Hour of Code Week: 12/4/17-12/10/17

Hour of Code is a worldwide event designed to introduce people ages 4-104 to computer science. This year, the Hour of Code officially takes place during the week of December 4-10, but an Hour of Code can take place all year round. You can learn more about Hour of Code here: https://hourofcode.com/us

At Kilpatrick Elementary, all K-5 students will be introduced to computer programming during library lessons.  The K-3 and 5^th grade Computer Programming lesson takes place from 12/4—1/5.  4^th grade will receive their Computer Programming lesson from 1/8—1/19.  All students are going to learn the role of a computer programmer, as well as the definitions of “code” and “sequence.” They are also going to get to try their hand at coding using the app Kodable.  Here are some other apps you may want to explore: 

• Cargo-Bot
• Daisy the Dinosaur
• Lightbot
• Scratch Jr.

Happy Coding!

Library Volunteer Holiday Breakfast: 12/8/17

Please join us in celebrating the holiday season and our wonderful library volunteers!

Friday, December 8, 2017

9:00-10:00 AM

OKE Library

OKE Library Fall Book Fair 11/6-11/9/17!

The library's Fall Book Fair is coming soon! The library will be hosting its Fall Book Fair from Monday 11/6/17 - Thursday 11/9/17 in the library.

Book Fair Hours:

Monday 11/6: 8:00 AM*-3:30 PM

Tuesday 11/7: 8:00 AM*-3:30 PM

Wednesday 11/8: 8:00 AM*-3:30 PM

Thursday 11/9: 8:00 AM*-3:30 PM and 4:30 PM-7:00 PM (during Open House)

*Only students accompanied by parents may shop in the Book Fair from 8:00 AM-8:30 AM each morning.  The Book Fair is open to students after the Morning Announcements each day.

Proceeds from past Book Fairs have been used to purchase books, fund author/illustrator visits, fund reading incentive programs, purchase library furniture, instructional materials, and technology. Thank you for supporting the OKE Library!

Blue Willow Bookshop Brings Author/Illustrator Peter Brown to OKE!

Author and Caldecott Honor Illustrator Peter Brown visited with all OKE 1st and 2nd Graders today to talk to them about how he became an author and illustrator.  He also read aloud his new book Creepy Pair of Underwear. Like Caldecott Honor book Creepy Carrots, this book was written by Aaron Reynolds and illustrated by Peter Brown.  Peter even drew Jasper Rabbit wearing his creepy underwear for the students! Thank you Blue Willow Bookshop for the wonderful visit!

Library Hosts Maker Drive!

Maker Challenges!

Throughout the 2017-18 school year, Kilpatrick students will be invited to participate in various Maker Challenges.  Maker Challenges are teacher-prompted, open-ended problems for students to solve which require them to design and create a solution. This year, all of our Maker Challenges will utilize basic household materials.  Maker Challenges may be completed at home or in our school’s library during a specified time.  Finished products will be on display in our library at the end of each Challenge.

We will be hosting five Maker Challenges in the 2017-18 school year. The Start Dates for those Challenges will be as follows:

· November 13, 2017

· January 8, 2018

· February 5, 2018

· March 5, 2018

· April 2, 2018

The details for each Challenge will be revealed on the Start Dates listed above.

The OKE Library will be hosting Maker Drives twice during the school year to collect supplies for the students to complete these Challenges.  The first Maker Drive will provide the needed materials for the first two Challenges.  For the first Maker Drive, the library will be collecting the following:

· Rolls of aluminum foil (any brand)

· Pennies

· 1-1/2” Diameter Pom Poms—any color (available at Hobby Lobby or Michael’s Crafts)

· Pipe Cleaners—any color (available at Hobby Lobby or Michael’s Crafts)

· Index Cards—any color (4” x 6”)

· Rolls of Clear Tape

· Paper Muffin Liners
· Googly Eyes (available at Hobby Lobby or Michael’s Crafts)

If you have any questions, please contact Sharon Audelo at sharonyaudelo@katyisd.org.

Thank you for supporting our school!

2017-18 Texas 2x2 and Texas Bluebonnet Forms Now Available!

If you would like to start reading the 2017-18 Texas 2x2 books (PreK-2nd Grade) or Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominees (3rd-5th Grade) during the summer, our newest forms are now available.

Click on the links below to access the forms:

2017-18 Texas 2x2 Program (Grades PreK-2nd)

2017-18 Texas Bluebonnet Award Program (3rd Grade-5th Grade)

Copies of these forms will also be distributed to students in August.

To find out more about either of these programs, click on the "Texas 2x2 Reading Program" or "Texas Bluebonnet Award Reading Program" links in the right column of this blog.

Happy Reading!

2017 Biblionasium Summer Reading Challenge!

Research consistently shows that independent reading (reading students choose to do on their own) significantly influences students’ reading performance.  The amount of free reading done outside of school positively relates to growth in vocabulary, reading comprehension, verbal fluency, and general information (Cullinan 2000). Biblionasium supports independent reading by creating a reading community for our students and makes reading fun and social.

