Elementary Library Time:
During elementary library time, our goal is to expose children to lots of different kinds of books and fan their natural desire to explore other worlds through reading. Every week, students are read a chapter from a different book. Mrs. Denson purposely does not come back to the same book the next week so that kids who are interested in the book must check it out to finish the story. This method can sometimes be frustrating to the kids who love that first chapter, but it is a successful method in getting the students to check out a variety of books.
During library time, we also try to keep the room quiet, orderly, and comfortable so that students can relax. Hyped-up kids find it hard to concentrate on words on paper, but in a quiet environment, kids can be drawn into stories that play out in their imagination. To that end, we don't encourage a party atmosphere, but we do try to foster an environment where the kids can explore the shelves, take their time, and ask questions.
With our K-2nd grade students, we often still use the couch reading area for story time. We work on skills such as finding just the right book for the child's reading ability, using spine labels and exploring what kinds of books spark their interest.
For our older students, we also work on library skills that help students be more independant in finding their own books.
We also have a number of display shelves organized into the different age groups. We rotate the books found on these shelves so that kids get to see a number of different covers that will pique their interest. We also try to give students access to newly returned books since many students will read books recommended by friends. When a friend returns a book, that seems to be the time most of the other students want it.
Below are the expectations and procedures list we go through with students at the beginning of the year. Although the list is very structured, we have fun that first few week of class when we practice, not just read, library procedures. We find that the more we practice these procedures, the more students feel confident and proud of themselves. They know what our expectations are and they feel they can easily meet them. It is exciting to us to see them rise to the occasion.
During library time, we also try to keep the room quiet, orderly, and comfortable so that students can relax. Hyped-up kids find it hard to concentrate on words on paper, but in a quiet environment, kids can be drawn into stories that play out in their imagination. To that end, we don't encourage a party atmosphere, but we do try to foster an environment where the kids can explore the shelves, take their time, and ask questions.
With our K-2nd grade students, we often still use the couch reading area for story time. We work on skills such as finding just the right book for the child's reading ability, using spine labels and exploring what kinds of books spark their interest.
For our older students, we also work on library skills that help students be more independant in finding their own books.
We also have a number of display shelves organized into the different age groups. We rotate the books found on these shelves so that kids get to see a number of different covers that will pique their interest. We also try to give students access to newly returned books since many students will read books recommended by friends. When a friend returns a book, that seems to be the time most of the other students want it.
Below are the expectations and procedures list we go through with students at the beginning of the year. Although the list is very structured, we have fun that first few week of class when we practice, not just read, library procedures. We find that the more we practice these procedures, the more students feel confident and proud of themselves. They know what our expectations are and they feel they can easily meet them. It is exciting to us to see them rise to the occasion.
ELEMENTARY LIBRARY EXPECTATIONS & PROCEDEURES
1. Enter quietly (level 0), but say “good morning” or“good afternoon” to the librarian. Pick up coloring pages on your way in.
2. Return your library book(s) from the last library time to the librarian’s desk or keep it at your desk if you want to renew it. Renew it during your turn to check out a book.
3. Sit at your assigned seat. (Talk with a level 1 voice or work on your homework until the librarian comes to the front of the class.)
4. Remain silent during the time the librarian reads to the class.
5. Wait for your turn to check out a book. Quietly talk, read, or color in your seat according to the librarian’s instructions.
6. When you are allowed to look for a book, take a red card to mark your place on the book shelf and always use a level 1 voice and a soft step as you move around the room so that you do not disturb others in our class, around our class, or under our class.
7. If you need a stool, pick it up to move it from one place to another so that you do not disturb the class beneath us. Set it down softly.
8. If you have forgotten your book, please fill out an overdue book form during your turn to check out a book. The librarian will help you. You will only be allowed to have a total of two books checked out at any one time so make sure the forgotten book is returned.
9. Students who chronically forget their books may lose the privilege of checking out books altogether.
10. After you get your books, return to your assigned seat to read, talk quietly, or color (if allowed during that class period.) Students who are reading quietly and sitting in their seats the correct way may be chosen to sit in the couch area.
11. Toward the end of class, the librarian will give a last call to check out books. Students who do not line up at the desk at that time will not be allowed to check out books.
2. Return your library book(s) from the last library time to the librarian’s desk or keep it at your desk if you want to renew it. Renew it during your turn to check out a book.
3. Sit at your assigned seat. (Talk with a level 1 voice or work on your homework until the librarian comes to the front of the class.)
4. Remain silent during the time the librarian reads to the class.
5. Wait for your turn to check out a book. Quietly talk, read, or color in your seat according to the librarian’s instructions.
6. When you are allowed to look for a book, take a red card to mark your place on the book shelf and always use a level 1 voice and a soft step as you move around the room so that you do not disturb others in our class, around our class, or under our class.
7. If you need a stool, pick it up to move it from one place to another so that you do not disturb the class beneath us. Set it down softly.
8. If you have forgotten your book, please fill out an overdue book form during your turn to check out a book. The librarian will help you. You will only be allowed to have a total of two books checked out at any one time so make sure the forgotten book is returned.
9. Students who chronically forget their books may lose the privilege of checking out books altogether.
10. After you get your books, return to your assigned seat to read, talk quietly, or color (if allowed during that class period.) Students who are reading quietly and sitting in their seats the correct way may be chosen to sit in the couch area.
11. Toward the end of class, the librarian will give a last call to check out books. Students who do not line up at the desk at that time will not be allowed to check out books.
LIBRARY BOOKS
- Each child is responsible for the books he or she checks out.
- Handle them with care.
- Keep the books as your own. Do not share them with a friend or check out a book for a friend.
- When you finish reading, store the books in a special pocket of your backpack so you will have them at home or school, and you will always know where they are.
- Do not check out another book if you have an overdue book.
- Take responsibility for a lost or damaged book by paying the replacement fee. I won't think you're a bad kid. I will know you've got a lot of integrity.