Clifford, Spot, and the power of reading

Week 5

PreK 3 & 4: Guiding Question - Who is Clifford?

PreK is learning about the color red this week, so who better to read about than Clifford the Big Red Dog?! We began with the first in the series and the age 4 students also heard Clifford and the Big Storm. Afterward, each child took a Clifford book and practiced turning pages from the corners.

For more fun with Clifford, try Scholastic's Interactive Clifford stories here and on the Early Childhood page of the library website.

Kindergarten: Guiding Question - What is a series?

We continued to talk about how a series of books has a common element, usually the character.

Where's Spot? by Eric Hill

The first in the Spot series, this classic lift-the-flap book makes a great review of prepositions (under? in? behind?) and engages readers by asking direct questions as we try to find Spot's hiding place.

It makes a fun flannel story, too! Download the clip art here, glue on felt backing, and you're ready to go!

After we told the flannel story, we each took a Spot book and practiced our corner-turning. Fun times!

For more fun with Spot, try the games here or on the Early Childhood tab of the library website.

We Love Spot!

Grade 1: Guiding Question - Why is knowing the alphabet important in the library?

We are moving on to an awareness of how the library materials are organized. We notice that many of our favorite books are in alphabetical order by author's last name. Over the next few weeks, we'll read fun alphabet books, play different games, and do activities that reinforce our understanding of alphabetical order.

Alphabet Mystery, Audrey Wood

Kids love this book!  Little "x" has gone missing and all of the other letters have to find him.  As they solve the mystery there are lots of details to notice and clues to find. The illustrations are computer-generated, with a Pixar feel. This is very appealing for kiddos.

Grade 2: Guiding Question - What is a personal narrative?

In their classrooms, students are beginning to learn about writing personal narratives. In library class, we will read many examples of personal narrative picture books. 

We define a personal narrative as a focused account of a particular time in a person's life. They are like a snapshot of an important moment and often include vivid details that help us visualize the scene. 

The stories we'll read during library class may be realistic fiction or nonfiction, but they all focus on a significant moment in a character's life. After each reading, we talk about why the story fits the definition of a personal narrative.

The Wednesday Surprise, by Eve Bunting

A girl and her grandmother meet every week to plan a special surprise for Father's birthday. We are privy to their preparations but never guess the gift. It is among the most beautiful we could imagine: Grandmother learned to read from her seven year-old granddaughter.

More Than Anything Else, by Marie Bradby

A young boy wants only one thing in the world: to be able to read. As he and his father and brothers toil at a salt factory, he holds his dream close and eventually meets a learned man who can help him. This simple snapshot of the joy he feels when the dream begins to become real is even more meaningful to adults who will recognize his name: Booker (T. Washington).

Grade 3: Guiding Question - How can we map out the library to mark its sections and our favorite spots?

Library Map sample

Students worked in pairs to create a map of the library. They labeled and color-coded each section and added details and small drawings to show their favorite spots. 

How will they show their special spots? 

A spider web where the Spiderman magazines are found? 

A lightning bolt where the Harry Potter books are? 

This is a two-session activity since we are doing very careful and thoughtful work.

Grade 4 & 5: Guiding Question - What can we do with our Destiny accounts?

Grades 4 and 5 created accounts in our catalog system so they can use some of its personalized features. For example, students may log in and save titles they are interested in to their own list. They can print the list or just use it to keep track of books they are interested in.

Students in grades 4 and 5 may also hold books. They will know the book is ready by watching the list we post daily on Miss Kathy's desk or by checking the "Holds Ready" link on the library home page. 


In the next few weeks, Grade 5 students will also learn about how to use other features of Quest, such as posting book reviews, rating books, and recommending books.

Grade 4: 
1) Change the background
2) Save books to a list (add to My List)
3) See status of books checked out (My Info)
4) Hold books


Grade 5:
1) Change the background
2) Save books to a list (add to My List)
3) See status of books checked out (My Info)
4) Hold books
5) Recommend books to friends
6) Rate and review books (after approval)