Summer Travels

What does a librarian do on her summer vacation? Why... visit libraries, of course! This summer I traveled to Greece and Turkey and had the opportunity to visit the ruins and archaeological sites of many different ancient libraries. Pictured above is one of the most beautiful ones I visited in the ancient city of Ephesus near the port of Izmir in Turkey.

QR Codes (Quick Response Codes) are starting to appear throughout the SLES building .  You can also find them in the library.  Use the codes here to discover the titles that are the winners of the Iowa Children's Choice Award and Goldfinch Award for 2012!

SLES Library Panorama

Check out the link above to see a 360 degree panoramic photo of our SLES library in action taken by Mr. Huebner on his new Ipad using the Dermandar App!

Get Fired Up for Reading!

Spirit Lake Elementary has BIG NEWS----Reading Month is coming!!!  Beginning January 23rd, and continuing for 4 weeks, we will be promoting reading even more than usual.  With the theme of “Get Fired Up for Reading” in recognition of the Chinese New Year (2012 is the Year of the Dragon) we have a number of fun celebrations planned.  Students will be forming a Great Wall of Readers, participating in a dragon parade around our building, enjoying special foods and treats, making fortune cookies and bookmarks and hearing about life in China today from local celebrities who have recently visited China. The elementary staff will be challenging all students to turn off the TV/electronics and spend a few extra minutes each day reading.  To go along with this month long celebration, we will also be holding a service project which will support our US Troops in Afghanistan.  Below is a list of items that are good examples of things the troops need and use on a daily basis.  We encourage all items to be dropped off in one of the boxes located by the Elementary Office, Elementary Media Center, or the Fourth Grade Pod by Thursday, February 16, 2012.  Cash donations will also be accepted to go toward postage.  If you have additional questions, you may contact Dana in the office, Mrs. Sievert in the media center, or Mrs. Vugteveen (4th grade).

Suggested items:

candy that doesn’t melt (no chocolate, please)

gatorade pouches

gum

magazines/books

snack stuff: jerky, crackers, nuts, popcorn, etc.

toothbrush/toothpaste

chapstick

fruit snacks

DVD’s/CD’s (personalized CD’s are a favorite!)

Personal notes/letters

Thank you for supporting our students in their quest to “Get Fired Up For Reading!”

Free Ebooks!

Please click on the link below to access a variety of links to free Ebooks that are available to the students at SLES in addition to those featured in the "EBook List" on our Library Catalog page.

http://sqworl.com/ndwmfu

September 2011 Internet Safety

My time with students will be scheduled a little differently this year.  I won't see the students on a regular schedule as one of their Specials.  I will be integrating the information skills needed with the classroom curriculum and teaming with the homeroom teachers to teach these skills.  Our focus this month will be internet safety and responsible use of technology as I meet with classes.  The following resources will be used:        http://sqworl.com/dk7pg4

  Information in a print format will be available at Open House.  We are striving to teach students to be responsible and respectful users of technology by introducing them to a variety of tools that will be needed for their future.  If you have questions or concerns about the skills being taught or resources available please feel free to contact me.