Friday, December 11, 2009
Parent Connections
Parents,
Do you know what your children are reading? Do you read with them? Do you know your librarian? Have you talked to him/her?
If you answered "no" to any of these questions, be encouraged to come and visit our school library. Your student visits the library every week. Depending on the level in school, your child may be learning all about where to find things in the library, and each week they have the opportunity to check out two new books.
We would love to meet you, and I will make every attempt to help you connect with your child by connecting them with the books they want and books their teachers are recommending!
Come and see what our library offers your children!
Do you know what your children are reading? Do you read with them? Do you know your librarian? Have you talked to him/her?
If you answered "no" to any of these questions, be encouraged to come and visit our school library. Your student visits the library every week. Depending on the level in school, your child may be learning all about where to find things in the library, and each week they have the opportunity to check out two new books.
We would love to meet you, and I will make every attempt to help you connect with your child by connecting them with the books they want and books their teachers are recommending!
Come and see what our library offers your children!
News and Views
Did you know that School Library Journal has an excellent news section for school libraries? It's a great way to see what's going on and what is available for our libraries. Check it out!
Picking out books
Every day as students come into the library, I have a request:
"Mrs. Montague, do you know where there are any good books?"
I always try to remember to ask key questions for students to help them choose a book that they will LOVE:
1. What kinds of things do you like?
-->hopefully, this will generate a topic list that I can use to give students direction
2. What are you reading in class during DEAR time?
-->most of our teachers let students pick what they will enjoy reading
3. Are you willing to try something different than you normally choose?
-->students often get hooked on one author or illustrator or series
I have found that using questions like these, I am usually able to put great books in student hands!
What questions do you use when helping kids pick out books?
"Mrs. Montague, do you know where there are any good books?"
I always try to remember to ask key questions for students to help them choose a book that they will LOVE:
1. What kinds of things do you like?
-->hopefully, this will generate a topic list that I can use to give students direction
2. What are you reading in class during DEAR time?
-->most of our teachers let students pick what they will enjoy reading
3. Are you willing to try something different than you normally choose?
-->students often get hooked on one author or illustrator or series
I have found that using questions like these, I am usually able to put great books in student hands!
What questions do you use when helping kids pick out books?
Getting around to reading in my profession again
BackBlog #2 -- November, 2009
I can't believe it! I'm finally close to finishing my Master's program, and I find myself in "catch-up" mode as I wade through things on my "to-read" stack in my office at school. I am an avid reader of School Library Journal, so when I realized that this month's edition features an article on great blogs, I had to check it out! (By the way--I love the phrase "check it out!"--it really applies to us in the library world!)
In the article, "This Blog's For You" by Elizabeth Bird, a top ten list of sorts shows "Ten Blogs You Can't Live Without."
The author shares many kidlit blogs that are out there, and I really enjoyed "checking out" all of them!
My favorites:
bookshelvesofdoom.blogs.com
collectingchildrensbooks.blogspot.com
http://www.readingrants.org
I can't believe it! I'm finally close to finishing my Master's program, and I find myself in "catch-up" mode as I wade through things on my "to-read" stack in my office at school. I am an avid reader of School Library Journal, so when I realized that this month's edition features an article on great blogs, I had to check it out! (By the way--I love the phrase "check it out!"--it really applies to us in the library world!)
In the article, "This Blog's For You" by Elizabeth Bird, a top ten list of sorts shows "Ten Blogs You Can't Live Without."
The author shares many kidlit blogs that are out there, and I really enjoyed "checking out" all of them!
My favorites:
bookshelvesofdoom.blogs.com
collectingchildrensbooks.blogspot.com
http://www.readingrants.org
Small School Libraries: What's the difference?
BACKBLOG #1 -- October, 2009
Small school libraries are the BEST! But, what is the difference between a small school library and a larger school library? Well, besides the number of books in the collection, type of collection, and the population the library services. . . okay--those seem like some pretty BIG differences to me!
I realize that small schools might not appeal to some, but I just want to put a "plug" in for the incredible opportunities that a library our size (roughly 5,000 books in our collection) has to offer.
Before I discuss this further, I want to go on record as saying that I know in my heart that the differences I am pointing out don't necessarily make our library better than others. . .the differences I am pointing out make our library, well, different and unique--an individuality that defines who we are and what we hope our libraries do!
Our library is not only small, it is also located in a small, rural community. The library itself is as unique and different as the population of students we serve daily. A rural library has its own distinct features, and when the library is in a rural school, the features that define it truly showcase the differences that to some, may not be obvious. Here are some features I feel are worth mentioning:
--A small school library must really know its service population. (true of any size school library--
don't you think?)
--A small school librarian must work closely with every teacher to make curricular purchasing
decisions when budgets are tight. (again--true of all school libraries?)
--A small school library must communicate effectively with parents. (true?)
--A small school library creates opportunities for student learning and tries to meet state and
local standards. (all school libraries better be doing this too!)
--A small school library must show a stance on its importance--validating the purpose and
survival of the library within the school system. (true especially in today's world)
I know that these differences aren't truly differences! They are reminders to all of us who have chosen school librarianship as our forte to remember what makes our jobs important. Even when we feel underappreciated and undervalued--we must show what sets us apart--what makes us a vital part of the school system. Don't ever forget to "toot your own horn!"
Small school libraries are the BEST! But, what is the difference between a small school library and a larger school library? Well, besides the number of books in the collection, type of collection, and the population the library services. . . okay--those seem like some pretty BIG differences to me!
I realize that small schools might not appeal to some, but I just want to put a "plug" in for the incredible opportunities that a library our size (roughly 5,000 books in our collection) has to offer.
Before I discuss this further, I want to go on record as saying that I know in my heart that the differences I am pointing out don't necessarily make our library better than others. . .the differences I am pointing out make our library, well, different and unique--an individuality that defines who we are and what we hope our libraries do!
Our library is not only small, it is also located in a small, rural community. The library itself is as unique and different as the population of students we serve daily. A rural library has its own distinct features, and when the library is in a rural school, the features that define it truly showcase the differences that to some, may not be obvious. Here are some features I feel are worth mentioning:
--A small school library must really know its service population. (true of any size school library--
don't you think?)
--A small school librarian must work closely with every teacher to make curricular purchasing
decisions when budgets are tight. (again--true of all school libraries?)
--A small school library must communicate effectively with parents. (true?)
--A small school library creates opportunities for student learning and tries to meet state and
local standards. (all school libraries better be doing this too!)
--A small school library must show a stance on its importance--validating the purpose and
survival of the library within the school system. (true especially in today's world)
I know that these differences aren't truly differences! They are reminders to all of us who have chosen school librarianship as our forte to remember what makes our jobs important. Even when we feel underappreciated and undervalued--we must show what sets us apart--what makes us a vital part of the school system. Don't ever forget to "toot your own horn!"
Teachable Moments
Please feel free to post stories, quips, and the great things kids say and do in our libraries!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Welcome
Welcome! There is an extremely critical connection between school libraries, literacy, and home. This blog will explore some of the ways that school libraries can serve students and meet their literacy needs.
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