Making Connections
The Rockwood Library Newsletter - February 2018
Rockwood Librarians Focus on Digital Citizenship
Social Media & Friendships
Identifying Fake News
Avoiding Plagiarism
Digital Literacy Toolkit
Science Citations
Responding to Cyberbullying
Because good digital citizens know how to respond to cyberbullying, Blevins librarian Trish Lueken incorporated lesson ideas on the topic from Common Sense Media with her 4th grade classes. The first lesson was about the power of words. While working on the unit, the classes discussed what do when someone uses mean or scary language in real life and online. Lueken used literature in the unit as well, reading the books One by Kathryn Otoshi and Bully by Patricia Polacco to the students. The literature provided a starting point for great discussions.
WMS Library Welcomes Special Guest Speaker
Eighth-grade students at WMS have been studying World War II and the Holocaust. On February 26, they heard a first-hand account of the war from Lt. Clifford Smith, a 96-year-old World War II veteran. Mr. Smith was an engineer who flew 31 bombing missions over Japan. On his first mission, he and his crew had to "ditch" their B-29 in the sea fifty miles off the coast of Japan due to one of the engines having trouble and using too much fuel. Four crew members were lost in the "ditch," and the remaining seven crew members were picked up by a submarine after floating in two rafts for more than 24 hours. Needless to say, students found his stories very engaging.
WMS librarian Karen Brown, who worked with teachers to arrange Mr. Smith's visit, said, "We are thankful to Mr. Smith for his service to country and for sharing his experiences with our youth."
According to the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs, approximately 558,000 of 16 million Americans who served in WWII were still alive in 2017, a statistic that highlights how fortunate the WMS students are to have a veteran share his experiences with them.
Using Primary Sources to Make Connections To Literature and History
Owens' decision to use primary sources was purposeful. She said, "I think primary sources are a valuable teaching tool because they help students connect with history. For example, when students analyze old pictures before a read aloud, they are noticing very specific details about people living in that point in time. This gives them a deeper understanding and helps foster connections during the lesson. The pictures also build a natural curiosity and excitement for learning!"
Students agree. Landon, one of the third graders who participated in the lessons, said, "I like learning about primary sources. They tell you about people in the past."
Students Work Out, Win Prizes, and Have Fun During February RSMS Library Events
RSMS students accepted the "healthy heart” challenge the library posed to them the first week of February by doing 30 seconds of cardio. They jumped rope, ran in place, or they did 30 jumping jacks as well as wrote healthy heart tips for the library’s Valentine doors. The library also observed Black History Month with trivia and “I Have a Dream” statements that students wrote and put inside balloons that were hung in the library. And, during the third week of February, students entered various Winter Olympics library events, which included book curling, winter sports trivia, and a geography quiz. All participants were invited to sign the Library Olympics Dream mural.
The events were organized by RSMS librarian Janet Griffard. She says that even though the events may not be directly related to the curriculum, the "students are having fun participating. I am building relationships with students by making connections, providing enjoyment, and making students feel safe in the library."
Students Participating in the Healthy Heart Challenge
Winner of the Famous African Americans Trivia Contest
Student Participating in Book Curling Event
LHS Library's "Free Library"
Also In February...
Building Scenes From the Show-Me Books
Ancient Greece Research
Festive Bulletin Board
Margaret Sullivan, Rockwood Lead Librarian
Email: sullivanmargaret@rsdmo.org
Website: www.rsdmo.org
Phone: 636-891-6842
Twitter: @mm_sullivan