I found a new typing practice game that I thought you might enjoy. It is kind of a typing version of playing Rock Band or Guitar Hero. Let me know what you think of it!
Your Library Lady,
Mrs. Matzat
At the start of a new year, many people make new year resolutions. In other words, they make a commitment to do something. Since commitment is our character trait for January, I thought it would be nice if we all made a personal commitment to reading. Maybe you want to make a commitment to read every night with your family, or maybe you want to have a goal to become a Mark Twain voter. Let’s share our commitments by posting them on my online bulletin board so we can help each other stick with them. I can’t wait to see your reading goals! 
Since you’ve just finished lots of tests in your classrooms lately, I thought I would share a fun site with you. Have you ever wanted to be an artist? If so, then Bomomo is the site for you. Use this fun online tool to create wacky, abstract artwork. Have fun exploring, and be sure to let me know what you think of this tool.
Your library lady,
Mrs. Matzat
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
6:00-7:30 pm
Branson Elementary West Gym
All aboard for 2nd Quarter Family Reading Night!
The Branson Elementary East and West Library Media Centers will be hosting a Polar Express Pajama Party! Please join us at a cozy holiday party where we will make fun, holiday crafts, write letters to Santa, do puzzles and games, enjoy hot cocoa while listening to a reading of the classic children’s Christmas story, and of course Santa will be here to find out your Christmas wishes.
Bring the whole family and come in your pajamas as we board the Polar Express and celebrate reading!
The last couple of weeks we have talked about Veterans Day and how important it is to express thanks to the men and women who serve in our armed forces. Next week we celebrate Thanksgiving, another holiday that gives us a chance to think about the things for which we are thankful. I found a website that kind of combines these two holidays!
Let’s Say Thanks is a site that allows you to create a thank you card online that will be sent to our troops. You can use one of their preset messages, or even better, you can write your own personal message. The site is free, and it is a great way to remind us to be thankful for the members of our armed forces. Create your own card today, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday next week.
Your library lady,
Mrs. Matzat
This week in library we talked about many of the great book series that we have in our library collection. I shared many of my favorites with you (3rd graders - don’t forget to read The Boxcar Children!). After hearing about the books, which book series do you want to read? Do you have a favorite book series that you would like to recommend? I can’t wait to hear from you!
Your Library Lady,
Mrs. Matzat
This week in library I read you one of my favorite Veterans Day stories, America’s White Table. As the daughter of an Air Force Captain, I have a lot of respect for our military, and I am very thankful for those brave men and women who risk their lives to keep us safe and ensure that we have a free country.
I would love to hear about your family members who have served or are serving in our country’s military. I would also like to hear your thoughts about how you feel about Veterans Day. The girls in the story added things to the white table to show their respect for the military. What would you add to the table? Be sure to share by clicking on comments.
Your Library Lady,
Mrs. Matzat
Missouri Book Awards - Which ones are you going to read?
Published October 15, 2009 Missouri Readers Awards 71 Comments
This past week in library we talked about the Mark Twain Award nominees and the Show Me Award nominees. There are so many great books on those lists and I can’t wait for you to read them! After hearing about each book, which ones are on your reading list? Why do you want to read them? I can’t wait to hear from you!
Your library lady,
Mrs. Matzat
Coming soon to a theater near you - Book Movies!
Published October 8, 2009 Uncategorized 19 Comments
This fall is full of new movies based on some great children’s books! The first one to arrive was Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, which opened in theaters in September. On October 16, Where the Wild Things Are will arrive in local theaters. Right before Thanksgiving on November 13, Fantastic Mr. Fox will be hitting the screen.
If you haven’t read these books, you might want to check them out before you go see the movie with your family. I have all of them in our library. After you read the book and see the movie, let me know what you think about them. Did the movie producers stick to the main story in the book? Which one was your favorite? I can’t wait to hear from you!
Your library lady,
Mrs. Matzat
Greetings, Branson Elementary West Students!
I am so excited to start a new school year with you. I hope that you had a wonderful summer and that you read some great books with your families. You won’t believe it, but I read almost 200 books this summer! I also spent some time with my family, and we even had a chance to comptete our dog, Nimbus, in the Dock Dogs competition at the Ozark Empire Fair. She was the oldest dog there (she’s almost 8), and she won first place in her division! You’ll see that I themed my bulletin board around Nimbus this year.
- Nimbus at the Dock Dogs contest
Since we are starting a new year together, I’d like to know what you are looking forward to in library this year. Do you have a reading goal for yourself? I look forward to reading your comments!
Your library lady,
Mrs. Matzat