Should I let my kids watch that?

Hey, parents! This blog entry is especially for you:

These days, it seems like more and more books are being turned into movies! It can be exciting watching your favorite book characters come to life on the big screen, even though the book is almost always better than the movie, don't you think? My personal policy is to read the book before I see the movie!

No doubt based on recent movie buzz, lots of Bennett students have stopped into our library to inquire about the book, Divergent (by Veronica Roth, first book in a trilogy), which recently hit the big screens; as well as The Fault in Our Stars (by John Green), which comes out in theaters on June 6. We don't have these books in the Bennett Library due to their YA ("young adult") classification (pretty mature content in both) but that hasn't quenched students' excitement about them.

Are you wondering if the book and/or movie is appropriate for your child? Well, I've got a great resource to share with you! It comes from Common Sense Media, which I first mentioned in my Winter Olympics post. They have an enormous database of book and movie reviews and ratings, but that's not all! You can also go here to check ratings on the latest video games, TV shows, websites, and even apps! How cool is that?

So, for example, I searched the reviews for "Divergent" and got the following information:

As you can see, both the book and movie are recommended for age 13. Click on the title, and you are brought to a summary, additional materials like movie clips, and a "Need to Know" section that rates the movie (or book, or other entertainment type) using different criteria like positive messages, amount of violence, language, sex, etc.

Now you have another tool for helping you decipher all the different messages out there! So, the next time your child asks to download a new app, watch a movie, or you've been wondering if that internet game they found has any educational value, check Common Sense Media first for a very careful evaluation of current entertainment.

To get to Common Sense Media, click on the link on the sidebar; or, to go straight to the Reviews page, click HERE!

READ ACROSS AMERICA!

Each year, students and communities all over the United States come together to READ ACROSS AMERICA! Conceived by the National Education Association (NEA), Read Across America Day’s aim is to get entire communities to celebrate a Day of Reading! The event usually coincides with Dr. Seuss’ birthday, which is on March 2^nd. Because of his lasting contributions and popularity as a children's author, Dr. Seuss has become an icon for the event, along with his beloved -- though, I might add -- mischievous character, the Cat in the Hat.

At Bennett, we have chosen to celebrate tomorrow, February 28th. This week in library, students have been reading Dr. Seuss books, researching about his life using our PebbleGo Biographies database, are performing Reader's Theater, and are voting for their favorite Dr. Seuss book. (So far, The Lorax is in the lead!!) Tomorrow, each grade level has chosen a fun way to celebrate, including having a Read-In (a special block of time set aside for reading), and I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot of Cat in the Hat hats around the school.

Although tomorrow will have extra emphasis on reading, I like to think that every day is a day of reading. You certainly don't have to wait for a special event to make reading special!

Let the games begin!

The 2014 Winter Olympics have begun! That's right, even though the opening ceremony isn't until tomorrow, some events are already underway because there is just so much to fit in! I can't recall if this has ever happened before. This year, fans will have unprecedented access to information due in large part to the widespread use of social media. While very exciting, it can be a challenging landscape to navigate. Common Sense Media has come out with a timely page on their website devoted to helping parents and kids make smart choices about following the Olympics on social media.

On the site, you will find tips about how to set boundaries for using social media in your household; suggestions on where to find information on past and current Olympic athletes, and helpful 2014 Games information, like official websites, hashtags, and useful apps.

2014 Olympics Guide for Families from Common Sense Media

In addition to watching the sporting events, I always enjoy learning more about athletes and their home countries during the Olympics, too. I hope you will, too!

On the Common Sense Media "About Us" page, it states, "Common Sense Media is dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in a world of media and technology." This website is full of information that both parents and kids can use. In fact, I think it's such a handy website, I've added a link to their site to our sidebar!

November Book Club - Chasing Vermeer

This month's 4th/5th book club book is Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett. Yesterday, students met at lunch recess to discuss the puzzles and codes in the book, and everyone got a set of pentominoes to cut out. The challenge is to see if you can get the pentominoes to fit perfectly in to a 6 x 10 grid. According to the directions, there are thousands of solutions, and you don't have to use all the puzzle pieces. I hope I can figure out at least one solution! Do you want to give it a try? You can print out your very own set by going to clicking HERE. I also came across some fantastic games and activities on the Scholastic website. Try your hand at pattern puzzles, pentomino fortunes, and learn more about the author and the series!

