Word of the Month: Optimism

Optimism: Optimism is the ability to remain hopeful and confident about the future or successful outcome of something. Be positive!

Assembly Read Aloud: The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper

Everyone loves The Little Engine That Could, that classic tale of the determined little engine that, despite its size, triumphantly pulls a train full of toys to the waiting children on the other side of a mountain.The story is used to teach children the value of optimism and hard work.

Sing Songs About OPTIMISM!




Read About OPTIMISM with books from YouTube!





December Word of the Month: Compassion

Be compassionate!
“Be the wind that fills another’s sails!”

Compassion is a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.

Assembly Read Aloud: We’re All Wonders by R.J. Palacio

BOOKS:

SONGS ABOUT COMPASSION:

Books About Compassion Shared on YouTube:




Sometimes just the words you choose can make a difference in showing compassion….
Compassion – A definition

JellyTelly Kids Talk – Compassion

How To Change The World (a work in progress) | Kid President

Be compassionate!
“Be the wind that fills another’s sails!”

December Library Challenge

“Papier-mâché or paper mache, French for “chewed paper”, is a composite material consisting of paper pieces or pulp, sometimes reinforced with textiles, bound with an adhesive, such as glue, starch, or wallpaper paste. Starting around 1725 in Europe, gilded papier-mâché began to appear as a low-cost alternative to similarly treated plaster or carved wood in architecture. Henry Clay of Birmingham, England, patented a process for treating laminated sheets of paper with linseed oil to produce waterproof panels in 1772. These sheets were used for building coach door panels, amongst other structural uses. Theodore Jennens patented a process in 1847 for steaming and pressing these laminated sheets into various shapes, which were then used to manufacture trays, chair backs, and structural panels, usually laid over a wood or metal armature for strength. The papier-mâché was smoothed and lacquered, or finished with a pearl shell finish.”

For this month’s challenge we want you to get your hands dirty and create a “chewed paper” creation of your very own.

Below are the directions for making papier-mâché paster.

Rules:
1. Single Entries only.
2. All entries must have submission form attached, see below.
3. All materials must be created, papier-mâchéd and incorporated into a gift.
4. All entries are DUE Friday, December 15th! No Exceptions.


#getyourcrafton

Word of the Month: Acceptance

Gratitude is the quality of being thankful; the readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. To feel grateful is to feel thankful for something. Gratitude is a feeling of thankfulness.
Assembly Read Aloud: Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson

Read books about gratitude:

  • An Awesome Book of Thanks by Dallas Clayton
  • Thankful by Eileen Spinelli
  • The Secret of Saying Thanks by Douglas Wood
  • Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson
  • The Most Thankful Thing by Lisa McCourt
  • Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are? By Dr. Seuss
  • I’m Thankful Each Day by PK Hallinan
  • A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams
  • The Thank You Book by Mo Willems

Sing About Gratitude:

Books About Gratitude Shared on YouTube:

The Thank You Book by Mo Willems





Are you thankful for the little things? Here’s a new perspective on gratitude that might make you think again. Be GRATEFUL!

Word of the Month: Acceptance


Acceptance is the fact of allowing someone to become part of a group or community and making them feel welcome.
Diversity is the understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizing our individual differences. These differences might include: ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies.

Assembly Read Aloud: Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae

Read books about acceptance:

  • It’s Okay to Be Different by Todd Parr
  • Whoever You Are by Mem Fox
  • Big Al by Andrew Clements
  • A Rainbow of Friends by PK Hallinan
  • The Big Orange Splot by D. Manus Pinkwater and Daniel Manus Pinkwater
  • There’s a Skunk in My Bunk by Joseph McCann
  • The Sneetches by Dr. Seuss
  • I’m Like You, You’re Like Me by Cindy Gainer
  • The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi

Sing a few catchy songs about acceptance:

More great books about acceptance from YouTube!
How Full is Your Bucket

Octicorn

Whoever You Are

A Rainbow of Friends

The Big Orange Splot

The Sneetches Video

Same Same But Different

It’s Okay to be Different

Character Education: RESPECT is our word of the month

Set SAIL for a Respectful Year!
Be respectful!

