1st Quarter Library Report

Although this year certainly looks different than previous years, it is so exciting to be back "in person" at school! I am very pleased to be able to offer a "modified book exchange" to all students and staff by following certain safety protocols. I bring carts of books to all K-4 classrooms, and at the end of each library class, students are invited to come up one at a time to see if there is anything they'd like to borrow. Students are not allowed to physically select books, instead I describe what I have and show them options I think match their interest and reading levels. Grades 3-8 are encouraged to use our online library catalog, OPALS, to make their custom book requests, which they can then list on a shared GoogleDoc. Later on, during my lunch and prep, I check all the individual sheets and hand deliver requests to students. I like to think of it as "Book Hub" :-) Then, when books are returned, they are placed in a full 7-day quarantine before going back into circulation. So far, so good!

Here's a link to my at-a-glance 1st quarter schedule and Collaboration Log :-)

We just started our first author study of the year: Lois Ehlert! I am so impressed with how well our youngest friends are doing with social distancing and mask wearing!

First grade is doing an excellent job as they practice using the inquiry process of learning to explore the season of Fall! We are also focusing on important nonfiction text features like table of contents, index, and glossary. Students are using a variety of customized assessments from the ESIFC to house their amazing work!

Second grade has absolutely loved using the database, Pebble Go, to explore biographies! They independently researched an author, an athlete, and either a president or first lady of their choice, recording their work on customized graphic organizers. After that. they worked on writing their own autobiography.

Third grade finished learning how to use our online library catalog, OPALS, last month, and now we're working on a new unit designed to showcase resources that will help them as they study the countries of the world. In this unit, students learn to use the database, Britannica Elementary, and we also explore a variety of print texts that showcase countries in unique and compelling ways.

Fourth grade spent the first quarter reviewing our online catalog, OPALS, learning how to access our shared eBook collection, SORA, exploring our nonfiction eBook collection on OPALS, and using the database Britannica Online. I thought it was important to front load a lot of technology resources into my curriculum this year just in case we need to go remote again. Next, they will do a short research project where they learn about New York.

After exploring new features in our online catalog, OPALS, and our various eBook collections, 5th grade is now learning about Digital Citizenship focusing on using online information safely, ethically, and skillfully.

As all three sections of 6th grade read, The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan, students explored the Rosen Spotlight on Ancient Greece eBook series to learn about all aspects of Ancient Greek history and culture. They are now studying Greek Mythology as they "Create Their Own Demigods" through inquiry research.

I have thoroughly been enjoying my "C" days lunch with the amazing kids in the new Aspire room! Each visit I bring books to support the weekly learning goals created by Ms. Sepp and Mrs. Steffick. And, of course, there's always time for a little fun play, too :-) It turns out that Aidan is a big fan of the Library, so I have walked him down during my prep period to let him explore some of our amazing collection in the Library.

This year I am able to do book clubs with students in 7th & 8th grades! Both groups read Variant by Robison Wells, and my 7th graders have moved on to Don't Get Caught by Kurt Dinan.

Three year's worth of books culled from our library collection are now on display in the library and available to staff for classroom libraries and student use.

My Spring & Summer were busy with over a dozen excellent PD opportunities! For one, I participated in many of the weekly Questar & Regional Librarian Chats, where we discussed and shared ideas about how best to reimagine our school library programs in the wake of COVID. Similarly, I attended a 4-session workshop called, "Planning for the Unknown" with NYLA president, Jen Cannell. The best workshop I attended was in August, and it was a national meeting for Librarians where Digital Citizenship was discussed. Librarians from western NY showcased their incredible online digital citizenship curriculum, which has inspired my work with students this year. Similarly, I also attended workshops on "Truth Online" and "Best Practices for Working with Teachers Online". Last month, we had a Questar Library Council meeting, and I am now in the process of reviewing our 5-Year Plan of Service and CCD plans which we, as a council, will update this year.

Email: lfecura@wynantskillufsd.org
Website: https://sites.google.com/wynantskillufsd.org/lfecura/home
Location: 25 East Avenue, Troy, NY, USA
Phone: (518)283-4600