in The Hat a 50th birthday card. For every e-card received, Random House will donate one book to First Book, an organization which puts books in the hands of children with limited access to books and reading.

Have you seen these web sites?

Practice reading, math and grammar at Fun Brain. And, parents, K and 1st teachers be sure to check out the cute games for the "6 and unders" in the Playground section. Fewer activities and a cleaner interface make this a user friendly alternative to Starfall.

Both English and Spanish versions of thematic stories and activities are available at Story Place. A variety of themes are offered each with a Topsy-Turvy Tale (students complete on-line), print-out activities, and suggested reading (pictures of the books make this very kid friendly).

Make graphs and charts at the National Library of Virtual Manipulatives. Notice how well organized the homepage is; it's a matrix on which you match the grade level with the skill and then click to retrieve a list of on-line graphing activities for students.

"At Switcheroo Zoo you can make new creatures, send postcards of your animals to friends, learn about animals, play games, watch movies, and much more!" During a habitat unit have students play the Build an Online Habitat Game.

Practice alphabetical order, synonym and antonym identification, sentence word order, and fact vs. fantasy at Game Goo. Scroll over characters to find out which game reinforces which skill.