Happy Summer Letter!
To the Teachers at Idlewild from Ms. Mac
Beliefs about Libraries
Here are some of the major ones
- Reading is a window to the world
- Inquiry provides a framework for learning
- Ethical behavior in the use of information must be taught
- Technology skills are crucial for future employment needs
- Equitable access is a key component for education
- The definition of information literacy has become more complex as resources and technologies have changed
- The continuing expansion of information demands that all individuals acquire the thinking skills that will enable them to learn on their own
- Learning has a social context
- School libraries are essential to the development of learning skills
(From The American School Library Association)
A video on what a school library is all about
Changes that need to be known before the end of August.
1. When students come during the specialist time, they will be coming to the computer lab for ICT (Information, Communication, and Technology) instruction. Please make this change with your calendar system in the classroom. You will learn more about what your grade level will be doing in a future communication.
2. Sign up for the "computer lab" will now be the "library". This area will have the 30 tablets with keyboards, a smart board with sound system, movable tables, the library books, and student supplies. I will be instructing in the computer lab.
3. Check out for library books will need to change due to the change in focus during the specialist time. My hope is that 2nd-5th grade will utilize a "open" check-out/return system. I will be open in the morning and at lunch recess for this reason and you as a teacher have the ability to send kids during classroom time down to the library to check books out too. I will be giving out more library passes to classrooms too. K-1 I am still brainstorming. Library lessons on using the resources and such will be "flipped" utilizing video.
4. The Battle of the Books will be different this year. The list of books have been selected my a fellow librarian in district. You will be receiving the list at the end of August. It will be open to grades 3-5. There will be the addition of comprehension questions. There will be a handbook describing some of the rules and procedures. There are many different opportunities for teachers and other interested adults to participate.