It is hard to believe September is upon us (or it will be in less than 30 days). Most everybody is ready to move into autumn and leave summer behind. Prepare an Autumn Fiction display in the adult area by gathering novels with fall or autumn in the title. Also, look for covers with autumn leaves or scenes. Cut out some red, orange, gold, and brown leaves to complete the display. Here are 10 more ideas for displays in September.
Children’s Good Manners Month
September, and the beginning of the school year, coincide with National Children’s Good Manners Month, which affords a perfect opportunity to review how classroom rules ensure a harmonious classroom. Go to http://www.nea.org/tools/lessons/learning-and-practicing-good-manners-grades-K-5.html for lessons, resources, and activities designed to promote good manners.
Library Card Sign-up Month
Snoopy, the world-famous beagle has been known as The Flying Ace, The Masked Marvel, Man’s Best Friend, and the Literary Ace. In September, he’s especially proud to serve as Honorary Chair of Library Card Sign-up Month.
Click on: http://www.ala.org/conferencesevents/celebrationweeks/card to find resources to plan your event.
National Hispanic Heritage Month
For interactive timelines, scavenger hunts, and other activities about Hispanic Americans, visit http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/hispanic/.
Jack Prelutsky’s Birthday (September 8, 1940)
Jack Prelutsky is best known for his humorous and imaginative verse. He lives in Seattle, Washington with his wife, Carolynn.
His website, http://jackprelutsky.com/, has many interesting and fun things to look at.
CPLS owns 20 copies of his book, My Dog May Be a Genius. Call the Hastings Office to borrow this Book Kit for your class or library.
Hans Augusto Rey’s Birthday (September 16, 1898)
H.A. Rey was born in Hamburg, Germany. He married Margret in 1935 and moved from Brazil to Paris. The late 1930s and early 40s were a difficult time to be German Jews in France. Knowing they must escape, Hans cobbled together two bicycles out of spare parts. On the morning of June 14, 1940, the Reys set off on their bicycles. They brought very little, but they did include five manuscripts, one of which was Curious George. The Nazis entered Paris just hours after they left, but the Reys made their way back to Brazil and then on to New York City. Display all your Curious George books, DVDs, and puppets. For a printable Curiosity Day Kit, go to
http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/features/cgsite/cgtgpdfs/CuriosityDayKit.pdf
Talk Like a Pirate Day (September 19)
Read aloud Pirate Pete’s Talk Like a Pirate by Kim Kennedy and visit http://www.talklikeapirate.com/teachers.html for resources to use with the “little mateys” on your own pirate ship.
National Elephant Appreciation Day (September 22)
People of all ages are fascinated by elephants. They are larger than life and highly intelligent animals. The average life span of an elephant is 60 to 70 years and they develop remarkably close family bonds. They are very playful animals who love to frolic in the water. Elephants are herbivorous animals who will eat almost any type of plant from grass to trees. In captivity they are also very fond of cabbage, lettuce, bananas, apples and many other types of fruits and vegetables. Gather all your books about elephants and display them—children and adult, fiction and nonfiction—together. Don’t forget Mo Willems’ Elephant and Piggy series!
Shel Silverstein’s Birthday (September 25, 1930)
Hold a poetry reading for kids’ favorite Shel Silverstein poems. Gather his books and display them with a bookmark listing all the titles. Go to http://www.shelsilverstein.com/ for learning resources related to his books.
Banned Books Week (September 25-October 1, 2016)
Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Typically held during the last week of September, it highlights the value of free and open access to information. Banned Books Week brings together the entire book community; librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types, in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular. Click on this link for promotional tools: http://www.bannedbooksweek.org/promotional-tools.
Stan Berenstain’s Birthday (September 29, 1923)
Stan and Jan Berenstian were married right after World War II and began careers as a magazine cartoonist team. They published cartoons focusing on humor about children and families in The Saturday Evening Post, Colliers Magazine, McCall’s, Good Housekeeping and many more. Many of these cartoons were also published as book collections. Place a small poster near your collection of Berenstain Bears books to celebrate Stan’s birthday. Go to http://www.berenstainbears.com/ for printable games, puzzles, and other activities.
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