Never trust a vegetable!

The first graders and I spent some time with Peter Brown during Halloween week. First, we read the book Creepy Carrots written by Aaron Reynolds and illustrated by Peter Brown. Then we watched Peter's video describing how he went about creating his "creepy" characters. You can view the video here.

Then students tried their hand at making up their own scary vegetables. While some of them stuck with carrots, there were other students who ventured out into other vegetables and even combinations! 

Frustrated Food by Anna

Silly Spinach by Kimberly

We brainstormed other alliterative combinations: Pesky Potatoes, Rude Radishes, and others. I liked some of the vocabulary we were getting to use. Who knows? Maybe we have a future illustrator in our midst!

Oh yeah ... and the rumor was that some "creepy carrots" showed up in their classroom. Hmmmm

Scary Salad by Kaleb

Another Creepy Carrot!

Carrot by Maya - I love the smoke coming out!

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So who's telling this story, anyway?

Understanding point of view is an important skill in comprehension for young readers (RL.2.6.). Knowing that who's telling the story can impact how the story is told helps us understand the story better. One way to build an understanding of point of view is thinking about how a voice would sound when read aloud and how a new character's voice would change. This was the task that 2nd graders were working on in the library this week.



There is a very cute book called The Cat, The Dog, Little Red, the Exploding Eggs, the Wolf and Grandma written & illustrated by Diane and Christian Fox. In the story, a frustrated cat keeps trying to tell the story of Little Red Riding Hood. The overly exuberant dog keeps interrupting the cat's retelling with his own ideas for the story. Hilarity ensues.

After reading the story out loud, we discussed:
Me: How did you know which character was speaking? 
Student: Your voice changed for each character.
Me: Why do you think I chose a quiet voice for the cat? 
Student: The cat was trying to be patient with the dog. When my mom tries to be patient, her voice gets really quiet.
Me: Why do you think I chose to read loud and fast for the dog?
Student: The dog was excited and kept interrupting.
Me: Is that the only choice that can be made?
Student: No

Then, we turned the book into a Reader's Theater. Working in pairs, students chose who was the cat and who was the dog for one page. They read through the dialogue a couple of times first to get the feel of the text (and help with fluency). Then they thought about the voice they were going to do. Should it be angry? Sleepy? Happy? Excited? Silly?

Two by two, the students performed for the class and we recorded them. It was a fun way to help understand point of view. As one student said at the end: "I get it now. The dog doesn't like the story the way it is, so he tries to change it." Bingo!

The next week we continued this activity using the wonderful series of books by Mary Ann Hoberman called You Read to Me, I'll Read to You. Students worked in groups of two and practiced the piece they were going to read. What would a broomstick sound like? What would a pea sound like? Once the students practiced their reading and voices, we filmed again.

Pete the Cat - Live and in person

What a fun day! Thank you Bridgeview PTA for 
allowing us to have a visit from Pete the cat.

Kindergartners, 1st graders and T2Kers piled into the library in anticipation of seeing Pete. When he walked in, there was a gasp from the crowd. "There he his!"

We started by reading out loud Pete's newest book, Pete the Cat and the New Guy. A fun story about making new friends, with the message "Everyone has something they can do." 

Then we danced and sang with Pete for the rest of the time. Afterwards, some students got brave enough to ask Pete some questions:

• Do you like frogs? (Pete does and that made Edgar happy)
• Do you like to read?
• Is your favorite color pink?

Finally, each class got to take a picture with Pete to hang up in their classroom: a reminder of the day.

But the best part about the day? We all got to celebrate the joy of reading! We got excited about books! And, hopefully, we created a memory that connects students to reading.

1st graders help the singing with cue cards

Pete with Mrs. Runkle's Class

Pete with the Transition to Kindergarten class

BV and Beyond Book Club

Eight students and I are participating in a book club for Bridgeview and Beyond this fall. Our first week, the students filled out a quick survey about book clubs and reading in general. (I'll share more with you about that in a minute.) Then, we talked about what a book club is. Finally, we chose the book we wanted to read from a list of ten titles. Escaping the Giant Wave by Peg Kehret was the winner. None of the students have read this book before and I am anxious to get a fresh perspective from them about the story. 

We ended our session with a read aloud of the first chapter and some discussion about what the book has in store for us. I can hardly wait to meet again to discuss the first three chapters.

Okay, back to the survey. One of the questions I asked was "What do you like best about reading?" I just loved the responses I got from them and wanted to share them out.

• "... I can get hooked on the book."
• "... just putting your mind on something else."
• "It fills your imagination."
• "I like how intrigued you can get in a book and how you never want to put the book down."
• "I like the whole thing!"
• "Going on a imagination adventure."
• "You can learn."
• "To get sucked into the story."

