This week in Library

What a fun week in Library! It may have been short, but we packed in the fun.

We celebrated Beverly Cleary's 100th birthday in our Kinder, 1st, and 2nd grade classes. In Ramona the Pest, Ramona discovers how cool her Q looks with whiskers, ears and a tail. Students used letters from their own name to create an animal. Such great imaginations! Giraffes, alligators, dinosaurs, and more!

In Maker Space this month we are making button spinners. Students are learning patience as they try to figure out the rhythm to keep them going! Luckily, our resident expert, Sam, is willing to help!

Reading is My Super Power!!

Reading is My Super Power!

We are so excited to introduce our 2016 Reading Incentive Program: Reading is My Super Power!

Our Reading Incentive Program will run from Monday, April 18, 2016 through Sunday, May 15, 2016.  Students (K-5) have the chance to earn a small prize each week, as well as celebrate our successes in our library classes.  6th-8th will be entered into a drawing for a $25 Powell's Gift Card. 

This is how the program will work:

Ø  Students track their reading minutes on a weekly record.  Each week’s record is attached to this letter, but should only be returned on its corresponding week on Monday.

Ø  Students in Kindergarten, 1^st and 2^nd grade should read 20 minutes each day, 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th should read 30 minutes each day, and grades 6-8 should be reading 45 minutes each day. The goal is to read daily. Extra reading time can be listed next to the corresponding date box, so I can congratulate them on their commitment to reading.

Ø  When all boxes have been marked (dated, “x” out, colored in, or whatever method you decide to use) and the record is signed by a parent/caregiver, the reading record is turned in to their classroom teacher or directly to the library.  Records are due on Mondays (May 16 for 6th-8th).

Ø  Awards will be distributed to students who have completed a record for that week during their library class. 

Ø  The program will run for a total of four weeks, giving students four opportunities to turn in reading records. (Once on May 16 for 6th-8th)

Ø  The last Monday to turn in reading records will be May 16, 2016.

As always, reading aloud to your child counts towards their goal of reading minutes. J  If you have any questions, please contact me at thayes@sauvieislandacademy.org or 503-621-3426.

Happy Reading!

Ms. Terra

Lost your reading trackers?

Access them here:

Kinder, 1st, and 2nd

3rd, 4th, and 5th

6th, 7th, and 8th

December in the Library!

This month has been exciting in the library! Maker Space Tuesdays and Thursdays have provided kids with an opportunity to create popsicle stick snowflakes. New books acquired from the book fair have made their way to the shelves. New cork has been added to the walls to have a place to hang posters. (Thanks Mr. Larry!) Shelves have been moved to create a more inviting space.

With all the rain outside, the library has been a popular place for recess. Creativity and fun to be had by all! We have many games, coloring options, building toys, and more. 


6th graders participated in the Hour of Code, where they learned the basics of computer programming. Try for yourself at code.org.

I always have need of helpers in the library. Whether that be during your student's library time or just a few minutes before you are running off to your next adventure, please consider joining us! Contact me at thayes@sauvieislandacademy.org with any questions.

For the month of November and December, the Kinder class has been reading books about friendship and working together. On Wednesday we read, "Unicorn Thinks He is Pretty Great". After the story each student made a paper chain. We decided that by putting all our tiny chains together we could create a big chain! Now the friendship chain will hang in the Kinder room to remind everyone what you can do with teamwork! 

SMART Reading Tips for the Holidays

Winter break is right around the corner, and holidays can get pretty hectic! Routines can fly out the window with celebrations, travel and out-of-town guests. As your family prepares for the holidays, use these tips for keeping kids engaged in learning and reading over winter break.

