Author: dhvs01

Library News

Hello from your Crest Hill Library!

Students sure have been working hard this month in the media center. Different grades have been mapping the layout of the library. Others have been investigating the “Five Finger Guide” for choosing a Right-Fit Book. Still others have been investigating books and libraries and what makes them so important to us as individuals as well as to our communities.

MakerSpace club is off to a terrific start. Students have explored building materials, constructed bridges, and begun examining the Scientific Method with the help of a few clear liquids and some brave Gummy Bears.

Remember, donations to the school’s MakerSpace of crafting supplies, reusable materials, and “anything a kid could make something with” are always appreciated.

In fact, some students shall be bringing home announcements regarding FRANKENTOYS. We’re asking for donations of old, broken toys such as dolls, figures, and stuffed animals, along with miscellaneous supplies like string, wire, thread, nuts and bolts, screws, paper, tubes, fabrics, et cetera. Fifth grade students and MakerSpace Club Members will be celebrating the 200th anniversary of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelly’s Frankenstein by making FRANKENTOYS: mash-ups of old toys torn apart and put back together in frightfully fun ways!

WARNING: ANY DONATED TOYS WILL NOT BE GOING HOME IN THE SAME CONDITION IN WHICH THEY CAME TO SCHOOL.

(But anyone who brings in supplies earns a token!)

Again, we welcome donations from any and all Crest Hill students, staff, and community members.

And of course, as October draws to a close, students will also have the opportunity to enjoy some spooky literature.

Also, the pail is filling up with nominations for possible names for the dragon. A list of the most popular and unique names is being compiled. Students, staff, and community members will vote to decide on the new Dragon’s name on Election Day, November 6th.

Lastly, the Fall Book Fair is November 12th – 16th, with online purchases available, too. Watch for more information coming soon!

April 2018

The Wyoming Library Association has counted all the votes from students across Wyoming for the best new books of the year!

Visit the links below to view the Statewide winners:

 

Buckaroo Book Awards – grades K-3

Wyoming Reading Council

Wyoming Library Association

 

Indian Paintbrush Book Award – grades 4-6

Wyoming Reading Council

Wyoming Library Association

 

Congratulations to the winners, and thanks to all the students who participated in the voting.

March 2018

WYOMING BOOK AWARDS

Over the last few weeks, Crest Hill students have had the opportunity to enjoy a couple lists of books nominated for the Wyoming Book awards. Students have now voted for their favorite book.

For the Buckaroo Book Award (K-3)

The best new book as chosen by Crest Hill students is:

The Princess in Black

by Shannon Hale & Dean Hale / Illustrated by LeUyen Pham

Runners-up included

A Perfectly Messed-Up Story by Patrick McDonnell

and

Coyote Moon by Mari Gianferrari

 

For the Indian Paintbrush Award (4-6)

The best new book is:

Pax by Sara Pennypacker

 

All student votes are to be recorded with the Wyoming Library Association who shall then tally votes from students all across the state. Final award winners should be announced this spring.

Thanks to all the students who participated in the democratic process of recognizing the best new books for Wyoming readers.

 

February 2018

MakerSpace Club is off to an engaging start for students in grades 3, 4, and 5. The “Deconstruction Station,” wherein students take apart old toys and electronics and investigate how they work, has become a favorite activity.

First graders also visited the MakerSpace and made “JunkBots,” creations and creatures fashioned from recycled materials. Students then developed original stories with their JunkBots as characters.

A group of Kindergartners recently came to the media center to investigate shapes. They utilized library materials to design and build their own playgrounds.

Fourth graders are in the midst of examining “genre” or the different kinds of books available in their library.

Fifth grade has become engaged in designing and developing their very own “nurseries,” as inspired by the Ray Bradbury short-story “The Veldt.” Each student has a cardboard tri-fold and all the MakerSpace materials at his or her disposal. Upon the tri-fold’s walls, they can imagine any setting they wish, just like the futuristic room in Bradbury’s tale. Many students are going all out with their decorations, making for elaborate settings and presentations.

As stated before, Crest Hill students are participating this year in the Wyoming Book Awards.

Sponsored by the Wyoming Library Association and the Wyoming State Reading Council, the awards recognize the best new books in Children’s Literature.

Both Award Nominees and Award Winners are chosen by Wyoming students.

Grades K through 3 vote for the Buckaroo Book Award

Grades 4 and 5 vote for the Indian Paintbrush Award.

