Lowell Library Newsletter

Hello Lowell Families and Caregivers!

February may be a short month but there was no shortage of learning during library class. Students explored a mix of topics from authors and genres to databases and AI. As February finishes we start gearing up for some digital learning projects in many different forms. Our book displays in February focused on celebrating Black History Month with biographies, picture books, and chapter books.

Our curriculum is a combination of library, digital learning , and computer science. Each year we build on previous year's work and expand our understanding in all three areas.

Kindergarten

• Author/ Illustrator Study: Mo Willems.
• Mo Willems : Characters and their traits
• Pigeon/ Piggie and Gerald
• Unlimited Squirrels/ Knufflebunny
• Nannette/ WIlbur
• Opinions: Who is your favorite Mo Willems character?

First Grade

• Visual Literacy: Using illustrations to understand stories
• Mood/ Tone
• Biography: what is a biography?
• Elements of a biography
• historical time period
• Chronological order

Second Grade

• Encyclopedia Britannica: Digital Information Sources
• Let's Give Credit: Digital Citizenship
• Google Docs
• Inserting an Image and adjusting its size.
• Changing font, size, color, alignment

Third Grade

• Lego WeDo Project: Build a Mars Rover and Code.
• Google Apps: GMail: Write an Email to a Teacher
• Digital research resources

Fourth Grade

• Digital Research Resources: Audio, Video, Interviews
• Lonnie Johnson STEM Superstar: Deep Dive

Fifth Grade

• AI: What is AI?
• How is AI Trained?
• Reading News Online

Book checkout starts the first week of school during library class time. Students generally have about ten minutes to make a selection at the end of the specials block.

Overdue books must be returned before a new book is checked out.

Only one graphic novel at a time may be checked out.

The library will hold one (1) book for one (1) week for any student who forgot their book from the previous week.

Students who missed library day or would like to swap for a new book can visit the library any morning before 8:35 with permission from their classroom teacher.

Kindergarten and First Grade: One (1) book.

Second Grade: One (1) book September - December; Two (2) books starting in January.

Third to Fifth Grade: Two (2) books

It happens, even if you do not expect it. A book vaporizes while in your care. Here is what we can do to help return the book for someone else to share.

• Alert the librarian so she can keep an eye out for the book in the library and the school. She will check the shelves in case the book mysteriously materialized back on the shelf.
• Check the usual book sleeping spots at home: under beds, in the car, bottom of backpacks, home book shelves.
• Ask the classroom teacher in case the book ended up in the classroom collection or elsewhere in the room.
• If you use the Public Library, stop by the Watertown Free Public Library and ask at the desk. They keep books belonging to the school but they do not notify the school in any way or return the books. They will release them for return to the school library.

If you are absolutely sure it's gone or you do not want to think more about it the best option for the library is for you to purchase a replacement copy of the book. You can pay the District for the book but that money does not return to the library to purchase a new copy and my goal is to put the book in kids hands.

• In the case of book damage such as water, ripped pages, or scribbling, please check with the librarian. Some damage can be repaired but other damage means the book is permanently withdrawn from the library collection. Those books require a replacement copy or payment.

Any questions please do not hesitate to contact the library and librarian!

Would you like to spend a little time in the school library each week? The library is looking for parent volunteers to help with various library tasks such as book checkout, shelving returns, shelf reading, and possibly other projects. Click the link to access the form.

Email: kelly.mccollum@watertown.k12.ma.us

123 Lowell Street Watertown, MA 02472

Find Us Online:

@jrlowellreads

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