Toward-A-Brighter-Tomorrow

Leo Lionni

2012-02-17T00:41:00.000-05:00

During the month of March students will be exploring a collection of books written and illustrated by the classic children's author Leo Lionni. This week we will be reading It's Mine. In this story 3 selfish frogs spend their days arguing and bickering about everything. One day a huge thunderstorm forces the frogs to work together in order to stay alive.

The Power of Words

2012-01-25T15:00:00.001-05:00

This month our book club has been exploring the wonderful world of poetry. Our Young Scholars are learning that poetry can be funny, thought provoking, nonsensical, it can rhyme, or have have a beat. Poetry can be many things but most importantly, poetry can be a powerful form of communication. The videos below are amazing examples for how poetry transcends.

Daniel Beaty - Knock Knock (Def Jam Poetry)

Slip of Tongue

Young Scholars - Drawing Tutorials

2012-01-25T14:50:00.000-05:00

Here are some drawing tutorials for our Young Scholars who are working on writing and illustrating a story that we will eventually publish.

You need Flash player 8+ and JavaScript enabled to view this video.

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Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens

2012-01-20T00:07:00.005-05:00

Many children in at risk communities have never had experiences outside of their community. The purpose of the Lewis Ginter trip was for the children and youth to broaden their horizon, explore art and culture, and learn community integration and socialization. Parent volunteers, LBR staff, and Board Members also attended this event with the children. It was a memorable experience for all!

Book Worms

2012-01-19T23:29:00.005-05:00

This Month our Book Worms are reading
Who put the B in Ballyhoo By: Carlyn Beccia

At our last meeting the students read the story and then made acrostic poems out of their own names. The poems were created to resemble the beautiful illustrations that accompany this book.

Students who enjoyed this activity can continue to make similar poems at home. Show of your skills by making acrostic poems for friends and family, using this fun website for help.

At our next meeting we will re-read our story and continue working on our theme this month: Poetry. Preview the lesson plan here.

Still want more poetry? Check out this site full of silly poems and this site full of poetry games.

HOLLYWOOD BLISS

2011-12-02T00:58:00.000-05:00

For the month of Dec. our young scholars will be reading Hollywood Bliss: My Life Starring Mum. This is the story of a girl named Holly whose mother is a famous British Pop Star. You will learn about the lives of the rich and famous, from a unique perspective.

I encourage all of my Young Scholars to let us know what you think of this story by leaving your comments below. Do you wish you could have Holly's life? Why or why not??

November Books

2011-11-04T13:19:00.002-04:00

Our Young Scholars will be reading:

Babymouse: Queen of the World By Jennifer Holmes

Find out more about the Babymouse book series by checking out Babymouse's website.

Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute Written by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

Find out more about the Lunch Lady book series by checking out the book's website

SilverFin Written by Charlie Higson

Find out more about the Young James Bond book series by checking out the young Bond's website.

Little Books Worms will be reading:
Like our Young Scholars, the Book Worms will be exploring the world of comic books this month. They will be reading, Elephant and Piggie books by Mo Willems. This author is a personal favorite of mine, I encourage you to check out the author's website and learn more about his many books or play the Elephant and Piggie Dance Game

Book Trailers

2011-11-04T13:03:00.006-04:00

Check out the trailer to the book you'll be reading.

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

2011-08-10T18:07:00.001-04:00

Below is a small excerpt I stumbled across while doing some research for one of my classes. It reminded me why I love the work I do and I think it really speaks to what it is LBR is all about. A lot of people look at their world and complain about all that is wrong with it. Some people live their lives with little to show for it. LBR is a small group of people that have come together because they expect more of themselves and more from the people they serve.

I have spent my life stringing and unstringing my instrument while the song I came to sing remains unsung. -Tagore (1861-1941)

Most people have something in life they dream of accomplishing. Interestingly, some people realize their dreams, while others seem to spend their days “stringing and unstringing their instruments.” Why do some people realize their dreams and others do not? Why is it that some, maybe most people, never even try to accomplish their dreams? Is it that those who accomplish their goals believe that they will succeed if they try hard enough? Is it the belief that they have the skills and resources necessary to accomplish their dreams? Is it because there is someone along the way who inspires them or encourages them to take the first step? Taylor, K.. Effective teaching. Ph.D. dissertation, University of Denver

Blogging

2011-08-05T00:10:00.000-04:00

While making up a lesson plan for The Paper Bag princess, I stumbled across this blog called "Students First Resource". It's full of ideas and resources for teaching elementary aged children.

