What's in this Newsletter?
September Newsletter Link
October Lessons
Grades K-1:
Grade 2:
Grades 3-5:
What is Digital Literacy?
Grades 3-5 will be learning and practicing digital literacy. The American Library Association's digital-literacy task force defines Digital literacy as "the ability to use information and communication technologies to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information, requiring both cognitive and technical skills."
Students will be using their digital literacy skills and Chromebooks throughout the school year. Both at Hope and Clayville Schools grades 3 and up are 1:1 with Chromebooks and are already using them on a daily basis. My hope is that if we ever have to distance learn again students at this age level will feel more confident and independent in using the Chromebooks and Google tools.
Technology Use Expectations:
- During the first full week of October students will pick a book from a selection of book (see Book Check-Out section) to borrow for 2 weeks. While students are picking books to check out, others will work on an activity related to book care.
- The following week, students will learn about picking a just right book.
- The week of October 19th, students will return their first library book and receive a new one. During browsing time, while students wait for their turn they will work on an activity based on last weeks lesson.
- The final week of October, student will learn about Halloween.
Grade 2:
- During the first full week of October students will place a book on HOLD using Destiny Discover in class. Then they will complete a digital literacy activity.
- The following week, students will be delivered their books and will complete an activity.
- The week of October 19th, students will place another book on hold and will work on an assignment related to last weeks lesson.
- The final week of October, student will return their previous library book and will receive their new books while working on a Halloween Activity.
Grades 3-5:
- During the first full week of October students will place a book on HOLD using Destiny Discover in class. Then they will complete a self paced digital literacy activity about Destiny Discover and then Google Docs.
- The following week, students will be delivered their books and will continue to work on the digital literacy activity about Google Docs and when done will move onto a Google Slides activity.
- The week of October 19th, students will place another book on hold and continue to work on their digital literacy activity about Google Slides and Google Classroom.
- The final week of October, student will return their previous library book and will receive their new books while continuing to work on a Halloween digital literacy activity.
What is Digital Literacy?
Grades 3-5 will be learning and practicing digital literacy. The American Library Association's digital-literacy task force defines Digital literacy as "the ability to use information and communication technologies to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information, requiring both cognitive and technical skills."
Students will be using their digital literacy skills and Chromebooks throughout the school year. Both at Hope and Clayville Schools grades 3 and up are 1:1 with Chromebooks and are already using them on a daily basis. My hope is that if we ever have to distance learn again students at this age level will feel more confident and independent in using the Chromebooks and Google tools.
Technology Use Expectations:
- Hand sanitizer before using technology
- Use walking feet
- One student at a time
- Two hands when carrying chrome books
- be gentle
- be patient
- Raise your hand
- Keep pace with the teacher
- Keep volume low (computer and voice)
- When done turn it off
- No drinks or food near chrome books
picture from commonsense.org
What Library Check-Out Will Look Like this Year
STARTING THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 5th!
The district Library Media Specialists (LMSs) worked to create a procedure for print circulation to occur safely and comply with the Health Department’s guidelines. When drafting this plan, the district Library Media Specialists (LMSs) drew from COVID circulation plans that public libraries have adopted over the last several months. LMSs also reviewed studies of how long traces of COVID remain on different library media forms. With an increase in screen time this year, it will be even more pertinent for students to unplug and have the opportunity to interact with physical books. Most importantly, it is our responsibility as LMSs to ensure equity of access to library materials for all of our students to further foster their love of reading and learning.
Grades K-1:
1. Library Media Specialist will pull a selection of age appropriate books, based on student request/feedback, for students to browse.
2. Students will begin and end browsing time by sanitizing hands. They will be called up individually or in small groups to browse with their eyes.
3. The Library Media Specialist will scan the book under that student's name. The student will also be given a bookmark to remind them when their book needs to be returned.
4. Books will be returned after two weeks. The Library Media Specialist will collect previously borrowed books in their classroom bin before students browse the new selection.
Distance Learners (OPTIONAL) and Grades 2-5:
1. Student's will log in to Destiny Discover, the school's library catalog. Students will have learned how to use this and practice with the Library Media Specialist.
2. Students will chose ONE book and click "hold" to place the book on hold.
3. The Library Media Specialist will look at student's selections, locate them in the library, and place them in the corresponding classroom bin. (There will be a distance learning bin for pick up day)
4. Books will be returned after two weeks. The Library Media Specialist will bring the bin of books to the classroom (or to pick up location), collect previously borrowed books, and pass out new ones.
The Gist:
1. Books will be quarantined for 7 days before returning to the collection for check-out again.
2. Students will be checking out ONE book for now, until they understand and practice the new procedures.
3. Each classroom has their own bin.
4.Students will borrow books for a total of 2 weeks. A bookmark will be placed and kept in their book to remind them when to return their book.
5. Students must return a library book in order to get a new one.
There are also Ebooks and Auido Books available to read from home, on a tablet or computer, using the library catalog. Students need to log-in first in order to read Ebooks and listen to Audio Books. Information will be going home next week on how to do this.
