April 15, 2008
MY FAVORITE BLOG
Maybe you'll like this one too. Check it out. It's my favorite blog about children's books and instilling a love of reading. It's called The PlanetEsme Plan. Esme Raji Codell is a former teacher & librarian, current author, and the creator of both this terrific blog and the Gingerbread Apartment (bookroom/private library) in Chicago. Click HERE for a great description of what sounds like a very magical place. Her book Sahara Special is really wonderful, and I check her site regularly to keep up-to-date on all the best books.
Remember, only half of NATIONAL POETRY MONTH is over, so there is plenty of time to share and enjoy some poetry with your famiy, or all by yourself!
Posted by Lisa J | Comments (0)
April 07, 2008
WHAT, NO TV?
On Monday the 21st of April, PHS invites you and your family to voluntarily abstain (for seven whole days) from TV watching and other screen time activiites such as computer games, aimless internet searching, and the like.
Personally, I like TV. The Office makes me laugh a lot, and I also learn a great deal from a variety of documentaries. And I love my computer...except when I'm not loving it. However, look at the following:
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT TV
- Number of 30-second commercials seen in a year by an average child: 20,000
- Number of minutes per week that parents spend in meaningful conversation with their children: 38.5
- Number of minutes per week that the average child watches television: 1,680
- Percentage of children ages 6-17 who have TV's in their bedrooms: 50
- Percentage of day care centers that use TV during a typical day: 70
- Hours per year the average American youth spends in school: 900 hours
- Hours per year the average American youth watches television: 1500
- Percentage of Americans that regularly watch television while eating dinner: 66
For more information and a list of 52 alternatives, go to the TV Turn Off Week site.
So, a week-long break starts to sound like a nice idea, especially as the days are getting longer and warmer. More time with familiy? Leisurely dinners? More time for thoughtful attention to homework, if needed? Go the the park? Friday night at the de Young Museum? Hmmm, I wonder which other museums have evening hours? And of course, attend PHS's annual Family Night on Thursday the 24th.
Read together or listen to book on CD (get them at the public library or borrow one from our small collection)? Paint a wall?! Clean out the garage? If you'd like even more ideas, come on in and borrow the fabulous book Unplugged Play by Bobbi Conner. It includes 710 games and activities for ages 12 months through 10 years with "no batteries, no plugs, pure fun!" I only have one copy, so don't delay.
Get your own PHS parent library card and check out a stack of books to enjoy. There are even adult titles you might like to borrow. For parents, there is really no limit to the number of items you may check out, so I hope to see you soon.
By the way, April is also National Poetry Month, so there are various poetry related events happening around town these days, and I have a quite a collection of poetry books, both for students and adults!
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March 28, 2008
GENEROUS BOOK LOVERS
As you may know, the annual PHS Book Fair at Books Inc. is the primary way we get new books into the hands of our young readers each year. Families come and shop, raise funds, enjoy browsing and snacking (thanks to our wonderful volunteers), and often donate a book (or several books) to the library's collection. Besides over one hundred books donated directly to the library the night of the fair this past November, several families also chose to donate complete sets of books via the little paper catalog provided as part of this fundraiser.
These books are crucial additions as our students need more non-fiction sources that are up-to-date, well-written and visually appealing.
So, A GREAT BIG THANKS to the following PHS families for their super-duper, above-and-beyond support of the PHS Library!
NEW SETS ADDED IN 2007-2008
Mary Austin and Liz Ranieri and families for: Graphic Myths and Legends
Biz and Toby Morris and family for: The Technology of the Ancient World
Sebastien and Julie Lepinard and family for: World History Set
Paul Matz and Jeremy Stone and family for: Exploring the World
Jennifer Braun and Raymond Ryan and family for: DK Biographies Set
Mark Olson and Iris Krause and family for:Great Ideas of Science
Audrey Yee and Michael Steiner and family for:Understanding Poetry
Mathias and Sigrun Bendull and family for: Visitor Guides Set
Their combined generosity brought us 88 new hardcover books, worth over $1950!! Given that the entire library budget (for books, electronic database subscriptions, library management software, periodical subscriptions, and various other supplies) totals just $8000 for our 200 students - plus families and faculty, you can imagine what this level of giving means to our library program.