1. Read for fun! Whether your child is in the mood for holiday stories or the newest installment from a favorite series, winter break provides the perfect opportunity to set aside school books and read for fun. Make time for bedtime stories to create the routine and enjoy books on a daily basis.
2. Stock up on books at the local library. Help your child pick out books they’re interested in reading over the winter break. Libraries may also have fun, free holiday activities throughout the break.
3. Make the most of travel time. Turn travel time to or from a holiday get-together into an opportunity to practice reading. You can look for license plates from different states, try to find the alphabet on the license plates, or count the number of red (or white or green) cars you see. Read street signs and billboards you see along the way.
4. Create a new tradition. A little predictability is comforting for kids. Starting a special Winter Break Story Time can be a new tradition that links reading with happy memories. Hot cocoa and your favorite stories will have the whole family feeling comfy and cozy, while creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Remember, you don’t have to be an expert to help your child with reading. By simply interacting with children around books, you can show them that books are important and worthy of our attention.

From getsmartoregon.org

Access your SIA Library!

Parents and community members can have accounts too! Just email me at thayes@sauvieislandacademy.org to get your account set up!

But how will I keep my kids reading if there is no incentives?

What do you do in your home to increase reading? 

There are two schools of thought regarding rewards or incentives for reading. 
1. You read because you are supposed to and the reward is the completion of the book.
2. Sometimes children need rewards and external motivators to read. 

I have read many articles and listened to multiple lectures for each side. I have come to the conclusion that neither are right, but neither are wrong. Children are different and their approach to reading and parental support approach will differ as well. I say...if it works for you and your kid, do it! That means, whatever works for your child is the right way. Don't be frustrated if that way doesn't work for each of your children. We celebrate their differences and tell them all the time how life would be boring if we were all the same. Learning is different too! 

Check out Ms. Sarah's class page for all sorts of good info on helping your reader. 



From our friends at Mult Co Lib School Corps:

Ideas for Helping Beginning Readers:
But I Don’t Like Reading

Reading is important to success.  For most people, it is an enjoyable and relaxing way to spend time. But for some children, reading is low on the list of “fun things to do.”  It can be very frustrating to hear a child say “I don’t like to read!” But it can happen. Be a good listener.  Try to find out why your child resists reading.

• Is reading difficult? Check with your child’s teacher to see if she or he is having trouble reading at school.
• Is it just more fun to be on the computer or watch television?  Establish a reading time that is consistent and balanced with screen time.
• Are the right materials available? The library is full of high interest materials on every possible topic and in many different formats including picture books, magazines, activity books, comics, fact books, and graphic novels.  

Are you modeling that reading is important and valued?  Set aside some time when your child can see you reading.  Whether it is for work or pleasure, it is important for your child to know reading is an essential part of everyday life.

For middle school:

Become a Summer Reading Volunteer

Summer Reading is a program that gets kids and teens excited about reading during the summer and encourages them to become lifelong library users. Teens and adults are invited to apply to join our team of volunteers as Summer Reading assistants. Summer Reading volunteers register people for the game, award prizes, talk with kids about the books they have read, help with events, record keeping and more! The Summer Reading volunteer application is available online at: https://multcolib.org/volunteer/volunteer-summer-reading-team

Book Fair Guest Authors Meet and Greet

SIA Spring Book Fair April 6-10

Open from 8am-3:30pm (4pm on Tuesday)

Extended hours on Thursday, April 9 from 6-7pm

in the SIA Library

SIA PTC and Treehouse Books is pleased to present our 2015 Authors for our Book Fair Meet and Greet on April 7 from 2:30-4:00pm. 

Please mark your calendars and join us in the SIA Library! 

Trinette Weber, co-author of From Shaniko to Pearl Harbor

Trinette Weber met her husband, Bob, when she was only 11 years old, shortly after he was evacuated to Portland from Pearl Harbor, following the dreadful bombing. Bob and Trinette dated on and off during high school and college, were married in 1951 and were blessed with 51 years of marriage. 

After Bob was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, they worked together on his eye witness story including the story of his Dad running away from home at the age of 15, his own childhood in Hawaii, and then how he was one of the first people to see the planes arriving to bomb the island.

