The famous author, Steven Kellogg, visited the Wellsville Elementary School on Tuesday, May 4th.  Mr. Kellogg is a best-selling author and illustrator of over one hundred picture books, intended for children, but enjoyed by all ages. At first sight, his zany paintings explode with vibrancy and action, but his humorous detail provides witty embellishment for savoring during second and third readings. Perhaps he is best known as the author and illustrator of the picture book The Mysterious Tadpole. Some may more readily recognize his work from his tall tale series, including Paul Bunyan and Johnny Appieseed. Others may have shared a good laugh while reading one of his Pinkerton dog stories or a Jimmy's Boa escapade. Then again, the first Kellogg book that many first experience is the nursery room favorite Is Your Mama a Llama?

As a boy, he was an enthusiastic storyteller. He would sit between his sisters with a stack of paper in his lap concocting convoluted tales while busily scribbling illust- rations. They called this activity "telling stories on paper." He continued to draw compulsively throughout his years at school, and then entered the Rhode Island School of Design. He decided to combine his love of creating stories and pictures and make an all-out effort to establish a career in children's books.

Forty years later the college presented him with their annual award for significant professional achievement. He is also a recipient of the prestigious Regina Medal for his lifetime contribution to children's literature. His books have received numerous accolades, including IRA-CBC Children's Choice Award, the Parents' Choice Award, ALA Notable Books list, School Library Journal Best Books of the Year, and New York Times Outstanding Book of the Year. Several of his books have been featured in the Reading Rainbow television series.

For over forty years he has been married to his best friend, Helen, helping her to raise six wonderful step-children, eight amazing grandchildren, and a number of extraordinary Great Danes (including the real Pinkerton). He works at his art in an old barn overlooking Lake Champlain in Essex, NY. 

Steven Kellogg visited with all the grade levels in the school.  Be sure to check out the author's entertaining website at: www.stevenkellogg.com.

The 5th grade students of the Wellsville Elementary School conducted their annual Arbor Day Celebration on Friday, April 30th. Click here for more pictures of this celebration!

"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go."  Dr. Seuss

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Zan Qaderi, a fifth grade student,won the Wellsville Elementary School National Geographic Bee on Wednesday, January 6th. A total of 17 fourth and fifth grade students competed in this local competition. Nicholas Brown finished in second place.
Click here for the rest of the story and more pictures!

  Attention all students and parents!  Do you find some of the math methods (also know as algorithms) confusing?  Well help is here!  Just click on the "Useful Links" on the side of this page.  Then click on "Math".   Finally, click on "Everyday Math Online".   There is an assortment of step-by-step tutorials of algorithms found in the Everyday Math program.  Check them out.  They are very well done, easy to understand and automated!

Discipline - Remember the three keys to discipline
Some parents think that discipline means punishment. But the best discipline helps your child learn what she did wrong--and how she can make a better choice in the future.

Here are three keys to effective discipline:

1.  Stay calm. If you lose your temper, you've also lost the upper hand. Giving in to an urge to scream teaches your child that it's okay to lose control when she's upset.

2.  Be consistent. It doesn't take long for your child to learn whether you really intend to enforce rules. Say yes just once to watching TV before school and you'll have a battle every morning. Don't set rules unless you will consistently enforce them.

3.  Avoid criticizing. Just describe the behavior. "It was Jen's time on the computer and you wouldn't quit playing your game." Then remind your child of the rule and of the consequence.

Reprinted with permission from the March 2010 issue of Parents make the difference!® (Elementary School Edition) newsletter. Copyright © 2010 The Parent Institute®, a division of NIS, Inc. Source: "Discipline Guide for Children," Keep Kids Healthy, www.keepkidshealthy.com/PARENTING_TIPS/discipline/index.html.

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