The Organized Librarian

Student Research- class lesson

2012-02-10T08:30:00.000-05:00

My fourth grade classes are doing research projects so I want to do some classes on the steps to research . I have used The Big 6 in the past and also the KWL chart. I just found another type of chart that looks good . It is called a Gathering Grid. Down one side is the subject and three questions and along the top are three columns with Source 1 , Source 2, and Source 3. Students write the questions in the question area and then find the answers .

Does anyone every use one like this?

When I find the link to the Gathering Grid I will post it here. This grid just looks like a little less work while encouraging students to use multiple resources. I think it would go along with the Big 6 model also.

Don't Forget to post or follow for the February Giveaway!

Blogging Ideas

2012-02-08T16:45:00.000-05:00

Students in our 4-6 grades will be blogging soon!. One of our reading teachers started a lunch time book club for students- asked by Administration as part of her position. Each group selects a book and then reads and discusses it. These are kids who volunteered to be in this group. The teacher asked to help her set up a blog for the students to respond to the books and some questions she might have . We set up her blog the same as my school blog. She introduced it to the students- I was present during just one meeting. Any way the students are getting into it, and hopefully they will also go over on the library blog and write some comments in their.

New Facebook Page

2012-02-06T09:48:00.002-05:00

I just began a new Organized Librarian FaceBook page. You will see some new content and also some of the similar posts you see here. I am hoping for more conversations and ideas!

February Giveaway!!

2012-02-02T11:09:00.000-05:00

The book I have chosen for the February Giveaway is Collaborative Library Lessons for the Primary Grades. This book has many excellent lessons that can be adapted for students in grades K-3 depending on the lesson and the skill. Many of these lessons I have also used with 4th and 5th graders with just a few tweaks. Everything is there for you to use- standards, objectives, prep of materials and steps to the lesson and skill sheets.I would highly recommend this book to any librarian who teaches these grades( and grades 4-6) To be in the running for this book, simply do one or the other.: Follow The Oragnized Librarian, or leave a comment on any day in February! Hope to Chat with you!

Blogging Tips

2012-01-31T08:51:00.000-05:00

I am introducing some of my staff to my school blog. I will also show it to some of my students soon also. I would like to get more conversation going between us about books and learning . Blogging could be used for so many things- writing, collaboration, book reviews, sharing of information, book discussion, maybe podcasts??
What do you do with blogs? I would love to hear.
Coming soon another Book Give Away for February!!

Great Website!

2012-01-27T12:03:00.000-05:00

I just discovered this website/ wiki for librarians! It has many ideas for lessons that you can read, print out and use. I just found that I will do with K-2 graders for a book I always use at the beginning of school : A fine , Fine School by Sharon Creech.
I will comment on lessons that I use. Let me know if you use any lessons and how they went. I am excited to use more of the information on this site.

fcpslibrary.wikispaces.com

Article for Newsletter- Part 2

2012-01-19T10:56:00.000-05:00

Here is the second section of my article for the school

Library Website

Students at SW elementary do not have to be in the physical library to receive some of the library services. The library website has information and links to the online card catalog so that students may see what books are available in the library. There are also links to the online databases provided by the district and also SC BOCES. ( World Book, Grolier, ect) Students can use these reliable links in their search for accurate information for school projects and personal interest.
Other links on the Website for student use are a library blog and the library wall wisher where students can leave comments and conversations about books.
The VoiceThreads link is where students can produce book commercials and book promotions of library books they have read or research they have conducted on a project.
There is also a student favorite portal that Mrs. Couture has developed over many years. This portal has many links to websites useful to students and staff.

Reading Motivation Programs

At SW Elementary, the library staff hold at least two annual reading challenges. The Caldecott Challenge is a 3rd grade reading grade reading challenge. For one month, students are to read ( or be read to) as many Caldecott Award Winning books as possible. The student and their parents keep track of books read. If there is a class where all students participate and read at least twelve tiles, the class receives a Pizza Party. Prizes are also given to the reader from each class that reads the most Caldecott Books.

The Battle of the Books is a team reading challenge for students in grades 4-6. Teams are formed in October. Students begin reading and keeping tack of 30 titles on the list. At the end of March, the first round is held where questions about each book are given. Teams with the Highest score go on to a second round, where a wining team and runners up are declared.
In the 94 library, (grade 4-6), there is a Student Starred Books Shelf. These are books that students give stars to because they have enjoyed them and they would recommend them to other students to read. Students like to recommend books and also can grab a quick book that they know will be a good one.

