Vote for Books!

Our school election, Vote for Books, is in full swing! The students have all had an introduction to how an election works, discussed the difference between authors and illustrators, learned about the Caldecott and Newbery awards, previewed the authors and illustrators that will be on the ballots, chosen their party (authors or illustrators), and registered to vote! Whew! In the next two weeks, kindergarten through 2nd grades will learn the importance of voting and see how each vote counts; third and fourth grades will learn how to conduct a poll, graph their data, and discuss the relevance of their results; fifth graders will learn about debates and compose questions for their debate during our school convention. Here is a rundown of the dates for the rest of the election:

1. Primary vote will be Friday, October 17. Please have your ballot box decorated (include your name or room number) and ready by this date. I will put the ballots in your box along with a break down of the party your students joined. Please bring your ballot box to the library after your class has voted. The winning candidates for each party will be announced on Monday's morning news.

2. Convention will be the morning of Thursday, October 30. Each class will be a "delegation," walking into the cafeteria with their delegate sign (courtesy of Mrs. Woodlief). Each grade level will perform a little skit or song, with the fifth grade having a debate. I will need each teacher to recommend 2 students from their class to participate on stage in the skit or song (by Friday, Oct. 17th). 1st grade will do a chant, second grade will do a song, TMH will do a cheer, fourth grade will do a reading rap, third grade will introduce the candidates and their works, and we will finish with the fifth grade debate (I will select the participating 5th graders).

3. Final vote will be Tuesday, November 4th. I will have returned your ballot boxes to you and put the ballots in your box. Please bring the box to the library when your class has voted. Results will be announced on Wednesday's morning news.

Some ideas of what you can do in the classroom during the next few weeks:

1. Campaign! Campaigning is encouraged! Have your class make posters, buttons, brochures for their nominee.

2. Author and Illustrator Keynote: I have saved the author and illustrator keynote (Mac ppt) I used in lessons in quicktime movie format and will upload it on the share drive. This would be good to show to your class to review the authors, illustrators, and their works before the primary vote.

3. Videos: watch the Brainpop and Brainpop JR. videos on elections and voting. Safari Montage has many choices as well.

4. Teachingbooks.net: go to www.teachingbooks.net for a plethora of resources on the different authors and illustrators. There are videos of the illustrators demonstrating how they make their illustrations, interviews with the authors, and links to author websites. There is even a feature where students can hear the pronunciation of an author and/or illustrator's name spoken by the author and illustrator! It is an incredibly valuable resource.

5. District resources: The district resource guide is linked from the library webpage on the teacher's page. There is also a video of instructions on using the resource guide. 

6. Student resources: I will be putting links for kid-friendly election resources on the student page of the library website, too. I'll send an email when I have added this.

FYI: Here are the illustrators and authors again:

ILLUSTRATORS: AUTHORS:

Jan Brett Avi

Janell Cannon Judy Blume

Eric Carle Eve Bunting

Kevin Henkes Matt Christopher

Ezra Jack Keats Beverly Cleary

Leo Lionni Andrew Clements

Dav Pilkey Christopher Paul Curtis

Jerry Pinkney Roald Dahl

Patricia Polacco Kate Dicamillo

Allen Say Lois Lowry

Maurice Sendak Mary Pope Osborne

Dr. Seuss Barbara Park

Chris Van Allsburg Rick Riordan

David Weisner JK Rowling

Mo Willems Cynthia Rylant

Vera B. Williams Louis Sachar

Jon Scieszka

RL Stine

I will put a voter's registration card in your boxes so that you will be able to vote as well. Have fun with this! This kids are super excited! Thanks for all you do and for collaborating with me to make our CTE kids successful and to ensure they have fun while learning.

