So what to do with 48 fifth graders and kindergartners on a Friday afternoon....have a Mo Willems fest!

Yesterday I taught the fifth graders how to use the Scribble Press app. I told them I wanted them to teach the kindergarteners today. Their job: to get the kindergartners to answer the question "What was your favorite part of library this year?" Then partnered up with a fifth grader,  they used the app to illustrate and write their answer in the style of Mo Willems' Knuffle Bunny series. We had to share the ipads so while half of the students created with the app the other half explored the Mo Willems website,  or read a Mo Willems book with their partner.  All the students had a great time and the fifth graders did such a wonderful job of coaching the kindergartners. They were collaborative and creative. Sometimes it's tough to keep the learning fresh and exciting in June, but this app really did the trick!

book drive becomes a reality at Williams

I am so pleased to announce that our fundraiser for schools in need raised enough money to purchase 26 new books for three schools in Massachusetts and one in Oklahoma that was devastated by the tornado. In addition, our students donated  new and gently used books to support the effort. Each school will received one box with 26 new books  dedicated to the 26 victims of the Sandy Hook tragedy. They will also receive two more boxes each with the additional donated books. I am so proud of the Williams community's commitment to community service. Great job by a great school!

Principal Bob Beaudet and myself getting the books ready to send to schools.

Fourth grade classes use face talk for their biography projects

Kudos to the fourth grade teachers! They used the Face Talk app to enhance their biography research projects. I am so happy the ipads are being used in such creative ways.  Check them out here:

Mrs. Black and Mrs. Kanode

Mrs. Azia

Today Ms. Tanner came down to library with her first grade students carrying this:

Sometimes you just have to be grateful to have a job like mine!

I am so pleased with the author cards that the fifth graders created with Google Draw. They researched their favorite authors and shared highlights of their lives as well as books they have written for kids. Check them out online at:

Grade 5 author cards

I am sure you will not only enjoy learning about the authors, but you will pick up some good summer reading ideas.

Explain Everything 4th grade Underground Railroad Project

The fourth graders have learned a lot about the Underground Railroad this year. They read two pieces of historical fiction literature that helped them understand how and why African Americans escaped from slavery and who were the people that assisted them. One title is called Henry's Freedom Box by Ellen Levine.  The other is Journey to Freedom by Courtni Wright.

Then they read about the Underground Railroad on the Scholastic.com website and answered questions. They took their information and created presentations using the app Explain Everything. You can see them on our website at: 

Fourth grade explain everything projects

Explain everything is a versatile app. You can draw, write, insert images and video, and record. We ran into a few glitches, but overall it was a great experience. It was the first time I taught it and the first time students at Williams used it so we all learned a great deal and helped each other. We hope you enjoy the presentations and learning about the Underground Railroad.

We topped the whole experience off with a fantastic visit to the Newton History Museum (Jackson Homestead) where we saw a replica of Henry's Box and learned about Safe houses and people who helped African Americans escape slavery in our own region of the country.

The first graders learned about character traits in the library.  They learned about Abraham Lincoln by reading a book called Abe Lincoln and the muddy pig, by Stephen Krensky. 













They decided he was kind, tall, giving, generous, loving honest, and a great leader and reader. Then they thought about words that describe their own character. They chose three character traits to describe themselves and created Kidpix pictures to show their character traits. We hope you enjoy our shows and learn something about the first graders at Williams School.