Book Worms - Summer Reading

2011-08-05T00:07:00.000-04:00

This kids will be reading one of my all time favorite children's books:
The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch

As we read the story the kids will make predictions about what they think will happen next. Afterwards we'll talk about the story. Our readers will think about and discuss the characters, the decisions they made, and the type of people they are while they make their own paper bag outfits. After discussing the book we will have a bragging contest of own.

Resources:
- a fun lesson on story sequence using this book
- girls activity using this story to discuss marriage
- worksheets, script, and an art activity for this story
- use this book to talk about stereotyping
- Philosophy and The Paper Bag Princess

Lunch and Learn: Surviving the Middle School Years

2011-07-22T02:10:00.001-04:00

Our 5th grade scholars will be leaving the book club as they head off to middle school. To commemorate their hard work and dedication to academics, LBR arranged to have a special luncheon for just our graduating 5th graders to attend.

It was a great morning with some of the board members and volunteers attending as well. After lunch at Famous Dave's, we had a speaker, followed by a brief award ceremony and ending with dessert.

A special thanks goes to:

chairperson Tasha King

for giving such an inspiring and articulate speech to our scholars

Matt Fernandez,

the General Manager at Famous Dave's who sponsored the kid's meals.

Debra Lowry

whose hard work and dedication often goes unnoticed but without her none of this would be possible.

Fairy Homes

2011-07-22T01:30:00.000-04:00

While the older kids were exploring the worlds of wizards, dragons, and pirates, the younger kids were learning about the imaginary world and habitats of fairies. After reading about fairy homes, the girls set out on a journey to find objects hidden in nature that could be made into fairy homes of their own.

The books we read were:

How to Find Flower Fairies

By: Cicely Mary Barker

Home Sweet Home:

A Little Book of Fairy Dwellings

By: Cicely Mary Barker

Fairyopolis: A Flower Fairies Journal

By: Cicely Mary Barker

Secret Fairy Homes

By: RH Disney

Fantasy Picture Books

2011-07-22T00:42:00.000-04:00

For our last book club of the school year, we took a break from the novel books to enjoy a few -ology books. These books offered great illustrations to look at it, and lots of fun, but completely made up knowledge. The books were made to explore with little pockets, tucked away notes and textures to touch.

After reading and sharing about the different books, we made our own field journals describing a fictional creature of our own imagination. There was an assortment of different paper, cloth, and embellishments so that our journals cold be filled with all the fun things found in the -ology books.

Check out the -ology website for more content or learn more about the -ology books.

Ologyworld.com

Summer Reading List

2011-06-22T10:14:00.001-04:00

Young Scholars
June- The Not-Just-Anybody Family by Betsy Cromer Byars
July- Be a Perfect Person in Just 3 days by Stephen Manes
August- Dying to Meet You: 43 Old Cemetery Road: Book One by Kate Klise

Book Worms
June- When the Wind Stops by Charlotte Zolotow
July- The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch, The Rough Faced Girl by Rafe Martin
August- Ish by Peter Reynolds, The Dot by Peter Reynolds

Young Scolars Meeting

2011-03-11T10:03:00.002-05:00

We are still reading When You Reach Me By Rebecca Stead, and should be halfway through the book. Today we will discuss what we've read so far and play the pyramid game from the book.

If you liked When You Reach Me, you may want to check out other books by the author. First Light was Rebecca Stead's first book and probably available at your local library.

Little Scholars Meeting

2011-03-11T09:02:00.011-05:00

Today we will be reading Me and My Robot 1 & 2 by Tracey West. This is a story about a boy and his robot. They have lots of fun together and sometimes Reese has to teach the Robot new things. Like when a friends kitten goes missing, Robot leads the friends to every other small and furry animal- except a kitten!

