May 2022

Middle schoolers have a lot on their minds. Returning library books is not always on the top of the list. We try to make things easier by rolling by with a cart when students are at their lockers to remind them to return books. Families can also encourage students to return books. Students can check to see which books they still have checked out by going to Destiny Discover and logging in using the "Sign in with Google" button. They can check their account by going to the "My Stuff" tab. If students have damaged or lost a book, please purchase a replacement copy to send in.

We had a Barrington Public Library card drive raffle to encourage our eighth-graders who needed biographies to visit Ms. Tanya, the teen librarian at BPL. Students who applied for cards or brought cards in entered their names in a raffle for a Barrington Books gift card and a mini waffle maker. One of our sixth graders also applied for a card and brought it during her FAST period so I could show her all of the free resources the public library offers with a card. It was a joy to see her so excited!

Blue Cluster came into the library for a Common Sense Media lesson on Big, Big Data. Students designed products based on consumer data.

Essential Question: How do companies collect and use data about you?

Lesson Vocabulary:

Consumer - A person who buys products or services to use

Data - Facts and statistics collected together to be used for different purposes

Targeted advertising - When apps or websites use information they have collected about you to show you certain types of advertisements

Cookies - Small text files stored on a computer that keep track of what a person does on a website

• Family Activity

• Family Tips

• Family Engagement Resources

Eighth-graders are doing research on people who have changed the world. Because it is a new research project within the new curriculum, I wanted to solicit their feedback to help me with purchasing for the future. It also helps me collaborate with Ms. Tanya at the Barrington Public Library.

On Thursday, May 13 we met outside of the middle school to make slime and chat about the Kids Read Across RI title How to Win a Slime War by Mae Respicio. Books were generously donated to families by the RI Center for the Book. Slime ingredients were generously lent to us by the Barrington Public Library Children's Room. Dr. Fernandes, Mrs. Ridlon, and I hosted the event and so many terrific families came out on this gorgeous spring night. It was interesting to witness the incredible depth of discussion once students finished making slime and could actively play while engaging in conversation. Truly, it was a fantastic night!