Scholastic Book Fair (Under the Sea)

I was happy to chair the Scholastic Book Fair at Saint Mary's School this spring.  This is a favorite event with one of my favorite themes.  Saint Mary's school serves Preschool through 8th grade so we had a wide range of ages to prepare for.  We decorated with crepe paper sea grass and fish streamers.  Our special collections of books were displayed on tables covered in blue and green table cloths.  We also had a preview night that allowed parents to shop.  We set out Swedish Fish and Goldfish crackers as snacks


We also included a Photo Booth complete with props which all of the students loved! We displayed all of the photos with the heading, "Our School Loves to Read!"  Some photos even made the yearbook!

Curriculum and Information Resources & Services in the School Library

Apple Fest!

During the month of October we created a wonderful Apple Fest involving Kindergarten - 2nd Grade students.  There were several stations and the students moved about in mixed groups to learn all about apples.  There was a science station where they weighed and measured apples.  They cut into an apple and learned all about its parts.  Students talked about the different types of apples and also predicted if they could float!
In our library area, we created several different experiences for the children.

Apple Books
I borrowed a kit from the public library and created a display with over 20 different apple books! 

We talked about the books and I read the students Down the Road by Alice Schertle & E. B. Lewis.  It was a fantastic read aloud and the students eagerly participated in answering questions. My favorite question was to see how old they thought Hetty was since it was the first time she was allowed to go to the store all alone.  There are several other great spots to stop and ask questions, but I don't want to spoil the story!

The story had them all at the edge of their seats wondering what was going to happen to the eggs in Hetty's basket.

Apple Stamping Bookmarks

We sliced an apple in half and the children used the apple to stamp bookmarks.  They added googly eyes and a ribbon to create an apple craft they can take home and use.

Carmel Apples
The hands down favorite station!  We melted caramel in crock pots.  As the students came through we sliced the apples (with an apple slicer for ease) and skewered the apple slices.  The students dipped the apples in the caramel and had their choice of adding sprinkles, crushed chocolate sandwich cookies or both (which the students fondly named The Works!).  This was a messy one but worth it!

Apple Idioms
Writing station
Who knew there were so many apple idioms!
There was a possibility 3rd grade was going to join the group so this was designed with the older elementary students in mind. I brought in a book of idioms and read the background for "Apple of my eye." The younger students enjoyed hearing all of  the idioms and their meanings and we enjoyed hearing what the students thought they meant! 
Students chose an idiom, wrote it and then drew a picture of the idiom's meaning.  This gave them time to write and color as time allowed.

Apple Fest was a great way for all of the students to be involved and to celebrate fall!

Strega Nona

Dinosaurs Before Dawn