Last PCIS post

This will be my last post as PCIS librarian.

I have started an online search again for a job, and hope to be somewhere in Sept. Thanks for reading.

Our YA collection is growing

Whew! Today was a very busy day. Students are returning their books for the end of the year sweep, and the YA shelves are full to bursting. That’s good and bad news. Good because we have so many books, bad because I had to find a way to expand the collection to free up the shelves.

The problem was solved by having to move the entire fiction collection for grades 5-6 out of their current location. Shelf by shelf, beginning with the letter Z and working my way to A, I moved about a thousand books to free up a wall of 20 shelves. When that was done, beginning with the letter Z and working my way to A, I moved some of the YA collection to those shelves and spread them out on their current 16 shelves. When it was done, I heaved a sign of relief.

Both collections have room to expand and, with the YA collection enclosing the grade 5-6 collection on 2 sides, these students can be directed to go “on the edge” to find their books. This is a little play on words I made up to describe the types of books the collection has – books that will keep students “on the edge” of their seats.

 

Mercury Research

Yesterday, and today, worked with 8th graders from Mercury. I introduced them to some of our databases like eLibrary, Grolier Online and WorldBook Online. Today, we tried one called netTrekker, which had alot of useful information. The student’s task, as assigned by their teacher, was to search for information on whales for their data sheets, for an upcoming whale watch trip and a whale poem they will write. Many students instinctively wanted to drift towards Google, with only limited or no attempt to try the databases, but their teacher and I urged them to stay with the databases. Google has become too much of a crutch for today’s young people, and I hope to help them to see that there are many more reliable sources of information.

Their teacher required them to have an online source (a database), as well as an encyclopedia and non-fiction book source. I felt these were excellent requirements, as it helped students to use these sources and help them to see that not everything they need is on Google. I helped students learn to use the index, table of contents and guidewords to help them find information, as well as showed them how to cite their information for their 3×5 index cards.

The class will return to the library for several more sessions to complete their task.

Clarifications

Hmmm. Looks like I’ll have to do a little bit of clarification here. I saw a post that I had written put onto someone else’s blog. It was about cataloging some free books I’d received at the fall AASL conference. I’m guessing the person probably thought I meant I was cataloging ARC’s (Advanced Reading Copies.) No. That is a big no-no. I know that ARC’s should never be cataloged, and that they’re just for us librarians to get ideas for books to purchase in the future.

The free books were real books that book publishers were giving away for free. If you haven’t been to ALA or AASL, most of the vendors make a habit of giving out free books at a certain time on a certain day. You just have to be in the right place at the right time. Try it, you’ll like it.

Another week is done

There is much to do in preparation for the end of the year. We figured out how to use our Panther for inventory, and Mrs. Guiney has begun the process. It will be ongoing, and we plan to be done by mid June. Inventory allows me to find out what’s missing, lost, old in the collection so I can replace them with new material in my fall order.

Yesterday, spent a little time with Mrs. Papazian’s 6th graders in Gemini. They have a science project to work on during MCAS week and  I spent some time introducing them to nonfiction books, including how to use an index and table of contents. We also talked about how to take notes using note cards and key words, which they would later change into sentences to avoid plagiarizing. I briefly mentioned the Big 6, telling them they would get more information on it next year.

Today was another MCAS day. In between MCAS, I worked on locating books for next year that would match the teacher’s curriculum, as well as beef up existing collections in book, DVD and video format. I’ll work on reference books on another day.

Library Introduction

Today, I worked with Mrs. Keizer’s 6th graders from Gemini. The students received a brief introduction on how to take out and return library books and spent some time learning how to use Destiny, our online catalog.

Usually this type of lesson is taught in September, but the library was closed until March and, with MCAS preparations, this was their first time coming to the library as a group. It was nice seeing them so excited, and they took to Destiny like a fish to water. I’m guessing it’s because it’s online, and they love using computers. It was also good seeing every single one of them find a book of their own choosing, and to hear comments like “this is a good book, I can’t wait to read this one, I like this one, this is going to be great,” etc.

