Welcome to the 2013-2014 school year! While many things will stay the same in the library this year, there are a few changes worth noting. First, I want students to be as comfortable as possible when they come in to the library - I get my best reading done curled up in a nice comfy seat where I can relax, so I wanted to create a place for students to do just that. Our new reading nook is a section of the library perfect for independent reading after students have checked out a new book. All they need to do is grab a cushion, settle in, and start reading. Here's a peek at the nook: just add readers! The second big change to the library media center this year is in the computer lab (pictured above, on the right). Our 18 desktop computers have found new homes in classrooms, making way for a cart of 30 MacBooks. This updated technology will allow students to have the individual, hands-on access they need to improve their digital literacy and research skills. I'll work directly with teachers to use this technology to support and enhance what students are already learning. I can't wait to see some of the projects students produce this year!
Last week students in grades K-3 had a special visit from Ms. Stephanie, the children's librarian at the Northtown Public Library, to introduce a fun new summer reading program: Full STEAM Ahead. It is a summer learning challenge that focuses on science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics to get kids excited to learn and explore throughout the summer. The free eight-week program includes experiments, games, reading rewards, and more. This week I handed out booklets to students who signed up using a form we sent home, but even if you didn't join through school, it's not too late - just visit any Chicago Public Library branch to sign up. Thanks to all the students, parents, and teachers who came out to this year's book fair, we got hundreds of new books into the hands of our students! I loved the excitement I saw when I visited the multipurpose room, and it was wonderful to meet several of the families that stopped by after school. I also did my share of shopping, getting about 80 new books for the school library using Scholastic credit - some of the new titles are pictured on the left and should hit the shelves for the last few weeks of school. I want to give a big thank you to all the parents who coordinated the book fair - it's so important to our school and our library, so we truly appreciate all their hard work. Thanks also to the student volunteers who helped with set up and clean up. Their efforts made it possible for us to raise enough money that we can buy some exciting new books for next year to put in the library, support the school's art program, and more. Enjoy your books! Clinton will be holding its annual Scholastic book fair next week from Monday, May 13, through Wednesday, May 15. Buying books will not only help students expand their brains through reading, it also will help the school! Part of the proceeds from the book fair go toward buying new books for the school library and to support classroom learning. All week, students in the library have been watching book trailers to get an advance look at some of the books that will be available. Based on reactions, I can tell what some of the popular books are going to be, and I'll try to snag some of them for the library. Happy reading! From now through next spring, our school has FREE access to Capstone myON, an online library of more than 4,000 fiction and nonfiction e-books on a wide range of subjects and reading levels. I won a trial subscription (an $8,500 value!) through the CPS Department of Libraries and just received training last week. It's easy to use, and set up is simple. The first time kids log on, they'll be asked to take an interest inventory that gauges how interested they are in reading different types of books, like graphic novels, scary books, nonfiction, and more. Then, they'll take a short quiz to determine their reading level range. These two components will allow the site to make targeted book recommendations that match each student's unique interests and reading needs. I'll be walking my library classes through it in the coming weeks, but if anyone else wants to check it out, stop by the library or send me an email at [email protected]. All four kindergarten classes received a special visit either yesterday or today in the library from Miss Stephanie, the librarian from the Northtown Public Library, and she didn't come empty handed. She had brand new library cards for more than 60 students! Earlier this year, we worked with the kindergarten teachers and parents to complete library card applications. Any student who did not already have a public library card could apply. The kids were so excited to finally get a card of their very own. Many of them told me they would have their parents take them to the library after school or this weekend to get their first books. Congratulations to those students on this milestone! Thanks to a program offered through the CPS Department of Libraries, Clinton library is now the happy home to an Elmo document camera and a projector. With these two new pieces of equipment, I will be able to move instruction throughout the library space rather than being tied to a specific area. The equipment was part of a hardware prize offered to the top 25 finishers among the librarians who participated in PLUS Tech, a 10-session professional learning course that gave me insight into several instructional technologies that I can incorporate into the library program. I consider this a win-win situation, since I will be able to integrate new forms of technology into the projects I plan, all while providing instruction on my new equipment. I already have some great ideas for how to use them with my classes, and I can't wait to get started! Here in the library, the first day back from winter break was an exciting one: 16 boxes arrived full of goodies from Scholastic! All fall, students were asking for new books, so I tried to include as many requests as possible in this new order. As soon as I can get them processed and on the shelves, students will be able to check out everything from the popular Diary of a Wimpy Kid books to graphic novels about the war experiences of real people. We'll have world record books, drawing books, award-winning picture books, sports books, series books, planet books, fairy princess books, and so much more! I hope you're as excited as I am. Here's a sneak peek inside a few of the boxes ... Welcome to the library media center blog. Check back occasionally to find updates on the library collection, projects, and programming.
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AuthorHello, I'm Ms. Mernick, the library media teacher at Clinton. I look forward to using this site to share information and updates with my students, their families, other teachers, and our community members. Contact me with questions at [email protected]. Archives
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