Darren TanakaMar 27, 20202 min readWhat do we do when we can't physically be in our library?Being away for a vacation is nice. It helps to reset, rest, and look to the future. This spring vacation has been different, to say the...
Darren TanakaFeb 22, 20202 min readWhy I love book fairsThis coming week, February 24-28, our school library will be hosting the second Scholastic Book Fair of the year. It's one of the...
Darren TanakaJan 20, 20202 min read"Talking Story" with authors and librariansWhen I was a kid, I fondly remember family gatherings where we all just shared what was going on with us, and asked our cousins and...
Darren TanakaJan 12, 20202 min read"What are you reading Mr. Tanaka?"Here's your answer. Author Wendy S. Swore is visiting Kailua Elementary School this coming Wednesday to give a presentation for our 3rd...
Darren TanakaDec 16, 20191 min readGrade 4 Kalo growingTwo weeks ago, we acquired some dry land kalo that have been surviving in pots and were not in the best condition. Last week, the...
Darren TanakaDec 16, 20192 min readKeeping a weekly blog is tough!My intention was to do a weekly recap of the cool things happening in the library and a sneak peek at what’s coming up. Turns out that...
Darren TanakaNov 25, 20192 min readWalking the Talk (November 18-24, 2019)As a librarian I am naturally drawn to project-based learning because it mirrors what we do in real life. Project-based learning, as...
Darren TanakaNov 16, 20193 min readGiving thanks and global learning (Nov 12-15, 2019)With the excitement of Fun Fair behind us, and a three-day weekend to honor our beloved veterans, students and librarian return to school...
Darren TanakaNov 11, 20192 min readNovember 4-8, 2019 - "How was Book Fair? (Part 2)", Author Brandon Mull, and Fun Fair! Oh my!Lots of happy children. Exhausted adults, but lots of happy children. :) The week started with a special presentation by New York Times...
Darren TanakaNov 3, 20192 min readOctober 28-November 1, 2019 - "How was Book Fair?" (Part 1)That's the question I get asked multiple times a day. The one word answer: FUN! My evidence? - the smiles on the faces coming and going...
Darren TanakaOct 27, 20192 min readOctober 21-25, 2018 "What's happenin' this week?"The week before a book fair is always exciting and busy. There's furniture to rearrange, decorations to be made and hung, and LOTS of...
Darren TanakaOct 20, 20192 min readOctober 14-18, 2019Truth, Joy, Connection! How can the library help learners discern truth from fiction when it's so easy to lie these days, especially on...