Can you talk like a pirate?  I'm pretty terrible at it even after studying pirate with Mango Languages at our public library.  Our focus in the library this month wasn't speaking it, instead we incorporated this fun day to kick start our pirate themed unit where primary students learned about binary code and computer programing.  We also practiced locating our subscription databases, reviewed where to find our login cards, basic computer skills, and learned a little pirate history and background.

​Aargh, these landlubbers are simply amazing!

As we start to check out books, it's important that we learn how to take care of them.  This year we introduced Congress Park's first uh-oh bag.  Students brainstormed the many ways books get damaged and our top reasons books get destroyed here at Congress Parks.  To expand the lesson on the importance of book care to the upper grades, students willingly participated in a cookie challenge.  These fourth grade students may never look at an Oreo the same way twice.

Kindergarten lessons are off to a great start.  This week we read the book "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" and then extended our learning of the letters with choice letter stations which included an optional STEM challenge.  Students had the opportunity to explore all the stations or focus on a few.  Play-doh, letter transformer blocks, and LEGOs were a few of the choices.  Watch out letters!  We're going to learn all your names and your sounds this year!

Last year we started an optional makerspace opportunity during lunch.  Students could sign up if they were interested in participating.  I would like to continue to grow and expand this year so I started a Donor's Choose page in hopes to add more supplies.  If you are interested and have the funds to contribute, please consider a donation.  These kids are so worth it!