The district Library Media Specialists (LMSs) worked to create a procedure for print circulation to occur safely and comply with the Health Department’s guidelines. When drafting this plan, the district Library Media Specialists (LMSs) drew from COVID circulation plans that public libraries have adopted over the last several months. LMSs also reviewed studies of how long traces of COVID remain on different library media forms. With an increase in screen time this year, it will be even more pertinent for students to unplug and have the opportunity to interact with physical books. Most importantly, it is our responsibility as LMSs to ensure equity of access to library materials for all of our students to further foster their love of reading and learning.
Grades K-1:
1. Library Media Specialist will pull a selection of age appropriate books, based on student request/feedback, for students to browse.
2. Students will begin and end browsing time by sanitizing hands. They will be called up individually or in small groups to browse with their eyes.
3. The Library Media Specialist will scan the book under that student's name. The student will also be given a bookmark to remind them when their book needs to be returned.
4. Books will be returned after two weeks. The Library Media Specialist will collect previously borrowed books in their classroom bin before students browse the new selection.
Distance Learners (OPTIONAL) and Grades 2-5:
1. Student's will log in to Destiny Discover, the school's library catalog. Students will have learned how to use this and practice with the Library Media Specialist.
2. Students will chose ONE book and click "hold" to place the book on hold.
3. The Library Media Specialist will look at student's selections, locate them in the library, and place them in the corresponding classroom bin. (There will be a distance learning bin for pick up day)
4. Books will be returned after two weeks. The Library Media Specialist will bring the bin of books to the classroom (or to pick up location), collect previously borrowed books, and pass out new ones.
The Gist:
1. Books will be quarantined for 7 days before returning to the collection for check-out again.
2. Students will be checking out ONE book for now, until they understand and practice the new procedures.
3. Each classroom has their own bin.
4.Students will borrow books for a total of 2 weeks. A bookmark will be placed and kept in their book to remind them when to return their book.
5. Students must return a library book in order to get a new one.
There are also Ebooks and Auido Books available to read from home, on a tablet or computer, using the library catalog. Students need to log-in first in order to read Ebooks and listen to Audio Books. Information will be going home next week on how to do this.
How Students will use Destiny Discover Video
This is a lengthy video, however this is for referencing when helping your student in selecting a book using Destiny Discover. Students will be doing this in library class the first couple of times with me until they are comfortable with it.
First Library Check-Out Letter
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Next week your student(s) will be checking out his/her first library book from the school library for the 2020-2021 school year!
I will try to guide the students toward an age appropriate selection, but this is not always possible. I do let the students choose their own book since learning to select a book is a very important skill for your student. We will be working on this skill throughout the school year and students will have more guidance due to the Covid-19 check-out procedure. And books that students check out that may be above their reading level, are GREAT to read together!
The care and responsibility of returning borrowed books will be yours and your student's. Students are allowed to check out one book at a time, for now. If a student does not return his/her book on library day he/she will not be allowed to check out another book until it is returned. It is very important for our students to learn to be responsible for their library books. The NUMBER ONE place for a student to keep their book safe is their BACKPACK. When your student is finished reading their book at home it should go immediately in their backpack. Keeping their library book in their backpack keeps it: dry, safe from pets and little siblings, goes home and to school so it won't be forgotten on library day. Fines and fees will be assessed if a book is damaged or lost.
If a student is not finished with their book by their next library time, he/she may bring it in to check out again. Please be aware that this year students will be borrowing library books for 2 WEEKS this year. If they choose to renew it they will have that book for a total of 4 weeks.
I wish you and your child much shared enjoyment of our library books and thank
you for your help in making a responsible library patron of your child.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Serdechny
Library Media Specialist
Hope and Clayville
Next week your student(s) will be checking out his/her first library book from the school library for the 2020-2021 school year!
I will try to guide the students toward an age appropriate selection, but this is not always possible. I do let the students choose their own book since learning to select a book is a very important skill for your student. We will be working on this skill throughout the school year and students will have more guidance due to the Covid-19 check-out procedure. And books that students check out that may be above their reading level, are GREAT to read together!
The care and responsibility of returning borrowed books will be yours and your student's. Students are allowed to check out one book at a time, for now. If a student does not return his/her book on library day he/she will not be allowed to check out another book until it is returned. It is very important for our students to learn to be responsible for their library books. The NUMBER ONE place for a student to keep their book safe is their BACKPACK. When your student is finished reading their book at home it should go immediately in their backpack. Keeping their library book in their backpack keeps it: dry, safe from pets and little siblings, goes home and to school so it won't be forgotten on library day. Fines and fees will be assessed if a book is damaged or lost.
If a student is not finished with their book by their next library time, he/she may bring it in to check out again. Please be aware that this year students will be borrowing library books for 2 WEEKS this year. If they choose to renew it they will have that book for a total of 4 weeks.
I wish you and your child much shared enjoyment of our library books and thank
you for your help in making a responsible library patron of your child.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Serdechny
Library Media Specialist
Hope and Clayville
Library Links
Library Website:
Click your school's button below to view each School's Library Web page. On this web page you can find things such as:
Click your school's button below to view each School's Library Web page. On this web page you can find things such as:
- Library Policies and Procedures
- Search the Library Catalog
- RI Children's Book Award Information
- Information for Parents
- Link to the Library Newsletters
- Technology & Educational Websites
Contact Information
stephanie.serdechny @ scituateschoolsri.net
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