What Are We Learning ?

Kindergarten and First Grade

These students begin the year with important lessons about library policies, caring for resources and checking out materials. Students practice their reading comprehension as we discuss predicting, schema, and metacognition as we read our stories. Next, they come to understand that their favorite nonfiction books are arranged by subject and that fiction books are arranged by author. By the end of the year, students have an excellent understanding of award-winning books and various genres such as fairy tales and poetry.

Second and Third Grades

Second- and 3rd-graders become quite adept at computer catalog searching and locating personal book choices independently. They love researching print and non-print encyclopedias as well as nonfiction books in order to collect information on various science and social studies topics prior to completing their reports for the classroom. Many of these students are "hooked" on chapter books, which are part of their favorite series, a whole class novel, or the newest book by their favorite author.  Students enjoy book talks at least once every trimester, researching using our digital subscriptions, and studying various genres.

Fourth and Fifth Grades

Fourth- and 5th-graders continue to read several recommended novels with their class as well as select additional fiction and nonfiction for their recreational reading. Students learn to use a much larger range of encyclopedias, dictionaries, atlases, almanacs, indexes and online sources. They use the information accessed from these sources to complete longer research papers while practicing the basic study and information skills such as note-taking and citing resources. These students also have lessons on digital citizenship, website evaluation, and media bias. They also learn how to do self-checkout, preparing them for the expected independent skill at the junior high.