2nd Graders Learn to use the Library Catalog: How the Library is Organized

Teaching the 2nd graders how to use the library begins with teaching them about how the library is organized, so they will know how to choose an item from their search results. The major sections correspond to the prefix on the call numbers:

 E = Everybody Section where you'll find picture books

FIC = Fiction Section where you'll find chapter books

# (numbers) = Non Fiction where you'll find everything that is NOT fiction- jokes, poetry, fact books, dictionaries, fairy tales, cookbooks, biographies and more.


S = series section- this can be Everybody, Fiction, or Non Fiction


eAUD = Free downloadable audio books through a NetLibrary account. (See post from Sept. 14.)

When students are looking at search results they should be thoughtful about which books they choose to check out. You can visit the Library Catalog with your student. Ask them to tell you what they know about choosing books.

Bennett Library Online Catalog

Zimbabwe Pen Pals Project Begins Anew

Our letters to Zimbabwe are finally on their way! Last May, Bennett's second graders wrote pen pal letters to students in Zimbabwe. These letters tied together classroom and library learning. The second grade curriculum includes friendly letters. The library curriculum includes teaching students how and when to use the district purchased databases. For this project students used CultureGrams to learn about life in Zimbabwe. Students used notes on Sports, Food, School, Holidays, and Life as a Kid to write a friendly letter to a student in Zimbabwe. Then I had the difficult task of getting the letters to Zimbabwe.


Starting in 2005, the organization House of Stone organized a pen pal project between  Bennett's students and students at  Mupumbu Primary school in Zimbabwe. Our correspondence continued for several years. When Zimbabwe destabilized the pen pal project fell apart. Last year I joined the board of House of Stone and decided to resurrect the pen pal project. Without a functioning postal system, I couldn't mail the letters. Fortunately, House of Stone has found a contact who will be delivering our letters next month. Hopefully our now third graders will receive answers to their letters in early 2011.

First Book Club Meeting

The Bennett Book Clubs met for the first time last Thursday night. Over 40 students plus their parents gathered to discuss The Wednesday Wars and Pictures of Hollis Woods. The boys club met with Mr. Drugge and the girls with me. Both Mr. Drugge and I were impressed by the thoughtfulness of our students and their parents. We are looking forward to our next meeting, when we will stay in one large group to discuss Three Cups of Tea.

Mac Barnett's Visit

Bennett's 4th and 5th graders loved meeting Mac Barnett. He shared the crazy, long process of having a book published, printed and distributed. He also shared his biggest fear (being kidnapped) and his second largest fear (being buried alive). Steve Brixton and his chum, Dana, are often kidnapped but so far have never been buried alive. Thank you University Bookstore.

Author Mac Barnett to visit Bennett

Thanks to the University Bookstore, fourth and fifth graders will have a chance to meet Mac Barnett author of several wacky picture books and the Brixton Brothers Mystery series.

 You can find out more about this author at his website: Mac Barnett's website

Here is a link to an interview from the author. From his answers I get the sense that he will be a lot of fun to meet him. Listen to an interview and read another one here: Publisher site for Mac Barnett The

The Curious Garden

The students in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade have been introduced to this year’s Washington Children’s Choice Picture Book Award (WCCPBA) nominees. While sharing The Curious Garden by Peter Brown with the first graders, the students became mesmerized by the changes that occurred in Liam’s city. The book begins with a dreary polluted city where no one but Liam ventures outside. After finding a few plants on an abandoned railway line, Liam turns in to quite the garden and changes his city dramatically.

The Curious Garden was inspired by the High Line, an old abandoned railway in New York City that has become a park filled with gardens. Students enjoyed seeing these images of the real park. Take a look.High Line Images