LIBRARY PROGRAMS
 LIBRARY MISSION & PROGRAM GOALS
MISSION
The mission of the Sterling Grade School Library Media Program is to ensure that all students and staff have the skills and opportunity to locate, evaluate and use information.
PROGRAM GOALS
Sterling Grade School Library will:
- Provide books and media to support academic and recreational learning needs.
- Provide instruction and experience in effectively locating, evaluating and using information (also known as Information Literacy Skills).
- Provide literature enrichment activities and reading incentives to encourage lifelong reading habits.
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LIBRARY SKILLS CLASSES
Weekly library skills classes for grades 1-5 are taught by Amy Brownlee, K-12 Library Media Specialist. Lessons focus on three goal areas: library use; information literacy; and literature enrichment / reading enjoyment. Library skills lessons are aligned with the following state and national standards:
• Kansas Library Media Standards
• Kansas Reading and Writing Standards
• Information Literacy Standards for Student Learning (9 national standards from Information Power)
Below is a curriculum outline for library skills.
Grade Level |
Library Use |
Information Literacy |
Literature Enrichment
& Reading Enjoyment |
| K |
• Locating the library media center.
• How to check out and return books.
• Taking care of the library and its shared resources. |
(Formal library skills instruction begins in 1st grade.) |
• Storytime read-alouds and student participation activities. |
| 1st |
• How to check out and return books.
• Taking care of the library and its shared resources.
• Location of different sections of the library.
• Book care. |
• Parts of a book (author, illustrator, title, publisher, copyright, cover, spine).
• Fiction and nonfiction.
• Alphabetical order.
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• Read-alouds and student participation activities.
• Puppets.
• Award winning books (Caldecott Medal, Bill Martin Jr. Picture Book Award).
• Literature based arts & crafts activities. |
| 2nd |
• Taking care of the library and its shared resources.
• Location of different sections of the library.
• Book care.
• Call numbers on library books.
• Introduction to the OPAC (computer card catalog). |
• Parts of a book (author, illustrator, title, publisher, copyright, cover, spine, call number, title page).
• Fiction, nonfiction & biography.
• Alphabetical order.
• Dictionary use (locating words, using guide words). |
• Read-alouds and student participation activities.
• Award winning books (Caldecott Medal, Bill Martin Jr. Picture Book Award).
• Literature based arts & crafts activities.
• Creative writing activities. |
| 3rd |
• Taking care of the library and its shared resources.
• Using the OPAC (computer card catalog) for title, author and subject searches.
• Introduction to finding sections of the library based on call number. |
• Parts of a book (author, illustrator, title, publisher, copyright, table of contents, index, title page, call number).
• Reference books: dictionary, thesaurus, encyclopedia, atlas.
• Dictionary use.
• Encyclopedia use.
• Note taking skills.
• Research skills – using information to create a simple information product (biography mobile)
• Introduction to online encyclopedias and databases.
• Introduction to simple bibliography.
• Vocabulary Parade -- define an unfamiliar word using a dictionary and create a costume showing the meaning of the word. Present word & meaning orally at assembly.
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• Read-alouds and student participation activities.
• William Allen White Children's Book Award program (reading books and voting).
• Creative writing & descriptive drawing activities.
• Jon Scieszka author study.
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| 4th |
• Using the OPAC (computer card catalog) for title, author, subject and series searches. Locating AR and location information in OPAC.
• Independently locating books in the library based on call number. |
• Parts of a book (author, illustrator, title, series, publisher, copyright, table of contents, index, glossary, title page, call number).
• Reference books: dictionary, thesaurus, encyclopedia, atlas, almanac.
• Note taking skills.
• Research skills: classifying and evaluating information to produce an information product (PowerPoint slide). (integrated library skills & social studies project)
• Use of online encyclopedias and databases.
• Creating a simple bibliography. |
• Read-alouds and student participation activities.
• William Allen White Children's Book Award program (reading books and voting).
• Creative writing activities.
• Reader's Theatre. |
| 5th |
• Using the OPAC (computer card catalog) for title, author, subject, series and AR searches.
