Library Skills Classes

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.

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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.

This year's WAW kick-off was Sept. 24-28 with all students being introduced to this year's books in their library skills classes. Students received bookmarks listing the 2007-2008 WAW titles, and the list is also available online at http://waw.emporia.edu/masterlists/masterlist.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. To qualify for the party, students must read SIX books on this year's WAW, and the number of those six that needs to be read independently (definition of INDEPENDENTLY: not a teacher or librarian read-aloud; guided reading or lit circle books are OK, as are audio books and family read-alouds) corresponds with the student's grade level. The idea behind encouraging independent reading is that the students take personal initiative in reading the books and make an extra effort to participate in the program.

Students are required to read and pass AR tests on 6 books to attend the party, but for

• 3rd graders, 3 of the 6 must be read independently
• 4th graders, 4 of the 6 must be read independently
• 5th graders, 5 of the 6 must be read independently
• 6th graders, 6 of the 6 must be read independently.

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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