Overview: Respect is demonstrating courteous behavior, being polite, gracious, well-mannered and considerate around others.

Books:

 

  • Are You Respectful Today by Kris Yankee and Marian Nelson
  • Please Say Please by Margery Cuyler
  • How to Be a Friend by Laurie Krasny Brown and Marc Brown
  • Clifford’s Book of Manners by Norman Bridwell
  • Ten Rules of Being a Superhero by Deb Pilutti
  • Respect and Take Care of Things by
  • Do Unto Otters by Laurie Keller
  • The Recess Queen by Alexis O’Neill
  • Me First! by Helen Lester
  • Frog and Toad All Year by Arnold Lobel
  • How Full is Your Bucket? By Tom Rath

Songs:

We Know the Way (Moana):

Respect Song:

Sesame Street Respect:

Bruno Mars You Can Count on Me:

Read Aloud YouTube Videos:

Are You Respectful Today Video:

Me First by Helen Lester:

What is a Friend:

Recess Queen:

Same Same But Different:

Support our school wide character ed program with the following parent resources:

 

Summer Reading

Summer Reading Kickoff Event

with the Uncle Brothers at St. Catherine’s Gym in Blauvelt

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

7 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.

Uncle Brother

Summer Reading Kickoff Event with the Uncle Brothers at St. Catherine’s Gym in Blauvelt. Original family music hosted by the “Mighty Five” Libraries of South Orangetown. All are welcome. No registration required.

 

Reading can be one of the many fun activities children choose to fill their summer time. Research has shown it is also much more! Children who participate in public library summer reading programs make achievement leaps during the summer and maintain their reading achievements. This summer, take your child to participate in the summer programs happening at any of the “Mighty 5” libraries in our district.

Please click on the Summer Program brochure below. The brochure includes daily activities available at ALL “Mighty 5” libraries.
SUMMER READING Big Brochure

Please Note: Your child will NOT be receiving a Summer Reading log from William O. Schaefer. The children can visit any of the “Mighty 5″ libraries in our district to register for summer reading and pick up a reading log. Please have your child bring their Summer Reading Log to school with them in September.

Below Are Additional Summer Reading Resources and Ideas:

  • Kindergarten to 2nd grade. The books on ALSC list come highly recommended by kid readers from all over the country and may also be available in ebook, audio book, braille, and large print formats.
  • Caldecott Medal and Honor Books, 1938-Present
  • Barnes and Noble recommended top picks for grades 1 & 2.
  • Audiobooks are the perfect companion for a family road trip! Visit tryaudiobooks.com for FREE DOWNLOADS and suggested ways you can listen to audiobooks,
  • NY Public Libraries 100 Great Children’s books.
  • Cottage Lane Summer Reading
  • Librarians who work with children and teens in both public libraries and school libraries across the State have collaborated to select age-appropriate titles for recreational reading. The four lists were created to spark an interest in the rich history of New York State. Each of the four lists covers one reader age group and features the age-appropriate Summer Reading at New York Libraries Slogan, “Build a Better World”
    • Build a Better World! Explore New York — Picture Books [.PDF PDF icon; 272k]
    • Build a Better World! Explore New York — Elementary Level [.PDF PDF icon; 272k]

 

June Word of the Month: Reflection

Look how we have grown!
Reflection is the willingness to learn about yourself. What have I achieved and what else do I need to do?

Assembly Read Aloud:

31JNlNhoafL._AC_US160_The OK Book by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

OK is turned on its side, upside down, and right side up to show that being OK can really be quite great. Whether OK personifies an OK skipper, an OK climber, an OK lightning bug catcher, or an OK whatever there is to experience, ok is an OK place to be. And being OK just may lead to the discovery of what makes one great.

Additional Titles:

 

517XUfGN5WL._AC_US160_If Kids Ran the World by Leo & Diane Dillon

51jkkUMUAGL._AC_US160_Cookies by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

51kBYzQCfLL._AC_US160_I Like Me! by Nancy Carlson

617dOnzodXL._AC_US160_What I like About Me! by Allia Zobel Nolan