Marc Tyler Nobleman Visits HES!!

On Thursday, March 31, 2016 author Marc Tyler Nobleman visited Hollywood Elementary. Marc Tyler Nobleman is the author of over 70 books. When he came to HES he talked about two of his books Boys of Steel: The Creators of Superman and Billy the Boy Wonder: The Secret Co-Creator of Batman. I read both books ahead of time and I learned so much! I couldn't wait to hear Marc Tyler Nobleman had to say.

The first presentation was for 3rd, 4th and 5th Grade. All of the students are working on completing research, so his presentation was easy for them to relate to. One of my favorite things that Marc said during his presentation was researching was just like playing hide-and-seek. I'm going to be using this from now on. The kids were on the edge of their seats finding out about the creators of Superman, who were only in high school when they invented the character. Then we moved onto Batman, my favorite superhero. Once again the students were so interested in the little known co-creator of Batman. Bill Finger was the unknown person who made the Batman character the one we know today, but didn't get any credit. The message that Marc Tyler Nobleman stressed to the students during this presentation is you must do the right thing in this world. And if someone is taking advantage of you, like what was done to Bill Finger, you need to stand up for yourself and fight for what is right!

The next two presentations were for K, 1st, and 2nd Grade. Marc Tyler Nobleman did an outstanding job of taking the presentation and bring it down to our primary students. He passed along the same message of doing the right thing in life and standing up for yourself. I also liked how he encouraged the students, when thinking about their career, to make sure they picked something they liked to do because they would be doing it for a long time. Our students really enjoyed see the pictures that Marc shared with them of him dressed up like Superman and Robin.

I have recently started an after school group for Book Talking. These nine students had the privilege of eating lunch with Marc Tyler Nobleman. They really enjoyed having some time with him in a small group setting. We talked about what he would love to write about, favorite books, and what super power would we love to have. 

A great time was had by all during Marc Tyler Nobleman's visit to HES. If students were not able to purchase his books, there will be two each available for check out real soon. A huge thank you goes to the HES PTA for helping make Marc Tyler Nobleman's visit possible!

          

Stay tuned to the blog tomorrow for a post about March BOOK Madness. We are down to the final two books!

Happy Reading!!

Miss Hazuda (@HESMediaCenter)

March BOOK Madness

My Cute Graphics

How did it get to me the end of March? I still am wondering where January and February went. We have been very busy in the Media Center these past few months. We have begun to start research projects in all grade levels. Hopefully soon I'll be able to post some products on the blog. The students have also been participating in March BOOK Madness. Below are the pairings we started with.

Another Brother versus I Wanna New Room

My Pet Book versus This Book Just Ate My Dog

I Don't Wanna Be a Frog versus McToad Mows Tiny Island

Darth Vader and Son versus Vader's Little Princess

Wolfie the Bunny versus I'll Chomp You

Bear Alert versus Mother Bruce

Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast versus Happy Birthday Cupcake

Little Tree versus Stick and Stone

Friendshape versus Happy

Pom Pom Panda Gets the Grumps versus Please Mr. Panda

Rodeo Red versus Marilyn's Monster

Where Are My Books versus Dewey Bob

The Whale in My Swimming Pool versus Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great

Snoozefest versus Goodnight Already

Snappsy the Alligator (Didn't Ask to Be in This Book) versus The Watermelon Seed

Ballet Cat: Totally Secret Secret versus If You Ever Wanted to Bring an Alligator to School, Don't!

After a few weeks of voting, we are now down to our Final Four! I can't wait to see who will win.

This Book Just Ate My Dog versus Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast

Please Mr. Panda versus If You Ever Wanted to Bring an Alligator to School, Don't!

I'll post some pictures soon.

Happy Reading!!

Miss Hazuda (@HESMediaCenter)

Happy Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day is more than just a day to celebrate love. It’s a celebration of who we are as people. As humans we thrive because of our relationships with other people. We work together in groups to solve problems. We have teams to accomplish goals. We have friends to spend time with. We learn from others of all ages. 

