Books of the Month

September

Students have a classroom community with their teacher and peers, but they also have an extended family to support them throughout their school. This community is made up of helpers such as administrators, librarians, counselors, speech pathologists, secretaries, custodians, cafeteria workers, and more. This family that extends outside the home and classroom is a whole community where students can feel safe, included, and loved. With its heartfelt message and colorfully whimsical illustrations, Our School Is a Family is a book that will help build and strengthen that school community.

book cover- school building with students and teachers out front

Classes read the BOM and discussed how students wanted to feel in their classrooms as well as in the whole school! Together students brainstormed ways we could all help each other feel things like "happy", "respected", and "appreciated." We then created a school-wide charter!

October

We all have rough days: tough times when we feel down and an unkind voice in our mind can make us feel disappointed in ourselves. But we can talk back to that unkind voice; we can find the voice that will lift us up instead. We can tell ourselves words that are positive, supportive, and true. A celebration of self-love and owning all the things that make us special, Who I Am: Words I Tell Myself helps us to affirm that we are human, we are enough, and we are deserving of all kinds of love—especially our own.

book cover- little boy sitting cross legged

What kids tell themselves matters! It becomes their inner voice. It helps them connect with their power within. Help your child learn to tap into their inner strength and resilience when challenges arise. I Can Do Hard Things introduces children to the practice of using mindful affirmations for support and encouragement when they need it. It reflects the beautiful diversity in our world.

a diverse group of children standing in a group with their arms around each other

November/December

A book about what citizenship — good citizenship — means to you, and to us all: Across the course of several seemingly unrelated but ultimately connected actions by different children, we watch how kids turn a lonely island into a community — and watch a journey from what the world should be to what the world could be. It explores the concept of citizenship by illustrating how even small actions like helping neighbors, picking up litter, joining a cause, or writing letters can positively impact a community, essentially teaching young readers about the positive role they can play in society through active participation.

Students in the grades K and 1 read the BOM and decided on how Castlewood could make a difference in our community. They voted to host a holiday toy drive for children in need!

Students in grades 2-5 read the BOM and discussed ways they could make changes in their community through writing letters. Below is one example of the many letters beautifully written and sent out into the community highlighting issues and asking for change!

January/February

This is the story of one brilliant idea and the child who helps to bring it into the world. As the child's confidence grows, so does the idea itself. And then, one day, something amazing happens. This is a story for anyone, at any age, who's ever had an idea that seemed a little too big, too odd, too difficult. It's a story to inspire you to welcome that idea, to give it some space to grow, and to see what happens next. Because your idea isn't going anywhere. In fact, it's just getting started.

book cover for "what do you do with an idea"

The girl has a wonderful idea. ”She is going to make the most MAGNIFICENT thing! She knows just how it will look. She knows just how it will work. All she has to do is make it, and she makes things all the time. Easy-peasy!“ But making her magnificent thing is anything but easy, and the girl tries and fails, repeatedly. Eventually, the girl gets really, really mad. She is so mad, in fact, that she quits. But after her dog convinces her to take a walk, she comes back to her project with renewed enthusiasm and manages to get it just right. This funny book offers a perfect example of the rewards of perseverance and creativity. The girl’s frustration and anger are vividly depicted in the detailed art, and the story offers good options for dealing honestly with these feelings, while at the same time reassuring children that it’s okay to make mistakes. The girl doesn’t just ”make“ her magnificent thing --- she ”tinkers and hammers and measures,“ she ”smooths and wrenches and fiddles,“ she ”twists and tweaks and fastens.“ These precise action words are likely to fire up the imaginations of youngsters eager to create their own inventions and is a great tie-in to learning about Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.

book cover "the most magnificent thing" little girl pulling a wagon full of junk

Both books were read in conjunction with the STEM Expo. Teachers used the BOMs to support the brainstorming process and fostering of ideas, as well as, the process and steps it takes to plan, create, and be proud of our experiments and projects!

a list of science expo ideas on a computer screen

group of students looking at a trifold of a science project

two adults and two students looking at STEM Expo project

April/May

When a young boy realizes the scope of inequities in the wider world, he's seized with the urge to do more. He decides to bring together the different parts of himself—the artist and the activist—to become. . . an Artivist. After his mural goes viral, he sets out to change the world one painting at a time. With inspiring text and stunning illustrations by Nikkolas Smith, The Artivist is a call to action for young readers to point out injustice in their lives and try to heal the broken bones of the world through their art.