This was my first week to see classes. The first week is always full of new faces (and names to learn), lots of sharing, and procedures, procedures, procedures. It’s not the most fun week, but it is so necessary. I do make it fun with some really cute stories that are great conversation starters for library procedures and book care.

With my second graders, I read “Curious George Visits the Library.” The kids love this story, and I do too. In fact, I have the entire book memorized. It’s a neat trick and the kids are AMAZED that I can read the book without even looking at the words. What can I say? I’m pretty amazing. Really, though, it starts a great conversation when kids can share things that George did that we should never do in the library.

With my third graders, I read “The Shelf Elf” by Jackie Mims Hopkins. Love love love this book because it stresses library manners and book care. I also have lots of Shelf Elf posters that decorate the library with tips like, “Turn your pages with great care, leave them whole without a tear.” This one also leads to good conversation with my third graders, most of who I taught last year. It’s good for them to get a nice refresher after the long summer.

It’s been an exhausting week. I’m still trying to get back in the groove and work out the remaining textbook issues. Next week (after the long Labor Day weekend) I’ll have a sub Wednesday-Friday while I give the DIBELs (yuck yuck yuck) test. So I’ll be enjoying my weekend and hoping that it goes by S-L-O-W-L-Y. You do the same!