Bear Exploration Center is a certified magnet and STEM school. We are committed to STEAM learning through all content and specialist areas. We implement a rigorous curriculum embedded in STEAM learning. Our STEAM focus supports our commitment to high expectations and academic excellence. This Google Site provides evidence of our commitment to STEAM learning to increase students' engagement and motivation for lifelong learning.
Standards
2.1 The library media center is a place where individuals and groups of students use information to extend classroom studies and to further personal interests.
2.4 Collaborating with teacher to plan and implement instructional units integrating the resources of the library media center with the classroom curriculum.
Identify parts of a book and understand concepts of print Locate resources and understand how the library is organized D-3-5 RI.I.K5, RI.1.5, RI.2.5, RI3.5, RI4.5
As a school librarian, I tie learning in the classroom to learning in the library while endeavoring to develop a love of reading. I also provide opportunities for students to think for themselves during hands-on learning activities that support the whole child.
Get to Know a Genrefied Fiction:
The library had been rearraged by genre to help students find and locate books they are interested in.
Objective: Students will know how to locate books using the OPAC as well as using location to find the genre of the students interests.
. They will understand why we have rules and guidelines in the library.
I rearranged the library to make finding books the students are interested in easier.
Standards: AASL1.1.3, 1.1.6, 1.3.4,1.4.1, 1.4.2, 1.4.3, 1.4.4, 2.1.5, 3.1.2, 3.2.2, 3.3.5 ELA: SL.K1A, SL.K.1B, SL.K.3, SL.2.1A, SL.2.1B, SL.2.1 ELA:
Directions: Students had 10 scavenger hunt cards to help them locate different parts of the library and know what type of book was in that area. These areas included: fiction, non-fiction, biographies, check-in, check-out, different book series, and the areas that were Genrefied. We also brainstormed rules to follow so everyone can discover new information in the library.
In addition to reinforcing ELA standards, the library partners with classrooms to support the teaching of various science and social studies standards with books as well as stem activities.
Force and Motion, Designing and making a mousetrap or Lego car.
Making the car we designed.
Measuring how far the car moved.
Measuring how far the car moved.
Discussing the design of the car,
Interactions with teachers over the car design.
Partnering with Teachers:
Objective: To reinforce what the students are learning in their classrooms, and linking that knowledge to STEM activities and to books.
Standards: AASL 1.1, 1.3, 2.1, 2.3, 2.4, 2.6, 3.1, 3.2, 3.4, Science: K4, K5, K7, K8, K9, K10, 1.1,1.2,1.3, 2.7, 3.9, 3.15, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13 Social Studies: 5.8,5.9
Directions: Students had different activities depending on the subjects they were studying in their classrooms. K-
Technology Long-Ago & Today
Understanding ourselves and others by learning about different personalities, learning styles, and ways of appreciation. We applied this learning to ourselves and others by choosing books and genres we would like.
Displays to encourage reading.
Library Worker's in the Christmas Parade.
Genre Bins under the displays. Books are sorted by genre to help students find books they are interested in.
During December we learned about how people all over the world have celebrations.
We looked at artifacts, celebrations, customs, and the geography of each country.
Display of USA and Canada
Making the Kaaba
English Cracker Toy
Mexican Ojo de Dios ("Eye of God" ) Ornament
During January and February, we researched famous Black Americans. To do this, we used the AVL (Alabama Virtual Library) and books. The Kindergarten and First Graders learned about Plan Do and Review Research by Planning a Lego House, Building the Lego House and Reviewing how they followed the plan.
One of our favorite activities was to guess the famous Black American. After guessing, they could check themselves with the mat under the red folder.
Teaching about Plan, Do, Review research method.
Plan, Do Review a Lego house.
Alabama Virtual Library (AVL)
Biography Research
"Guess Who I Am" biography game.
In February I was able to give a presentation about genrefying the library and meet several authors at the ASLA Conference.
