Lion Lessons by Jon Agee is our last Beehive Book Nominee from the picture book category. It came out in 2016, but was just nominated this year. It's a fun look at what it takes to get your "lion diploma." And who better to teach a young boy than a lion himself! But what looks like an easy road to becoming a lion is actually quite challenging - you have to learn how to look fierce, roar authentically, prowl around, sprint and pounce - not ...
3/4 – 3/8
If you've ever ridden a bike through a capital city, you know the thrill and the advantage of seeing the sites on two wheels. This week, we are reading about the woman who led the movement in Europe to make big cities bicycle friendly. Pedal Power, How One Community Became the Bicycle Capital of the World, by Allan Drummond, is the story of how Maartje Rutten and her friends led the protest movement in the Netherlands in the 1970's. Because of ...
2/25 – 3/1
This week we are reading another Beehive Book nominee, A Perfect Day by acclaimed author/illustrator Lane Smith. Cat, dog, chickadee and squirrel are all having a perfect summer day, until bear comes along. Then his perfect day takes over everyone else's. This book is all about perspective. The simple text and illustrations rich with texture bring this book to life. We'll be voting on it together and it will be available next week for check ...
2/19 – 2/22
February is Black History month and to help students understand more about the struggles and triumphs of African Americans, we are reading an excellent kid's biography called Counting on Katherine by Dow Phumiruk. It features the story of Katherine Johnson, the NASA mathematician who saved the Apollo 13 astronauts in 1970. Because the ship had gone off-course, Katherine had to re-work her calculations in real time, by ...
Upland Terrace Podcast #7
Podcast #7 has been released. Listen below. Click here to listen ...
2/11- 2/14
It's book fair time in the library this week! Drop by before or after your SEP conference and check out all the books we have for sale. The book fair will be open Tuesday and Wednesday 4 - 7 pm, thanks to our generous PTA volunteers. You can also purchase a book for your teachers' room. Because a portion of your purchase goes directly back into our school, we truly appreciate your support. Your students will come through with their teachers ...
2/4 – 2/8
This week we're reading Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall. It's another Beehive Book nominee for our students to vote on, which they love! If your kids have ever hesitated to jump off the diving board or felt scared trying something new, they might relate to Jabari. He is so excited to try the high dive at his local pool, but the more he looks at it, the more scared he gets. His dad is there to encourage him and cheer him on. And the view from ...
1/27 – 2/1
This week we'll be reading and voting on Toad on the Road by Stephen Shaskan, another Beehive Book nominee. What happens when little toad can't seem to get out of the road? His mama comes to the rescue! But not before he causes lots of funny run-ins and mash ups. This is a fun read aloud, especially for the younger grades. ...
1/22 – 1/25
For this short week, I'll be reading Blizzard to some of the lower grades and doing a book talk about The Kid From Diamond Street for the older grades. Blizzard is very appropriate reading this week with all of the snow we've had, but it's also a fascinating picture book about the author's experience during the New England blizzard of 1978. He and his family were snowed in for almost a week until he realized he might be the only one who could ...
1/14 – 1/18
This week we are reading What To Do With A Box by Jane Yolen and Chris Sheban. I will also be previewing a fun informational book, Give Bees a Chance, by Bethany Barton. Both are Beehive Book nominees this year, so kids can vote on them. In the first book, we see what happens when you play with a box. Using their imaginations, kids can build a boat, a library or a seascape -the possibilities are endless! The wonderful artwork captures the ...