At home resources #1

I hope everyone is doing well!

I've been doing lots of reading (of course!) and am happy to share some ideas for your reading as you learn at home these weeks. I also plan to share some resources that can enhance your reading/ suggest a different format to read/ help research the topics you're curious about.
Sincerely, Ms. Moriarty

Book suggestions:
Maybe reminding you of some old favorites would be a good place to start.

Younger students:
Bread and Jam for Frances by Russell and Lillian Hoban
Frances the badger might be called a picky eater. In this story in the series she will only eat bread and jam despite her parents' suggestions of other tasty options. The other books in the series would also be great family read-alouds.

Middle grade students:
Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan
Sarah comes on the train from Maine to help care for two children whose mother has died. Children Anna and Caleb are hesitant to accept Sarah at first. Sarah has only promised to try living with them for a month. Will she stay? How can this stranger from Maine ever fill in for their mother? (series of 5 books)

Beezus and Ramona by Beverly Cleary
Realistic fiction story about Ramona and her big sister Beezus. When Ramona threatens to ruin Beezus's birthday party, big sister Beezus struggles to be the responsible, patient older sibling. Humorous adventures. Would be a good family read-aloud. (This is the first in a series of eight classic chapter books.)


Upper grade students:
The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien
This might be a good time to try a longer classic like The Hobbit! This is the classic tale of Bilbo Baggins who reluctantly joins the wizard Gandalf and some dwarves on a quest that will take him far from his comfortable home. Adventures and all sorts of peril are encountered along the way.

Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis
Elijah lives in Buxton, Canada, a settlement of runaway enslaved people, and when he was born there 11 years ago, he was the first person in their community who was born free. When money is stolen from a friend who was saving up to buy his family out of captivity, Elijah goes on a dangerous journey to track down the thief. Humor along with adventure in this award-winning book.

School library's online resources:
If you haven't found our library's e-books and digital audiobooks, here are the steps to follow:

• Go to: https://search.follettsoftware.com/metasearch/ui/46515
• Scroll down to e-books and audiobooks
• Login to check out the book you choose using your psbma login (for example: 28smithj)
• Click on "checkout" and your page will be saved and you can read it on any device (iPad, laptop, desktop) 

If you have trouble logging in, please let me know: kathleen_moriarty@psbma.org

Fun online resource:
https://www.youtube.com/studiojjk
Jarrett Krosoczka, author of the Lunch Lady series will post a drawing lesson each day at 2 pm on his Youtube channel. He came to Lawrence School a couple years ago and we loved meeting him in person! (You can catch up on all episodes by clicking on the link above.)


Coming up tomorrow: free online magazines and more!