November -- It's All About the Balloons and Turkeys (Part 1)

In just the three + munths that I have been a librarian, I have discovered so many new (to me) books! This is one of my favorites. I like it for many reasons, one being that it's a book that I can read to all grades, and all the kids get something from it. The illustrations are so fun. Melissa Sweet is a talented creator of collages. The vocabulary is excellent. Also, the story itself is so applicable; so many kids watch the Thanksgiving Parade on tv. 

This year I read the book to every grade, TK- fifth and did different activities with each grade. (Full disclosure: I did the same activity with 3rd and 4th but already have a new activity planned for 4th graders next year.) One thing I did that I absolutely LOVE is a full-on buildup of the book beginning the first of November. Look at my teaser...

I'm not sure which grabbed the kids' attention more, the huge helium balloons or the blowup of my senior intern, but they loved it! They started asking about it immediately, but I told them they had to be patient. When the week before Thanksgiving week finally arrived, they were ready. On Monday, just to keep the excitement building, I added one more balloon to a display right outside my door.

Below I have listed the activities I did with each grade, with pictures and explanations when applicable. I am already thinking about next year and even have my admin excited. We plan to involve all the classes and begin a new tradition: each class will design a character balloon and hang it outside their door. The kids will get to "parade" around and see each balloon. Balloons Over Caldwell!

TK -- sensory balloons: I filled 4 pairs of balloons per student with baking soda, salt, birdseed, and a piece of candy corn. The kids had to feel them and then match them up. They had fun and did a great job! I tried to help them use different/new sensory words in their descriptions of how the balloons felt.

Kindergarten -- We focused a little more on the Indonesian rod puppet, and the kids got to choose an animal pattern to color (The Trapped Librarian). Next I stapled straws to the feet. The kindergartners loved their new puppets. First question (oft repeated) was "Can we take these home?" Yes!

*Mine

First Grade -- Drawing Challenge: After reading the book, I also showed kindergarten some slides of current balloons in the parade. They got super excited, callling out in unison as each character appeared on the screen. Then they went to tables, and I gave each one a sheet with six balloon templates on it (Carly & Adam). They had 3 minutes to draw a different character in each one. I was pleasantly surprised how much they got into it!

Second Grade -- Science Experiment: They got to do the age-old but much-loved vinegar and baking soda mix, but this time in a bottle and inflating a balloon. I have to admit, there were some explosions and some duds, but you learn to expect anything with grammar school science. We discussed the science behind it, and enjoyed the fun.

Third/Fourth Grade -- Slideshow Quiz: I bought a Boom Card quiz and then rewrote into Google Slides. I can't share my slides because I used the information from the Boom Cards I bought from The Trapped Librarian. I didn't really know what Boom Cards were; when I found out, I knew I didn't want to buy into the "program." I had already bought the cards, so I felt that ethically I could use the information in creating my slides; I just can't ethically share them. I was super proud of myself though. Each question slide was multiple choice with four possible answers. If the student chose the correct answer, it linked to a flying ballon slide which in turn linked to the next question. For all incorrect answers, the link went to Scooby Doo saying, "Ruh roh," and then linked back to the original question. It took a ton of time, but I think for the next quiz I want to do, I can copy the whole slideshow and then just change questions and pictures. Probably for most of you, none of this is a big deal; I'm old enough that I did not learn any of this in school and have been watching youtube and everything I can find to learn these things. The best part is that the kids enjoyed it. We were able to work on some important test-taking strategies too.

Fifth Grade -- Keep the Balloon on the Ground:  This is the activity I was most excited about and the one that disappointed me the most. It definitely wasn't the fault of the kids. I had a plan to have them do the opposite of what Tony Sarg did; he wanted to have the balloons rise, but they had to keep them down. Without using their hands. In my mind, that task seemed much harder than it actually was. They were allowed to have three paper plates and design something that would hold the balloon on the ground or on the table. Did you know that laying one paper plate on a helium-filled balloon would keep it from rising????? Did you know that after handling the balloon for a few minutes you DON'T EVEN NEED THE PLATE???? This is all still a learning experience for me. The fifth graders enjoyed the fact that they put one over on me. My mind is already working on something for next year...

                                                 *They stayed this way for the next hour!!!