Biblionasium is safe, COPPA compliant online community for young readers that promotes a love of reading by allowing students to connect with their classmates to share their favorite books and record their reading progress. Students can add books to their digital bookshelf, recommend books to friends, log their reading, rate and review books, earn virtual awards, and more.

Each Kilpatrick student has a Biblionasium account that is linked to Destiny, our library’s online catalog.  Students can access their Biblionasium account by going to the Biblionasium website (www.biblionasium.com) and selecting the “Login with Destiny” option.  The student will need his/her Katy ISD username and password to access this account (available from your child’s teacher). This linked account will provide the student with real-time information and access of our library’s resources. Coach Chip Manzee will guide the students through the website, offer helpful tips, and reward reading achievements with digital awards and trophies. Students will have access to their account year-round.  If your child has not yet logged into his/her account, they may do so at any time.

The library is inviting all current Kindergarten-4^th Grade students to participate in the 2017 Biblionasium Summer Reading Challenge!  Beginning on June 2^nd, the “2017 Summer Reading Challenge” will appear when you click on your child’s “Challenges” tab.  All summer long, your child can log their reading minutes into Biblionasium (use the “Reading Log” tab—be sure to enter minutes each time). Here is a link to a video demonstrating how to log reading minutes into Biblionasium: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIIzjF2tGpw

To complete the 2017 Summer Reading Challenge, your child will need to log 1,000 minutes of reading into Biblionasium between 6/2/17-8/15/17.  Students who complete the 2017 Summer Reading Challenge will receive the following:

•        A tag for their reading chain
•         A “Bonus Book Coupon” to check out an extra library book
•        Invitation to “Priority Check-Out” Event (check out books before the library opens to the general student body)

Wishing you a safe and wonderful summer!  As always, Happy Reading!

Summer Reading!

Although our school library has closed, we hope you will continue to reinforce your child’s reading skills over the summer by joining the summer reading program sponsored by the Cinco Ranch Public Library. This library is located at 2620 Commercial Center Blvd., Katy. A librarian from the Cinco Ranch Public Library will be speaking to all K-5 students about this program on Tuesday, May 30th.

Also, the KISD Elementary Librarians have compiled a list of book recommendations for all elementary-age students.  You can take a look at our suggestions for books that may interest your child using the following link:

http://www.katyisd.org/students/Documents/Summer_Reading_List-English.pdf

You also may want to get a head start on reading books for next year’s Texas 2x2 Program (Grades K-2): http://txla.org/groups/2x2 and Texas Bluebonnet Award Program (Grades 3-5): http://txla.org/TBA-nominees

Finally, students will have access to their  Biblionasium account throughout the summer.  Each Kilpatrick student has a Biblionasium account that is linked to Destiny, our library’s online catalog.  Students can access their Biblionasium account either by logging into Destiny Discover (Destiny can be accessed in the student’s MyKaty cloud https://mykaty.katyisd.org/) or by going directly to the Biblionasium website(www.biblionasium.com) and selecting the “Login with Destiny” option.  In both platforms, the student will need his/her Katy ISD username and password to access this account (available from your child’s teacher). Coach Chip Manzee will guide the students through the website, offer helpful tips, and reward reading achievements with digital awards and trophies.

Have a safe and enjoyable summer—and, as always, happy reading!

Biblionasium 500-Minute Challenge Deadline 5/12!

In the fall, Kilpatrick students were introduced to Biblionasium.  Biblionasium is safe, COPPA compliant online community for young readers that promotes a love of reading by allowing students to connect with their classmates to share their favorite books and record their reading progress. Students can add books to their digital bookshelf, recommend books to friends, log their reading, rate and review books, earn virtual awards, and more. 

On November 30th, all 1st-5th grade students were given a "500-Minute Challenge" within Biblionasium: students who use Biblionasium to record 500-minutes of reading earn a reading tag and get a bonus library book coupon.  Students have until Friday, May 12th to complete this Challenge.

Each Kilpatrick student has a Biblionasium account that is linked to Destiny, our library’s online catalog.  Students can access their Biblionasium account either by logging into Destiny Discover (Destiny can be accessed in the student’s MyKaty cloud https://mykaty.katyisd.org/) or by going directly to the Biblionasium website(www.biblionasium.com) and selecting the “Login with Destiny” option.  In both platforms, the student will need his/her Katy ISD username and password to access this account (available from your child’s teacher). This linked account will provide the student with real-time information and access of our library’s resources. Coach Chip Manzee will guide the students through the website, offer helpful tips, and reward reading achievements with digital awards and trophies.


Be sure to click on the "Challenges" tab to see the 500-Minute Challenge. Happy reading!

Kilpatrick Elementary has been named a Digital Citizenship Certified School by Common Sense Media!

