Tale As Old As Time…Beauty and the BEAK

 

 

Found the next school science assembly! A stunning presentation at a science/literacy workshop! Jane Veltcamp, The author of the forthcoming book, “Beauty and the Beak” told her story and brought her birds of prey. Beauty is an American Bald Eagle shot by a poacher. She didn’t die but her beak, which enables her to hunt, was damaged beyond use. The book is a chronicle of all the allies who worked to try and get her back to 100 percent. Did it work?! FIND OUT and also find out about a regional program we have to rebuild and relocate birds of prey who are hurt by humans. It sounds like a bummer but it’s inspiring too! And these BIRDS. WOW

STEM: They are learning TOOLS. Don’t say TOYS

We just unpackaged (and threw into bins) four different types of construction tools into our STEM area of the library. I had to be VERY specific about he expectations, because this “Maker Space” concept is new; it’s just so tricky to demand level one voices on checkout days and allow for the volume level appropriate to mirth on the other days. When I was very clear before-hand it went better. After a particularly raucous session, I told the fourth graders who came in next “this is not a birthday party. This is not a play date ion your friend’s basement. This is us, learning how to problem solve together, and I need a level two voice for this to happen.”

They were great and I held an impromptu challenge of creating a known structure. Quick as lightning we had the White House and two versions of the downtown Clock Tower. And something else very tall. My other favorites, as well as students’ favorites, are the KEVA PLANKS (click to investigate) and good old-fashioned Lego. On the right, do you recognize the POTUS built by a second grader?