Making Connections
The Rockwood Library Newsletter - October 2018
New Geggie Library Opens
September 24 was an exciting day at Geggie Elementary School as librarian Kristina Presley opened the doors to the new library! The 3,500-square-foot facility features a makerspace area, a classroom area, collaboration areas, and a reading lounge. Students and staff love the new space. Third grade student Aislynn says what she enjoys most about the new library is the makerspace because there is more room for students to create. Kaleb, a fourth grade student, says that his favorite thing about the new library is that it is bigger and has more spots to sit and read. Fourth grade student Justin says he enjoys the desk cycles that allow him to read and ride at the same time.
Students "Breakout" at LHS & RVMS
At Rockwood Valley, librarian Angie Kohout collaborated with sixth grade Language Arts teachers Kassandra Specht and Beth Ruta to create a Halloween-themed breakout activity for their classes. The students loved it!
Innovative Elementary Library Activities
Second grade students at Ridge Meadows used Ozobots to show their understanding of literary settings and story sequence. After librarian Lisa Molengraft read the book This Moose Belongs to Me to them, she challenged the students to construct a physical maps and program Ozobot robots to sequence the main events, traveling through the map to retell the story. Students loved being able to "show what they know" in such an innovative way.
Kindergarten students at Woerther were recently introduced to literature-inspired making during a lesson with librarian Laura Clar. After Clar read the book Carrot & Pea: An Unlikely Friendship to the students, they discussed the book's theme of working together and celebrating differences. Then, working in small groups, students used Keva planks to create at tower, a bridge, or a slide -- all things that Carrot was good at doing.
Carrot & Pea by Marog Hood is one of ten books nominated for this year's Building Block Award, sponsored by the Missouri Library Association.
Mr. Schu Visits Ballwin and Chesterfield
During his visits to Chesterfield and Ballwin, he inspired students to read by book-talking some must read titles, asking about the books that excite students, and giving away books. He also emphasized the power of reading, the importance of school libraries, and ways to connect through story.
Librarians Steve Brim (Chesterfield) and Kristin Clark (Ballwin) arranged to bring Mr. Schu to Rockwood through Scholastic Book Fairs. Both schools are grateful to Scholastic for the opportunity to host this dynamic speaker.
Summer Book Club Celebration
Over the summer, librarian Toni Smith sponsored the Ellisville Elementary Summer Book Club for interested fourth and fifth grade students. The club was conducted via Google Classroom with students participating as they wished. Recently, the club members celebrated their summer reading by participating in a Skype visit with Jarett Lerner, author of Enginerds. The event was a huge success. Molly, one of the students, said, "I thought it was so cool because I've never spoken to a real author or famous person before. It was really neat because he took so much time to answer all of our questions."
Authors Visit Rockwood Schools
Author Allison Varnes visited Ballwin Elementary School as part of a promotional tour for her debut novel, Property of the Rebel Librarian. The book tells the story of a girl who sets up a secret library of banned books when her parents embark on a campaign to censor books in her school library. Risha, a 5th grade student presenter at the event, loved Property of the Rebel Librarian and told Varnes it is her second-favorite book ever.
The event was arranged librarian Kristin Clark, who thanks The Novel Neighbor Book Store in Webster Groves for bringing Ms. Varnes to Ballwin.
Fourth graders attended a session presented by Kat Zhang, who's latest book is called The Memory of Forgotten Things. She talked to students about where she got her ideas for the book and the process of getting a book published. Librarian Brooke Schaub reports that the students came away from both visits inspired and excited to read!
Thank you to The Novel Neighbor Book Store in Webster Groves for making these two author visits possible.
New Wall Art in SMS Library
Margaret Sullivan, Rockwood Lead Librarian
Email: sullivanmargaret@rsdmo.org
Website: https://goo.gl/nfCm3X
Phone: 636-891-6842
Twitter: @mm_sullivan