Marty Kelley Comes to Central!!

The Year of the Book fun just keeps on coming!!  Marty Kelley visited Central School on Wednesday, December 9th, to share his super fun self with us!!  After lots of laughs in the afternoon as Marty talked about being a superhero (and writing and illustrating), the fun moved to the high school in the evening.  A yummy pizza supper was enjoyed by all who attended, followed by some storytelling with Marty.  Parents then were invited to talk about the importance of reading with their kids before choosing two gift books for each of their children.  Lots of smiles and lots of fun!!  Thank you again, Children's Literacy Foundation, for another super special opportunity!

We Are Thankful for Books!

To celebrate our third CLiF book giveaway, the first graders presented a fun story and song about books at our all-school Monday Morning Meeting on November 23rd.  Then students cycled through the library to pick a forever book, the fourth of ten books they will get to choose and keep as part of our Year of the Book grant.

Library Event with John Steven Gurney!

Books donated to Central School Library by CLiF!

John Steven Gurney sharing his illustrating process.

Drawing fun with John Steven Gurney!

On November 19th, illustrator John Steven Gurney visited Central School to celebrate the $1000 worth of books given to the Central School library by the Children's Literacy Foundation!  Wow!!  Following his visit to CES, John visited the Rockingham Free Public Library which also received $1000 worth of books from CLiF!!

The One and Only Ivan

Everyone is reading Ivan!

During the month of October, we embarked on an all-school book club experience using the book The One and Only Ivan, written by Katherine Applegate.  Thanks to the financial support of the CES Parent Teacher Organization and the organizational wizardry of an organization called Read to Them, we were able to participate in One School, One Book, a program where every student and staff member at a school receives and reads the same book, uniting the community around a shared literary experience.

Counting the Change!

On Monday, October 5th, everyone received a copy of what would quickly become known around Central School as simply Ivan.  With daily trivia contests and read-alouds as well as art projects and research assignments related to the book and to gorillas in general, talk about Ivan soon began buzzing around the school.  Midway through the month, two third graders introduced the idea of a penny drive for gorilla protection and conservation, and Mrs. Sellarole's math group took on the task of counting the money and reporting daily on our progress.  We learned lots about gorillas, in general, and Ivan in particular, and we were excited to learn that Ivan was rescued from his sad situation at the shopping mall to live out his life at Zoo Atlanta in Georgia.

Our Skype session with Jodi Carrigan!

To culminate our month of Ivan, we were so fortunate to get to Skype with Jodi Carrigan, who was Ivan's caretaker at Zoo Atlanta.  Jodi answered all sorts of questions for us and shared pictures and stories of Ivan with us.  What a special way to end our special month!!

A Busy BOOK Day in September!

The book giveaway!  Choices, choices!

Jim Arnosky!!  

The ice cream social!!

Sharing our new books with book buddies!

On September 24th, we celebrated the return of over 90% of our reading contracts with a special day of book activities!!  In the morning we had our second book giveaway!  This time each student was able to choose one book to keep.  Then in the afternoon, author/illustrator/naturalist Jim Arnosky visited Central School for a presentation of his books and songs.  Next we enjoyed a yummy ice cream social to celebrate our reading commitment!!  Finally, we capped off our day by pairing up with a reading buddy from another class and sharing our new books!  Last but not least, we got to take home our new book shelves!!

Our new bookshelves, complete with artwork of the sun and the moon to symbolize reading from morning until night!