Marengo Elementary School

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Marengo Library

Welcome to the Marengo Library Homepage

A lot of fun and learning go on in the Marengo Library, which is home to more than 18,000 great books. Children visit the library every week to hear age-appropriate stories, learn how to navigate the library, and borrow books.

Marengo Library Mission Statement

Marengo Library provides students, faculty and staff with resources that support curriculum, books that foster a love of reading, and an educational environment that promotes curiosity, compassion, empathy, problem solving, independent thinking, awareness of the larger world, and self-reflection. 

 

Reading Books from A to Z!

What Wonderful Books Will Students Find This Year?

Every year in the Marengo Library we tackle “READING BOOKS FROM A TO Z.” Throughout the year we’ll move through the alphabet, giving students the opportunity to practice their alphabetizing skills so that they can better navigate the library.  Along the way, we'll read books from every section of the library and every corner of the world.

 

Want to Help?

Please consider volunteering in the Marengo Library this year. Working in the library not only helps the library to run smoothly, it’s a great way to spend time with your child and his/her classmates in a happy, nurturing, and stimulating environment. When children see parents volunteering in the library it reinforces the importance of reading. Plus, it’s fun!   

 

All library volunteers are required to attend a training session prior to working in the library. Training sessions are offered at the start of every school year, and individual training sessions can also be arranged, if necessary. You can email me (Robin Becker, Librarian) at rbecker@spusd.net and we can set up a time to meet.

 

To sign up to volunteer in the library go to: https://signup.com/go/WzrWwuA

 

If you have any questions, please contact our Library Liaison, Michelle Matsuda, at mmatsuda321@gmail.com

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Lunch Time Book Club for 4th and 5th Graders

4th and 5th graders are welcome to join the Lunch Time Book Club. Students enjoy lunch while we read a book together. We start with the California Young Reader Medal chapter books, and students vote on others to read as time allows. If you've got one of those reluctant readers at home, encourage him to join. We have amazing discussions, and it is sooooooooo much fun!

 

Books for Children and Parents to Read Together

The Marengo Library has a small collection of books that deal with subjects like divorce, illness, adoption and puberty.  These books are available for parents to check out any time.

Art in the Library

"Flight"
Marengo mom and artist, Danielle Ashton, created this art installation for the library using pages from discarded books to create a loop-de-loop design of paper airplanes flying across the back wall of the library and out the window.  The installation captures the imagination of everyone who visits the library, and reminds us to let our imaginations soar.
"Bear Wonders"
  
 
Danielle shared her time and talent with Marengo a second time, designing and painting these murals for each of the exterior library doors.  In keeping with the paper airplane imagery found inside the library, these murals evoke feelings of wonder and discovery.  What does Bear see?  What might happen next? In books, children find that anything is possible!  Thanks to Danielle for her amazing talent and generosity.

Marengo's "Peaceable Kingdom"

Allen Manzano, the grandfather of former Marengo students, Ben, Tim and Jeremy Becker, created this painting based on Edward Hick's 19th century painting, "The Peaceable Kingdom."  The Native Americans and Quakers in Hick's original work have been replaced by children reading. Marengo students enjoy looking at the surreal and fanciful animals that gaze back at them with a kind of calm curiosity.  Mr. Manzano also added images of peace--olives, a dove nesting in a tree, and even a peace sign on Jeremy's t-shirt--to reflect the peaceful feeling that can be experienced in the library.  A big shout out to Mr. Manzano for his vision and artistry.

 

California Young Reader Medal

A highlight of the library program at Marengo is our participation in the California Young Reader Medal (CYRM) program. Students read or hear books that have been selected by a statewide committee of teachers and librarians, and vote for their favorites.  Students are invested in the books they hear and read and the program promotes a love of reading, critical thinking, and teaches students the importance of voting. 

The following is a list of this year's nominated books:

  • PICTURE BOOKS

The Bad Seed, written by Jory John and illustrated by Pete Oswald

Can I Be Your Dog, written and illustrated by Troy Cummings

The Highest Mountain of Books in the World, written and illustrated by Rocio Bonilla

Let Me Finish!, written by Minh  and illustrated by Isabel Roxas

Legend of Rock Paper Scissors, written by Drew Daywalt and illustrated by Adam Rex

  • PICTURE BOOKS FOR OLDER READERS (GRADES 4 AND UP)

Her Right Foot, written by Dave Eggers and illustrated by Shawn Harris

Lillian's Right to Vote, written by Jonah Winter and illustrated by Shane W. Evans

Malala's Magic Pencil, written by Malala Yousafzai and illustrated by Kerascoët

  • CHAPTER BOOKS FOR GRADES 3 - 6 

The Detective's Assistant, by Kate Hannigan

The Losers Club, by Andrew Clement

The War I Finally Won, by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

 

The California Young Reader Medal program is another resource for popular titles your students might enjoy.  The site lists all current and previously nominated books and winners. Go to:  http://www.californiayoungreadermedal.org/

 

 

Images from Previous CYRM Contests

(Voting is Serious Business!)

  

 

Oh, no! It's Red Dot Syndrome!

Ask your children about "Red Dot Syndrome."  They'll tell you all about it!

ROBIN BECKER, Marengo Librarian

Dear Marengo Families,

 

Here are a few tips to encourage a love of reading:

 

Ask your children about what books they are reading or what books they've heard at school.  Children often like to hear and/or read the same story again and again. Repetition is a fine tool for teaching beginners!
 
Take time to read to your child every day. Read as a family at the kitchen table after dinner. Let everyone take a turn. Talk about what you've just read. Let children make comments and ask questions as you go. 
 
Reluctant readers can be coaxed to read when you let them choose books that grab their attention. Sometimes non-fiction is the way to go. Is your child interested in sports, cooking, crafts, biographies? Let her interests guide you to books she might enjoy.
 
Reading magazines and graphic novels or comic books can also be a great way to get a reluctant reader to develop a love of reading.  If she enjoys them, she'll be more likely to try other types of books.
 
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at:
 
 
Happy Reading!
 
 
RESOURCES
 
If you would like to access the Marengo Library Patron Catalog, please go to the following link:
southpasadenausd.follettdestiny.com
then click on "Marengo Library" and look for your favorite books in our collection!
 
South Pasadena Unified School District also subscribes to Britannica School, which offers on-line encyclopedia and other resource materials for students of all levels. Users can also take advantage of the Learning Materials, a collection of educational exercises, activities and study guides.
Log on by going to Britannica School (school.eb.com)
Our user name is:  marengo
Our password is:  lions
 
If you would like resources and suggestions for recommended literature for your students, the following sites and lists can help:
 
The State of California Recommended Reading List provides grade-specific lists for California students K-12:
 
American Library Association lists of notable books
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
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