The people around us make a difference to us every day.

Which is why February 14th is a great day to write letters and cards to friends and family members we appreciate. 

Valentine’s Day has a long history and there are many different traditions celebrated around the world. The United Kingdom began the tradition of sending flowers, chocolates and cards. In the area of Slovenia (in Europe near Austria and Hungary) February 14th is a celebration of spring. Men and women go out into the fields to being their work. In some countries in Central America February 14th is a traditional day to do acts of kindness for friends. 

Let's keep the kindness going this week whole week. Here are a few things that you can do:

Monday: Read about the traditions of Valentine's Day on Pebble Go.   
               If you need the user name and password, please email me. Please
               make sure you mention who your student is, because this log in is
               only for HES students. Once in the database, go in 
               to Social Studies, and then Holidays. 

Tuesday: Do like puzzles? Do this interactive word search from National 
                Geographic Kids. 

Wednesday: Do a Random Act of Kindness for someone. 
                     Here are some ideas for people of all ages.

Thursday: Make a card for a friend or relative. Follow these directions at 
                 Instructables for a simple card or for a more challenging card.

Friday: Watch a Valentine-themed video from PBS Kids.  

Check back tomorrow for a post about how some of our HES students filled in the following sentence starter:

"I LOVE my Media Center because ..."

Happy Reading!!

Miss Hazuda (@HESMediaCenter)

Happy Chinese New Year!

Calendars are an invention of people. Time passes from day to day with the cycle of the sun rising and setting. Centuries ago people tried to measure time. They created the calendar as a measurement tool to keep track of how fast time was moving. However, just like there is more than one kind of pencil, or one kind of television, or gaming system, there is also more than one kind of calendar. 

The Chinese New Year begins this year on February 8, 2016. Just like our New Year is always on January 1st, the Chinese New Year is always on the first day of their calendar. One of the most interesting things about the Chinese calendar is that they identify each year with an animal. In simple terms, it’s like a mascot for the year. 

This year will be the Year of the Monkey. The Chinese say that people who are born during a Year of the Monkey are enthusiastic, cheerful, quick-witted and creative!

The Chinese people celebrate their culture in a 15-day celebration of the New Year. They celebrate with fireworks, parades, special rituals and foods.  Click here to watch a Youtube clip to see how some Chinese people celebrate the New Year.

To celebrate Chinese New Year, skip the fortune cookies, which are really an American invention, and try out a tangram puzzle. Tangrams are ancient Chinese puzzles. See below for printable Tangrams.  If you’re in the mood for something with a more artistic flair, download and color this Year of the Monkey page. Click here for a link to a coloring page.

Below are some really great books about Chinese New Year. Some can be found at the HES library, and the Public Library.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Miss Hazuda (@HESMediaCenter)

Have I Got A BOOK For You!!

At the beginning of February I read to all students the book Have I Got a Book For You! by Melanie Watt. In this book the salesman, Mr. Al Foxword, is trying to his book. If you haven’t read the book, it is a must read! I picked this book, because I wanted students to try and “sell” books to their classmates. I have found that many students are more likely to read books suggested by their classmates. All students have to do is fill out the online form and submit it. Click here for the online form. Kindergarten and First Grade students can have help from parents filling out the form.

Once the form is read and checked for spelling errors, I will take a picture of the student and the book. The review will be printed out and will be displayed in the hallway for about a week. Then it will be placed in a binder for students to look through. Also with parent permission the book review or book review and picture will be placed on the HES Media Center Blog. Students can do more than one and it can either be a fiction or nonfiction book.

I can't wait to see what books get reviewed! Keep checking back for some great book suggestions! Sometimes I have actually had some authors respond with a comment for the student about his/her book review.

Happy Reading!!

Miss Hazuda (@HESMediaCenter)