Halfway
through the school year, our readers here at Banta are going strong! We
have recently started a lot of exciting things. We have our monthly
reading challenge and Accelerated Reading class competition for our
upper grades, and we just started a new Reading Challenge with the
Stockton Ports. Lots of prizes and incentives to keep each student
reading, so be sure to encourage them to read every day.
In
January, we had Splash from the Stockton Ports visit us and had our
annual snowball fight in the library. Students of all ages had fun, and
even the staff had fun with them. We also read some playful books: “The
Yawns Are Coming” and “Don’t Eat Bees” were a few favorites. Upper
grades listened to “The One Thing I’d Save and got to discuss what item
they would save if all else were lost. A very thought-provoking
discussion followed.
February will bring
lots of fun, and I hope lots of laughs. We recently got a Donors Choose
project funded that is bringing marble runs, magnetic building tiles,
and legos to the library so kids will get to play, explore, and learn to
tie imaginative creations with the stories they hear.
The
highlight of the month will be an Alice in Wonderland tea party!
February 3-7, during their library visit, kids will get to try surprise
desserts and a variety of teas and enjoy some fun crafts and games.
Parents are welcome to send tea party-themed snacks (no nuts) to their
students' classes (please speak with the teacher to make arrangements). I
also encourage all kids to dress up for this themed party.