Balancing Butterflies

In addition to all the fabulous nonfiction butterfly books in the 595 section of the library, I have some favorite works of fiction as well, some fanciful, some realistic.  After the story, students enjoy coloring and cutting out magical balancing butterflies to rest on their fingers.  These butterflies enchant my 1st & 2nd graders.  Kinders are a little too young to make these without help. download the template HERE

Halloween slide show

I know it seems simple, but many skills were at work when the 2nd graders created this Halloween movie for you. Logging in, opening a program as directed, using toolbars, using the keyboard, and phonetic awareness (The invented spelling is part of the charm!) This is a fun project to share with parents.

Treasure State Nominee Voicethread

Every year, librarians and teachers all over the state share 5 special books with their students. These books are the nominees for the Treasure state Award, given by the Montana Library Association with the help of thousands of little students in the primary grades who vote on their favorite.
I like to create a Voicethread, where students can record their thoughts about the books as we go along. I feel that it is very good practice for students to use technology to develop their thinking and speaking skills. This project is open to the public, so if you'd like to leave a comment on the thread, we would welcome your addition!
I have found that Voicethread also has a nice app for ipad or ipods.  It's super easy to record video on the mobile gadgets.  I have found however, that one must create the original thread on their regular website, or the audio might not save properly for some reason.  Not a problem, but I had to find out the hard way.

Matryoshka Doll Story

One of my favorite books to read aloud this time of year is Matreshka by Ayers. I have a set of dolls that were given to me by my uncle, after he travelled through the Ukraine. As I read the story, I sing-song the parts for the little doll (kids LOVE the repeating phrases). At the proper intervals, I spin the doll 3 times, and the next smallest "sister" appears, just in time to solve a problem for the heroine of the tale.

Here's a summary from School Library Journal :
Kindergarten-Grade 3-- Drawing upon traditional Russian folklore, Ayres creates an accessible and exciting picture book in which a young girl outwits the evil Baba Yaga. After sharing her meal with an old woman she meets on the road, Kata is given a little wooden doll named Matreshka. Lost in a snowstorm, the child stumbles upon the witch's fearsome house and is given a room for the evening. When Kata realizes she's to be Baba Yaga's next meal, the wooden doll saves her life. Out of the larger Matreshka pop four smaller dolls who find a way out of locked doors, crawl through a mouse's hole, and confuse the witch so thoroughly that she accidently turns herself into a green frog. Natchev's bold, lively illustrations occupy double-page spreads and have a fresh, often whimsical look. The watercolor washes boast a variety of textures, and the characters are depicted in an exaggerated manner. Unfortunately, there is a lack of agreement between text and illustration at the beginning of the book. The text has Kata returning from a trip to town while the illustrations show her just leaving her grandfather's house. Even so, the story will have wide appeal and is suitable for sharing aloud or reading independently. It also makes an entertaining introduction to Russian folklore and culture, especially if told using a set of Russian nesting dolls. --Denise Anton Wright, Illinois State University, Normal

I found a darling craft project that the kids could do with pretty paper... http://zakkalife.blogspot.com/2009/11/craft-project-russian-nesting-doll-card.html