Lowell Library Newsletter
January 2022
Goodbye, Library Books!
The library collection is packed and stored until our return but not forgotten. Please return any Lowell Library books you find whenever you find them.
If you are having a library book issue, contact me via email in case your book found a way back to the library.
Book Fair 2021
What We Learned: December 2021
Kindergarten and First Grade: We learned about:
- Features of a fiction book.
- Features of a non-fiction book.
- Creating basic directional code for ourselves and a computer.
- Nonfiction call numbers and how to use them to locate a book in the library.
- Solving coding puzzles using block code for loops, repeats, and more complex computing tasks.
- Coding our classmates to dance.
- The Rings of Responsibility when we use computers and go online (digital citizenship).
- Independently coding and creating algorithms to solve computational puzzles.
- Our progress in speed and accuracy using the Keyboarding Without Tears program.
Fourth Grade: Learned about:
- Our progress in speed and accuracy using the Keyboarding Without Tears program
- Copyright and the responsibilities we have when using information created by others.
- Independently coding and creating algorithms to solve computational puzzles.
- Independently coding and creating algorithms to solve computational puzzles.
- How a Google search works
- Phishing.
Hour of Code
Students of all ages utilize the Hour Of Code website to challenge themselves to solve problems using code. They work on creating patterns using loops and repeats, adding elements to the screen, and having the computer complete a task exactly as they ask.
Coding Puzzles
Older students revisit favorite coding activities to solve the puzzle and complete the challenge. Teamwork!
Code a Dance
Second Graders were challenged with creating a dance in code using patterns, repeats, and loops. Dances were exchanged with other groups for an ultimate dance challenge.
Polar Bear in the Snow
Wrapping up our unit on fiction and nonfiction, we read Polar Bear in the Snow by Mac Barnett and Sean Harris. Kindergarten and First graders created their own polar bears in the snow after.
Camouflage Bears
Some of our bears hid in some unusual environments...
Where is this bear hiding?
Please Return ANY Lowell Library Books You Find at Home!
- My child has a library book from before quarantine. What should I do with it? Please bring it back! There is no penalty for pre-quarantine books and I would love to have them back in the library so other kids can enjoy them.
- Will kids check out books after December? No, we will be storing our wonderful library until we return to Lowell in Fall 2023.
- My child lost/damaged their book. What should I do? First, please contact me to ensure the book is gone. Lost books sometimes magically reappear in the library. If the book is truly gone/ damaged a replacement copy is most appreciated so I can quickly and easily put the book back into circulation for other students to read. Lost/damaged books can also be paid for. Please let me know if this is a better option for you.
J.R.Lowell Library
Email: kelly.mccollum@watertown.k12.ma.us
Website: http://lowelllibrary.com
Location: 175 Orchard Street, Watertown, MA, USA
Phone: 617.926.7770
Twitter: @jrlowellreads