25 Book Campaign Update

25-Book Campaign:

Here is the latest information on the Superintendent's Star Reader Book Club (25 book standard):

Book Equivalents:

*Every 50-100 pages of text or pictures with text depending upon grade appropriateness

*4-8 short stories

*9-12 articles from periodicals or electronic media

*15-20 poems

*read-alouds DO count

*shared reading in kg-1st count

*independent reading counts

*summer reading counts

As soon as a student reaches 25 books, please email me their names so that I can post it. Remember that students need to reach 25 books by the second week in April to be invited to the Superintendent's Reading Celebration (summer reading counts!). Invitations will be sent no later than Friday, May 1st, with RSVP forms due back by Friday, May 8th. The reading celebration will be held Saturday, May 30, 2009 in Metropolitan Park from 10-1.

Folders:

As students bring in their supplies, remember that one pocket folder in the following colors is for library. You may put these folders in my box or on the circulation desk with your name on a sticky note. THANKS!

KG: yellow 1st: orange 2nd: red

3rd: purple 4th: blue 5th: green

Book checkout:

Mrs. Clapsaddle is here for book checkout from 9 AM-12:00, 12:30-2:30. You may send students with library passes anytime during these hours. Thanks!

Beginning of Year Info

A few housekeeping issues for a smooth start of the school year:

* As the library permission slips get returned (purple or pink sheets), please put them in my box. 

* As you do DRAs, please turn in students' GRLs to me so that I can add it to their record in the Destiny database. Thanks!

*Olympic Games resources and activities for kids have been added to the library website on the students' page. It's a great way to tie in our school theme, Teamwork Makes the Dream Work, with current events!

*I have added some reading resources for you (teachers) on the library website on the teachers' page under the language arts link. The following were added:

Book Hive: From the Public Library of Charlotte, this site has great reviews of books plus students can add their favorite booklist.

Children's Literature Index: A search engine for books and web sites that have activities and teaching ideas for specific book titles.

Mighty Book: Students can listen to and read along to audio stories.

Mona Kerby's The Reading Corner: Book reviews for students, plus a search-by-genre feature!

Reading Rainbow: The official website to go along with the videos. Lots of reading activities and contests.

Story book Online: Students can write stories collaboratively online.

World of Reading: From the Ann Arbor District Library, this has links to authors, plus a feature where students can submit their own book reviews!

*Library Passes should be in your boxes this week

*Books for your units according to the Academic Learning Glass schedule will be pulled for you this week. Check out your grade level's colored bins behind the circulation desk!

*Finally, don't be a bench warmer left on the sidelines! If you send home a weekly newsletter to parents, make sure you send it to me as well so that I can add it to the virtual bookbag on our website! Also, if you have a class website or a class blog or other on-line newsletter, make sure I have the link so that I can add it to your name on the faculty page.

*Finally, thanks for a GREAT opening day and ...GO MUSTANGS!

Welcome to Our New Teachers!

Please be sure and give a warm welcome to our new teachers. Please read their bios to get to know them a bit before school starts, and leave a comment to welcome them into our Chaffee Trail family. Leave any tips, hints, words of wisdom, or advice to make their transition smooth.

ALLISON BLOUNT: Kindergarten

I grew up in Jacksonville, the older of two children. I graduated from FSU undergrad, and received my masters from UNF. This summer, I got married to Adam and we have bought a house off Alta on the Northside. We are currently debating whether or not to get a dog; we want a chocolate lab, but right now are too busy to devote the time needed for a puppy!

I enjoy reading, and my favorite author is James Patterson. When I have spare time I like to scrapbook. I also teach dance at Scott Jones School of Dance and during the summer I work for COJ Aquatics Department.

I'm really excited to be teaching kindergarten at Chaffee. For the past year I have listened to Lucia, Terry, and Betty rave about how great it is to be a part of the Chaffee family, so I had to come see for myself! I am thankful to be given the opportunity to join the family. I am already loving everything about the school. The faculty I have met so far has been very welcoming. I am excited to begin the school year!

