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