Article for Newsletter- Part 1

2012-01-17T09:22:00.000-05:00

This is the first part of the newsletter that I had sent into our PR person last week. They are doing an 'Educational Issues" letter and wanted some input for that issue. I am always happy to do this because it gives information about what we do in the library

Sullivan West Elementary Library – Reading and learning is where it’s at!
For District News letter

At Sullivan West Elementary School, students and staff have access to two libraries for their use. Each library has colorful displays of posters and books to encourage and excite students about books, learning, and reading. The ’39 library is used primarily by students in grades PK-3. Students in grades 4-6 use the ’94 library which is next to the computer room on the first floor.

Classes and Learning
Students in grades PK- 3 have library classes once very six days. (We are on a 6 day A-F cycle). Mrs. Hector, SW library teacher’s assistant, holds K-3 classes and provides students with read a-louds, library extension activities, and book check out.
Mrs. Couture, School Library Media Specialist, works primarily in the 4-6 library. She teaches fourth grade classes with a fixed scheduled. They learn about different genres, arrangement of books, use of print reference tools, on line card catalog, online Databases, and research skills. On a flexible schedule, Mrs. Couture works with the teachers in grades 5 and 6 to integrate library and technology skills based research into ELA, science, and social studies curriculum. Students also check out books, and use the library computers to do word processing and projects.

School Newsletters-library services

2012-01-10T10:08:00.000-05:00

I was asked by our building PR person to write an artilce about library services and whatt we do for the school newsletter. So last night I collected my thoughts to figure out what I should say. I am aiming this article toward parents and taxpapyers so they know what the library program is all about at the elementary level. I included information about the two libraries and also what we do to help and encourage the students to read and learn. Information was also given on our website and our reading incentive programs.
If any one is intersted let me know and I can place the article on here. Any time you are asked to do some publicity for the library, do so . Get the word out about what you do , more students, teachers, and parents will use and value your services.

The Organized Librarian- lesson planning

2012-01-06T09:14:00.001-05:00

I am in the final stages The Organized Librarian and am going through the editing process. It is amazing to see how much work a librarian is supposed to accomplish, but we do it . We need to focus our work on student reading and learning. This year in my district we are also focusing on student writing so I am trying to incorporate more writing and thinking into my lessons.
This month I am developing a unit on biography for 4th grade and going to try a game so I am thinking about how I can engage students into being more active. I think I will be handing out a series of lists of biography books and then have students develop call numbers for these ( as a table group or groups of two) and then have them work as a table group to put them into Alphabetical order. That's for next week- this week is Atlases- I did one lesson yesterday and then decided to change it just a bit for the next 3 fourth grades. That's what I do- develop and then refine the lessons until I feel they are great for a learning experience with the students.

File Cabinets

2012-01-04T08:48:00.001-05:00

I finally got to my file cabinets and organized just one! It had NOT been in alphabetical order, so it was very difficult to find things quickly. I also went through and got rid of many files and papers that I did not need.
What a difference! Now I can actually find quickly what I need. I will get to the second one tomorrow or the next day. This is a different school from when I wrote the book The Organized Librarian but I am leaving the filing section like it was. I need to get another file cabinet at my present library because my historical and general files are upstairs in the k-3 library and are not easy accessible to me should I need them. Those cabinets also need to be organized but that is for another day,

Battle of the books- January project

2012-01-02T09:20:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow - back to school after the Christmas break! I will be concentrating on asking for Battle of the book prizes/ I usually send out letters to various business that have given prizes before:Our local movie theater , a game of miniature golf, a $50 savings bond from the local bank, a day of tubing on the river.

Christmas is coming!

2011-12-24T07:57:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone enjoys their holidays! I am having some quiet time before everyone gets up.Today my job is bread baking and a party

Library Book Pass

2011-12-19T09:04:00.000-05:00

I got a really nice comment from Stacy over at The LibraryGals. She did the fiction book pass and her students really liked it. Mine do too! I haven't done it in a while- maybe I should think about doing with my fourth grade classes this week- since it will be crazy and the kids will be off the wall.
This article was in the October issue of Library Sparks. I love this magazine- it always has great ideas using excellent books as jumping off points for many activities and lessons.

