Week in Review: Everything!

We were packed with activities this week as we tried to squeeze in as much as we could before Mid-Winter Break. Monday started with Mr. Crabb’s 7th grade History class as they continued to work on their Collective Learning projects. On Tuesday Mrs. Eustace’s 8th grade English class was in to begin research for their Ignite speeches. During break and lunch, the Glass Knife put on their Love/Hate Valentine’s Day Bake Sale.

All this week 6th graders have been presenting their Scientists in the Field projects. They gave speeches as their scientists while discussing their topics then presented their scientist showcases in the form of board games, documentaries, virtual reality experiences, and backpacks of field tools. Check out the gallery below to view their work!

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On Thursday March Madness began for Mr. Crabb’s 7th graders. Students got to judge a book by its cover and listen to the first line of each novel before picking historical fiction books to read. Their books will go head to head in brackets until the best book wins. Stay tuned for results!

Thursday was also Valentine’s Day, which turned out to be a pretty festive day around the Matthews Library. Ms. Melinson’s desk was was accordingly decorated by some pranksters. The LGBTQ Club sold handmade cards much to the delight of Middle and High Schoolers alike. The library’s Blind Date with a Book display went up. The 1st grade class presented an adorable singing telegram to Ms. Melinson. Check out the video on our Facebook page!

On Friday the Glass Knife held their last Speakeasy of the year where students and faculty read poems and other writing, some original and some they just enjoyed. We were also surprised by some brief, but intense hail on Friday.

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Week in Review: Book Talks & Work Days

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This week was all about Fall Book Talks with the middle schoolers and work days with the high schoolers. Book Talks are where Ms. Melinson talks about 60+ books and then students pick out books that sound most interesting to them. Monday’s Book Talks began with Mrs. Eustace’s 6th and 8th graders, with the 8th graders having a mystery slant. Tuesday was a work day for Ms. Nellis’ 9th graders as they continue to work on their Ancient Egypt research project. Wednesday was a Sophomore Project work day for Mr. Wells’ 10th graders. Thursday was a Book Talk extravaganza with 7th and 8th classes in all day long. Friday was a day off for students, but an in-service day for teachers. Ms. Melinson and I went on a field trip to the Sacramento History Museum in Old Sacramento. Check out our pictures on Instagram!

Week in Review: Book Clubs edition

While the school year is winding down, the library is still hoping with activity. On Tuesday we wrapped up our Summer Reading book talks with the incoming 6th graders. You can find out Summer Reading information here. On Wednesday we had back-to-back Book Clubs. First up was Ms. Nellis’ AP U.S. History class. Students read a historical fiction novel and then related what they learned in class to the historical aspects of the novel. And much like our usual Book Club, snacks were involved! At lunchtime we had our regular monthly Book Club where students and faculty discussed what they planned to read over the summer, which you can read about here.

Thursday and Friday saw final exams for the high schoolers. When they weren’t testing in the gym, they were in the library debriefing with their classmates or outside of the library munching on snacks provided by the Parent’s Association. To wrap up the week, the seniors returned on Friday to take care of some senior business and attend seminars.

Week in Review: Summer Book Talk edition

As if to make up for the quiet of AP exams that last two weeks, this week was jam packed with activities. Monday was a whirlwind day with back to back to back book talks for rising 7th and 9th graders. Monday was also the first annual Donut Day!

On Tuesday, the Glass Knife submitted this year’s book for printing. Look for distribution in the coming weeks! Back by popular request, students were working on a library-themed puzzle last week and by Thursday, it was completed.

Thursday was the 10th annual Play-A-Thon for Rulindo, with music all day long and all over campus. Behind the library in the High School quad, the Middle and High school choir performed with the 3rd and 4th graders. On the Lower School plaza, the High School Jazz Band played followed by the Mega Band (students from Lower, Middle, and High School Band, any adults who wanted to play, and even an alum or two) came together to play some toe-tapping jazz. Also happening on Thursday, the 6th graders shared their Passion Projects, where they presented their work to their peers and received feedback.

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Friday saw more book talks, this time for rising 8th and 9th graders. Also on Friday, the library played host to a retirement party for retiring staff and faculty members Barbara Fackenthall, Patricia Fels, Aggie Germinder, Jane Gillette, Sandy Lyon, Donna Manning, and Julie Nelson.