As our journey continues, I look forward to fun conversations about not only the book itself, but about how literature needs to be a part of our life. How "filling your imagination" or "putting your mind on something else" or "being hooked, intrigued and sucked in" are all a part of the joy of reading. And there's nothing better than sharing that joy with friends. Stay tuned.

Pete the Cat is Rockin' the BV Library

This is Edgar reporting live from the Frog Bog. Yes, the rumor is true! Pete the Cat will be here on Tuesday, October 14th. We'll be doing  2 sessions in the library. First session from 1:25 - 2:00 and the second session from 2:10 - 2:45ish. Here’s the schedule:

• Both 1st grades and T2K: 1:25 - 2:00
• Both Kindergartens: 2:10 - 2:45ish

Thank you to the Bridgeview PTA for sponsoring this event. Stay tuned to the Frog Bog Blog for pictures from the day and student reactions.

We are Detectives!

Who doesn't love a good mystery? And who doesn't want to figure out the mystery before the end of the book?

The second graders have been reading mysteries in the library this month. We have become storybook detectives, searching for the right clues that will help us to figure out the puzzle.
So far, we have read:

• The Mystery of the Club Sandwich
• The Mystery of King Karfu
• The Mystery of Eatum Hall 
• Who Pushed Humpty Dumpty?

Why did the author choose to give the character the name of "Lola Trouble?" Why would fish aquarium rocks sparkle? What's up with all the empty peanut butter jars? Why were there egg shells where Humpty Dumpty fell, but no yolks? These are the details that helped us make the right inferences. There hasn't been a crafty criminal that has gotten past our sharp inferencing skills yet! Case Closed!

Welcome back to the Frog Bog!

It's another new year in the Frog Bog. As always, we start off the year talking about how to take good care of our library books, keeping them in a special place away from water bottles, mud puddles, hungry puppies and little brothers or sisters. We protect those books like they were our favorite teddy bear ... in my case Mr. Snuggles!

Letters are going home with kindergarten and 1st graders to determine a "safe place" for their library books. Those bringing the letter back receive an official "Edgar Book Buddy" certificate suitable for framing. 

Here's a group of 1st graders proudly displaying their certificates

It's always such a treat getting to know all the new students as well as hearing the stories of our returning students. 

We look forward to another exciting year in the library. Stay tuned!

At Last! Mac Barnett was here!

 
What an amazing day! After months of planning by the author committee, Mac Barnett arrived at Bridgeview Elementary on March 26. The excitement in the building was electric.


It started with Mr. Hiatt, dressed as "Battle Bunny", greeting Mr. Barnett.

As the presentations began, first for 2nd and 4th graders and then T2K, Kindergarten, and 1st grade, the students were enthralled by Mac's stories. He shared with us his most recent books that are soon to be released and read his newest published work President Taft is Stuck in the Bath. Probably the highlight of the morning was his illustration of "How a book is made."

Here's a link to part of his presentation 

.Next came the autograph session. Each student who had a book to sign was able to spend a few minutes chatting with Mac. He was so wonderful with the students: asking the students questions and listening to their stories. Every student walked away with big smiles on their faces, hugging the books to their chest.
  


Next, it was lunch with the author committee. The enthusiastic committee quizzed Mac throughout lunch about books, ideas and his writing process. Mac patiently responded to each question with humor and sincerity. When they were done eating, the committee took him on a tour of all the classroom "destinations," reached via the time machine.

The afternoon held two more sessions with students and then the final send off as Mac walked down the halls of Bridgeview giving high fives to all the students as they sang the "Mac Barnett Theme Song." (available upon request)

Days later, the students are still talking about this fabulous experience (check back later for student writing on this topic). They are reading and rereading every Mac Barnett book they can get their hands on and talking about what an amazing day it was. This is the power of an author visit: Mac inspired our kids to read, to write, to laugh and to dream. It is an experience most of these students will remember always.

The Final Countdown

Just two days before our Mac Barnett Visit and the last minute preparations are frantically under way.

2nd Graders work on the Welcome Banner

Animals in the "Future Zoo" of kindergarten

Preparing for our Mac Barnett visit

Planning for the Mac Barnett visit started back in September. A group of extremely committed 5th graders, our Author Committee, began by learning as much as they could about Mr. Barnett: reading his books, watching video interviews, and laughing a lot.

Weekly meetings were held during lunch and ideas bounced off the shelves and the ceiling. The more they read, the more ideas they wanted to try. Such enthusiasm!

Finally, the committee decided on a theme that centered around Oh No! Not Again! The library became the girl's time machine and each classroom was a destination. Each student took a classroom or a grade level and worked with the classroom teachers to decide how to decorate. Kids brought items from home and made items that went along with their theme.

5th grade Amazon Rainforest

6th Grade was Ancient Egypt