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!

Building our Bookshelves!

During PE classes student put together their own bookshelves from pieces cut out by Mr. Nemlich, Mr. Lawry, and Mr. Scarlett over the summer.  Each bookshelf was then taken to Art class where Mrs. Cohun helped the students decorate panels for the end of the bookshelves.  They look AMAZING!!  Soon students will take them home to use for storing all their new books!

The Kick-Off!!

On Friday, August 28th, Duncan McDougall came to Central School for our "Year of the Book" kick-off!  He shared his love of books with us, including his favorite place to read: UP in a tree!!  Then each student was able to choose two new books to keep! What a day!!

Choosing Books!!

Duncan shares a story!

A rapt audience!

Look what I chose!

New books = happy smiles!

Can't wait to read my new book!

Look what I chose!

Our Banner is UP!

Our CLiF Year of the Book banner is up!  You can't miss it as you enter the school and head toward the classrooms!!  We are all ready for our Kick-Off to be held this Friday, August 28th, with Duncan McDougall, Executive Director of CLiF and storyteller extraordinaire!!