Spring Forest Middle School Library

Hi SFMS Parents!
If you have a child that loves to draw comics, you might share this Houston Public Library Comics Creation Contest https://houstonlibrary.org/ld.php?content_id=67161456
I know we have some wonderful artists that love to draw comics, and as hot as it is outside this could be a wonderful way to keep them using their brains during the summer.
Enjoy!

houstonlibrary.org

It is that time again, Parents, when your kids will be asking for book fair money. Our book fair will run from Monday, May 2 until Friday, May 6. We have a host of parent volunteers who are helping out, and I can't tell you how much I appreciate their help. The library is a very busy place in the morning, and I couldn't do the book fair without their help. While we do get a great deal of sales on "school supplies," I encourage our students to invest their money in books. We have a variety of budget-priced books that start from $2.00 and go all the way to a beautifully illustrated copy of a Harry Potter book that sells for almost $50 (I know that is a huge amount of money, but the illustrations are beautiful if you can afford it.😊). I have to admit that I don't put everything out as I have had some bad experiences with invisible ink pens and the like. We also have a few cookbooks that might interest some of you, so come in a shop. I look forward to seeing you at our Book Fair.

It has been a busy time at SFMS. Dealing with Chromebooks and helping to cover classes. Times are tough for students and teachers alike. We try very hard to make sure that all of our students are learning and thriving, both in and outside of school. Parents may be interested in a resource that I use, Understood.org
You can sign up for an email newsletter or simply inspect the resources found on their website. This resource focuses on those who think and/or learn differently, but I have used some of their suggestions with all of my students. While this resource, "How to make an accomplishment box," is probably geared for younger students, it could easily be adjusted for older students.
Getting your kids to talk about school can often be difficult. I had the same problem with students in my classes. I was amazed when I got the hint to say to students, "Hey, I noticed you worked really hard today!" or "I noticed that you looked a bit down today." Students would often open up about what was troubling them or smile in my recognition of their hard work. Notice something about your child and see what happens.

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Our first book fair in one and a half years will kickoff September 20th in the library. No matter what your child tells you, every student gets excited when we have a book fair. We try to limit the "trinkets" and maintain a focus on books. With this book fair we are getting even more books. Encourage your child to scope out the books. You can set up an eWallet account so your child doesn't have to carry cash. Find out how to sign up for eWallet by checking out our Book Fair homepage:

Come to Our Book Fair! Visit our school's homepage to hear the latest Book Fair news, RSVP for events, sign up to volunteer, and more!

Just in case you are having trouble finding the school supplies list by grade level, check out this listhttps://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1627910294/springbranchisdcom/uoro3ccc5i4ec0s0the5/SFMSschoolsupplylist2021-2022.pdf
It can also be located at the bottom of the Spring Forest Middle School homepage under the "School News" section.

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It's close to the time when students will be picking their summer reading. I would also encourage parents to ask their children what they would really like to read. We have collected a wide assortment of diverse books that have all been personally read by the SBISD secondary librarians and are all exceptional reading choices, but when a child picks THE book that THEY really want to read, you can bet that they will read it carefully. There is so much that kids can get out reading for fun, that it is imperative that we do our best to encourage this in our kids. For more information on the importance of reading for fun, check out this Edutopia article, "The Benefits of Reading for Fun." https://www.edutopia.org/article/benefits-reading-fun?utm_content=linkpos1&utm_campaign=weekly-2021-04-28-A&utm_source=edu-newsletter&utm_medium=email
I recently read a middle grade book, City Spies, by James Ponti. The book is about five children who are recruited by MI6 in London to be spies. While reading the book (It was a fantastic read!! 👍👍) I found historical fact after historical fact embedded in the book. Each time I came across something referenced in the text, I would look it up and find that a historical character was a real person and several other interesting facts. Invest in your child's reading pleasure, and you will reap the rewards later in a larger vocabulary, greater fluency in reading, and a habit that will last a lifetime.

The Benefits of Reading for Fun There’s a powerful academic impact, new research reveals, when students are voracious, voluntary readers.

We have virtual students, so why not have a Virtual Book Fair?? Beginning next Monday, April 12 through Sunday, April 25, you will be able to buy all your favorite book fair books and other items online. You can access the online catalog from our book fair homepage: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/springforestmiddleschool1

Check out this video to see how the virtual book fair works. https://youtu.be/4u8e9BRm6Bw
Book-only orders over $25 are shipped directly to your home.

Scroll down to the bottom of the homepage to access the catalog and all the fun stuff! The catalog can only be opened on our book fair days, so make sure to check it out on Monday, April 12

Check out this YouTube video that talks about some of the titles being offered.

https://bcove.video/3jMsxpv .

Scholastic Book Fairs - Virtual Fair Tour This Virtual Fair tour helps you navigate through the all-new Virtual Book Fair experience.