Guess Who Bulletin Board

Autobiographical Project

Jondi Flores

   My name is Jondi Flores. I was born in Mexico. I came to the United States when I was six years old. I was born on April 24^th.

    My family is from Mexico. My family came to the US because I wanted to come here. My mom’s name is Petrolina and my father’s name is Baldo Mero. My brother’s name is Henry Esgar.

    My favorite author is Mary Pope because she makes the Jack and Annie books. My hobbies are playing around. My favorite subjects are writing and reading. My favorite teacher is Ms.Izzaguirre because we had so much fun in her class. My favorite season is winter because I like to make snow angels.

      I like PS.49 because this school is great. It is a place where one can learn everything. I enjoy gym because we stretch and play. When I grow up I want to be an actor. I love Power Ranger. I watch it on channel seven on Saturdays. I wish I was acting in that show.

Autobiographical Project

Engaging Readers Through Author Visits

Matthews, Jennifer

Engaging Readers Through Author Visits

New York City School Library System                                                                     Office of Library Services
Exploratorium – May 14, 2013                                                                                    NYC Department of Education
Title:   Engaging Readers Through Author Visits
Audience level                                 All        
Presenter:                                       Jennifer V. Matthews
                                                           P.S. 49X                     
                                                           383 East 139^th Street                                                 
                                                           Bronx, New York 10552                                                                                            
E-mail __                                          poetd2001@yahoo.com____                                                         
Description, Goals, Intended Outcomes:
PS 49X arranged to have an author visit – primarily because author visits are vital ways in which children make the connection that books are written by real people.  An author visit emphasizes the importance of reading and writing and can  influence children to seek out and read the author’s books.  Additionally, author visits can make children look at all books in a different light.  As such, they are a vital tool to promote literacy.  
The goals:

• To connect the common core standards with curriculum instruction
• To expose students to the creative process of writing
• To offer the opportunity for students to meet with and talk to an author.
• To develop listening skills and good focus questions.

Process to Develop and Implement this Project:

• Librarian writes  a grant and submits it to www.donorschoose.com 
• Librarian collaborates with teachers to plan the event.
• Librarian collaborates with Ms. Valentine, one of the fourth grade teachers to do an author study.
• Students read books by author and research information about the author and titles of books written.
• Students  prepare questions for author on index cards.
• Students decorate a bulletin board in response to literature.
• Students write and send follow up Thank you notes to the author. 

Budget:  $1,229.00
Timeline:

• Choose a date, purchase/borrow books
• Contact author for any special request
• Advise PTA and Parent Coordinator
• Send letter home to parents

Evidence of Outcomes, Possible Adaptations, Lessons Learned:
Student survey

Common Core State Standard(s) addressed: 
Research to Build and Present Knowledge

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.7 Conduct short research projects that build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.8  Recall relevant information from experiences or gather relevant information from print and digital sources; take notes and categorize information, and provide a list of sources.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.9 Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.9a Apply grade 4 Reading standards to literature (e.g., “Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text [e.g., a character’s thoughts, words, or actions].”).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.9b Apply grade 4 Reading standards to informational texts (e.g., “Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text”).
Information Fluency Continuum (IFC) Skill(s) addressed:
Standard 2
Skill(s) taught:  Letter Writing, Book Reviews
Resources Used:
Local public librarian brought in book titles written by the author from all local public library branches
Smart board
Digital Camera
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 Donors Choose Grant Request

 Author Buzz
Ms. M.'s trips & visitors project at PS 49 Willis Avenue in New York City, NY | High Poverty

My Students: The two most engaging powers of an author are to make new things familiar and familiar things new.
We are an elementary school in New York City. We have 695 students from Pre-K through grade 5. The school population comprises 29.5% black, 69% Hispanic,1% white and 0.5% Asian students. We are a title 1 school. Our children love our reading activities.
My Project: We have been promoting literacy in our school, hence we have invited Irene Smalls to speak to our kids. Irene Smalls has earned great recognition for her writing. She has twenty years experience traveling nationally and internationally offering storytelling and professional development training on early literacy. She has performed twice at the White House Easter Egg Hunt. Book Expo America's African American Pavilion named their children's book award the Irene Smalls Children Book Award in 2008.
We want to create a love for books and reading. We will be inviting the parents to join us. What better way to share a literary feast? Let's have Irene Smalls in the house to share her expertise on Black History and the Publishing Industry. Who knows she might just inspire future authors, publishers and humanitarians.
My students need exposure to the writing profession. An author is a great way for students to learn and ask questions about the writing process.

