Welcome, parents, to the library web pages for Fuller Meadow and Howe-Manning Elementary Schools in Middleton, MA. On these pages you will find updates about what we are working on in library this year and useful links and information: Volunteer, Book Fair, SORA, MCBA, December Update, November Update, October Update, September Update, and Useful Links.
Welcome to the library webpage for Howe-Manning families. Library class always begins with a lesson. The lesson might include an introduction to library skills such as citing pictures and information or library organization, or the lesson might include an introduction (or review of) an ongoing project.
After the lesson, students check out books and then work on an activity. The activity relates to the lesson, so if the lesson was about library skills, the activity would reinforce those skills, and if students are working on a project, the activity will be the project.
I expect students to always make the kindest choice.
I expect students to listen during the lesson.
I expect students to raise their hands to speak.
I expect students to make contributions to the discussion.
I expect students to do their best work.
During the school year I will also expect all students to check out books.
I expect students to ask for help when they need it.
I expect students to give their best effort.
For myself, I will always check-in with all students during class to make sure they understand directions and are completing the activity. I will help students find books. I will do my best to get to know all of my students.
Howe-Manning students have been learning how to use our eBook platform, SORA. SORA has over 7,000 ebooks and audio books specifically for elementary students. It is web based so students can read the book in a web browser. Students can download books to read offline.
Students can place holds for books that are checked out to someone else.
Students borrow books for 14 days.
Students can renew books if they haven't finished reading in 14 days.
The 2020-2021 winner was Front Desk by Kelly Yang!
The MCBA was started in 1975 by professors at Salem State University (SSU) who realized that students in upper elementary school were not reading as much as students in lower elementary or high school. They started the MCBA as an effort to highlight some of the wonderful stories for upper elementary school children. Each spring, SSU nominates 20-25 books that they think students will love. Students have a year to read the nominees. Students who read at least 5 of the books earn the privilege of casting a vote for the winning book.
I love that this award is chosen by the students, not the adults!
I will read the books and share book talks with students about the books. I will create Kahoots! about the books to see if students remember my book talks and to get students excited about the books. I have never seen books fly off my shelves as quickly as the MCBA books. I have two or three copies of all MCBA books in the library (when they are not checked out) and most, but not all, of the MCBA books are available in SORA as an eBook or audio book.
Parents, students can read the books by themselves, or you can read the books to your child, either counts! After students finish reading one of the MCBA books, they should see me and complete a reading response. I will keep track of how many books each child reads, and for all students who read 5 books, I will provide them with a link to cast a vote for the winner.
To further encourage students to engage with the MCBA books, I have a Question of the Week challenge. Each week, I post a question about one of the MCBA books. Students who know the answer to the question complete a slip and put it in the box. Once a month I will draw a winner from each grade from the box and winners will receive a small prize. For the Question of the Month, I do not require students to read the book. They can look at the summary, browse the book, or look online for the answer. It is my hope that through the browsing activity, students will want to read the book.
For more information, follow this link: http://massachusettschildrensbookaward.blogspot.com/