Library

Dr. Seuss Day 2013

Dr. Seuss Day was a day filled with Seuss-tastic FUN!  The cafeteria served green eggs and ham for breakfast so that we could start the day off right.  Students wore their favorite silly hats, and several students dressed up as their favorite Seuss story characters.  Students also brought their favorite Dr. Seuss books to read to their peers.  Special guest readers visited Abbett throughout the day to share their favorite books and stories,  including parents, members of the GISD family, and community leaders, including the mayor of Garland! 

Blog With Our Books

Check our our library's blog for information, links, and more!

Author Kimberly Willis Holt Visits Abbett... via Skype!

Recently, author Kimberly Willis Holt Skyped with Abbett fifth graders in the library. She discussed what inspired her to become an author and shared stories from her childhood.

Fifth graders shared their thoughts and questions on My Louisiana Sky, one of Holt's best novels and a fifth grade book study. Holt also gave details of how she writes, inspiring students to use experiences from all aspects of their lives, write several drafts, and never give up.

Holt is the author of several of the All-Stars' favorite books including the Piper Reed series, Dancing in Cadillac Light, When Zachary Beaver Came to Town, and the fifth grade book-study favorite, My Louisiana Sky. These books and several others are currently available for check-out in the library and on our e-readers.

Librarian Information 

• Jennifer Jay, Librarian, GT and ESL Certified 
• Barb Haka, Library Assistant
• Library Hours:  7:30-3:00
• Open checkout is available daily from 7:30-8:00 and from 2:30-3:00.

E-Readers, Nooks, and Laptops

Abbett students are very lucky to have the opportunity to read using our e-readers, Nook electronic tablets, and laptops. We have over 45 of our favorite e-titles available to enjoy.

Students take advantage of these resources during class, library time, and before and after school.  E-readers are available through the library catalog, which also makes them accessible at home.

Our Favorite Places to Read

The All-Stars have several favorite (and a few secret) places to read. Next time you are on campus, come check them out!  In the library, students love to read in the story well, beanbag chairs, recliners, couches, and hand-shaped chairs.  Our cyber-cafe is dressed to the nines with brand new couches, beanbag chairs, and stools, and is equipped with WiFi for our Nooks and laptops.  Two *secret* spots we love to read are the patios outside the kindergarten classrooms and the library.  Our very special teachers also provide the students with libraries in their classrooms, many outfitted with pillows, beanbags, child-size chairs (and even a stuffed friend to read to)!

Checkout Procedures

All students are allowed to check out books from our library, provided they have turned in any overdue materials.  Kindergarten and first grade students may each check out one book.  Grades two and three check out two books each, and fourth and fifth graders may check out three books at a time.  We do not charge late fines, but students are required to pay for damaged or lost books.  Classes come to the library one time each week as a group for check out.  Please check with your child for their "Library Day".

Tips from the librarian

• Students, please keep library books in backpacks when they are not being read.  This way, your books will be with you on your library day, so that you will be able to check out new books.
• Books are due 1 week after check out.
• If your child has an overdue book, they cannot check out a new book until the overdue book is returned.
• If you lose a book please contact your librarian, Mrs. Jay, and she will send you a notice as to the book's cost.  After the lost book is paid for, check out procedures may resume.

Accelerated Reader

The Accelerated Reader Program (AR) is a reading incentive program that our students in grades 2-5 participate in at Abbett.  Students are quizzed three times a year to determine their reading level.  With that level, they are better able to check out library books suitable to their strengths.  Books are assigned a difficulty level and point value based on its complexity and length. Students take a quiz after they complete a book.  Points are awarded after each quiz, depending on the quiz score. For example, if the student scores 100% on a 4 point book, he or she will be awarded 4 points. If he or she scores 80% on a 4 point book, he or she is awarded 3.2 points.  Students earn various awards and prizes for reading to point levels their teacher assigns.   Use the AR Bookfinder to see what books are available in the Accelerated Reader program.

Book Fair

We have two book fairs each year, on in September and one in February.  Abbett is very fortunate to have a fantastic group of volunteers, who help with these fairs.  We use our proceeds to purchase all the latest titles for our shelves.

Six Hour Reading Club

This program is sponsored by Six Flags and Weekly Reader.  Students keep track of their reading time and earn FREE tickets to Six Flags.  Tickets are distributed to participants at the end of May.

Book It!

This reading incentive program is for grades K-5 sponsored by Pizza Hut.  You may want to visit the Book It Program website for more details.

Texas Bluebonnet Award

Only students in grades 3-5 participate in this reading program sponsored by the Texas Library Association.  Students must read at least 5 books from a selected group of 20 in order to be eligible to vote at the end of January for their favorite.  New titles for the current school year are now available.

Read Across America

Great fun sponsored by NEA in honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday.  Mrs. Jay organizes fun activities and guest "readers" to celebrate Dr. Seuss.  Look for more fun to come the first week of March.

TumbleBooks App

You may now access TumbleBooks on the iPad and iPhone 4.  Simply sign into TumbleBookLibrary on your iPad and go to the Story Books section.  There you will find 44 iPad books available.

Below the Story Books heading is a link called "Click here for iPad-compatible titles".  After clicking the link, you must now click on the "iPad" button to launch the book you select.  Click on the "full screen" button to expand the window.