If you are interested in joining their esteemed ranks, I am still hoping for more generous PHS readers, parents, and book lovers to step forward and donate the following sets:
Kid's' Guide Set (Bicycle Stunt Riding, Fly-Fishing, Rock Climbing, Freshwater Fishing, and more!)
Africa Set (Africa is a seventh grade humanities focus: Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, and more!)
Regions of the United States Set (This would be a great boon to fifth grade researchers!!!)
National Geographic Countries of the World Set (This set includes 16 books, ranging from Australia to South Korea to Cuba)
Discovering the Arts Set (African American Culture, Ancient Egyptian Culture, Early American Culture, Hispanic Culture, Islamic Culture, Native American Culture)
DK Smithosonain Nature Handbooks Set (Butterflies and Moths, Fossils, Gemstones, Herbs, Insects, Mushrooms, Rocks and Minerals, Shells, Stars and Planets, and Trees - these will be well loved by our students!)
The World of Insects Set (always a popular subject from Kindergarten on up! Includes Ants, Bees, Beetles, Butterflies, Dragonflies, Grasshoppers, and Moths.)
If you'd like to contribute to our library in this way, please contact Lisa J at lj@presidiohill.org.
Another great way to contribute to the library this year would be to donate a Books, Inc. gift card in any amount, or a gift card from another bookstore.
Posted by Lisa J | Comments (0)
Winning Books!
PHS has voted! Our first year participating in the California Young Readers Medal program was a wonderful success and students have let me know that they definitely want to particpate again next year. Students in grades one through eight participated, although most students who voted were in the lower school. Next year I hope to get much more middle school involvement.
The readers voted in several different categories, according to their grade level. The winner in the picture book category was The Buccaneer Bunnies, which tells the story of a bunny who is more interested in books than focsing on his pirate skills. A close runner-up was the hilarious Traction Man. In the Picture Books for Older Readers category, the winner was the darkly humorous and suspenseful Mr. Maxwell's Mouse. In the Intermediate Readers category, Each Little Bird That Sings took the prize. In the Middle School/Junior High category, the winner was The Schwa Was Here, and we had a few students vote in the Older Reader/High School category, in which there was a tie between Elsewhere and Vampire HIgh.
Students enjoyed lining up and entering the official voting booth to cast their ballots.
After voting, they came to the refreshment table and enjoyed a little popcorn and lemonade.
The statewide winners will be announed on May 1st on the CYRM website. The nominees for next year's process have already been decided, so, for those students who want to get a jump on things, they could begin reading this summer. We will particpate agian next year and I am looking forward to it.
Posted by Lisa J | Comments (0)
March 12, 2008
LET'S RESEARCH!
Eighth grade students have been introduced to the new laptop cart while participating in a humanities research-based unit with Trevor. These new computers help make it possible for the entire class to be on-line at the same time when in the library. Don't they look happy?
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February 01, 2008
Give me a W! Give me an N?
Weeks and weeks (and weeks) ago, the kindergarten class was in the midst of exploring a wide variety of alphabet books whenever they visited the library. 
We enjoyed the intriuging and surprising illustrations of The Turn-Around, Upside-Down Alphabet Book by Lisa Campbell Ernst, among others, but, hands down, the all time favorite for most them was The Human Alphabet, which shows each letter (and a corresponding object) illustrated by one or more leotard-clad bodies from the Pilobolus Dance Company. Well, we had to move the tables and chairs of course. 
Even now, after we've moved on to explore the art of Steve Jenkins and had a sampling of a few sweet dog stories, every week at least one kindergartener will ask me to get that book off the shelf one more time. Enjoy the pictures.
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November 14, 2007
PHS ANNUAL BOOK FAIR TONIGHT!
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October 04, 2007
PHS PARTICIPATES !
For the first time ever, Presidio Hill School will be participting in the California Young Reader Medal program, along with K-12 students from all over the state! Students who choose to participate will read (or listen to) three books that were selected by California students last year as their favorites, and then vote for the "big winner" for 2008. The voting will take place at school and will be very official and done up right, with a voting booth, "I Voted!" stickers, and maybe even a treat or two.
Students who wish to participate will need to make a commitment to read or listen to each of the 3 books in their age category. That's it, then vote for their personal favorite. There are no book reports to write or questions to answer. Of course, we may get into a little campaigning and poster-making to promote our favorites, who knows?
As I finish up the details of this posting, several students are already heading into their third book!
