Link to the First Grade Animal Research

Students in the first grade recently worked on a unit and learned about one of our library's databases.( Exploring Nature). Students also used a non- fiction book from our library. We have an easy non-fiction book section which is very popular with the young students.
Here is the link to the graphic organizer!

First Grade Animal Graphic Organizer

First Grade- collaborative lesson!

First Grade students doing research! The students came down to the library and logged in on the computer. Most of them remembered how to find the library page and went quickly to the data base section! ( I think that is the beauty of showing them this- they were so excited to be doing "work" like the older students that they really listened! ) Some of the students needed a little help to find their animal . After they found it , most were able to read and they started filling out their graphic organizer. The students who read above first grade level actually got some extra facts about their animal. They had to find : what does the animal looks like, habitat, how they take care of their babies, and other facts. I will try and post the organizer if I can figure out how to do it.

First Grade- collaborative lesson!

I had my intro class with my First grade class. I went into the room and set up our library's web page. The steps to get to the Data base was shown . Students were also told that if they had computer and internet they could get here from home. Log in was completed, and then students were shown how to select there level. On the main search page, one student was asked what his animal was. Then we did some " higher level thinking" to figure out what we should click on to find that animal.

We then looked and found the animal in the list and clicked on that . Students were shown the different headings. Students were also shown a graphic organizer that I had developed for them to fill in. The students were also shown the side where they could print out a labeling chart of the animal.

On the smart board we went back to the Main search page, and did some more higher order thinking to figure out where some of the other students might click on to find their animal.
Tomorrow the students will come to my library - in two groups- and work on my bank of computers. We will have two adults beside myself that will be able to assist with the task of finding facts on their animal!

February Giveaway- Announced!!

Drum roll please!! My February give away is for the Book "Collaborative Library lessons for the primary grades"! This is a great resource.
And the Winner is Stacy!!
Stacy- Please send me your information so I mail the book to the correct address!!

First Grade- collaborative lesson!

I am working with one of my first grade teachers to highlight a data Base (Exploring Nature) with the first grade students. In the NY Common Core, there is a piece actually for all grades to use more nonfiction. This is the first grade students introduction to non-fiction so they are using nonfiction books about animals from the library . I will go into the classroom and we will introduce the Data base and how to use it and find s three more facts on their chosen animal. Then I and a parent volunteer will take small groups of students into my library and have them log in and use the database. Instructions for use at home if they have computer access will also be given.

Exploring Nature

School Libraries Work- Scholastic

Today - another snow day- even though it is really mostly freezing rain and ice, there was a little snow and snow left over from yesterday. I have included a link from Scholastic . Their study includes many great talking points about the importance of school libraries and librarians. This document should be in every administrators need to read pile. Send one to your administrators and then also follow up with a meeting to discuss some of the points. We need to be proactive and show our importance to the school community



School Libraries Work

Battle of the Books- Team Posters!

Tomorrow we announce the first round of the Battle of the books. We will be holding it on March 28, 2012. We will be setting up in a large room where the students can sit on the floor in their teams. Last year we held the first round in the library and it was a little packed. So I wanted more room to spread out. The students will be working on their team posters. Each poster can be done on an 11 by 18 poster board or construction paper. The team name is to be in the center and can then be decorated with team players names and other drawings or clip art around the team name. The signs are helpful when we are keeping track of points at both the first and second round of the challenge.

Don't forget to post or join up!

February giveway time is ending soon! Don't forget to post a comment or join the blog!

Focus on School Libraries

This is an excellent article on the importance of school libraries and librarians. I am using it with my administration and union president. Budget meetings are being held and they are discussing all possibilities of what can and can't be cut. Check out this article if you need some arguments for the role of the school librarian.

ALA Presidential Task Force: Focus on School Libraries

Nomination?

I got this email the other day. I am not sure what the catch is. But I am posting. Just to see.

Hi there,

An article you wrote in 2012 titled The Organized Librarian- lesson planning has earned your blog a nomination for a Fascination Award: 2012's Most Fascinating Librarian blog.

The comments posted in response to your post prove that your content not only inspires your audience, but it also creates discussion around your posts, both of which are requirements for the nomination of a Fascination award.

As a nominee of this award, you have full permission to display the "Nominated" emblem on your website. To learn more about the contest, the rules, or the prizes, click here: 2012 Fascination Awards Rules & Prizes.

To get started:

Accept your nomination by replying to this email by Thursday February 24th (11:59 PM EST).
Claim your "Nominated" badge to display on your blog: Nominated Badge


Voting begins February 27th at 12:01 AM (EST). The blog with the most votes by March 5th at 11:59 PM (EST) will win the grand prize, a $200 restaurant gift card.

Good luck and thank you for your participation!

Matthew Pelletier
Director of Public Relations
Accelerated Degree Programs









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Extra Snowday! -- School Library Monthly

We are enjoying a"snowday" today. It is cold but sunny here in NE Pa. I am thinking about reading some library articles that I brought home with me. I have a new professional Journal that I love It is School Library Monthly!
Check it out- it has great articles about a variety of topics of course all related to our work as librarians. There are lesson ideas, and columns about books. Also there are information about library professionalism, and great ideas for connecting students and books. I also like the back two pages where they have ideas for bulletin board and great ideas for special days and author birthdays for each month.
Check it out - Look at their website for details on ordering.

School Library Monthly

Battle of the Books & Power Point

Tomorrow I will begin the power point for the first round of this year's battle.
What I do is look at the questions and select the ones I want from the first two rounds. Each question is typed on a slide. The next slide the answer is typed- both title and author.
For the second round I go to the questions on the third and fourth pages.This year we are tentatively going to 'Battle" against a neighboring school who is also doing a school battle.

Gathering Grid- For research

If you go to this site- which is actually excellent. We received information on this at our Library Council meeting. Go down to the section that says Research and then follow by clicking on graphic organizers you will see the gathering grid. I tried to copy and paste but for some reason that didn't work.

Great Sourceiwrite