Library / 2022/2023 Impact Report

SCHOOL YEAR Impact Report

Librarian

The librarian had students in K-3rd complete STEAM activities using building materials as an extension following a read-aloud. This was a creative way for students to retell the story theme we covered during the library lesson. We read Iggy Peck Architect and then used STEAM materials to try and create a new structure.
In grades PK-2nd grade, we have focused on pairing fiction read-alouds with non-fiction. We talk about parts of the book, text features, photographs, and illustrations, and how we can tell apart the two types of texts. We also highlight the author’s purpose.
In 2nd and 3rd grades, we taught students how to log into Launchpad on Chromebooks and access the Library Resources folder. We spent time learning in PebbleGo, an informational text resource.
In 1st grade, we learned how to access PebbleGo on the iPads and researched an animal of their choice. Then students could take their research information about habitat, diet, and life cycle and create a ChatterPix presentation about their animal that they shared with their classmates.

9,587
print books in collection

4,234
ebooks books in collection

16,450
print books checked out

280
ebooks books checked out

Teacher

The librarian collaborated with third-grade teachers to have students research naked mole rats. Students used the library resources PebbleGo and Nat Geo Kids. They learned about the naked mole rat’s body, habitat, food, and life cycle using PebbleGo and NatGeo kids.
The librarian taught 3rd grade students how to highlight text and critical information in News-O-Matic articles. They also enjoyed exploring the other features available in that digital resource. The students enjoyed the educational games in News-O-Matic and thought they were top-rated!
The librarian completed a research unit with 3rd grade students on Rapid Changes to the Earth’s Surface. Students used multiple digital resources and Google Slides to create a presentation. We highlighted grade-level TEKS, created citations, and summarized our learning about natural disasters.
The librarian worked with the 2nd Grade team to research national landmarks and American symbols. Students used Chromebooks to access digital resources PebbleGo and Britannica to take notes and create a presentation on their topic to share with their classmates.

Lesson Spotlight

The librarian created a lesson where third grade students made a Google Slides presentation, found pictures on their chosen topic from Britannica ImageQuest, and moved them into their slideshow. We then practiced finding and moving the citation from Britannica. This mini-lesson was very helpful in getting students ready for more significant research projects. It also helped highlight why using approved sources is essential, not just searching for images using Google

Collaborator

Wetmore hosts two 5th-grade book enrichment groups, one for boys and one for girls. Our TST, DIT, librarian, and one 5th-grade teacher are running the groups this year. Students are asked to participate based on MAP scores, and we are using this to support our campus Q4 goal.
The librarian collaborated with the 5th Grade ELAR teacher to create a list of historical people for their Living History Museum project. We vetted information on individuals to make sure there was enough age-appropriate material for all students. We created a list of questions the students needed to answer about their historical figures and helped them find the information to be ready to present to our campus and our families.
Wetmore has a daily WIN (What I Need) Time, where students are organized into groups based on MAP data to ensure differentiated instruction and individualized learning. The librarian works with a group of 2nd graders. We covered reading and math TEKS, focusing on areas where additional support is needed. WIN Time allowed further collaboration with the 2nd grade team, planning lessons and sharing data.
The librarian collaborated with our family specialist to create a lesson on SORA for parents. We highlighted the Read Along books so that our emerging readers could use SORA as well.

Collaboration Spotlight

During the school year, the librarian would assist teachers with finding books to fit curriculum needs and match TEKS. We had a second grade teacher who closely watched her MAP Data and knew each reading level for all the students in her room. This teacher also taught a new genre unit to her students each month. The librarian and this teacher worked closely together monthly to pull books on the specific genre the class was learning about and ensured that the books were of the appropriate read

student eating book club snack

Campus Leader

Our whole faculty was trained on PebbleGo Next and News-O-Matic by the librarian at a faculty meeting in August. Then, as a follow-up, students were shown how to access both resources during our library lessons that week.
Our campus principal sends a weekly Smore newsletter to staff and a second one to our community. There is a library section on both Smores, which highlights different resources that students can access and programs our library offers. SORA is spotlighted before school is out, so students and families know how to access eBooks and audiobooks when off campus.
Our librarian is part of campus leadership and attends all CIC meetings. During meetings, which included our PTA parents, the librarian showed teachers and parents how to access the Library Resources folder in Launchpad and its resources.
The librarian was used as a technology resource throughout the school year. The librarian was dispatched if a teacher was absent and a sub needed help with technology. If there was a presentation to be given to staff or students, the librarian set up the required technology and helped run the presentation.