Young Authors Conference, by Leslie Prechtel, Head Librarian

Young Authors Conference is a marvelous event that began 27 years ago at Collegiate. Over the years, students from Kindergarten through Fourth grade have met numerous authors of children’s books, including Thatcher Hurd, Steven Kellogg, Ruth Heller, John Erickson, as well as Bill and Carol Wallace, to name a few. The teachers and librarians spend months preparing the students to meet the author. Each student creates his own book because in order to attend Young Authors Conference you must be an author yourself. On the day of the conference, students spend the morning listening to the author talk about the process of writing and publishing. In the afternoon students participate in five different activities that relate to the author’s books. These activities include a reception where they meet with the author to have their book signed, a craft project, and some kind of activity in the gym. Each year the Friends of the Library volunteers help ensure that all of the afternoon’s activities run smoothly.

 

Read and Romp Day, by Kathy Wagner

Early Childhood Read and Romp Day started in 1999 and has become a greatly anticipated event each year.  This activity is a collaborative effort between the Early Childhood library and physical education department.  Students spend part of a day in the gymnasiums rotating to ten different stations where they are read a short picture book by a volunteer and participate in a quick physical activity that coincides with the story.  Activities might include a relay, obstacle course, dance, cooperative game, or creative or problem solving activity.  Over the years, 150 different books have been enjoyed by students, teachers, administration, parents, and grandparents who have been a part of this very special event.  Perhaps you were once part of dancing like a jungle animal for Giraffe’s Can’t Dance, participating in a ring toss for The Midnight Unicorn, wrapping a friend in toilet paper for Ten Little Mummies, or learning sign language while listening to Can’t You Sleep Little Bear.

Dr.Seuss Celebrations, by "Dr. Seussan" Pangrac!

Hooray for Dr. Seuss! 

“It’s coming. It’s coming.” We all heard them say.
Our favorite of favorites. “It’s Dr. Seuss Day!”

It happens on March 2^nd and I’m telling the truth
Everyone looks forward from 2 to grade twoth.

It started with reading—Mrs. Mattix led the way
It just so happens that is her birthday;

Then all early childhood joined the fun
Why, Mrs. Wagner even lead the group in a run!

They’d meet on the track—those smart little cats
And the leader? You guessed it. The Cat in the Hat;

But that Cat looks familiar. It’s Mr. Wagner, I bet
He stays out in front and he’s not been caught yet.

In other parts of the school, more fun is in store
First and second graders are reading much more;

They love the Seuss language and the lessons he teaches
From the Sams and the Hortons to the Grinches and Sneeches.

Kindergarten students get to visit first grade
Where first grade students read a book that Seuss made.

First and second grade kiddos love the way the words run
But Mr. Geisel tucked in life’s lessons along with the fun.

And every other year a breakfast is served
Of ham and green eggs so his memory’s preserved.

As these traditions continue, we all say, “Hooray!”
For the love and the lessons of Dr. Seuss Day. 

The 5th Grade Space Simulation, and Battle of the Books

The 5th Grace Space Simulation, by Brooke Finan

Beginning during the 2000-2001 school year, fifth graders at Collegiate were immersed in a Mars Space Simulation. The purpose of the Mars unit was to give a real-life experience of what it would be like to travel to the red planet. All students participated as either astronauts or members of Mission Control, and they were assigned jobs used by NASA in real space missions, such as Flight Commander, Pilot, Mars Terrain Specialist Geologist, Biologist, as well as Mission Control positions such as Public Affairs Officer or CAPCOM. All students played a critical role in the overall experience and spent weeks preparing through various assignments related to their position. Over the years, the Mission to Mars unit has grown to include a scuba diving activity (to help simulate the weightlessness that astronauts would experience). The Mars Simulation “launch” day started with a traditional astronauts’ breakfast for the students and their parents, followed by four one-hour missions to Mars (one for each science class), attended by parents. Each mission consisted of a successful launch and landing in the Orion Space Capsule simulator, followed by a simulated space walk and presentation by the students. The Mission to Mars has become a fifth grade tradition and is a much-anticipated highlight of the school year. 

Battle of the Books, by Leslie Prechtel

About 20 years ago Suzanne Reed, Head Librarian at the time, proclaimed February “Read For Your Life” month. Several events were planned for students from Pre-School through 8^th grade. They included Turn Off the television, Turn On to reading (TOTO) week and Guest Reader Day.  Ten years ago we changed Guest Reader Day to Battle of the Books. Battle of the Books is a national program in which students answer questions relating to a given list of books. The national program is run similarly to a spelling bee. Our Battle of the Books pits each Middle School advising group against other advising groups in their grade level, so students compete in a group rather than individually. In May, right before the end of the school year, students receive a Summer Reading list created by the Head Librarian. This list represents the beginning of the Battle of the Books list. In January, the Head Librarian compiles the final list by adding titles that students read as part of the curriculum, most popular Accelerated Reader books, and books from the Summer Reading list for a total of 55 books. On the day of the “Battle,” groups earn points by providing the correct title and author to specific questions about the books on the list. The victorious group earns a trophy and a bagel or donut party.