TERRY STUCKEY: Kindergarten

I am married and have 3 children, Jay III, Melody, and Joel. Jay III teaches biology at Ed White High School and his wife Erin teaches 2nd grade at Doctor's Inlet Elementary. Melody taught speech therapy in Clay County last year, but she and her husband are moving to Boone, NC for her to begin graduate school this fall. Joel is attending FCCJ. My husband is pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church. So, you can see, we are all involved in the educational system!

I began teaching in 2001. After volunteering in Joel's kindergarten classroom, I fell in love with teaching kindergarten. I returned to school a few years later and received a degree in Early Childhood Education from UNF. I taught at Hyde Grove Elementary for 4 years and Greenland Pines Elementary for 3 years. I am excited about joining the Chaffee Trail family. The kindergarten teachers have welcomed me and made me feel at home. 

When I am not teaching, I enjoy playing the piano, reading, and working in my garden.

ELLISA WILLIAMS: Intermediate Support-Level Services Class (formerly TMH)

I am originally from Vermont and have 3 brothers, one of them being my twin! I have five nieces and nephews that I constantly dote on. I am a BIG Boston Red Sox fan and love spending time with friends and family. I am an old soul who loves old music, food, and relaxing with friends.

I have been teaching for 20 years, and I love teaching TMH because the kids always make me smile. I am still learning so much from my students! I always try and teach them through my example of treating all people with dignity and respect.

I am excited to come to teach at Chaffee Trail to meet new people (and be with old friends, Kelli McGreevy!), share new ideas, and learn from each other. Change is regenerating and refreshing, and I am excited to make new friends and have this Chaffee family an extension of my life.

MEGAN PRESTON: 5th grade ELA

I just moved to Jacksonville from Gainesville, FL, where I lived for about 6 years and went to school (Go Gators!). I am happy to be near the beach again, since I grew up in Naples and have missed it while living in central Florida. In addition to relaxing in the sun, I like running, attempting to cook, reading, and teaching. :)

I am very excited to start my first year of teaching at Chaffee Trail this year. I am looking forward to meeting the students and getting to know everyone at Chaffee. Everyone I have met so far is very enthusiastic and has said great things about the school. One thing I really love about teaching is hearing the stories and opinions of the students and listening to what they have to say. For this reason, I am especially excited to teach 5th grade English and Language Arts and I can't wait to see how the students will grow throughout the year in both areas. I am also really looking forward to using the technology and so many other resources that are available!

ROBYN PUTTICK: 5th grade ELA

I was born and raised in Tampa, FL, which instilled in me a fierce love of the Gulf of Mexico, sandy beaches, thunderstorms, seafood, and Cuban cuisine. I met my husband, Richard, at Flagler College in St. Augustine. I was majoring in fine arts, but was whisked away with him and his career before graduating. We have a 20 yr. old daughter, Jessica, who is a sophomore in college, currently planning on a foreign language degree and world travel. We also have a 15 yr. old son, Jake, who is a sophomore this year in the Cinematic Arts department at Douglas Anderson. In all of my spare time :), I love to make stuff: drawing, painting, baking, sewing, jewelry, and photography. I'm addicted to traveling and tend to get wanderlust every few months or so. I have several itineraries planned at this very moment and could probably be considered an amateur travel agent. I also LOVE reading and going to the movies, especially historical fiction (nerd).

Whenever I tell friends and family that this year I'm making the move from 2nd grade to 5th grade they all say, "That's perfect for you!" I think they might be right. I love spending my day with kids. And even though I love it when the light bulb goes on for a student, I love it even more when my students teach ME new things. I love that my job is never boring! I'm really looking forward to the positive atmosphere at Chaffee Trail where creativity, collaboration, and diversity are valued. And I'm thrilled to be working with the best ever art teacher and the best ever media specialist once again!

We welcome all of you new, fab teachers to Chaffee Trail and are looking forward to you joining our "team" in making the dream work! Please leave a comment-