Welcome to the Library
Librarian: Mary Ann Overbeck
Welcome to Good Counsel’s Library and to the wonderful world of reading!
In the library each week all students enjoy the opportunity to browse through the library collection and check out books for their reading pleasure. In addition . . .
First Graders have been enjoying stories of wishes and magic during their Library classes each week.
Fairy tales have been on the schedule for Second Graders. We have been reading the traditional tales as well as some funny modern versions including a favorite book, The Stinky Cheese Man.
Third Graders have been introduced to the wonderfully imaginative picture books of Chris Van Allsburg. It’s fun to find the little white dog, Fritz, in all of his stories, and the author’s website is most enjoyable too. Check it out at www.chrisvanallsburg.com. Now we are beginning a Biography study. Starting with Dr. Seuss, we will be reading a series of picture book biographies to learn about famous men and women of the past.
The Fourth Graders have learned how to find books in the library – fiction, picture books, biographies, and non-fiction. They are discovering that it is fun to know their way around the library shelves and are learning skills that they can use in any library. The most exciting part is using the computer to find and reserve books. We have also started reading a short novel together — Stone Fox, the story of a determined young boy and his faithful dog.
Outside the Library you can “Step into Narnia” with the display of exciting and interesting projects the Fifth Graders created after reading C. S. Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe! There are collages, time capsules, post cards, and original toy designs. Everyone has been admiring the creativity of the fifth grade class. The fifth grade classes are now enjoying the mysterious story, The Half-a-Moon Inn.
The Sixth Graders have just completed the Newbery medal winner, Number the Stars by Lois Lowry. They have also learned some background information about the Holocaust and have viewed the inspiring documentary entitled, Paper Clips, in which a class of 8th grade students decide to collect six million paperclips to represent the six million Jews killed in the Holocaust. Now they have begun reading the Newbery medal winner, Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli
In conjunction with their classroom work, Seventh Graders have read classic short stories including “The Gift of the Magi,” “The Most Dangerous Game,” and “Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment.” Now they are reading Jerry Spinelli’s book, Stargirl.
William Shakespeare is the subject of the year for the Eighth Grade students. They completed an introduction to Shakespeare, his life and dramatic style. And they just finished their first Shakespearean tragedy – Romeo and Juliet.
The seventh and eighth graders also have the opportunity to visit the library in the morning or at the end of the school day to find books for reading pleasure and for research.
New books from the Book Fair are still appearing each week on the Library’s special “New Books” shelf. And the students are always delighted to discover them. We would also like to thank:
- The Dzidic family for their generous donation to the Library.
- The Third Grade “Just Do It” committee who raised money for the Library.
- The OLGC faculty & staff who have purchased a collection of Irish books in memory of Frank & Angela McElroy, Father Damian’s parents.
- The Annas family who gave a gift so that a book could be purchased in honor of Ellen’s birthday.
Any family who would like to contribute to our Library may send a donation to the school to my attention. A twenty dollar donation will purchase a new hardcover book. Each book can be inscribed with a special book plate to your specification. Book may be dedicated to someone or in honor of a special occasion (birthday, Communion, graduation, etc.), or in memory of a loved one. We appreciate all of our generous Friends of the Library.
Assignments
In Grades 5 thru 8, the Library classes are a supplemental part of the Language Arts classes. Guided by the librarian, students read and discuss novels, short stories, and other literature. Grades for all tests, quizzes, projects, or other assignments completed for Library class will be factored into the students’ ILA grades.
Grade 5 – A poetry project was due on May 15, and the results were GREAT! Fifth graders should bring their copies of Love That Dog with them on Tuesday, May 22.
Grade 6 – Sixth graders are reading the novel, Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli. All students are required to bring a copy of the book to class each week. Students will be completing the book on Friday, May 18, and should be preparing for a test on the book on Thursday, May 31, (essay section) and Friday, June 1 (matching section).
Grade 7 – Seventh graders are reading the book, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli. Test will take place on Thursday, May 24.
Grade 8 — West Side Story — No reading assignment for this week.
Battle of the Books
Battle of the Books is a fun and challenging reading activity that culminates in a competition involving many area schools in the spring. OLGC sponsors two groups — Grades 5 & 6 and Grades 7 & 8. The groups meet, beginning in the fall, for discussions and questions based on fifteen books. Our 8th grade team member have been hard at work preparing and now are happy to come home with third place ribbons after a very close and exciting regional competition at Burlington Township Junior School!