Librarian
- To raise funds for an author visit, as well as to obtain new popular titles, the Walzem library hosted a fall book fair. A spring book fair was held to encourage students to build their home libraries and to purchase new in-demand books for the library collection.
- In a week-long celebration of the book The Dot, which encourages creativity, encouragement, and art, the library provided students in all grade levels with Dot Day stations. The various activities included pointillism painting, Augmented Reality with a Quiver coloring sheet, dominoes, beads for jewelry making using Morse code or patterns as guides, and using a construction paper circle as a base with other paper shapes to create a picture.
- Throughout the school year, as part of the Specials rotation, the library used Makerspace stations such as augmented reality, puzzles, legos, magnet tiles, tangrams, wooden planks, art and crafts. This was often part of a challenge or activity relative to a theme, lesson, and/or book being presented weekly.
- Students in PreK through 5th grade were encouraged to participate in reading challenges such as a Thanksgiving challenge to read a minimum number of books, Schlitterbahn’s Waves of Pages in which students read 10 hours, kept a reading log, and earned a free ticket to the water park, and 3rd/4th/5th graders read five or more of this year’s Bluebonnet books to vote for their favorite in January’s Bluebonnet Voting.
- After a brief author study and enjoying a couple of his titles, the Walzem library hosted Jeff Mack for an author visit with students of all grades. The author/illustrator shared his ideas for inspiration and his talents as an artist. Students were able to make connections with the author and his experiences, and enjoyed engaging with a literary figure.
12,872
print books in collection
print books in collection
16,522
ebooks books in collection
ebooks books in collection
12,980
print books checked out
print books checked out
1,316
ebooks books checked out
ebooks books checked out
Teacher
- After the librarian read a title from the current 2x2 list, 2nd grade classes generated questions about animals, including their basic needs, characteristics, and dependence on their environment. This led to PebbleGo investigations on the iPad and note-taking. Science TEKS 2.2A, 2.2D, 2.9A, 2.10A, ELA TEKS 2.13A-C
- Discussion about Pluto’s designation as a dwarf planet led to utilization of choice boards on the iPad and AR/VR technology, such as the Merge cube, to engage 3rd through 5th grade students’ curiosity and to explore objects in space. Students were able to identify and compare the physical characteristics of the sun, earth, moon, and other celestial bodies, as well as identify their position relative to the sun. Science TEKS 3.8D, 4.8C, 5.8D Tech TEKS 3-5.1.C
- Used story of Goldilocks with 3rd through 5th grade students to review elements of fairy tales and folktales, then applied knowledge and creativity in STEM stations. In one station students used card stock paper, rulers, pencils, and cardboard to create models of the three bears’ beds and to determine which would actually be the best size for baby bear based on average bear heights. ELA TEKS 3.9A, 3.8C, 4.7G, 4.9A, 5.9A Tech TEKS 3-5.1.A, 3-5.4.C
- Used literature and Discovery Education videos to build knowledge of Lunar New Year with 5th grade students. This helped students to become more familiar with and to appreciate the customs and traditions of the racial and ethnic groups that celebrate Lunar New Year. Social Studies TEKS 5.22
- Used current title on 2x2 list with Kinder, 1st, and 2nd graders to activate background knowledge of different cultural foods, gather information by individual voting for favorite toppings on pizza, create picture graph, and analyze results by counting and/or using tally marks to generate total of votes and comparing the results. Social Studies TEKS K.11, Math TEKS K.8A-C, 1.8A-C, 2.10A-D
Lesson Spotlight
The librarian introduced 3rd through 5th grade students to digital library resources, focusing on SIRS Discoverer and Biography. After demonstrating features of each resource, students were paired and worked together on the iPad to find information. Students were tasked with completing a Google form to search for the Rock Cycle, locate the diagram in the article, and to state one fact. If time allowed, students also practiced searching for Eli Whitney in Biography and, using text features, identifying two of his occupations. This lesson allowed students to use search strategies, collect and organize information, and communicate in oral and written form.
Campus Leader
- Presented Learning Ally reading resource to all teachers through Zoom staff meeting. This resource provides struggling readers and those with learning difficulties with high-quality, human-read audio books. The use of Learning Ally builds background knowledge, vocabulary, comprehension and self-esteem.
- Collaborated with Family Specialist to present library resources and Sora to parents. Sora is one of the district’s providers of digital books (eBooks), audiobooks, and read-along audiobooks. This resource contains books in English and Spanish, authentic voice reading, highlighting capabilities and a built-in dictionary. The librarian also worked with CIS during Math & Science Night to guide families through STEM stations.
- Utilized Twitter at least once every month to communicate library events and announcements to student families and community using the Twitter account @Walzemlibrary.
- Created and updated the daily morning announcement presentations, managed student anchors from 4th and 5th grades and their rotation, and facilitated the live broadcast to the whole school.
- Attended Region 20 Library Learning Conference, 32 hours of NEISD librarian professional development sessions, and district-approved technology training.
