September in the Library
2016
It's Not What You Can Do For Your Library...
But What Your Librarian Can Do For You.
So Many Things!
- Collaborate to create relevant library sessions and lessons that meet curriculum outcomes!
- Create research guides for your students so they're not just wallowing around in Google!
- Pull materials for your students to use in your own classroom!
- Teach your students all sorts of skills - Citation! Using EasyBib! Subscription databases! Using the online catalog! Evaluating sources! Copyright and fair use!
- Help YOU find relevant information or research you need as a teacher
- And much much more!
Banned Books Week
As always, the year started off with Banned Book Week, when we celebrate our freedom to read! We expanded this year, with Banned Book Week activities in 6th and 7th grade Reading classes. Check out of the Classes section for more!
7th Grade Author Visit!
At the end of September the 7th grade had a visit from two fabulous authors! Adam Shaughnessy, author of The Unbelievable FIB series, and Tania Unsworth, author of The One Safe Place and Brightwood, spoke about writing, getting published, and their favorite books. The 7th graders were great, asking thoughtful questions and some classes even wrote thank you notes afterwards! A big thanks to The Blue Bunny who helped to arrange the visit, and Adam and Tania's publisher, Algonquin Books for including DMS on their iLoveMiddleGrade tour!
Tania speaks to a rapt audience.
Adam reads to students from his new book The Unbelievable FIB 2.
Tania and Adam answer student questions.
September Makerspace: 3D Printing
Our Makerspace activity for September was 3D printing. 15 students used tinkercad.com to design 2x2x2 inch creations and send them to the 3D printer. We had all sorts of designs, from rings to tiny dragons, to eggs with feet.
Classes in the Library
6th Grade
6th grade Reading classes started off their year with a library orientation. Students learned how to use the library catalog to search for a book, locate books in the library, and had plenty of time for browsing and finding a book to start off their year.
6th & 7th Grade
This year the 6th and 7th grade had a brand new project to learn about Banned Book Week! Students first looked at the covers of books and thought about what they had in common. Many were surprised that the books had all been challenged or banned somewhere in the United States! Students read an article about who bans books and why, and then began their research using the Banned Books LibGuide. Students each chose a book to focus on and used those books for a project. The 6th graders made posters presenting why the book had been banned or challenged, while 7th graders wrote to the individual who banned/challenged the book explaining why they agreed or disagreed with the choice. Take a look at some of the 6th grade's posters below!
Banned: The Giving Tree
Banned: Captain Underpants
Banned: The Lorax
8th Grade
Ms. French's English classes came to the library at the start of the year to hear book talks and make their book selections for Term I.
In Inquiry Research, students are beginning their first inquiry research project, revolving around the Boston Molasses Flood. Students did a close observation of molasses (including tasting) and then began building background to answer some of their questions. Students have also refreshed their note taking and citation skills and learned how to write an annotation.
Book Reviews
Lily and Dunkin by Donna Gephart
Sometimes our hearts see things our eyes can’t.
Lily Jo McGrother, born Timothy McGrother, is a girl. But being a girl is not so easy when you look like a boy. Especially when you’re in the eighth grade.
Dunkin Dorfman, birth name Norbert Dorfman, is dealing with bipolar disorder and has just moved from the New Jersey town he’s called home for the past thirteen years. This would be hard enough, but the fact that he is also hiding from a painful secret makes it even worse.
One summer morning, Lily Jo McGrother meets Dunkin Dorfman, and their lives forever changed.
Lily Jo McGrother, born Timothy McGrother, is a girl. But being a girl is not so easy when you look like a boy. Especially when you’re in the eighth grade.
Dunkin Dorfman, birth name Norbert Dorfman, is dealing with bipolar disorder and has just moved from the New Jersey town he’s called home for the past thirteen years. This would be hard enough, but the fact that he is also hiding from a painful secret makes it even worse.
One summer morning, Lily Jo McGrother meets Dunkin Dorfman, and their lives forever changed.
-From Goodreads
The Story of Seeds: From Mendel's Garden to Your Plate, and How There's More of Less to Eat Around the World at Around the World by Nancy Castaldo
Something as small as a seed can have a worldwide impact. Did you know there are top-secret seed vaults hidden throughout the world? And once a seed disappears, that’s it—it’s gone forever? With the growth of genetically modified foods, the use of many seeds is dwindling—of 80,000 edible plants, only about 150 are being cultivated. With a global cast of men and women, scientists and laypeople, and photographic documentation, Nancy Castaldo chronicles where our food comes from, and where it is going as she digs deeper into the importance of seeds in our world.
-From Goodreads