Caldecott Projects – and A Change in the Library….

Each year, Inly’s 3rd grade students mark the end of their Lower Elementary years by completing a project based on their combined work in the Library and the DaVinci Studio. The project has varied, but it’s typically something connected with Caldecott Award winners. We begin by introducing how picture books work, looking at illustration styles and learning some basic picture book vocabulary: spine, gutter, border. They especially enjoy learning the definition of “bleed” which is an illustration that runs off of the page’s edges. Next, we move to applying what they have learned in a creative way. In the past, the kids have used Stop Motion and Ozobots, but this year we went total “maker space,” and they were limited to designing their small diorama with scissors, felt, hot glue, paper, popsicle sticks, and glitter. The results are awesome.

This year’s 3rd grade class was particularly special because it was my last class of 3rd graders. I’m leaving my position at Inly after 23 wonderful years. Erika Hoddinott will be the new Inly Librarian, and working with Mary, the school library is in professional and caring hands. Earlier this week, Makena, an Inly graduate who is now a senior in high school, stopped by the library and began looking at the shelves to find her favorite books from elementary school.

She has no idea how well timed her visit was. As Makena shared her love of Ivy and Bean and Stella Bats books with some students, it was another reminder of the responsibility and privilege of this work. I thought back to all of the students like Makena, the hundreds of kids whose worlds were made a little bigger by visiting the Inly Library.

This is the final Sommer Reading post. It’s truly been a joy to share my adventures in reading and sharing books with you.

Currently reading – and loving:

Happy Reading!