Embedded Files
I took my 4th – 8th-grade students on a field trip to the local library to learn about how to use the free technology resources there as well as check out books. This field trip was the first of its kind at my elementary school, and I noticed that resources from our local library were incredibly underutilized. Therefore, this activity gave my students access to extend their learning through resources in our local community. Initiating this field trip came to mind when my students started asking for more access to books for their reading logs, beyond what I had available to them in my classroom book bank. Through careful planning and coordination, I was able to sign up all of my students who participated in the field trip for a library card, brought them to check-out books, and engaged them with free after-school programs that the library offers. More information about the Waverly Public Library can be found here.
Planning Our Visit
Planning Our Visit
Recognizing Students' Needs:
Recognizing Students' Needs:
I first recognized a need for more access to literary resources when multiple students were struggling to turn their reading log homework in on time. When asking around, many of my students responded that they did not have enough books to complete their reading logs. I decided to conduct an informal survey to see how many books they had at home. I passed this survey around at the end of each pull-out group. The results, shown below, show that the majority of my students (12/21) have 5 or fewer books of their own at home. Because students need to submit reading logs with three entries per week for their ESOL homework, some students would run out of books to read in a matter of weeks. This made me recognize that there is a high need for more literacy resources in my classroom.
Coordinating With The Librarian:
Coordinating With The Librarian:
Here is a screenshot of the texts I sent to the librarian to work on confirming the field trip, as well as get the library card applications dropped off at my school. I coordinated directly with the Waverly librarian via phone call, and she confirmed our trip via text.
Permission Slips:
Permission Slips:
Library Permission Slip.docxLibrary Card Application.pdfHere is the permission slip that I sent home with students two weeks before the trip. Attached was a library card application, so that students were able to complete it and pick up their library cards during the actual field trip! Through getting ahead of this process I was able to ensure that our time at the library was as effective as possible.
Below you can see a picture of my schedule for the day. I taught a few pull-outs in the morning and then devoted the entire afternoon to the field trip. It was a great way to get outside, go on a walk, enjoy some sunshine, and learn about a resource in our community.
During the Field Trip
During the Field Trip
Scavenger Hunt:
Scavenger Hunt:
Library Scavenger Hunt.docxI devised a library scavenger hunt to help keep our trip engaging while ensuring that students were acquiring key takeaways. You will notice on the last page there is a glossary of commonly used library terms and pictures in order to make this content more accessible to my ELLs. Students were directed after our library tour to spend time in the library finding these resources and filling them out. Below you can see the completed questionnaires.
Pictures:
Pictures:
Below are images that show us walking to the library, listening to the librarian tell us about resources, and my students exploring library resources during their scavenger hunt.
Here is a picture of our walk to the library.
When we arrived at Waverly library, the children's librarian gave an overview of what the library is used for, and different programs that take place at the library that my students can take part in.
Here is a picture of the librarian assisting students with filling out their scavenger hunts.
Students learned how to log on to library computers and access the library catalogue to find resources.
Post-Trip Reflections and Impact
Post-Trip Reflections and Impact
Below are reflections that my students filled out in their reflective journals after our library trip. As you can see, students learned about books and online resources, clubs, and how everything is available to them for free. During the trip, every student was given a library card to use. I hope that learning about these free resources will encourage them to continue their learning outside of the school day.
Only one of my students on the trip had ever previously been to the Waverly library, and this student did not even have a library card. Also, this was the very first library field trip that had taken place at my school since the library opened in 2015. I hope that by taking these first steps of building a partnership that more students will be able to increase their access to literacy resources in our school community- thus opening doors to alternative paths of learning.
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