• Independently locating books in the library based on call number. |
• Reference sources: dictionary, thesaurus, encyclopedia, atlas, almanac, periodical, online database.
• Research skills: independently locating sources, note taking, etc. (integrated with social studies class) to create an information product
• Creating a bibliography using an online citation maker. (integrated with social studies class)
• Evaluating validity/accuracy of web resources.
• Advanced use of online encyclopedias and databases, including Boolean search strategies. |
• Genre study and activities.
• William Allen White Children's Book Award program (reading books and voting).
• Creative writing activities.
• Reader's Theatre.
• Poetry scavenger hunt and oral reading. |
| 6th |
• Independent library checkout and OPAC use. |
• Access and use of online encyclopedias and databases.
• Creating a bibliography using an online citation maker (for use in project for classroom teacher).
• Newspaper unit.
• Detecting propaganda and bias.
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• William Allen White Children's Book Award program (reading books and voting).
• Poetry.
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STORYTIME
Storytime in the library is provided 2-3 times per month for students in grades K-5. Storytellers include Sterling Grade School staff members, parents of SGS students, Sterling College men's basketball players, jr. high and high school students, college students, and community members. Storytime has covered a wide range of topics, from friendship and fairness to hockey games to mummies. Storytime participants listen to and discuss stories, engage in activities, and learn about trips taken and other experiences of the storytellers. This literature enrichment activity builds a love of reading, books and learning in young audiences. Storytime is coordinated by Kathy Booth .
Read more about the history of storytime at Sterling Grade School.
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ACCELERATED READER PROGRAM
Accelerated Reader (AR) is a computerized reading incentive program. Students take a STAR test to determine their reading range. This helps them select books that are "just right," not too easy or too hard. Students read the book, then take a comprehension test on the computer. Readers receive instant feedback, so they know right away how well they understood the book. Students earn points through the AR program and can earn prizes and privileges through reading AR books. Monthly drawings are held for each classroom, and winning students can earn a pizza lunch in the library or a trip downtown to eat lunch with Mr. Riffel. Classroom teachers set AR point goals for their students, and quarterly parties are held for students meeting their AR goals. Past parties have included roller skating, bowling, swimming, and movie parties. Kathy Booth is the AR Program Administrator.
Read more details about the Accelerated Reader Program.
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KU READING PROGRAM
Die-hard Jayhawk fan Kathy Booth promotes the KU Reading Program to students in grades 2-6. The University of Kansas provides certificates, booksmarks, Jayhawk patches, and a variety of fun prizes for students who complete the reading requirements. Through this program, students are encouraged to read life science and Kansas history books.
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WILLIAM ALLEN WHITE PROGRAM
The William Allen White Children's Book Award program (WAW) is a state-wide reader's choice award. Any Kansas student in grades 3-8 who reads at least two books from the list of nominated titles is eligible to vote for their favorite book in April. Votes are tallied from across the state, and the winning author is invited to Kansas to receive the award.
Each year we kick off the WAW program in Sept. with all students being introduced to the current year's books in their library skills classes. Students receive bookmarks listing the 2009-2010 WAW titles, and the list is also available online at http://www.emporia.edu/libsv/wawbookaward/masterlists/list0910.htm. The list is divided into two age categories: grades 3-5, and grades 6-8. In general, the books on each list are intended for a target audience of children in the specified grade level. However, students are welcome to read books off of both lists, and there are many titles that would be appropriate for both age ranges.
As a special reward for students with outstanding participation in the WAW program, students who meet the reading requirements will be invited to an ice cream sundae party in the spring to celebrate their reading success. A WAW chart is located in each teacher's classroom, and students are invited to mark the chart when they read a WAW book and pass the AR test. Because of the high quality of the literature, teachers are allowing students to AR test on any WAW book, regardless of its reading level. We have set reading goals for each grade level and ask that students pass AR tests at 70% or higher (or have a teacher's verification that the book has been read). These books can be read to, read with, or read independently.
3rd Grade = 5 books
4th Grade = 6 books
5th Grade = 7 books
6th Grade = 8 books
Voting is in early April, and eligibility for the ice cream sundae party will be decided at voting time. Thank you for your support of the WAW reading incentive program!
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