OMS Library Update
February 2019
Congratulations to the 2019 OMS Battle of the Books team. All of their hard work paid off when they came in 3rd place at the Buncombe County competition.
Matthew Levee Chavez, Visiting Author, Talks with 7th Grade students
On February 22 author Matthew "Levee" Chavez visited with our 7th grade in the OMS library. Mr. Chavez is the author of Signs of Hope, a tribute to Subway Therapy where New York subway passengers were invited to express their thoughts on 3-by-3 inch notes. The subway response was amazing and soon went viral. This was our first visit where students were able to participate by observing, sharing, and creating their own 3-by-3 inch notes here in our library. Students were given the opportunity to express their own thoughts on certain questions, such as, "What inspires you?". Thanks to Malaprops for their support of the students at Owen Middle School.
8th Grade Students Learn about Researching and Searching for Reliable Sources
Students in Ms. Langlois' classes came to the library twice this month for lessons on researching and taking notes. In the first lesson students learned about using NCWise Owl and Destiny Collections. The second lesson included Boolean searching and how to take notes in their own words. These students are working on a research project with Mr. Feste.
7th Grade Students Solve Puzzles to Escape
Students in Ms. Drakeford's classes came to the library for an escape game where they solved puzzles based on the novel, A Long Walk to Water. Stations included questions on characterization, plot, and literary analysis. At the final station, students decoded an encrypted message. They worked together in small groups referring to the book as needed.
Battle of the Books Update
On February 6, the OMS Battle of the Books team hosted a scrimmage against the team from Asheville Christian Academy. On February 22, the team traveled to Buncombe County Schools Central Office to compete against teams from other middle and intermediate schools in Buncombe County.
6th Grade ELA Text Structures Stations
Students in Ms. Ayers' ELA classes came to the library for a class of Text Structure Stations. In small groups, students examined books and articles to determine the non-fiction text structure: cause & effect, problem & solution, descriptive, compare & contrast, and chronological.
7th Grade Math Enrichment Breakout
Students in Ms. Pawelek's, Ms. Kiecker's, and Ms. Phelps' classes earned a math enrichment time in the library. During this time, they worked together to breakout by answering questions and riddles relating to percentages. Ms. Sturdivant and Ms. Jordan, our math coach, ran this breakout collaboratively.
3D Printing Help from Other Schools
In late February our 3D printer stopped working leaving about 15 student designs not printed. Ms. Sturdivant discussed the problem with Jennifer Hand (Digital Learning and Media Specialist, Buncombe County). Ms. Hand emailed all the librarians in Buncombe County to see who could help with printing the designs. During the last week in February, student designs from OMS have been printed at A.C. Reynolds High School, Valley Springs Middle School, Oakley Elementary School, Bell Elementary School, Emma Elementary School, Glen Arden Elementary School, Black Mountain Elementary School, and Black Mountain Primary School. A HUGE thanks to the librarians at those schools for helping out the students of OMS!!
By the Numbers:
Student 3D Prints: 37 student designs
Total Classes/Groups in Library: 102
Books Checked Out: 1,372
Books Placed on Hold: 23
Students Requesting Computer Assistance: 205
Staff Requesting Computer Assistance: 57
Student with Top Checkouts: Ethan Juarez (Ms. Drakeford's homeroom)
Top Homeroom for Checkouts: Mr. Noteboom's homeroom
Students in Library Before School: Average 20 Daily
BOLTs for Technology Issues: (created in the library): 119
New Books: 87
Our Library
The OMS library is open from 7:05-3:45 daily. Ms. Tremble and Ms. Sturdivant are excited to help students find books, 3D print, and use their technology. Maker Club meets before school in the library each day. Battle of the Books meets on Wednesday afternoons (3:15-4:00).
Email: cindy.sturdivant@bcsemail.org
Website: https://cdoms.buncombeschools.org/
Location: 730 Old US Highway 70, Swannanoa, NC, USA
Phone: 828-686-7739
Twitter: @clsturdivant