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January 2020 News
Happy New Year!
We have jumped right in to new activities in the new year!
Kindergarteners are learning all about Chromebooks and becoming familiar with the keyboard. They will be developing their skills throughout the rest of this school year.
Our first graders are learning about Jon Klassen in our first author study of the year. His books are terrific! I highly encourage you to check them out!
It is all about animals for second grade. We have been learning about research and sources through our gorilla project over the past month. Now that the second grade animal research project has begun, students are ready to put their research skills to use. We will continue to focus on research, inquiry, and sources for the next two months. And, of course, we'll continue our gorilla project!
Third graders have sharpened their library skills with a Dewey Decimal System unit and learned all about Follett (our online catalog) so they are ready to start researching their biography subject.
Our fourth graders have also reviewed library organization and are now starting their research unit. We will be reading about the history of the Hudson River in class and students will choose a topic related to the river to research. At the end of our unit, they will present an infographic or Google slides presentation to the class.
Last, but certainly not least, fifth graders started their state research projects. They will be learning all about their state during library class between now and our Education Fair in April.
As you can see, we have a lot of research going on! It is an exciting time for the students to ask questions and find answers using their research skills.
Have a great start to 2020!
-- Mrs. Devine
November 2019 News
Our kindergarteners have the library routine down! We have been talking about how the books are organized in the library, how to find a good book and, of course, focusing on book exchange! All kindergarteners are encouraged to bring their books back to the library each week so they can pick out a new one.
First graders are becoming good digital citizens! They have been learning about media balance and we will continue to learn about making good choices while online throughout the month. We are also starting to give our fingers some exercise as we start using Jungle Jr. on TypingClub.
This is an exciting time for second grade! We have started our gorillas research. This unit will take us through November, December, and January.
Third, fourth, and fifth graders are learning all about our new online catalog, Follett Destiny Discover. Our school district moved to this system toward the end of the 2018-2019 school year so our students have not yet had a chance to become experts. This year they will! Students can login to Destiny Discover from their Chromebooks and also from home.
Please remember: If you would like book suggestions for your child or if you have any questions or concerns, please send me an email!
Enjoy November!
-- Mrs. Devine
October 2019 News
October brought the Book Fair to the library, which meant I had to take the library on the road. Classes were held in the classrooms and our brand-new Co-laboratory. We had fun lessons getting ready for our Eric Litwin author visit and learning more about the four Ubuntu principles that we will use in the library this year.
Wondering what I mean by that? Ubuntu means "I am because we are" and we are learning how what we do affects others. We are creating a library community for everyone because everyone is involved in creating the library community! The four principles we will use this year are:
Be curious
Be considerate of the needs of others
Create a reading community
Leave the library better than you found it
I am grateful for the work of Granite Media for the introduction to this concept! You'll hear more about it as the year goes on but, in the meantime, ask your child about ubuntu and see what they say!
Have a great month!
-- Mrs. Devine
September 2019 News
There is so much that is new and exciting this year at the Bell Top library. Ms. Beebe and I are enjoying getting to know our new kindergarteners and new students in other grades. And we have had fun hearing what everyone did over the summer.
Points of interest:
Kindergarteners will check out their first book in October.
All other grades have begun book checkout and have had their first technology lessons.
The Book Fair will take place in the library from October 3-11.
Please check back soon for more information on what is happening this year in the library!
Happy fall!
-- Mrs. Devine
April 2019 News
April has been library-on-the-go, a new system, and SPRING BREAK!
Our older students had the NYS tests this month and the library was used as a testing area so that meant library class went to the classrooms during the first week of April.
This month we unveiled our new online catalog, Follett's Destiny Discovery. Students were introduced to the system and learned how to search the catalog, request books, and how to create their own book collections. We will be doing more with Destiny Discovery next month as well.
Our fourth graders started a Database Explore Project where they are learning why databases are the preferred way to research in our library, and how to use the top databases that our school district purchases.
Some of our classes also celebrated School Library Month and shared all the great reasons why they love their library.
Have a great month!
Mrs. Devine
March 2019 News
This month, kindergarten and first graders have been continuing to develop their Chromebook skills. The students practice proper "Chromebook etiquette" whenever they use the Chromebooks; giving them a good "Chromebook hug" to carry them to their seats, keeping their hands on their own Chromebooks, and remembering to treat the Chromebooks gently so that everyone has a chance to use them. The students are pros at logging on with their Clever codes and have been visiting a variety of educational databases and web sites. They have also been learning to type, which is a skill that they will need more and more as they progress at Bell Top. Both grades are also working on point-of-view and perspective during library classes.
Our second graders are digging deep into computer coding activities and loving it! This unit will carry them through the end of April, during which time they will be challenged to follow directions carefully, create computer instructions (code), navigate the Chromebook keyboards, problem-solve, and work with partners. They'll learn that making mistakes is A-OK and that sometimes we all get frustrated. But, if you stick with it and don't give up the results will be awesome!
Our third graders are continuing to use library and tech time to work on their biography research and slide shows.
Fourth graders have been developing their listening, summarizing, and predicting skills during library time. They have also been working with Google docs and slides, focusing on menu/toolbar functions for creating and editing docs and slides, and also file management.
Much like our third graders, our fifth graders are working on research projects. They have been using their library and tech time to work on their state projects, both the research and the slides.
Enjoy the month!
Mrs. Devine