We can read on land, we can read on sand (and in the air, too!)

 By the pool!

 On the floor!

In the sand!

In a tree!

Oh, the Places We Can Read...

The first submissions for Zervas Reads!  We have international readers here folks... Keep those pictures coming!

C & M in front of the Sleeping Giant in County Kerry, Ireland

Books read: The Throne of Fire and The Giggler Treatment

Flying home from Israel!

Let's get reading Zervas!

Look at Zervas Read!

Wow. Just Wow.

Here are the TOP TEN most checked out books from the Zervas Library in the 2010-2011 school year. I'm starting to wonder if I overdid it with my enthusiasm for Mo Willems. Hmmm.

1. I am invited to a party! Willems, Mo. 52
2. I will surprise my friend! Willems, Mo. 44
3. Watch me throw the ball! Willems, Mo. 44
4. Are you ready to play outside? Willems, Mo. 43
5. There is a bird on your head! Willems, Mo. 43
6. I am going! Willems, Mo. 37
7. Pigs make me sneeze! Willems, Mo. 37
8. My friend is sad Willems, Mo. 34
9. Today I will fly! Willems, Mo. 33
10. Wacky Wednesday LeSieg, Theo., 1904- 30

5th Grade Presents: The Top Ten books EVER!

Zervas 5th graders all participated in an activity earlier this year where they spent time mulling over what a "Top Ten" list of their favorite books EVER would look like. I was inspired by

this amazing poll and used a similar scoring guide (so that the kid's lists were weighted). This led to an overall 5th grade Top Ten - but I was also able to break out the individual class Top Ten lists. An interesting look at the 5th graders reflecting on their reading. (Teachers: I recognize many of these books as classroom read-alouds!)

Enjoy the Prezi (I know I enjoyed making it!)

Zervas 5th Graders Present: Our TOP TEN Favorite Books (of all time) on Prezi

Poem in Your Pocket Day = SUCCESS!

Zervas Elementary School was buzzing with students and staff stopping in the hallway and classrooms, pulling folded and crumpled pieces of paper from pockets (there was even a 1st grade girl who CONSTRUCTED pockets for her pants that were pocketless). The poems were read, shared and generally enjoyed by all. Grades 1, 2 and 3 were able to share their poems during library time and 4th graders illustrated their chosen poems in art. 5th graders helped to read a poem over the intercom - and they will continue this every morning after vacation to wrap up poetry month. Kindergarteners saw their acrostic poems decorating the library. All and all - a HUGE success! Here's an outstanding example of a student who created her own poem for the day:

There's a poem in my pocket

by Maggie

There's a poem in my pocket

And I don't know when to read it

There's a poem in my pocket

And I don't know when to feed it

There's a poem in my pocket

And I don't know what to do

There's a poem in my pocket

Can I give it to you?

There's a poem in my pocket

And I'm very confused

There's a poem in my pocket

And it has not been used

There's a poem in my pocket

And it doesn't really fit

There's a poem in my pocket

And this is it.

MCBA Winners!

This just in.....!

The Massachusetts Children's Book Award of 2011 goes to.... (drum roll)

11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass! (Zervas students also voted this as their favorite!)

Honor books include: