Get reading for GEISEL!

 Not only did we just kick off Newbery with the fifth graders, but first grade teacher extraordinaire, Mrs. Pryde and I just GAMBOLED (my new favorite word) into our second annual 10 week GEISEL project!  Similar to Newbery, students received credentials on their first day after being congratulated with an official handshake by Mrs. Warland, lots of "woops" from their peers and a formal photo in the Geisel "photo booth."

We will read, critique, discuss, DEBATE (yes, first graders can debate!), write letters to authors and illustrators requesting Skypes, pick our favorites and then watch in anticipation who will win on January 23.  It was so fun last year to watch in the old gym/auditorium with all the fifth graders and even some of the fourth graders who were looking for their Sibert favorites to be recognized.  If you haven't figured it out by now, I am a HUGE fan of the ALA Youth Media Awards.

Woo-Hoo!  You're on the Geisel Committee!

Every student's name was called with the appropriate formal salutation before receiving their credentials.  "Congratulations, Mr. Smith!"  "Congratulations, Miss Miller!"  And we all cheered!

Does she look proud or what?!  

 Our Geisel Formal Photos

If that is not a perfect first grade smile, I don't know what is!

You Made it to the Committee!

After we all became credentialed, we read the welcome letter explaining the Committee and what they will need to do for the next couple of months as they pick their favorite books.  Lots of reading (yay!).  Lots of discussions on story elements and how the illustrations help tell the story (awesome stuff!).  I think the kids were excited!  I know we were as the Chairwomen of the Committee ;-)

Advice from a former Geisel Committee Chair

As if it couldn't get any better, it did!  We Skyped with Amanda Foulk, who was last year's Geisel Chair!  She welcomed us all to our Committee, gave us advice on what to look for in a Geisel winning book and then read us last year's winner, Don't Throw it to Mo by David Adler and illustrated by Sam Ricks. What a great day and what a fabulous kick off to weeks and weeks of some worthwhile reading written especially for the-new-independent-first-grade reader!

Thank you so much for the Skype, Miss Amanda!