Summertime & the Reading is Easy!

Media Maker Club, aka Digital Bookworms

As you can see by the title, our students exercised their voice and changed the name of their club. They decided, after some debate, that they wanted to be the Digital Bookworms, and so they are!

 

The club members first worked on creating an account on Biblionasium. We talked about what a great tool this is for not only keeping up with our books, but also recommending books to others. The students were very excited about logging in and making recommendations!

We have been connecting with my friend, Shannon Miller and her students in Van Meter, Iowa.  At our last meeting, we were able to connect again, which was a lot of fun!. After several students from Van Meter performed a song they were working on, we talked about ways we could connect and create. After some discussion & brainstorming, we decided to collaborate on a blog to share different types of projects. These two clubs have lots of great ideas, and I'm looking forward to seeing what they come up with!


Already, students have created videos to advertise our book fair, brainstormed questions to ask other students about making book trailers, and had some of our group members explain how to use Animoto.

At the end, we posed for a group photo that will be a part of our new blog that we are doing with our friends in Iowa. You will have to check it out!
Creative Connections Club


Our goals are to connect, collaborate & create and this new joint blog is sure to help us meet these goals!


 

Third Grade Learns About Biblionasium

Today our 3rd graders had an awesome opportunity to connect with Marjan Ghara, the founder of Biblionasium. I first learned about this site from my friend, Shannon Miller in Van Meter, Iowa. Her students even Skyped with our students last year to help us learn more about the site.  Biblionasium is a safe, online place for young readers to keep up with their books, as well as to recommend books to friends.  You can find out more about their site HERE.

 

After students sign in, they set up their shelf with book categories, such as Favorites, Recommended, and more. We can even set up challenges, so that we are reading a variety of books.

Biblionasium has offered support all along the way as we experimented with their website this summer. Several students enjoyed keeping up with their books and earning badges while reading during their summer break. And they also earned Book Fair Bucks for logging in!

I knew this was something I wanted to use more this year, so I planned on introducing it to my 3rd graders. Through Twitter, Biblionasium reached out and offered support, which is something I've noticed about their company. If I have a question, I only have to tweet or contact them and someone responds almost immediately! They listen to suggestions from their members and then make changes so their site is even better!

 

Mrs. Ghara shared with us how Biblionasium came to be, telling us about how her children were always looking for their next book to read when they were younger.

 She answered questions from our Curtis students, who asked some great questions, by the way!

Mrs. Ghara explained to students about how important reading is and also, why it is important to be safe online.

And then she gave us a peek out her window! The students were THRILLED to see a bit of
New York!

 





It was so great to connect with Marjan and to learn more about Biblionasium. We can't wait to start setting goals, logging in our books and making recommendations.

 

Thanks so much to Biblionasium and Marjan for helping us along in our reading journey!

 

Summer Reading Opportunities

We had our 2nd Summer Library Checkout time today and, although it got off to a slow, hot start, it was another success!  Again, almost 40 people came to the library today along with three teachers, two administrators, and an additional librarian! Students and families used the iPads, computers, microscopes, and read books.  Bookmarks were created and puzzles completed.  On top of all that, students walked out the door with BOOKS!  It was another fun morning, and I can't wait until July 9th for our next summer library time! 




Brothers bonding over books.

Not only does it give the kiddos something to do, the
adults like the chance to visit!



Reagan shared with me how she finds great books to

read by looking at reviews by her favorite reviewer on

YouTube. Guess who will be using our new Media Makerspace

and reviewing books for Curtis students!

 

 

Another way students are showing their love of reading is by logging pages and hours read on Biblionasium.  So far, students have logged in 8 hours 49 minutes of reading and 512 pages! Readers can earn BookFair Bucks by participating in summer reading programs such as this or the Weatherford Public Library's summer reading program. 





One of the challenges I have set for our 3rd-6th grade students is to read the Texas Bluebonnet Nominees.  There are 20 books that are nominated, and students who read at least 5 books are able to vote on their favorite.  The actual winner is chosen by students who cast their votes!  Here is a link to the books:

Texas Bluebonnet Nominees

I have read ten of them, and am starting Freaky Fast Frankie Joe by Lutricia Clifton this evening.  I have hear that it is a book that will catch you and keep you reading!  Sounds like a perfect summer evening book!

 

 

Happy Reading! Here's hoping you find the perfect book for you!