September 2014
Hampden Meadows Library Media Center Update
Welcome to a New School Year!
Q: How many books can I take out of the library?
A: Usually two or three.
Q: What if I didn't bring my books back today?
A: Even if you didn't return your books you can still take a book out. I never want anyone to leave the library empty-handed.
Q: Can I only return books on my library day?
A: You can return books any day of the week. Just walk them down and leave them on the cart near the library door (with permission from your teacher, of course). One of the adults will check those books in and the books will be taken off your record.
Q: What if I finish a book before my next library class day?
A: If you do your lunch count and check with your teacher to be sure it is okay, you can come down to the library during homeroom (8:50-9:00) to look for another book. As long as there is an adult present (I am usually covering homerooms at this time but have parent volunteers who are willing to be there early for Open Library), you can check out a book at this time. You can also come down when you get to school before going out to the blacktop for recess. If there is an adult present we'd be happy to help you!
Q: Can I take out books on CD?
A: We have many books on CD in our library. I count a book and the accompanying audio as one item. I think it's so powerful to listen to a narrator and follow along with the book that I am happy to make it a package deal. Sometimes when you're following along you'll realize a word you've seen but didn't recognize is a word you actually know when you hear it! You might also learn what words mean based on how you hear it in the context of the story.
Q: Where can I find the 2015 Rhode Island Children's Book Award nominees?
A: We keep RICBA nominees on display on top of the first bookshelf between the computers and the tables. We also have special sheets for you to keep track of what you read. Remember: you must read at least 3 titles to vote in February!
Q: What if a book I want to read is not available?
A: You can write a hold slip for the book and give it to the adult at the circulation desk. We will enter the hold into the computer. When that book becomes available for you, I'll get the book to you.
Q: What if the library doesn't own a book I want?
A: I keep a mini clipboard on the round table in the library for children to make purchase suggestions. I ask that you put the title and your name so I can be sure you get it first since you asked for it. If a title is not appropriate for our library I'll be able to explain this to you and suggest that you get it from the public library.
Q: Does the library lend Kindles?
A: Yes, thanks to Mr. Fernandes and the Barrington Education Foundation, we have 15 Kindles available for students to check out of the library. Mr. Fernandes has downloaded a few books into the "cloud" that children can access. Families can also access many titles through the public library.
Q: How do we charge the Kindle?
A: We will provide a power cord that hooks your Kindle to a computer to charge it.
Q: Why do you write down what we check out each week?
A: I am trying to get to know you as a reader. If I know what you like to read, I can make suggestions on a week when you're stuck.
Q: Why do we have to sign out to use the bathroom?
A: It gets very busy in the library and I need to keep track of who is out of the library in case of a fire drill or Code Red drill.
Q: Why can't we chew gum in the library?
A: We have a rug in the library so I ask that students deposit gum in the trash as they enter. We want to keep our rug in the best condition possible!
Welcome to the Place...
Front Display
Front Foyer Bulletin Board
How to Find What You Are Looking for in the Library
F stands for Fiction. All fiction titles can be found in alphabetical order by the author's last name. For instance, if we want a Jeff Kinney book, we'll walk over to the Ks because the Call # is F KIN. Our fiction section contains chapter books, audio books, and picture books.
Numbers in a Call # tell us we will find the book in the Dewey section. For instance, if I search for a book on snakes and want to get Outside and Inside Snakes by Sandra Markle, I'll walk over to the 500s because the Call # is 597.96 MAR. There might be several snake titles in this section so they'll be in alphabetical order by the author's last name.
BIO stands for Biography. All biographies are arranged by the subject's last name. If I'm looking for a book about Michael Jordan, I will search in the Js because his last name begins with J.
741.5 = the most popular section of books in our library. Graphic novels have their own place in the Dewey section. Although they are fictional stories, their art form makes them eligible for this special area of the library. Graphic novels are also arranged in alphabetical order by author's last name. For instance, the Call # for Sidekicks by Dan Santat is 741.5 SAN.
Special Collections: We have a special section for 39 Clues (all different authors write this series so books were difficult for children to locate), Interactive History Adventure series (normally filed in different sections of the Dewey section), Choose Your Own Adventure series, Nancy Drew series, and Hardy Boys series. These are all located with the Story Collection (SC) - books containing short stories.
