Making Connections
The Rockwood Library Newsletter - December 2018
Include: AASL Shared Foundation #2
Author Nic Stone Visits Rockwood
Ms. Stone told students she became an author partly because she rarely saw people who look like her in the books she read when she was a student. She emphasized the power of story and its potential for helping readers discover the common humanity shared by all people. Stone's positive message, honesty, humor, and outgoing personality made her popular with students. Armani, a junior at RSHS, told her librarians that she enjoyed the author visit because she felt Stone was able to relate to her personally. Armani also said Stone's experiences with racism opened her eyes to some things she hadn't noticed before.
EHS librarian Dawn Jerger arranged the visits. The Rockwood high school librarians are grateful to the Rockwood DEED Office for helping with the expenses related to Ms. Stone's visit.
Exploring the West
Ballwin librarian Kristin Clark borrowed a Google Expedition Kit from the Rockwood STEM Department during December so that she could take all of her students on virtual field trips during their library time. Because 4th grade students were studying Westward Expansion in social studies, their Google Expedition was a visit to Fort Manden in North Dakota where Lewis, Clark, and the Corps of Discovery spent the winter of 1804-05. Students explored the fort Lewis and Clark built as well as a round Earth lodge the native Manden people inhabited. Comparing the two structures allowed students to make inferences about both groups and explore different ways of life during that period in American history.
Author Studies
Fifth grade students at Kehrs Mill were busy during library time in December as they researched their favorite authors. They used World Book Online to find biographical information and searched other sites for pictures and book trailers. Once they found all the information they needed, students created a Google Slides presentation to share with their classmates.
According to librarian Rhonda Reed, the students had fun learning about their favorite authors and hearing about other writers their classmates like. When every student is able to participate in class discussions and activities about authors and books, each of them can reflect on his or her place in the reading community.
Fifth Grade Book Tasting
Fifth grade students at Geggie Elementary School recently participated in a two-week book tasting event organized by librarian Kristina Presley. They began by taking a personality quiz that paired them with three different reading personalities such as Thrill Seeker, Questioner, and Bestie. Then, classes visited the library with their teacher for an hour to preview books. During the book tasting, students visited books representative of their top three reading personalities, but also were able to "taste" books from other genres. At the end of the two weeks, students returned to the library to check-out some of the books they found during the book tasting. The activity allowed students to experience a variety of literary genres while helping them identify their reading preferences.
CMS Library's Therapy Dog Helps Students Feel Safe and Included
Crestview Middle School has welcomed a new member to its learning community this year: a therapy dog named Clayton. Clayton helps meet the social and emotional needs of traditionally underserved populations in innovative ways. For instance, Clayton comforts students in times of need, provides an audience for reluctant readers as they read aloud, and is part of lessons that complement Crestview's SEL curriculum. Clayton also spends time in the library greeting patrons, helping all students to feel welcome.
Librarian Bridget DuMont and ELA teacher Melody Kaplan are Clayton's certified dog handlers.
How Librarians "Include" in the Library Collection
While books are a focal point of each library collection, the Rockwood library's also subscribe to numerous databases that provide learners with current and reliable information about almost every topic imaginable. For example, CultureGrams provides data about more than 200 countries around the world, allowing students to learn about social customs, governments, geography, and daily life in those nations. Opposing Viewpoints in Context gives students access to selected articles that present all points of view on controversial issues such as the death penalty, gun control, health care, cloning, and much more.
By curating resources that encourage students to explore, consider, and understand multiple points of view, Rockwood librarians model the importance of inclusiveness for students.
Margaret Sullivan, Rockwood Lead Librarian
Email: sullivanmargaret@rsdmo.org
Website: https://goo.gl/nfCm3X
Phone: 636-891-6842
Twitter: @mm_sullivan