• 2022/2023 Impact Report

Librarian

  • During Hispanic History Month, I featured different books on the morning announcements that were written by Hispanic authors and/or had Hispanic characters. These books were always checked out immediately and helped to circulate some books that hadn’t been widely recognized by students. Promoting books is a huge part of the Hidden Forest library’s programming because a life-long love of reading is something all students should learn.
  • Once a month, I invite a “mystery reader” to read their favorite book on the morning announcements. The week leading up to their reveal, I give clues about who they are. Students have so much fun guessing and they love seeing their favorite teachers/staff members participating in story time.
  • During Black History Month, I invited parents/community members to read stories about freedom quilts to our students. Volunteers also helped them design a paper quilt piece, which I then pieced together to create one, large quit that we hung in the cafeteria. These squares were blank, and after learning about the different symbols used during the time of slavery, students created their own patterns.
  • April is Poetry Month! I invited 3rd, 4th and 5th graders to create poems using the spines of books. Students could use books from home or the library and then submitted pictures to be judged in a contest. On the wall outside the library, I displayed all the poems and asked teachers to vote on their favorite one. Winners were highlighted on the morning announcements and received a prize.
Hispanic Heritage Month
 
 
11,293
print books in collection
 
228
ebooks books in collection
 
16,241
print books checked out
 
310
ebooks books checked out
 
Black History Month - Freedom Quilt

Teacher

  • During “International Dot Day” week, 4th and 5th graders completed a mini-research assignment on history makers. Using PebbleGo Next, students chose one person from history to learn more about. Students were asked to create a slide highlighting their accomplishments and what made them a history maker. These slides were put on Seesaw and presented in their classrooms.
  • During Hispanic Heritage Month, our 2nd and 3rd graders used PebbleGo to research a famous Hispanic person in history. Students completed a Frayer Model in Seesaw detailing who the person is/was, what impact they’ve made in society and something they found interesting. Students then presented their findings o their peers.
  • During Women’s History Month, our kinder, 1st and 2nd graders read the story, Mae Among the Stars, the story of Mae C. Jemison, the first African American female astronaut. After completing a “True/False” activity for comprehension, students took pictures in front of the green screen to create a photograph that they posted in Seesaw.
  • After reading Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist, 4th and 5th graders researched different sharks using both books and the website Nat Geo Kids. Working in groups, students created a slide with information that they presented to their peers in the classroom.
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    4th grade Research

    Lesson Spotlight

    $FIELD9 or slideshow to present to their classmates.
 

Collaborator

  • I collaborated with our GT teacher, Mrs. Greer, and our campus IT, Mrs. Roeber, to create an enrichment lesson for our higher-level thinkers. We discussed what our desired outcome was and looked through several platforms together. Mrs. Roeber gave us a fun, interactive activity to use with students that taught them how to use different research skills, such as, critical thinking, finding reliable sources, and the ability to search for, locate, organize and evaluate information.
  • I collaborated with my principal, Mrs. Powell, about getting community involvement during special, celebratory months such as Hispanic Heritage Month, Black History Month, and Women’s History Month. I worked with one of our PTA members to create a calendar for community members to sign up to read to students as well as facilitate crafts. Both students and volunteers loved this opportunity to learn from each other.
  • Our music teacher took our 4th graders on a field trip to see the symphony. The music was from Arabian Nights, and she asked me to create a lesson with a story that would introduce them to it beforehand. I read The Fisherman and the Genie and had students write an alternate ending.
  • I collaborated with our kindergarten teachers on an animal research unit for their students. I helped them find different resources, platforms and final project ideas. Students worked in the library to find information about their animals including habitat, predators and diet. They posted their work in the hallway for all school members to see and enjoy.

Collaboration Spotlight

Working with our representative of RootEd, we hosted two Preschool Power Hours for our community members, one in December and one in May. These are designed to highlight why parents should “Go Public.” Children experienced storytelling, crafts, music, and movement with the help of our music and PE teachers. One of our SPED teachers, along with myself, acted out the story with costumes and props as our principal read. Our representative purchased snacks and art supplies as well. Parents were able to see firsthand how wonderful our school program is.

 

Preschool Power Hour

Campus Leader

  • I worked with our GT teacher, Mrs. Greer, to present a lesson idea for our enrichment students to our 4th and 5th grade teachers. The lesson itself was geared toward our higher learners to use during their WIN time. Students were given different “challenges” and were taught how to research ways to find the answers using only resources in our library launchpad. Mrs. Greer and I presented an overview to our teachers after school so they would understand what was expected of their students.
  • I make it my goal to post on Twitter and Facebook at least once bi-monthly. I believe it’s important to advocate for the Hidden Forest Library and its programming by showcasing the wonderful things our students are learning during their time in the library.
  • Along with our counselor and one of our 4th grade teachers, I am a Student 2 Student sponsor. This program is designed to help new students, military children in particular, acclimate to a new school and environment. Together we work with current students and train them to be Falcon Friends, students who help welcome newcomers to our campus.
  • I host a Battle of the Book competition each year for 2nd, 4th, and 5th grades as well as a school-wide battle. These are always so much fun and really encourage students to read the novels. The most exciting one is our school-wide battle. The winning 4th and 5th grade teams battle against teacher teams and the competition gets heated!
 
GT & IT Collaboration
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