Library Newsletter

During the last weeks of school we discussed the importance of reading over the summer to keep our brain sharp and avoid the summer slide of losing reading skills over the summer months (NSLA, 2019); Reading, whether as the reader or being read to, literally feeds and "exercises" the brain (Why Read 20 Minutes a Day?). (Image: Kathleen Carey)

**** READ BELOW TO LEARN OF WAYS TO KEEP READING THIS SUMMER ****

The Berea Elementary School library will be open to currently enrolled students for storytime and book check out during the following dates and times:

- Wed. June 14th: 9:30 - 11:30 am (storytime at 10:30 am)

- Wed. June 28th: 9:30 - 11:30 am (storytime at 10:30 am)

- Wed. July 19th: 9:30 - 11:30 am (storytime at 10:30 am)

(Photo by: Mairead Gianelloni)

Berea Elementary School students, remember to record your reading this summer in your reading log to be able to join our school's SUMMER READING CELEBRATION when we return to school. Remember, the logs are due in the library by Friday, August 11th.

Can't find your log that was handed out at the end of the year? Select the link below for your rising grade level to print out another one. (Image: Canva)

Rising 1st Graders - Summer Reading Log

Rising 2nd Graders - Summer Reading Log

Rising 3rd Graders - Summer Reading Log

Rising 4th Graders - Summer Reading Log

Rising 5th Graders - Summer Reading Log

With the Greenville County school login, students may visit our school's online catalog, Destiny Discover, to access our library's collection of 300 ebooks, electronic books that may be read on any digital device.

* Students: when searching for these books, remember to type in ebooks in the search bar and that ebooks are indicated by the infinity symbol (to see example, notice green icon on image of Diary Wimpy Kid from Destiny Discover).

From June 1st - July 29th, the Greenville Public Library, across their 12 branch locations, provides "a summer filled with reading challenges, special events, and of course, great prizes!" (Image: Greenville Public Library)

Greenville Public Library summer reading logs will be sent home with students by the end of the school year; Click here to access a digital copy.

From May 15th - Aug. 28th, SORA's Sweet Reads Collection offers students even more eBooks and audiobooks to their SORA free reading app, which may be viewed on any digital device and is accessible to students with their Greenville County school login. (Image: Overdrive)

Educational publisher Capstone has created a free virtual summer camp adventure of "six bi-weekly Where Will You Go This Summer? themes that include a choice board and set of 20 Capstone Interactive eBooks" (The Library Voice). (Image: Capstonepub.com).

A HUGE thank you to Public Education Partners for hosting our super fun Family Reading Night May 18th and implementing the Make Summer Reading Count program providing our students free new books just in time for SUMMER READING!

Many laughs were shared through the love of reading when Quetzally Wadsworth, our former Parent Involvement Coordinator, helped me bring to life the dual language book Thank You Mr. Panda by Steve Anton. The book received a unanimous thumbs up from our students!

Image: Public Education Partners https://tinyurl.com/2yrepc2t

Despite the busyness of the library's end of the year activities, gathering returned books, inventory, fixed asset accounting, Chromebook collection, planning summer reading activities, etc., our library's student-focused learning didn't miss a beat. Here are some of the month's educational highlights:

Caldecott and Newbery Awards: past and present exploration

* A Wolf in the Snow, a 2018 Caldecott Medal winner by Greenville native Matthew Cordell, was a hit with students as each class worked together to tell their interpretation of this wordless story.

Digital Animal Research: In honor of May's National Pet Month, students utilized Discus, South Carolina's free virtual library, to conduct animal research online.

Let's Get Ready for Middle School: 5th grade middle school scavenger hunt

*Thanks to Fountain Inn Elementary Librarian, Anna Hood, for this idea.

Library Poll: Student feedback was collected on what worked well in the library this year, and not so much, reminding them of the importance of a growth mindset (while providing helpful tips to reflect on as a first year librarian).

Library Media Specialist, MLIS

Berea Elementary School - Greenville County Schools

mgrabiec@greenville.k12.sc.us

864-355-1500

Photo by: Susan Gill

Book images above from Amazon.com.

Unless noted otherwise, photos by newsletter creator.