Library / 2022/2023 Impact Report

2022/2023 Impact Report

Librarian

The librarian promoted reading a variety of genres through Genre Speed Dating lessons designed to expose students to rich text for student choice. This was completed by book talks, personal recommendations, and group read-alouds with all ages.
Many students accepted the fall reading challenge for our November school break. Students were challenged to read from various library resources, such as an online article from News-O-Matic or a book on SORA. They read in 20-minute increments for three-plus hours during their break. Just over a hundred students returned their completed challenge! Second grade has bragging rights for having the most participants!
Celebrating Read Across America Week this year had us “Book a Trip!” Students were invited to read books with settings in time zone areas. We started on the East Coast and started our journey with our principal reading a book about the Statue of Liberty on the announcements. As each area’s books were read, we posted colored map pieces to map the trip. It was great learning about new places.
Guide Dogs in Training came to visit with students in the library who could use a good listener. Teachers signed up students to go and read with a furry listener. It is helpful for the dogs as they are trained to be calm in all situations. This is a confidence booster for some of our students as well. It is a win-win!

11,809
print books in collection

4,472
ebooks books in collection

21,860
print books checked out

2,552
ebooks books checked out

Students researching with computer using graphic organizer

Teacher

The librarian introduced research skills lessons on formulating questions with all grade levels. Lessons covered note-taking with Kinder through 4th grades using graphic organizers and developing timelines.
The librarian taught students how to do citations for books and various digital library resources. We started with books and then showed how easy it is to cite popular digital library resources such as PebbleGo and Britannica Online.
While celebrating Black History Month, the librarian worked to highlight library resources while investigating different types of biographies. Some resources were digital articles, some were online encyclopedias, and others were eBooks. Each resource had additional information and was accessed in Launchpad. Students were also taught how to cite each source they used.
This year to support learning, thinking strategies have been added to deepen the lessons taught. 3-2-1 is an example of one method used in the library for critical thinking. Using this technique with students has resulted in engaging more students in the discussion, and based on the students' responses, it becomes apparent whether they grasp the lesson. It has been very beneficial and added a deeper layer to the learning in the library.

Lesson Spotlight

One of the highlights of this year has been a lesson I have wanted to teach and lacked the confidence to “just do it,” so to speak. For several years, I have watched kids struggle with note-taking. It is a difficult and necessary part of research. After inviting a librarian to help with this new method, I implemented the tools myself and helped students learn another technique for note-taking or retelling called Sketchnotes. We studied the text, drew pictures, and wrote only a few keywords to take notes. The results were incredible. Students could tell the story of their person using their drawings and words. Ultimately, that is the goal! I would say incorporating this simple strategy was a win and added another tool to the students’ toolbox. The kids expressed how it was a fun way to learn!

Collaborator

Collaborating with the librarian, the second grade team closed their traditional stories unit with a fairy tale battle. All second graders read or listened to 16 fairy tales or fractured fairy tales. A qualifying test decided the classroom teams of four. On the day of the battle, all 2nd grade students were encouraged to dress as their favorite fairy tale character. The library hosted the competition as parents and classmates watched.
In collaboration with 4th grade teachers, the librarian taught lessons on "hooks" in reading and writing. The librarian selected library books that contained "hooks" and introduced various ways writers grab their audiences and keep them engaged.
The Librarian, in collaboration with 5th Grade teachers taught Inferencing lessons with read alouds and modeling. To check for understanding we set up stations in the Library using graphics and text with leading questions at each to be answered and checked with QR codes. Answers were not given but decided upon using discussion and inference skills.
The librarian, in collaboration with our Family Specialist, Mr. Ramirez, and Dyslexia Specialist, Mrs. Cupero, taught parents and shared information about the library and other available resources. This parent training, called Donuts & Discovery, was recorded for those who could not attend in person.

Collaboration Spotlight

This year in collaboration with librarians from the Reagan area and our PTA, we arranged to host a dream team duo of authors. They are sisters Susan Stevens Crummel and Janet Stevens. Janet is also an illustrator. They have numerous books between them, individually and collaboratively. All students attended one of their performances, and each audience was engaged for more than an hour. They inspired our students to become authors and illustrators themselves. Students are so excited to read their books. We can’t keep their books on the shelves!

Guest author with students acting out story

Campus Leader

The librarian held a fall professional development session tailored to teacher and parent requests for audiobooks. SORA and Learning Ally were among the resources shared with handouts to teachers so they could share them as needed with parents.
The librarian and family specialist collaborated to host Quarterly Community Story Times, inviting three and four-year-old children to come for a fun time reading books and doing activities. Our first story time was fall themed. We read Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert and did leaf crafts on the first day of fall.
The library is often used to test incoming students for whom English is not the primary language spoken at home. The parents accompany the students and wait in the library. While students are being tested, it is the perfect time to introduce parents to the incredible resources NEISD Libraries offer to support their children's learning.
The librarian and our family specialist hosted a Dr. Seuss Celebration in conjunction with a PTA meeting. PTA was looking for a way to engage the families of our youngest students and get them to come out to learn more about our programs. An evening with stories, songs, and crafts was planned. We had 40 adults sign up, along with 24 students. We prepared craft supplies for 35 and still needed more supplies. The evening was well attended and a huge success.