eBooks? In the Library? Yes there are!

We have eBooks in our library! This week I have been introducing eBooks to the second grade classes. We have MANY titles that have unlimited checkouts (every adult and kiddo in the building can check them out at the exact same time!) and a few single use books as well. These books can be accessed online or through an internet ready device such as: iPad, iPod, iPhone, Kindle Fire, Nook Tablet, etc. How do students access this on their own without the help of a teacher or myself? They can easily follow these directions:

1. Click on the following link:  https://wbb13745.follettshelf.com/shelf/servlet/presentshelfform.do?site=13745
2. Log in with your district username and password. {If you have forgotten this information, your teacher should have it or you can contact me the next school day!}
3. Once you have logged on, you can search through all of the different eBooks that we have available. Remember, the books with the "infinity" symbol are unlimited copies!!

Concerned about late books? With eBooks you don't have to be! Once you have checked a book out, you can keep it for two weeks. When your two weeks are up, the title is automatically removed from your account. Need it again? Check it out again!

Here are a few more questions you may have and answers as well!

How do I access this app on my device? If your device is internet ready, you just need to open up your browser and follow the steps above.

I want to read my book in the car while I'm on a long trip and I don't have internet access. What do I do? This is a simple fix! You just need to download it to your device while you are still connected to the internet. For Apple devices, you can download a free app in the App Store called "Follett Enlight". Once you've downloaded this you can enter in your username and password and the code: wbb13745 in the address (URL) bar.

From here you can access your account just like you would online. Click on "download" next to the title and you are ready to go!

When you need to return your book, you need to remove it your device first by clicking on the "Move Online" button to return it to your account. Then you may go back online and return the book.

As always, if you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me and I'll help you out!!!

Fun Fact Friday!

Did you know that it is pretty much impossible to keep your eyes open when you sneeze? And if you do manage to keep your eyes open, your eyeballs could pop out?! DON'T FREAK OUT! I was only kidding, kind of!! I recently spent a couple of days sneezing up a storm and try as I may, I could not keep my eyes open! Closing your eyes when you sneeze is a reflex, we having very little control over that. So, that part is true. The second part, the one about your eyeballs popping out, not so much. Apparently we don't have any muscles behind our eyes that will help a sneeze move your eyes. Thank goodness!! Sneezing is officially safe now!! Sneeze without fear!!

Source: http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/mythbusters/mythbusters-database/sneezing-eyeballs-pop-out.htm

Fish Food: Written and Illustrated by Karl Kralapp

Glenbrook Elementary has it's very own resident author and illustrator!! Art teacher, Karl Kralapp, has recently published a children's book, Fish Food. He is debuting it this week during Glenbrook conferences but will also have an autograph session in town at the coffee shop! If you get a chance, please stop by and check it out. We are so proud of you, Mr. Kralapp!!!

Fun Fact Friday!

It's the return of Fun Fact Friday! Here's something you probably didn't know...Strawberries are the only fruit that grow their seeds on the OUTSIDE! That's right, all those little dots on the outside of a strawberry are actually their seeds. How many seeds are there? Go ahead and take a guess!! Ready for the answer? There are about 200 seeds!! Crazy stuff!

Photo Source: http://www.toasto.com/free-photos/food-and-drink/food/close-up-of-strawberry/

Fact Source: http://www.makemegenius.com/cool_facts.php?mId=12

It. Was. WONDERFUL!!!

Last week Glenbrook students and staff had an amazing time with Artist In Residence author Katie McKy! She kicked off our week with a wacky presentation entitled “Pumpkin Town” which was based on her book of the same name. She enlisted the help of Mr. Sufka, several teachers, and about 100 students. Ms. McKy told a tale the students won’t soon forget! Throughout the week, classes came down to the community room and took part in a Writer’s Workshop where Ms. McKy engaged students and teachers in a camping tale meant to boost their memories. It was amazing to watch students of all ages recall the camping items they talked about, in order and without looking at them! {Shhh...the kindergartners had quicker recall than anyone!} She told stories and again enlisted the help of teachers and students alike which further prompted them to think about stories of their own. Finally, students were encouraged to try their hands at writing and even as the adults turned into big kids and tried to interrupt the budding writers, the students remained focused on their work and wrote, and wrote, and wrote! It was amazing to watch and be a part of!

Thank you Glenbrook PTO for this amazing opportunity! Katie McKy was a terrific choice for our Glenbrook family!

Coming Soon: Katie McKy!

I am so excited! Thanks to the funding of our PTO, Glenbrook Elementary is hosting author Katie McKy next week!! She will be bringing in her story telling abilities and help students to find their inner authors! We are really looking forward to her visit!! Click below to visit her website and learn more!

Fun Fact Friday!

Here's a little dental health trivia for you today! It is a little known fact that more people use blue toothbrushes than red ones. What color is your toothbrush? Participate in our poll now!

What color is your toothbrush?

Justin Bieber, Kristen Stewart, Army Delta Force, and The United States Marine Corps

What do these four books have in common? Mold. Sadly these four books are just a few that have recently been returned to us soaking wet. When books are returned wet, we are unable to dry them off because the paper starts to develop mold. This time of year our backpacks are not always the safest place for our books.  We are also trying to carry shoes, boots, snow pants, hats, mittens, gloves, scarves, etc. All of which can become really wet. Please be extra careful when carrying around these items and your school work or library books. If you need to, protect your materials in a large plastic bag within your backpack. Moms and Dads, be sure to double check your child's backpack to see if it is wet at the end of the day. {I was shocked at how wet my daughters' backpacks have become!}

Fun Fact Friday!

Did you know that the hottest recorded temperature in the United States was in Death Valley, California on July 10, 1913? The temperature was 134 degrees Fahrenheit! That is 101 degrees HOTTER than it it right now here in Pulaski!! WOW!

Want to earn a Knightly Note? Stop in the library and tell us where the COLDEST recorded temperature was in the United States and when. Want to earn a second Knightly Note? Tell me where you found the information (cite your source!).

Happy Friday! Enjoy your weekend!!

{My sources? http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/weather/wheat7.htm and http://www.ouramazingplanet.com/1537-highest-hottest-temperature-recorded-us-world.html}

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs...and New Books!!

The weatherman said it was going to be Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs today but I wasn't taking ANY chances! So, I brought in meatballs for the staff today to encourage them to stop by the library and check out our new books! The meatballs were a hit and many staff members asked me how I did it! So...I'll give away my secret! I used one jar of Robert Rothschild Farm Raspberry Honey Mustard Pretzel Dip with a larger bag (34 oz.) of frozen precooked meatballs and put them together in a slow cooker to warm up! That was it! I'm so glad everyone enjoyed the meatballs and hope that you all had a chance to stop in and see our newest books! They'll be here all week!

I Just Received the NICEST Compliment for Our Library Media Center!

This week our computer lab has been busy hosting students to take their MAP tests. Teachers have been bringing their students into the library to use the netbooks that we have. Today, I had a second grade class in and the teacher looked around at the kids working and said "I really like using the computers in here. It has a cafe feel to it and the students can work together rather than in rows." Thank you for the wonderful compliment, Mrs. Wiedeman! It is always a joy having students working so hard in our LMC!