Meet KIBO!

Robotics in the Library!

Thanks to Elisabeth Zimmer, the School Library Teacher at Schofield, who lent her seven KIBO robots to Sprague to tryout for three weeks during library classes.

Want to see KIBO in action and hear more about where they came from?  Here is a video all about them:  

KIBO robots are simple to assemble and program and we have been taking them for a test drive during during library time.  Students have a chance to build a program using KIBOs programming blocks which are then scanned into the robot.

Sometimes things don't work out the way you expect when you are using a KIBO.  It takes teamwork and problem solving skills to get your robot to do what you want.  Great life skills to learn while you are having such a good time.

For more information about KIBO check out Kinderlab Robotics here: http://kinderlabrobotics.com/

Robot On!
Ms. J.

March is Women's History Month!

Until I started working in an elementary school, I had never heard that March is Women's History Month.  Now that I know, I enjoy reading about obscure women that have done remarkable things.

Esther Morris helped get women the vote in Wyoming in 1869 and went on to become a judge in that State.  I found a delightful animated semi-animated video version of this book if you want to watch.

I don't think many people have heard Gertrude Ederle's story and this book tells the story of her life in such a compelling way with the added bonus of fabulous illustrations.  

E. Nesbit was a famous children's book author, but very few people (especially Americans) have heard of her or read her books.  This illustrated and slightly abridged version of The Book of Beasts is one of my very favorites and it is truly marvelous when read aloud.  If you have never read any E. Nesbit books, I highly recommend The Story of the Treasure Seekers and The Railway Children. You are in for a delightful read.

  

E. Nesbit - one of the first authors who wrote for children

My favorite E. Nesbit book.

The Sustainability Challenge

We have been talking about The Sustainability Challenge in library this week with several grades. Sustainability and Renewable are big words.  But WEF is sponsoring a STEM Expo on Saturday, April 8th and they have issued The Sustainability Challenge to all students living or going to school in Wellesley.

I've been reading this great book called, Green City: How One Community Survived a Tornado and Rebuilt for a Sustainable Future. Thank you to the Caiazzo Family for donating this book to the library.

This book is all about one small town in Kansas that was wiped out by a tornado and decided to rebuild as a green city.  This true story is a great way to talk about what "going green" and "renewable energy" is all about.

Here is a link to Greensburg, Kansas website with more information about the Greenest Town in America.

Students interested in creating something for the Sustainability Challenge can drop it off in the box in the Sprague Library by March 24th.