Crest Hill’s students are voting this very week for their favorite nominees. Next week, they”ll be choosing books for next year’s nomination list.

For more information on the book awards visit the links below:

Buckaroo Book Award 

Indian Paintbrush Book Award

 

For more information on award sponsors, visit their websites:

Wyoming State Reading Council

Wyoming Library Association

 

Also, Crest Hill served as the setting for district judging in this year’s Young Authors program. The Crest Hill Library partnered with the Casper Reading Council and Casper College to recruit college students from the education program. Those enrolled in “Teaching Literacy in the Elementary School” got the invaluable chance to examine authentic student work and to gain insights into the intricacies of literacy instruction.

Lastly, Mrs. Bonnie White, Librarian Emeritus, welcomed third grade into the amphitheatre and delivered a dear reading of “Pink and Say” by Patricia Polacco. It was an honor to host her.

It’s been a busy month in the Library. We’re looking to spring ever forward as the year progresses.

January 2018

Crest Hill students are participating this year in the Wyoming Book Awards.

Sponsored by the Wyoming Library Association and the Wyoming State Reading Council, the awards recognize the best new books in Children’s Literature.

Both Award Nominees and Award Winners are chosen by Wyoming students.

Grades K through 3 vote for the Buckaroo Book Award

Grades 4 and 5 vote for the Indian Paintbrush Award.

Crest Hill’s students have become engaged in investigating this year’s nominees and in the process of choosing their favorites. Soon, they shall have the opportunity to choose books for next year’s nomination list.

 

For more information on the book awards visit the links below:

Buckaroo Book Award 

Indian Paintbrush Book Award

 

For more information on award sponsors, visit their websites:

Wyoming State Reading Council

Wyoming Library Association

December 2017

MakerSpace Club
&
5th grade Booktalks
&
Computer Science Celebration
Thanks to all who participated in MakerSpace Club and supported it this past fall semester. Students finished strong with investigations into bridge design, coding, and vehicle construction. Participants ended their stretch in the club by making their very own “bristle-bots,” little robot bugs made out of toothbrushes, pipe cleaners, and tiny vibrating motors. They had loads of fun racing their creations. Some even used them to paint pictures.
(3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students get their turn at MakerSpace Club next semester.)
Also in the library these past few weeks, 5th grade students have been developing and delivering their own booktalks. They have begun their examination of what booktalks are all about through promoting fairy tales and picture books. Their presentations have been informative and entertaining. Students are laying strong foundations for venturing toward creating their own “book trailers.”
Last week in the library, many classes participated in celebrating Computer Science Week by visiting the Virtual MakerSpace on the Online Learning Commons and working on LightBot, a program that teaches students programming logic. Engagement seemed to leap through the screen! We hope for even more opportunities for students to explore STREAM activities.
S – Science
T – Technology
R – Research
E – Engineering
A – Art
M – Mathematics
Feel free to join the S-T-R-E-A-M in your Crest Hill Library & Media Center!

November 2017

Book Fair Success!

 

Our thanks to everyone for their support of the Book Fair.
We reached over $5,800 in total sales. Scholastic calculates book sales at 1,160 items which they say converts to 208,800 reading minutes.
We’re confident we’ll do even better next Fall.
The library would like to recognize specifically a few individuals for assisting with the Book Fair, offering their service and helping out more than they could know:
Lori Lancaster
Linda Clark
Hilary Jones
Gretchen Taylor
Jenny Johnson
Yecenia Cruz
Kelly Hodgins
Along with Chris Husted for helping haul it all in
and also whoever it was who helped haul it all out!
THANK YOU!!!

October 2017

MakerSpace has taken off!!!

Club members started their exploration by investigating paper airplanes. They made different designs, ran test flights,

and graphed both flight distance and flight duration.

Some discoveries included that different designs are better suited to different purposes and that it makes a big difference how the “pilot” holds the plane, as does the angle and strength of “take off.”

 

Remember:

The fall semester is for Primary students—grades K, 1, & 2.

Intermediate students in grades 3, 4, & 5 begin their club in February.

 

We gladly accept donations to the MakerSpace of materials such as:

tools, crafting supplies, tape, glue, fabric, yarn, string, wood, plastic,

repurposed items (from bottle caps to hub caps), old toys,

magnets, legos and other building sets, and so on.

Thank you!