We also looked at Johannes Vermeer's painting, A Lady Writing, which is the centerpiece of the mystery in this book. While the story is fictional, the artwork discussed is real! I'm sure there are many sites discussing Vermeer, but if you want to take a look at the painting I found a site called Essential Vermeer, which had some great information.

An exciting connection I had to the story is that I have been to the Art Institute of Chicago many times (I was born in Chicago, and also went to university there). This, of course, is where Calder and Petra go on their school field trip. While it may be a little far for us to go to the AIC on a field trip, the next best thing is visiting the website!! You can look at stunning artwork hanging on their museum walls without ever leaving home. Ready for your virtual field trip? Click HERE!

Remember: Our adult/student book club meeting will be on Thursday, November 21st at 6:30. It will be fun to see how many readers figure out the final puzzle in the book! (Remember, author Blue Balliett gave this challenge right before Chapter 1.)

I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this intriguing book full of coincidences! 

First Book Club Meeting on Thursday

What an exciting week we are having! In addition to the Book Fair AND Family Literacy Night (tonight!), Bennett's Adult/Student Book Club has their first evening meeting THIS THURSDAY, October 24^th from 6:30-8:00. This is an optional book club for 4th and 5th grade students at Bennett. Our first book of the year is Becoming Naomi León by Pam Muñoz Ryan. I am really looking forward to hearing the discussions about this book!

If you are a 4^th or 5^th grader who is interested in joining the Book Club, it’s not too late! Talk to Miss Johnson in the library and get a permission slip to fill out. We’d love to have you join! Here is a list of books we are reading this year:

Thursday Evening Meeting Date	Book Title	Genre
October 24	Becoming Naomi León  by Pam Muñoz Ryan	Realistic Fiction
November 21	Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett	Mystery
January 16	Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan	Realistic Fiction
February 13	The Watsons go to Birmingham—1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis	Historical Fiction
March 20	Kensuke’s Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo	Adventure
May 8	Choice—TBD

Our Book Fair Has Begun!

Wow, what an exciting day we have had getting the library set up for our book fair! Thanks to a host of wonderful helpers, the books are out on display, the cash register is set up, and we are ready for business! Please take some time out of your schedule this week to stop by and do some shopping. Teachers have also set aside "wish list" books they would be delighted to have you purchase for their classrooms. Wish list books are located near the cash register, and every donor gets to personalize a label to go inside the books!

We still have a few volunteer slots available this week. 
Would you please consider helping out during one of the times below?

TUESDAY October 22  from 3pm - 4pm 

WEDNESDAY October 23 from 6pm - 8pm

If you are able to help, please email me at johnsonk@bsd405.org so we can put you on the schedule. Thanks!

See you at the Book Fair!

Book Fair is Just Around the Corner!

Next week is Bennett's fall book fair! Our theme is "Fall Into a Good Book." We hope you will have time to stop by and make a purchase during any of the times below. You can also purchase books for your child's classroom!

In addition to the book fair, Wednesday night is Family Literacy Night! Teachers at each grade level will be giving tips & tricks to help support literacy skills at home. There will also be special activities set up around the library. Plan to stop by classrooms, and don't forget to visit the library, where the book fair will be in full swing. Don't miss your chance to enter our raffle on Wednesday evening - we will be giving away two $25 gift cards to the University Book Store!

Tuesday, October 22 & Thursday, October 24  

8:30am-9:00am

11:45am-12:45pm

3:00pm-4:00pm

Wednesday, October 23

8:30am-9:00am

11:45am-2:00pm

6:00pm-8:00pm (Family Literacy Night)

Friday, October 25

8:30am-9:00am

Here is the other cool thing: Our book fair is being put on by the University Book Store, and they have some extra deals for the Bennett School Community! For any University Book Store purchases you make between October 21-27, they will give a percentage back to our school! Please see this Book Fair Flyer for full details.

I look forward to seeing you at the book fair! Please email johnsonk@bsd405.org with any questions!