At Kilpatrick Elementary, we believe that digital citizenship skills have become essential for students in the 21st century, especially in schools like ours that are using technology to transform learning. That's why we are committed to teaching our students how to think critically, behave safely, and participate responsibly. Kilpatrick Elementary has just been approved as a Common Sense Digital Citizenship Certified School, an honor that recognizes our efforts in teaching digital literacy and citizenship to young people and engaging the entire school community in this important discussion. This recognition is provided by Common Sense Education, part of a national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in a world of media and technology.

More than 90,000 classrooms across the country use Common Sense Education's groundbreaking education resources. As a result, our students are better equipped to navigate the digital world and use devices for learning. 

To learn more about Common Sense Education, visit https://www.commonsensemedia.org/educators/digital-citizenship .

KISD Digital Citizenship Week: February 6-10!

Katy ISD will be celebrating Digital Citizenship Week district-wide during the week of February 6-10. This theme for this week  is "RISE Above." Students will receive special lessons and activities to remind them to be safe and responsible users of technology throughout the week.  We will be focusing on words that correspond with the "RISE" theme including Respect, Integrity, Safety, and Etiquette and connect these words to the responsible use of technology. Students can also dress to match each day's theme!:

Coming Soon: Spring Book Fair!

Our Library’s Spring Book Fair is coming soon! The Spring Book Fair will take place beginning Monday 2/27/17 through Thursday 3/2/17 in the library.

Book Fair Hours:

•          Monday 2/27: 8:00 AM*-3:30 PM
•         Tuesday 2/28: 8:00 AM*-3:30 PM
•          Wednesday 3/1: 8:00 AM*-3:30 PM
•         Thursday 3/2: 8:00 AM*-3:30 PM and 4:30 PM-7:00 PM (during Family Art & Science Night)

*Only students accompanied by parents may shop in the Book Fair from 8:00 AM-8:30 AM each morning.  The Book Fair is open to students shopping independently after the Morning Announcements each day.

Be sure to look for Teacher Wish Lists at the Fair--these are books that our teachers would like for their classrooms.  Our special Book Fairy will deliver any Wish List books purchased during the Fair to your child's teacher!

Proceeds from past Book Fairs have been used to purchase books, fund author/illustrator visits, fund reading incentive programs, purchase library furniture, instructional materials, and technology. 

Thank you for supporting the OKE Library!

Upcoming Library Closures

Our library will be closed to circulation a few times in the month of February—please mark your calendars:

• 2/6/17: Closed at 1:30 PM to accommodate Bluebonnet Bash
• 2/13/17: Closed all day to accommodate Power PLC
• 2/21/17: Closed until 10:45 AM to accommodate visit from Author Mike Artell
• 2/23/17: Closed until 10:45 AM to accommodate visit from author Lisa Wheeler
• 2/24/17: Closed all day to accommodate Book Fair Set-Up
• 2/27/17-3/3/17: Closed all week to accommodate Book Fair. We will re-open on 3/3/17 after the Book Fair has been picked up by our supplier.

Thank you for your patience!

Lisa Wheeler to Visit With OKE Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 1st Graders on 2/23/17!

The OKE Library is pleased to announce that author Lisa Wheeler will be visiting with all Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 1^st grade students on Thursday, February 23^rd! If you would like to purchase autographed copies of these books, please complete this form and return it to the OKE Library by Wednesday, February 1^st with cash or a check.  Checks should be payable to OKE. These books will be available for preview in the library.  You can learn more about Lisa Wheeler and her books at her website: http://www.lisawheelerbooks.com/home.html

Mike Artell to Visit With All OKE 4th & 5th Graders on 2/21/17!

The OKE Library is pleased to announce that author/illustrator Mike Artell will be visiting with all 4^th and 5^th grade students on Tuesday, February 21^st.  If you would like to purchase autographed copies of these books, please complete this form and return it to the OKE Library by Wednesday, February 1^st  with cash or a check.  Checks should be made payable to OKE. These books will be available for preview in the library. You can learn more about Mike Artell and his books at his website: https://www.mikeartell.com/home.html

Authors Annabeth Bondor Stone and Connor White to visit OKE 3rd Graders!

The OKE Library is pleased to announce that authors Annabeth Bonder-Stone and Connor White will be visiting with students in 3rd Grade on Tuesday, January 17th.  They are the authors of the new entertaining series featuring Shivers the Pirate! You can learn more about the authors and these books at: http:www.shiversthepirate.com/. These books are also available for preview in the library. If you would like to purchase autographed copies of these books, please complete this form and return it to the OKE library by Tuesday, January 10th.  Additional forms are also available in the library.

Texas Bluebonnet Forms Due!

3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Students:

Please remember that all Bluebonnet forms are due on January 18^th. Additional forms can be printed here or can be picked up in the library.

For students who have read five of this year's Bluebonnet nominees and returned their forms on time, voting takes place in the library from Tuesday, 1/24/17-Thursday, 1/26/17.

For students who have read eight of this year's Bluebonnet nominees and returned their forms on time, the Bluebonnet Bash will take place in the library on Monday, 2/6/17.