Middle School

Check out these 8th graders:

These students are extra special to me because they were in my very first 4th grade class back during the 2011-2012 school year. They have returned to me once more, a little older and wiser, for my Accelerated Reading class that meets every day in the library for 50 minutes. Together we discuss books and quotes, update our reading lists, and silently read the novel of our choosing. We start every class with a picture book read-aloud, which is incredibly funny and usually causes us to have a fit of giggles. So far these 8th graders' favorite read-aloud has been The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog by Mo Willems. If you have ever been curious about my personal feelings about hot dogs, I believe this book explains it pretty well.

Page from The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog by Mo Willems

Books are fantastic conversation starters and make for lively discussions. Just today I listened in as one of my students discussed the main character in her book and his struggle with a disease. From there the conversation took off to Steven Hawking, scientific theories they are currently discussing in Science class, Star Wars, and the book series Origami Yoda. Then they quickly jumped on to the Goodreads website and threw out names of books that such-and-such person needed to read based on the conversation they just had. The whole thing was student led, connected to school content areas, and left us all with new books on our to-read list, everything from non-fiction to fantasy.

It's going to be a good year with the Middle Schoolers.

Library: Year Two

I arrived back in Nicaragua less than two weeks ago to begin my second year as the librarian at NCA. It's been a whirlwind to say the least.

Teacher Work Week
Sometime between all the necessary meetings, training my new assistants, and remembering all my school computer passwords, I had the pleasure of meeting all the new books that came off our shipping container this summer. There was definitely that Christmas feeling as I opened box after box of brand new books that I knew my students would love. We are still in the long process of getting all the books cataloged and ready for the shelves.

Next up was preparing the library for Open House.

Open House
I always look forward to Open House. The excitement, seeing the students after a long summer vacation, and the newness of an upcoming school year. This year was extra special for me because the students and parents were able to experience our new library... with AIR CONDITIONING. What a difference it makes to the space. The library is a much more enjoyable place when the heat doesn't knock you out the second you step in the room! During Open House, the students and parents came in, enjoyed the cool air, and checked out the newest books and library "friends". Thanks to my friends Sho and Melissa, and my sister Suzi, there are new stuffed animals for the students to read with in the library this year.

Students checking out the new books during Open House.

One of the 6th graders loves the new library friend!

Some of the elementary teachers dressed up for Open House.

Me with my roommate, Emily.

The First Week
School started last Tuesday and things are back in full swing.

Our first day of school assembly was held in the library. For the first time we weren't sweating as six classes squeezed together! 

The fourth grade class during their weekly library time. 

I'm happy to be back and to be sharing the joys of reading with my students. I praise God as I start year number five in Nicaragua. Year five - I can hardly believe it! More updates coming soon as the school year continues. Thank you to all my blog readers for sticking with me this long!