• 2022/2023 Impact Report

Librarian

  • During each school break (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring Break), students in Pre-K through 5th grade could participate in themed reading challenges. Examples of challenges included: read a book for 20 minutes, read a non-fiction book, or read for 20 minutes on Sora or another online library. Those who completed a challenge received a prize from the library!
  • The library held events throughout the year to promote reading, such as the Storybook Pumpkin Contest, International Dot Day, Read Across America Week with dress-up themed days and diverse book selections, Children’s Book Week with dress-up themed days and a Storybook Character parade, Guess The Villain contest during October, holiday-themed obstacle courses in the aisles during December, as well as Battle of the Books. Celebrations were held for students who read the Bluebonnet and 2x2 books.
  • Our 3rd - 5th grade students participated in the Starbooks Genre Cafe. The library entrance and tables were decorated like Starbucks while cafe music was playing. Students rotated through the tables to taste-test various genres of both fiction and non-fiction titles curated by the librarian. They left the library with a list of new books they wanted to read and could check out any of the books from the event. Teachers and staff also enjoyed the coffee provided.
  • Las Lomas welcomed author Rosie J. Pova to speak with students during Read Across America Week. Ms. Pova spoke with students about her books, and the book writing and publishing process. Students and teachers also dressed in rain jackets and rain boots to coordinate with one of Ms. Pova’s books, “Sunday Rain.” Students loved getting to interact with Ms. Pova!
Students entering contest
 
 
19,204
print books in collection
 
4,467
ebooks books in collection
 
18,826
print books checked out
 
969
ebooks books checked out
 
Student researching

Teacher

  • At the end of October, 3rd-5th grade students collaborated as teams to construct their own pumpkin candy catapults! After reading about catapults using an ebook on Sora, students put their team-work skills to the test as they constructed their own catapults using craft sticks, rubberbands, and spoons. The catapult’s kinetic energy was transferred to pumpkin candies, which flew in the air, resulting in great squeals of excitement. Data was collected to measure the furthest launched pumpkin.
  • For Hispanic Heritage Month, 3rd and 4th graders used PebbleGoNext to research a historical figure. They documented their findings on a biographical organizer, then shared them with their peers.
  • Second grade students read the 2x2 book "Brains! Not Just a Zombie Snack" by Stacy McAnulty. Students helped sort true and false statements about the brain that were hung on a poster for the whole school to view. Then, they completed an activity where they documented 2 facts about the brain, as well as something that is good for the brain, and something that is not good for the brain. Students used library resources to further delve into learning about the brain.
  • Kindergarten students engaged in researching roller coasters. After reading "The Pigeon Will Ride the Roller Coaster!" by Mo Willems, students brainstormed questions to further their knowledge of roller coasters. They used library resources to answer their questions, and data was collected for each class. Students then used their knowledge of roller coasters to design their own marble run roller coaster for a fun hands-on demonstration of their knowledge!
 

Students looking at projects

Lesson Spotlight

Third and Fourth grade students read the Bluebonnet book "Rock by Rock: The Fantastical Garden of Nek Chand." After using Google Earth to locate Chandigarh, India, and seeing images of the Rock Garden, students were challenged to make their own garden. STEM Challenges were given to the students to complete. They could only use recycled materials given to them, and had to create the image given to them on a card representing one of the features from the Rock Garden. Students created swings, a zoo of animals, amphitheaters, waterfalls, and statues, which were then displayed all together as one garden in the library.

 

Collaborator

  • The librarian collaborated with a 5th grade teacher to curate resources using the library’s collection to aid 5th grade students as they researched the 50 States. With the classroom teacher’s support and guidance, the librarian created lessons on note taking and citing sources. She also created a travel pamphlet for students to use to create their final product when researching their states. Books were shared with the classroom teacher so students could complete the project in their classrooms.
  • The librarian collaborated with the Pre-K team to teach students about Johnny Appleseed. Students learned about apples and Johnny Appleseed in the classroom, then read a biography in the library. Then, students practiced their math skills by rolling a dice to count out how many seeds to place on their own paper apple.
  • The librarian collaborated with the Family Specialist for Toddler Time. Families in the community were invited to read a story (both in English and Spanish), sing, dance, complete a craft that fit with the theme, and play. Families enjoyed working together as they created pom-pom letters to go along with “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.” Families also received a free board book and sticker to take home.
  • The librarian collaborated with the Instructional Technology Specialist to create winter-themed STEAM centers. Students read Snowflake Bentley, then had various centers to choose from, such as create binary candy cane ornaments, snowball toss challenge, build snowflakes with marshmallows and toothpicks, create lego snowflakes, “finish the snowflake” art, and snow catapults with Dash robots.

Collaboration Spotlight

The librarian collaborated with the Pre-K team on their monthly units, including spiders. The librarian ordered a tarantula from Region 20 so students had the opportunity to observe a live spider. They used PebbleGo and a non-fiction text to pair with the lesson. All students in grades Pre-K through 5th practiced sketch-noting their findings.

 

Students looking at tarantula

Campus Leader

  • Teachers received an introduction to the library during staff development in August. A PowerPoint showcasing the library resources available to our staff and students, policies and procedures of the library, the library’s schedule, and a Google Form for teacher input on library programming for the school year was shared. Mrs. Hackett also presented to the staff in the spring to train teachers on using News-O-Matic, Destiny, and new procedures for patron check-out.
  • The library partnered with a local hospital for Valentine’s Day. To help spread kindness and outreach amongst the community, student’s read "Kindness is a Kite String." Then they created Valentine’s Day cards for hospital patients, which were later delivered to the local hospital by the librarian.
  • The Las Lomas Library can be found on Twitter and Instagram with posts showcasing the lessons and events occurring in the library. The library also spreads the word about upcoming events through our PTA’s Facebook page, and by utilizing the Principal’s Newsletter which is sent out weekly to our families.
  • The librarian is the GLC for the LINKS Team, served as a coach for the UIL Art History Team, leads the News Team for our live morning announcements, and co-teaches an after-school STEAM club for students.
 
Students leading pledge
Two students using chromebooks