The titles are as follows:
For K-2 (and I will be reading these aloud in our library times):The Giant Hug by Sandra Horning, Henry and the Buccaneer Bunnies by Carolyn Crimi, I Wanna Iguana by Kren Kaufman Orloff, Dex: The Heart of a Hero by Carolyn Buehner, and Traction Man is Here! by Mini Grey.
For grades 3-5: Each Little Bird that Sings by Deborah Wiles, The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs by Betty Birney, and Worth by Alexandra Lafaye
For middle school: Chicken Boy by Frances O'Roark, Day of Tears by Julius Lester, and The Schwa Was Here by Neal Shusterman
Picture Books for Older Readers: I will likely read these aloud to some of the classes, and then they can vote for their favorites: Basho and the River Stones by Tim Myers, Dad, Jackie and Me by Myron Uhlberg, and Mr. Maxwell's Mouse by Frank Asch.
*Fifth graders will have the option of participating in the middle school category, either in addition to or instead of the 3-5 category, as long as they are willing to read all three books in any category in which they wish to vote.
*Eighth graders (and maybe younger students) will also have the option of participating in the Young Adult category, with the following titles: Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin, Private Peaceful by Michael Morpugo, and Vampire High by Douglas Rees.
Posted by Lisa J | Comments (0)
September 21, 2007
It's Library Time!
Every class at PHS visits the school library once a week. In the lower school, some classes visit as a half-group while the other half enjoys small-group quality time with their teacher back in the classroom, and other classes come to partake of the library's offerings as a whole group.
Lower school visits usually begin with a story time, and then students have the opportunity to browse for books, maybe do a little independent reading, and then choose a book or two to borrow and take home. Sometimes we also do library/research or literature related lessons, but the bulk of our library time is focused on sharing and enjoying a wide variety of books for pleasure and for information.
The kindergartners, of course, make up most of the brand-new PHS Library patrons, and they also learn skills such as listening quietly during story time, walking appropriately to and from the library, how to wait in line to get your book checked out on the computer, and how exacty to return book and bookbag to our friendly and book hungry pig, Oinklestiltskin! (See below: Doesn't he look famished?)
Third graders are currently enjoying the stories from Natalie Babbit's Jack Plank Tells Tales, including a creepy one about a "mummy's hand". Here are some third grade boys enjoying their independent time in the library:
Middle school students visit the library as part of their humanities classes. Once a week, each humanities section holds class in the library. The humanities teachers (Mike, Jenn, and Trevor) work with me to determine how best to use that weekly time, whether it be for continued humanities work, research on computers, assistance with finding independent reading novels, listening to read-alouds, or exploring topical themes, such as Banned Books Week. Have you read And Tango Makes Three yet? It's the book most often challenged in 2006. Feel free to borrow it here, and enjoy this wonderful picture book.
Parents: You can use the library, too! Please stop by and get your very own PHS Library Card. I promise to let you check out lots of books to enjoy with your child/ren at home. I also have a small, but growing section of books on topics related to parenting, childhood, and educational theory.
Posted by Lisa J | Comments (0)
September 10, 2007
Reading Around Town for Grown Ups
San Francisco is a participant in the One City, One Book project this year, and the book selected this time around is Cane River. If I hear from a few people who are interested in reading this novel, I will order a couple of copies which can then be borrowed right here from the PHS library. So send me an email! I love promoting the San Francisco Public Library. September is officially Library Card Sign-Up month, so if you and your child do not yet have your SFPL cards, get one now! It's easy and free. You will have access to books, of course, but also to tons of movies and other resources.
SFPL Events:
Coming in October to the Main Library, the incredibly talented Peter Sis.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
San Francisco Main Library
2:00 pm
Peter Sís, a MacArthur fellow and internationally renowned artist discusses his memoir,
THE WALL: GROWING UP BEHIND THE IRON CURTAIN
The Communist Czechoslovakia of Mr. Sís's youth was a place where creativity could be discouraged but not easily killed. Graphic art, journal entries, and personal photographs illustrate the harsh realities of a closed society and the inevitable longing for freedom. Václav Havel, the former president of the Czech Republic, says, "Peter Sís's book is most of all about the will to live one's life in freedom and should be required reading for all those who take their freedom for granted." College students (undergrad and grad), teachers, librarians, and young adults interested in art, politics, and Eastern European history are welcome. (Not suitable for children.)
Posted by Lisa J | Comments (0)
