Genre Study in Grade 3

After investigating a variety of genres, Grade 3 students worked with partners to create mind maps on a specific genre. Students included features of the genre and examples of books in our library. Genres explored included realistic fiction, historical fiction, humor, graphic novels, biography, poetry, fantasy, fairy tales, science fiction, mystery, adventure and information books.

Stop by to see the Grade 3's work and get some great ideas for reading across different genres!

Curious George in Grade 2

You may have read many Curious George books but did you know that the original story has a fascinating history? Author and illustrator, Margaret and H.A. Rey actually escaped from France during World War II with the rough draft of the book on bicycle! You can ask any Grade 2 student and he or she can tell you the amazing story!

We have shared several Curious George stories together through books, film and audio recordings. We also read parts of the biographical book The Journey That Saved Curious George: The True Wartime Escape of Margaret and H.A. Rey. This week, Grade 2 students created wonderful Curious George artwork to show some of the hilarious trouble our monkey friend gets himself into. We have over twenty Curious George books in the library. Why not stop by and revisit one of your old favorites?

Caldecott Projects in Grades 4 and 5

Every January the American Library Association awards the Caldecott Medal to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children published in the previous year. The award is named in honor of the nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott and is the most prestigious American children's book award for an illustrator. The 2009 Caldecott Medal was just recently awarded to Beth Krommes for her work in The House in the Night, written by Susan Marie Swanson.

Students in Grades 4 and 5 are working on projects related to Caldecott winning books. In Grade 4, after selecting a favorite book, students are creating slide presentations of elements of the story. In Grade 5, students are preparing a read-a-loud of one of the books. Both grades will soon share their work with primary students in K1-Grade 2.

Click here for a link to all of the Caldecott Medal winners from 1938 to the present.

Henny Penny in K2

Students in K2 have shared several versions of the folktale Henny Penny. We read the stories retold by Werner H. Zimmerman and Paul Galdone and also watched the film based on the book by Jane Wattenberg.

Students chose their favorite character to illustrate from Henny Penny, Cocky Locky, Ducky Lucky, Goosey Loosey, Turkey Lurkey and Foxy Loxy. Ask your child to tell you about the story!

Visual Searching in Grade One

Grade One is learning to use the online library catalog. Students have discovered the fun of using the Visual Search tool within our catalog which allows them to browse for books in different categories. The screen shots below show the simple pictures and large text that make it easy for younger students to use this helpful tool.

























If you would like to use the catalog with your child, begin at the ASD Go! Page http://go.asdubai.org/
Follow the links to the Library Catalog, either at school or at home, depending on where you are! Then travel to the "American School of Dubai Elementary Library" then click on the "Catalog" tab and finally the "Visual" tab. Your first grader will also be happy to demonstrate for you!

Grade Two Researchers

Mrs. Marshall's class has been researching up a storm! Over the last several weeks, the students have been engaged in several research projects.

First, the class began searching for information about an animal's habitat and predators to include in their own story writing. The students' second project involved finding interesting information about pandas to include in a fast facts book. After this, the students selected a topic of their choice to research independently and create another fast fact book. Topics ranged from the solar system to dinosaurs to pet cats!

The students used a combination of books, the online encyclopedia World Book Kids and web sites to find their information and practiced putting the ideas into their own words. If you have any questions about the research process, 2M is the class to ask!

More Grade 5 Booktalks!

Wow! The fifth grade students have really been creative with their booktalks over the last few weeks!

Some have dressed up as their characters, some have created props, some have designed PowerPoint presentations and some have read us wonderful passages from their books.

The best part is they are getting their friends excited about books and taking recommendations from each other. Congratulations on all of your hard work, Grade Five.

Visiting Author: Maha Shehadeh

This week we were fortunate to have Maha Shehadeh, author of Raya's Globe visit our library. Mrs. Shehadeh is a special member of our community as a teacher and as mom to Zayd, Zeena and Layth. Mrs. Shehadeh read her delightful story to grade level groups from K2 -5 and talked the students about the writing and publishing process.

Students enjoyed the story about Raya who wants to find out where she is from and who explores each of the countries which are part of her life. Many of our students can relate to the feeling of coming from more than one place! The students also gained some helpful insights to apply to their own writing process.


Raya's Globe is available for check out in the elementary library. Thank you, Mrs. Shehadeh, for sharing your work with our elementary students!