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Student Created Irene Smalls Bulletin Board

  

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SAMPLE LETTER TO PARENTS

Dear Parents,
It is our pleasure to inform you that Ms Irene Smalls, an award-winning author, will be visiting P.S. 49X on Thursday April, 11, 2013.  Ms. Smalls is a graduate of New York City Public Schools and she is the author of 15 books for children and three storytelling CDs.
Literacy +Exercise= Literacise is a program developed by Ms. Smalls to move and learn.   She will be sharing her stories, singing songs and sharing about   writing. She will also be bringing copies of her books in the event you wish to purchase them.
The event will be held in the auditorium during the following times:

  11 a.m.-12 p.m.---Grades 4 and 5

12p.m.-1 p.m.—Grades K &1

1 p.m.—2 p.m.---Grades 2&3

We hope to see you all tomorrow.

Sincerely,

Philip  Caraher
Principal, I.A

Bulletin Board: Irene Smalls

Letters to Irene Smalls

                                                                                                                                               

 

383 East 139th Street,
Bronx, New York
10454

 

 

 

Dear Ms. Smalls:

 

I want to tell you thank you because you made me think of being an author. My favorite book is Jenny Reen and the Jack Muh Lantern because I like how the Jack Muh Lantern ran away. I like the different writing styles that you have. I find them interesting.

 

I also want you to keep on being an author because your books are really amazing. Can you visit us again? I will never forget your proverb. One piece of hair can cast a shadow.                                                                                                 

 

                                                                                                                                        Sincerely,

                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                       Stephon Chandler

                                                                                             383 East 139th street

                                                                                             Bronx, NY 10454

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Mrs. Smalls:

 

       I love your books and I just want to say thank you for bringing us the wonderful books and I want to tell you how and why I like them.

 The reason I like your books is because you choose to write using different styles. I noticed that you used various themes such as slavery, love and hardwork.

       You are so full of enthusiasm. I hope you get to read my author study.  Your book Jenny Reen and the Jack Muh  Lantern  is very scary and at the same time very funny.  I made a text to text connection with the character Dawn because people where I live in the projects speak slang. This makes me feel like I am home. Basically I like the way the characters express themselves.

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Yours truly,

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Devin Melendez



383 East 139th Street,
Bronx, New York 10454
05/13/13

Dear Ms. Smalls:

Everyone wants you to come back. You are a great influence to the children in our school. When you came I loved the way you used your body movement to tell a wonderful story. I love your book Jonathan and his Mommy, it was so wonderful! I really hope you visit us again and read or use body movement to tell us another story. I think I am a fan of your books. I wanted to ask you a question. I wonder if you write your books from your life?

Also what your teacher said really disappointed me. You are a wonderful writer. Despite all the mean things your teacher said, you still tried and BOOM! You are a great Author. So Ms. Smalls I'm begging you please to visit us again.
Sincerely,
Ashlyn Cruz



383 East, 139th Street
Bronx, New York 10454

Dear Ms. Smalls:

Thank you for telling us that we too can also write a book. We just need to use our brains and write from the heart. I know all the books you wrote just came to life like magic, My favorite story is My Nana and Me. I am thinking that you wrote that story out of the love you gave to your grandmother.

I wish my grandmother was here. I would love my grandmother the same way the little girl love hers in My Nana and Me. But two things I know is I love her and that she is in a better place than here because lots of bad things happen here and where she is now, she is fine. Everyday I miss her.
Sincerely,
Jeremy Niles

Letters to Irene Smalls

383 East 139^th Street

Bronx, New York

10454.

Dear Mrs. Small,

I will be telling you about your books. I know all of your teachers said you can never be an author but they were wrong, because right now you are an author. I like how you told us that a tiny piece of hair can make a shadow.

My favorite book is Jenny Reen and the Jack Muh Lantern.The part I liked was when Jenny put her clothes on inside out and the jack muh lantern was screaming like a girl saying ahhhhhhhhhhhhh. You are my favorite author.Can you please write back to me?

 Sincerely,

AminaTrawally