Battle of the books- Bulletin Board

2011-12-13T14:08:00.000-05:00

The bulletin board is full of photos and the blank wall next to it is also full. Still I do not have all the groups up yet. In tomorrow's announcement I will have them deliver this message. Last time I convinced two students who are on a team to read the message, " Check out the Library Bulletin board to see if your team is up there! If not ,please see Mrs. Couture so she can take your team photo!!"

All of the students are looking at the board = even the ones who are not yet on teams. Maybe I will get more teams!!
Does any one else have a good idea for a Battle of the books bulletin board?
Please tell us your idea!!

My Birthday

2011-12-07T12:53:00.000-05:00

Its my birthday.I am Booksamillion with my husband.

Battle of the books- Bulletin Board

2011-12-05T13:00:00.001-05:00

Well , my board is up and almost complete. The reason it is not complete is because I still need to take several team photos. I have a lot of teams so I did a really simple slogan: Battle of The Books Teams Then I have photos all around and I will probably have to spill over onto the wall . The students and staff are really excited to see the photos up. I will leave it up until mid January .
I even got a few more teams to sign up when they saw the bulletin board. The students are so funny when they say "Is is to late to sign up?'

E Books

2011-12-01T08:57:00.000-05:00

I had a very enlightening and interesting presentation done yesterday by My Follett Rep. Rick about their ebooks. This company has two kinds : one that can be checked out by a single patron, and the multiple use books that can be viewed by the whole school- all at the same time - for one price. Some of these books are also 'read' to the students while they are following along. I think these will be a bonus to the teachers and students at my school since balanced literacy is being pushed.
He showed me the Follett Shelf which is where the books are located. Also , since we use TLC, the books can also be found and clicked on from our OPAC. This looks so cool!
Check it out: Follett Shelf

Battle of the books- Bulletin Board

2011-11-29T16:21:00.000-05:00

I am getting ready for my December bulletin board. This year I am not going to have a holiday theme, I am going to promote my book reading challenge( Battle of the books) . I have begun taking team pictures and asking for team names. This has garnered some more teams signing up so that is a good thing!
What I will have is a blue or black background , with colorful book cutouts scattered around and them have team photos. I am still thinking of a good slogan.of. I will post it when I think of it.
I will also do a press release with a couple of groups together and send to our school newsletter and maybe the local papers.
We are still hoping to get a teacher and parent team but so far none have come forward. Hopefully we will have at least one.

Winner announced!!

2011-11-14T09:47:00.000-05:00

Congratulations! The winner of the October Giveaway of Library Lifesavers is Tiff! Please send me your name and address, Tiff at shadylanewriter@yahoo.com so I can send it out to you.

Giveaway was processed by an independent agency.

still here!

2011-11-09T17:54:00.000-05:00

No I did not forget to write. I have been fighting a cold and the flu. Thats what happens when you work in a school with sick kids.
will be back soon I hope!

Picture Book Month- November

2011-11-03T09:21:00.000-04:00

November is Picture Book Month. I found this wonderful site that has interviews of authors and others on why they love picture books. I love picture books too because they offer everyone a quick read and so much can be done with them. Besides reading them to the younger students, they can be used in so many ways with older students. I will try to give you some of my ideas during the month.
Check out this link: PictureBookMonth

What do you do with picture books??

October Give Away

2011-10-20T15:00:00.002-04:00

Time is running out for the Book Give away!! Leave your comments on any blog for entrance into the October Book Giveaway! Follow the Organized librarian for tips on organizing and lesson ideas.
The book giveaway for October is Library Lifesavers: A survival Guide for Stressed Out Librarians!!

Vera B Williams

2011-10-14T08:42:00.002-04:00

Vera's visit was great ! She talked to the 1-3 grade about writing and did a little skit of how a picture book gets published. Then we went upstairs to our library and she held a special audience with the third grade and talked in more detail about her writing. Students asked questions and took notes. Vera read parts of Amber Was Brave, Essie was Smart.

Author Visit Today!

2011-10-12T07:14:00.000-04:00

We are having Vera Williams( Three Days on a River in a Red Canoe, Music,Music for Everyone, and more) today at school! I will post some photos here! The students have been hearing her stories and the third grade is getting a special audience with her. It should be great! Tell you more later!