Monday, April 18, 2011

Reading is Fundamental 3rd Book Distribution



We're well on our way to the 3rd Reading Is Fundamental book distribution. This week, students will work on creating their own books and make them come alive with their imagination. They have to brainstorm their the plot as well as create images that go along with their story.

After their activity, students will have the opportunity to find a treasure among the many book selections on display.

Make-a-book Activities:
Let's Book It
Reading Activities
Make Your Own Book

Monday, April 11, 2011

Read to Succeed


It is that time of the year once again, where all students tally up their scores and find out if they've accomplished their yearly reading goals.

This week, along with the Butterfly project activities, students will continue reading and testing to meet their goals. 1st - 2nd grade must have 50 and above points, and 3rd - 5th must have 100 or more.

Their reward: a lifelong passion for reading, better vocabulary, improvement in reading levels, and, of course, they get to attend the end-of-the-year AR party.

This year's party is safari theme. So come and read with us, join in the adventure, and explore at the

Southmost

Safari

AR Party!!!

Sunday, April 3, 2011

The Butterfly Project

April is one month away from Holocaust Remembrance Day, which is designated on May 1st of each year. On this day, people all over the nation honor and remember those who lost their lives during the Holocaust and those who survived the atrocities of that time period.

Taking into consideration the different ages and grade levels, we are introducing, not so much the Holocaust and its history, but "the importance of diversity and the danger of bias and prejudice."

Our activity is titled, "The Butterfly Project."
Students will create a personalized butterfly to represent strength, courage, and freedom. All 600 butterflies will be attached to the walls and hung from the ceilings.

At the end of the three-week project, students will take their butterflies down, and upper grade levels will read and analyze poetry from I Never Saw Another Butterfly, written by Jewish survivors at camp Terezin. All butterflies will be sent to the Holocaust Museum in Houston, which encourages teachers to educate others about the Holocaust. The Museum is in the process of collecting 1.5 million hand-made butterflies, representing the 1.5 million children that lost their lives during this tragic event. Let us all remember and continue educating our children about our freedom to love, respect, and embrace others' race, culture, and customs.

Please check out the lesson plan for upper grade levels on the Holocaust Museum website here.