THINK, CREATE, SHARE, GROW
This Newsletter:
- Bonneville Kindergarten: Jobs
- Research Writing Workshop
- DTLs @ Utah History Day
- Library Spotlight: Taylor Canyon
Bonneville Kindergarteners Interview Their Custodian
Research Writing Workshop
What are you passionate about? What are your interests? These were some of the questions posed to students at James Madison Elementary during Research Writing Workshop.
Third, fourth, and sixth graders each generated a list of topics, asked essential questions, and gathered resources. Mrs. Andrews, Mrs. Corbin, and Mrs. Namovicz teamed with District Teacher Librarians to guide students through the research process to produce a written product including reports, PowerPoints, directions, and opinion pieces.
Minilessons, taken from Non-fiction Craft lessons: Teaching Information Writing K-8 by Joann Portalupi and Ralph Fletcher, were driven by student needs and included narrowing your focus, writing an introduction, writing in paragraph form, writing a topic sentence, using supporting details, and many others.
Sharing their writing was a highlight for many students. The author’s chair and conferencing with the teacher and DTLs provided a way to gather feedback about their writing. Sixth graders also shared their writing at a family literacy night.
Classroom teachers saw an increase in student engagement, motivation, and the quantity and quality of student writing. Perhaps the biggest measure of success is the fact that sixth-grade boys are asking when they can start their next project.
District Teacher Librarians Judge at the Utah History Day North Region Competition
The DTLs served as judges for exhibits, performances, and documentaries. The top two winners in each category move on to the state contest at Thanksgiving Point in April. Winners from there will go to the national contest in Maryland.
The DTLs were meticulous in their judging efforts, and learned a great deal about the structure of the competition to help bring this great learning opportunity to Ogden School District next year.
Library Spotlight: Taylor Canyon Elementary
Ogden School District Teacher Librarians
We are excited to co-teach with you in your classroom. Please contact both your principal and one of the DTLs about co-teaching opportunities.
Also, if you have questions or comments about the district library program, please feel free to contact us:
801-737-7352
Katie Kilts -- KiltsK@ogdensd.org
Daniel Mauchley -- MauchleyD@ogdensd.org
Shelly Ripplinger -- RipplingerS@ogdensd.org
Elaine Shelburne MLS / M.Ed - ShelburneE@ogdensd.org
Avan Thayn -- ThaynA@ogdensd.org
Amy Jamison -- JamisonA@ogdensd.org
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"Think, Create, Share, Grow" are used with permission from the American Association of School Libraries, a division of the American Library Association. www.ala.org