After reading Me and My Robot, the children will make their own robots while discussing the book.

image and lesson plan via bookclub4boy.com

Words Of Wisdom

2011-03-03T21:51:00.000-05:00

Young Scholars Meeting

2011-02-25T11:56:00.001-05:00

At today's meeting, Children will be creatively retelling a childrens book that deals with an important person in American history. The best presenters will have a chance to retell their story a group of younger children.

We will begin reading our new book, When You Reach Me By Rebecca Stead.

When Miranda's best friend, Sal, gets punched in the stomach for no reason, her life begins to unravel. Sal stops hanging around with her, she has to get a whole new set of friends, the key that Miranda's mother keeps hidden for emergencies disappears... and then there are those mysterious notes she keeps receiving. The first one reads...." I am coming to save your friend's life, and my own. I ask two favors. First, you must write me a letter..." As the notes keep arriving, Miranda realizes that whoever is writing them knows things they shouldn't; things you would only know if you came from the future. How is any of this possible?

Little Scholars Meeting

2011-02-25T10:57:00.001-05:00

This week we will be reading :
Dancing in the Wings by Debbie Allen
It should be noted the illustrator of this book is Kadir Nelson, someone we've stumbled across a lot this year. He illustrated "Henry's Freedom Box" and a number of the Black History Month books that the older kids will be presenting at the meeting. We will be spending some time learning more about this amazing artist and making our own illustrations in oil pastels.

This book is loosely based on the author (actress and choreographer, Debbie Allen) The main character is Sassy, a long-legged girl who always has something to say. She wants to be a ballerina more than anything, but she worries that her too-large feet, too-long legs, and even her big mouth will keep her from her dream. When a famous director comes to visit her class, Sassy does her best to get his attention with her high jumps and bright leotard. Her first attempts are definitely not appreciated, but with Sassy's persistence, she just might be able to win him over.

In Honor Of Black History Month

2011-02-23T10:15:00.001-05:00

Jonathan McCoy, an articulate 11-year-old boy, has gained national attention for a profound speech he wrote and delivered to members of his church. Watch how this little boy expresses his desire to abolish one of the most controversial racial slurs in America.

LBR's Book Club

2010-12-31T10:21:00.002-05:00

Our Young Scholars Book Club began in October 2010. It is a place where children in grades 3-5 can come together to experience and share a love for books. All of our books are AR approved. After reading each book children are able to take the AR test at their school library and receive academic credit. Further more our club regularly collaborates with school members to best serve our students.

Shortly after beginning our Young Scholars Club we began developing lessons for students in grades 1st - 3rd. Our Little Scholars meet at the same time and place as the Young Scholars. Children enjoy hands on activities, games and reading exercises that are age appropriate.

A writing component has been added to the last 30 minutes of each meeting. This addition was added due to teachers and school concerns that student writing abilities were lagging.

Garden Fest of Lights

2010-12-22T10:15:00.027-05:00

For Christmas, our young scholars visited the 2010 GardenFest of Lights at Lewis Gunther Botanical Gardens. Before touring the grounds the children enjoyed a wonderful dinner in the gardens Tea House.

HENRY'S FREEDOM BOX

2010-10-31T11:13:00.003-04:00

Our first meeting we read Henry's Freedom Box by Ellen Levine, a book beautifully illustrated by the amazing artist Kadir Nelson. The book is the true story of a slave from Richmond VA who mails himself to freedom. While reading the book the children gained a better understanding of what it means to be free by learning of all the things Henry must live without. Things often taken for granted like our birthdays, dancing, and being with our family are all rights Henry is robbed of because he is a slave.

After reading and discussing the book, we constructed our own freedom box, the exact size of Henry's. Students took turns laying inside the book, imagining what Henry may have felt like during his 2 day journey.

OTHER TITLES BY AUTHOR -- Ellen Levine
Freedom's Children: Young Civil Rights Activists Tell Their Own Stories
We learn about the struggles of the civil rights movement from those who lived it. Stories are shared from the perspective of young black men living in the south during the 50's and 60's and what they did to fight back
Secret Missions: Four True Life Stories

True stories of 4 ordinary citizens who risked their lives for what they believed in.

OTHER TITLES BY ARTIST -- Kadir Nelson

Change Has Come: An Artist Celebrates Our American Spirit
Nelson's illustrations are accompanied by the words of President Barack Obama.
Coretta Scott

An illustrated biography of Coretta Scott King.