Kahoot
Setting Up Google Chrome Accounts
Chrome Books are Coming!
We are working out the kinks and I am certain every student in HMS will be able to log on by the end of the month! Special thanks to Mr. Morpeth and Mr. Fallgren, our technology people, who have been helping me get everyone set up here.
Fifth Graders Take Part in a "Book Tasting"
What Is a "Book Tasting"?
Beginning Keyboarding Practice
How It Works
Now students can work on the weekly keyboarding lesson using http://www.sense-lang.org/typing/tutor/keyboarding.php. Students may record their score if they get 3 errors or less on the lesson. This shows they are proficient and can move on.
The ultimate goal is to feel comfortable and confident while keyboarding without looking down at the keys. We will practice for five minutes most library classes. As you know, the only way to improve is to continue practicing. Students can use www.sense-lang.org or any other typing program they feel comfortable with. The important part is to continue practicing until it becomes natural.
Brainstorming Carousel Activity
Students Work in Groups to Share Thoughts
Looking at Kids Corner Published Pieces
Kids Corner Article Brainstorming
What Kinds of Things Make Us Feel Respected
September Birthdays
Authors and Illustrators Born This Month
Here is a link to the September birthdays.
Here is a link to the October birthdays.
Opportunities for Enrichment/Growth
- Write or type a book review we can use on our library blog and as advertising in our school
- Sign up for creating the monthly library bulletin board display
- Write an article for Barrington Times Kids Corner
Germ Management
Every class in the building comes through the library during a week. That means hands are touching the computer keyboards, tables, and books. We want to avoid the spread of germs by doing our due diligence.
Overdue or Lost Books
We are so fortunate to be in a district with such an amazing collection of books. Part of teaching our children about being responsible citizens is letting them know that the gift of taking out great titles week after week comes with responsibility. If we lose or damage a book, it is our responsibility to replace that book so that others may also get the benefit of reading that title.
Please encourage your child to search everywhere for those missing books. If you know you've searched everywhere, please help us in teaching a lesson of responsibility as a citizen of the community.
Thanks in advance!
Library Statistics
Total Books: 11,880
Total Circulation: 3,227
Total Holds Placed: 210
Top Title Statistics:
Title Author Call # Circulations
1. Amazing animals of the world 24
2. Smile Telgemeier, Raina 23
3. Sidekicks Santat, Dan 19
4. Amulet: Book two The stonekeepers curse Kibuishi, Kazu 15
5. The lemonade war / book 1 Davies, Jacqueline 15
6. Wonder Palacio, R. J.F 15
7. Umbrella Summer Graff, Lisa 14
8. Amulet. Book four, The last council Kibuishi, Kazu 13
9. Diary of a wimpy kid : hard luck Kinney, Jeff 13
10. Amulet. Book three, The cloud searchers Kibuishi, Kazu 12
1. HR23 173
2. HR24 168
3. HR13 163
4. HR8 154
5. HR14 153
6. HR6 150
7. HR21 150
8. HR15 149
9. HR19 143
10. HR4 141
11. HR12 141
12. HR10 137
13. HR9 132
14. HR3 129
15. HR1 128
16. HR17 125
17. HR18 116
18. HR11 110
19. HR7 109
20. HR20 100
21. HR16 98
22. HR22 92
Looking Ahead
Click here to see the flyer for more information.
HMS Family Book Club
We are offering a family book club for the families of HMS. Our book is titled Countdown by Deborah Wiles. It is the first book in a 60s trilogy. We encourage families to invite family members who went to school in the 60s to participate in the book club with the children. Those members will bring much background knowledge to add to discussion!
How It Works:
1. RSVP to Mrs. Melanie Roy at roym@bpsmail.org to let me know your family is participating.
2. Obtain a copy of Countdown from the public library or a book store.
3. Family members and their children read the book together or separately.
4. Use sticky notes or a notebook to jot ideas, questions, things you might like to discuss at the book club in order to prepare.
5. RSVP to Mrs. Melanie Roy at roym@bpsmail.org by Friday, December 5th so that we can plan according to the number of participants we will have.
6. Come to the book club in the HMS library on Wednesday, December 10th at 7:45am for a fun, relaxed setting to discuss and enjoy literature.
We hope you can join us!
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website: http://hmslibrary.com