January 2017
Hampden Meadows Library
What We Have Been Up To
Common Sense Media Lessons
We are continuing our Common Sense Media lessons in the library to ensure that our students become responsible digital citizens. Our district is proud to be the first Common Sense Media certified district in the state of RI. Common Sense Media is a terrific resource for parents, educators and students.
Grade 4 - Personal and Private Information
Learning Objectives:
I can learn about the benefits of sharing information online, but also about the safety and security risks of sharing certain types of information.
I can understand what type of information can put me at risk for identity theft and other scams.
- I can distinguish between personal information, which is safe to share online, and private information, which is unsafe to share.
Key Vocabulary:
register (online): to enter your information to sign up and get access to a website
personal information: information that can’t be used to identify you, such as your age, gender, how many siblings you have, your favorite food, etc.
private information: information that can be used to identify you, such as your Social Security number, street address, email, phone number, etc.
- identify theft: when a thief steals someone’s private information in order to pretend to be that person
SAFE- Personal Information:
- your favorite food
- age
- gender
- your favorite band
- how many brothers and sisters you have
- what pets you have
- the name of your pet
- your opinion (though it should be done respectfully)
- your first name
UNSAFE - Private Information (can be used to steal your identity):
- Mother's maiden name
- Social Security number
- date of birth
- parents' credit card information
- phone number
- postal address
- email address
Every time you are about to share information online stop and think: "Am I giving out information that I should keep private?"
It can sometimes be safe to give out some private information. For example, a website might ask for your date of birth and email address. But students should always ask their parent or guardian before giving out private information.
Grade 5 - Picture Perfect
Learning Objectives:
I can recognize that photos can be altered digitally, and consider the upsides and downsides of this practice.
I can discuss how photo alteration can distort our perceptions and affect our self-image.
- I can analyze how advertising uses photo alteration to help sell products.
Key Vocabulary:
- alter: to change the way something looks
- product: something that a company advertises and sells
We started the lesson by looking at an image of a lemon that had rainbow- colored sections with the caption "This is what happens when you put food coloring in a lemon."
Students looked at the picture with a critical eye and observed that it must have been "photoshopped."
We then discussed the pros and cons of altering photos.
Next we watched a video put out by Dove Campaign for Real Beauty "Evolution".
Students were able to see that the normal girl who sat down in the chair was much different from the image that ended up on the billboard.
We then looked at magazine covers vs. real life pictures of Kelly Clarkson and Andy Roddick to analyze how their images were altered for the magazines.
Students were able to think critically and have thoughtful discussion about photo alteration.
HMS Mock Caldecott
We awarded Caldecott Honors to Whoosh! Lonnie Johnson's Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions by Chris Barton and Don Tate and They All Saw a Cat by Brendan Wenzel.
The Caldecott winner was awarded to Snappsy the Alligator (Did Not Ask to Be in This Book) by Julie Falatko and Tim Miller. She was so honored that Julie Falatko mailed our library a Snappsy poster.
Whoosh!
They All Saw a Cat
Snappsy the Alligator
Can you see Radiant Child on the table? One of our mock nominees received the 2017 Caldecott Medal!
HMS Family Book Club - Diamond Willow by Helen Frost
Students and parents had a lively discussion about an amazing book. As usual, we all walked away thinking about a new perspective and learning something new from one another.
At the end we did a "trust walk" to be able to see how the Roxy, the dog who went blind, might have felt. Two people led a third person (who kept their eyes closed) around the room.
Coffee and smiles
Family Book Club agenda
Question Prompts on diamond-shaped paper
A student looks back in the text during discussion
A student reads aloud a passage from the story
All book club members intent and engaged in discussion
Tom Angleberger Skype
On Monday, Jan 23rd all those students received a notice explaining that they'd get the chance to Skype with Tom Angleberger so they should brainstorm 5 questions they might have for him.
On Tuesday, Jan 24th we prepped for the Skype by brainstorming our burning questions for him. We ended up with about 25 super fans (about a classroom size). Because we knew we had a 30 minute Skype everyone narrowed it down to one question each. Every student received a paper with everyone's question and some Skype tips including:
Skype Tips:
Be prompt. Come to the library at 10:28 to be ready for the Skype.
Sit in the chair when it’s your turn to ask a question
Start by saying, “Good morning, my name is ______________. My question is ________.”
When it’s not your turn sit quietly so the author can hear the question being asked of him.
- Feel free to make something if you’d like to show it to the author.
On Thursday, Jan 26th the super fans came to the library at 10:30am. It was an amazing visit (despite the technical glitch 11 minutes in). He was so excited to see their excitement and said they were one of his best classes yet. The kids showed him their origami creations and he showed them his. We had time for most questions but ran out of time to make Origami Yodas with him. I promised the kids I'd have them back to the library to try making Yodas together another day.
What a thrill to have the opportunity to talk with Tom Angleberger!
Super Fan Alert on Bathroom Doors
Showing off some of their Origami
Learning about his other titles
Fielding questions
Calling everyone Larry
Drinking out of an Elephant and Piggie mug!
Making dreams come true
Making us laugh
Encouraging our students
Explaining what inspired him to write the series
Enjoying his time talking to "Super Larry"
Everyone crowding in for a picture for Tom
January displays included Martin Luther King, Jr. and past Newbery winners
Library Statistics
Between January 3 and January 31:
Total Circulations: 4,494
Total Holds Placed: 121
Total ILLs Books Received: 149
Top Ten Titles:
Sunny Side Up - Holm - graphic novel - 31
Roller Girl - Jamieson - graphic novel - 28
El Deafo - Bell - graphic novel - 21
Lunch Lady and the Field Trip Fiasco - Krosoczka - graphic novel - 20
Smile - Telgemeier - graphic novel - 19
Ghosts - Telgemeier - graphic novel - 18
Little Robot - Hatke - graphic novel - 17
Guinness World Records, 2016 - editor-in-chief, Craig Glenday - informational - 16
Hilo: The Boy Who Crashed to Earth - Winick - graphic novel - 15
10. Tales from a Not-So-Smart Miss Know-It-All (#5) - Russell - hybrid - 15
Top Circulations by Homeroom:
Ms. Reilly - 315
Mr. Cassarino - 282
Mrs. Carroll - 261
Mrs. DeLory - 254
Mr. Whittaker - 219
Mrs. Waring - 215
Mrs. Ginalski - 213
Ms. Killian - 206
Mrs. Burke -204
Mrs. Mitchell - 192
Mr. Farley - 189
Mrs. Couto - 179
Mrs. Clegg - 178
Mrs. Toman - 171
Ms. Reynolds - 164
Mr. Tibbetts - 162
Ms. Safran - 160
Mrs. Lofaro - 146
Mrs. Cabral - 137
Ms. Wilson - 136
Mr. Tedino - 124
- Mrs. Bailey - 122