Week in Review: Book Talks

Mr. Kuiper’s 8th graders were in the library on Monday and Tuesday to find books and research topics for their National History Day projects, which range from suffragettes to Watergate to stem cells. On Monday and Wednesday Mr. Hagmann’s Film elective class was in the library to work on their projects about various film topics like Jim Carrey, Robert Downey Jr., and the use of color in Marvel movies. Wednesday and Thursday saw a flurry of books and Post-its as Ms. Melinson book talked a variety of titles for 6th and 7th graders, including some especially spooky books for Halloween. The kiddos chose some great books and just in time for the three day weekend. Happy reading!

Week in Review: Penultimate Edition

Well, here we are! The second to last week of school and a shortened week at that. Things are wrapping up as students prepare for their finals and the library rounds up delinquent books. Here’s what happened this week:

 

On Wednesday, the library was host to a retirement party celebrating Dr. Baird, Dr. Bell, Lonna, Ms. Kassel, Ms. Kelly, Ms. Kren, and Mr. Neukom. Their combined experience totals 172 years!

On Thursday and Friday, Ms. Melinson finished up her summer book talks with the soon to be 6th graders.

And speaking of 6th graders, your assistant was able to view some of the current 6th graders presenting their passion projects on Friday. Students spent weeks researching and putting together their projects, which included creating a recipe book, making slime and a slime recipe book, and learning to bake and cook. Students discussed their successes and failures then participated in a Q & A with their classmates about their experience.

Week in Review: Cupcakes are fun!

The countdown is on as we head into the last week of school!

On Monday, Sean, who is a cook at Hawk’s Restaurant, visited with 6th graders who are doing cooking for their passion projects. He showed them how to ice cupcakes and answered cooking questions.

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On Tuesday and Thursday, Ms. Melinson began summer reading book talks for the incoming 7th and 8th graders. Students are given a list of books to choose from and a corresponding activity sheet. Summer Reading will be available online soon.

On Wednesday we had our last book club of the year, which you can read about here.

On Friday the library was host to the Career Day Panel, which concluded the Senior Seminars. The panel consisted of parents and alum who offered insight into their careers.

Friday also featured a Glass Knife informational meeting for 8th graders who are interested in joining next year.

Week in Review: Halloween and Rockvemberfest Edition

It’s been a busy week here at the Matthews Library! Monday was Halloween and we were treated to some fabulous costumes.

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Monday also featured a bake sale benefitting The Glass Knife. And speaking of, The Glass Knife met on Wednesday and decided on their theme for the year (but we’re not telling!)

On Tuesday and Thursday, Ms. Melinson had Book Talks with the 6th and 7th graders and they excitedly chose their books with a flurry of Post-Its.

On Tuesday, Country Day was host to students from St. Michael’s Episcopal Day School where they got to shadow Country Day student’s classes and lunch in the library.

And to cap off the week, Friday was Rockvemberfest! Ms. Melinson cooked breakfast for her advisees and then read to them from The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling.

Rockvemberfest featured the Fall Talent Show where we were regaled with poetry, music, and fire. And then delicious tacos for lunch from Tres Hermanos Taco Truck!

 

Halloween Book Talks

Monday and Tuesday we had Halloween Book Talks with the 6th and 7th graders. Your faithful librarian, Ms. Melinson, talked about each book before the real fun began: Post-It Madness! Students got to stick their names to the books they wanted to check out. They will be processed and delivered by the end of the day by none other than yours truly.

Sacramento Farm to Fork

 

This weekend I attended Sacramento’s Farm to Fork Festival that celebrated all the great foods we can get so close to home. It reminded me to talk about Michael Pollan‘s book, In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto. This book has as its mantra “Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.”

Until I went on a few road trips across the country, I didn’t realize how difficult this is to do some places. We’re very lucky in California to have access to so many farm fresh foods. Each time we get back from a road trip, we run to the farmers market to get stocked up on delicious fresh produce again after being deprived of it for so long (unless you count fried zucchini, canned peaches, and applesauce–we don’t).

If you’re interested in healthy eating, you might also want to check out some of our nutrition books or the popular Eat This, Not That! series that suggests substitutes for popular restaurant, fast food, and supermarket foods. We also have some good eBooks on diet and nutrition including the Gale Encyclopedia of Diets that discusses nutritional choices for a variety of groups and Food in Context that examines nutrition, agriculture, politics and other issues that affect food around the world.