After Bob's passing, it became Trinette's passion and grief therapy to finish Bob's story As a labor of love and a legacy for her children, she finished the book and now sells From Shaniko to Pearl Harbor at the Arizona Memorial in Hawaii and at several other places including her flower shop, Trinette's Floral, in Portland, Oregon. (From pearlharboreyewitness.com)


William Burt, author of The King of the Trees Series

Having spent most of his teenage years vicariously adventuring in Middle Earth, the author is an avid fantasy fan. His first allegorical fantasy title, "The King of the Trees," came out in 1998 (WinePress; second edition, 2004). Bowing to reader demand, he has expanded the series to include a total of seven titles to date, with more to follow. While still in high school, he began his writing career editing his father's popular identification guides, "Edible and Poisonous Plants of the Western/Eastern States." As an Assistant Professor in the Special Education Department at Western Oregon University, he served as a successful grant-writer and program coordinator.

Burt holds a B.S. in English from Lewis and Clark College and an M.S. from Western Oregon University in Deaf Education. In addition to writing books, he works as an RID-certified American Sign Language interpreter with over thirty years' experience. His interests include reading, foreign languages and mycology. He is married with two grown children. (From Amazon.com)


Heather Nelson, author of Daisy, the Protector Dog, Lost Family: FOUND!, and First Summer with Horses

Heather Nelson lives with her family on a farm in the foothills of majestic Mount Hood, Oregon.  Daisy is a real-live dog whose behavior, personality, and love of children influenced the writing of this book.  Daisy continues to protect and entertain her "family-pack".  Heather is currently writing other inspirational animal stories. (From animalstoriesforchildren.weebly.com)

Lauren Lynne, author of the Secret Watcher Series

I’m author Lauren Lynne. I’ve always been a writer but let me tell you, it’s lots more fun when I can make the choices about where a story is going. I’m also a teacher so I get that we have to have students meet certain criteria, but as a kid… I hated being told what to write. The good side of growing up is that you can write whatever you want. The down side… Now I can’t read it without my glasses!

Personally, I’m drawn to all things ‘action-adventure’ in film and literature. Notice I didn’t say ‘real life’? No bungee jumping, cliff diving or parkour for me. I’d likely kill myself as I’m a klutz. Skydiving? Nope! I’d be the one to fall out of the plane without a parachute. My oldest and I have taken karate together and I’ve spent hours watching both boys participate in a variety of sports, including parkour, without incident, unless of course you count occasional broken toes. I have created a character who is much braver, tougher and more graceful than I am.

Coming in 2015, watch for an all new genre!  a dystopian with a female protagonist.
In the pipeline… a Christmas children’s book and a coauthored fantasy. (From laurenlynneauthor.com)

Reading program begins!!

Open a Book, Find a Treasure!

Under the Sea Reading Program

Dear Parents/Guardians ~

We are so excited to have partnered with the Eisenschmidt Pool in St. Helens and the Portland Aquarium to bring you the Under the Sea Reading Program!

Our Reading Incentive Program will run from Monday, March 2, 2015 through Sunday, March 29, 2015.  Students have the chance to earn a small prize each week, as well as celebrate our successes with a Pool Party at the Eisenschmidt Pool in St. Helens on Saturday, April 4 from 2:30-4:30pm (under 7 requires a parent to be in the pool at the same time). Each participant in the program will also receive a ticket for free admission for themselves and one adult to the Portland Aquarium to be used by December 20, 2015. 

This is how the program will work:

• Students track their reading minutes on a weekly record.  Each week’s record is attached to this letter, but should only be returned on its corresponding week (with 2 being returned the Monday after Spring Break).
• Students in Kindergarten, 1^st and 2^nd grade should read 20 minutes each day, 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th should read 30 minutes each day. The goal is to read daily. Extra reading time can be listed next to the corresponding date box, so I can congratulate them on their commitment to reading.
• When all boxes have been marked (dated, “x” out, colored in, or whatever method you decide to use) and the record is signed by a parent/caregiver, the reading record is turned in to their classroom teacher or directly to the library.  Records are due on Mondays (two on March 30, due to Spring Break).
• Awards will be distributed to students who have completed a record for that week during their library class.
• The program will run for a total of four weeks, giving students four opportunities to turn in reading records. 
• The last Monday to turn in reading records will be March 30.

As always, reading to your child counts towards their minutes goal.  If you have any questions, please contact me at thayes@sauvieislandacademy.org or 503-621-3426.

Happy Reading!

Ms. Terra

Print trackers at home by following this link.