Pumpkin Book Characters

• I love this project!  Host a contest between the classes or even for the whole school.  Partner with the art teacher or classroom teacher.
• The theme for the pumpkin contest is “My Favorite Book Character.”  Paint and decorate a pumpkin to look like a book character.  We are using acrylic paints, permanent markers and miscellaneous supplies such as  yarn, construction paper, pipe cleaners, cloth, wigs, old clothes and whatever else you can come up with.
• We are not allowing carving so that they will last longer on display before turning bad.  Another hint is to not use watercolor paint as it tends to run and not cover very well. 
• We were able to pick up small pumpkins for $0.99 at the local grocery store.  You could also use other squash and gourds for different shapes.  

I will post pictures once our entries have been received.  Below are some of the example I found on Pinterest.com

Make IT @ Your Library

Think libraries are still just for research or housing books?   More and more, school libraries are hosting and encouraging creative learning.  That's learning through doing.  Learning via participation.  In case you haven't yet noticed, libraries are no longer silent places to read the creative genius of others.  Patrons  can now be active participants in learning and growing their own knowledge.  

My schools regularly employ programs to make Public Service Announcements, video book reviews, music, audio and film presentations rather than old school written reports on a variety of curriculum topics.  Art projects have a long history within the elementary panels, fostering connections between the young patrons and books and encouraging excitement about literacy.  But what more can be done within the library walls?  And what about older patrons?  More and more libraries are expanding the patron experience to draw in the public.  The library is not just for 'serious' readers anymore.

An interesting web slide show about making libraries places for creation -- exploring the possibilities of loaning out video equipment, making "green screen" rooms, circulating guitars and more. A great way to change the library concept!  (Thanks Say What?!? blog for the link)

Check it out here.