Preparations are underway

Students are gearing up for their MCAS exams, which began today with the 5th grade. All students will test this Thursday, then again next Tuesday through Thursday, with Friday and Monday being reserved as make up days.

In between MCAS preparations, I worked with some Gemini 6th graders today as they learned how to use our brand new online catalog and to search for books of interest. They will return again tomorrow. I met with their teacher to introduce the Big 6 as a way to help them with their upcoming project on Rome. I also met with one of the 5th grade teachers, and we are planning upcoming research lessons for their Biography reports using the Big 6.

On my way home, I continued practicing my speech, as I graduate this Sat. from Simmons College Graduate School of Library and Information Science, and will be the guest speaker for my fellow graduates.

Invention Convention

Ranger’s 6th graders did a fabulous job at the Invention Convention, held in the library on Friday. The students had 5 weeks to solve a problem of their choosing, and their creativity was astounding. They had to actually create their invention and use a tri-fold to show and explain the process, as well as explain why the problem was, indeed, a problem.

Inventions ranged from a complex music page turning machine, to a way to keep ice cream cones from forever dripping onto your hands to a way to kill bugs on high ceilings. Others included your very own kitchen composting system, a bi-bucket for painting, slippers that clean the floor while you walk, a way to keep pets from dirtying floors with their paws and many, many more. I thought they were fabulous, and did not envy their teachers the task of grading each and every one.

Students set up their inventions on Thursday then spent early Friday morning roaming the library viewing each other’s work. At an appointed time, they retired to pre-arranged seating by their inventions and the doors were opened to parents and visiting classes. The students proceeded to explain their inventions and pose for photographs. It was very well done and well organized. I know that the students learned alot from the creative thinking they undertook to come up with their invention, as well as how to publicly speak to the visiting crowds of adults and students.

Kudos to Mrs. Westgate and Mrs. Hoey, 6th grade Ranger teachers, and the 6th grade Ranger students for a fine job.

The next step

Whew! Today was the last day for the Scholastic Bookfair. I had a total of 13 students from grades 6-8 sign up to be members of my “crew.” They each received a lime green t-shirt, and I ironed the Scholastic crew theme onto each. When the crew came to help, they were assigned various jobs from making sure the shelves were neat to assisting classes with pricing and recommendations. Thus, today was their “reward day.” I took their photo and each were rewarded with a poster of their choice. Several of them returned later in the day to help take down and pack away the fair.

The next step in the library’s life involves Ranger’s 6th graders, as the students have been busily creating their own inventions. During the afternoon, the library was transformed into a live laboratory of student work. Inventions are accompanied by a large tri-fold posterboard giving information on what their invention is and how it would help the user. I was totally amazed at their creativity. Tomorrow, they will present to each other and to visiting parents.

The Scholastic Bookfair is ending

Whew! After a hectic week and a half, the Scholastic Bookfair will be ending soon. At noon on Thursday, its doors will close forever (until next year.) I hope that students and staff make lots of final visits, especially since no classes are scheduled on Thursday so they could shop unimpeded by other classes.

Many students, especially reluctant readers, are more likely to pick up a Graphic Novel than an ordinary book. As a result, I am starting a new Graphic Novel section of the library. Today, I spent alot of time cataloging some free books I received at the AASL (American Association of School Librarian’s) Conference in Reno last October, as well as some more freebies from the ALA (American Library Association) Midwinter Conference in Philadelphia this past January. These titles include retellings of Frankenstein, as well as science books on electricity and other topics.

One particular Graphic Novel science series features Max Axiom, and comes with interactive books in CD-ROM format. So far, I have both the interactive CD-ROM and Graphic Novel for Photosynthesis, and have several other titles featuring Max. I plan to order the rest of the interactive books and science Max Axiom Graphic Novels in the fall.

When I showed several of these science Graphic Novels to one of our 6th grade science teachers today, she was thrilled. I expect all the teachers and students will enjoy this new series, as well as the soon to be unveiled Graphic Novel collection.