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Students Make Author/Fan Website

Two of our 4th grade girls have made a website about author, N.D. Wilson.   Check it out.  I think you will be as impressed as I was.  http://www.wix.com/stephenmlance/ndwilsonfanclub

Finding Books on a Specific Reading Level

Some parents have asked how their child might find a book on their reading level.  We teach students about the 5-finger rule.  When they see a book that looks interesting to them, they should begin to read a page.  The student should put up one finger each time they come to a word they do not know.  If all five fingers go up while reading one page, then the book is probably too difficult.  If not one finger goes up, the book may be too easy. 

In addition to this simple way of selecting a book, teachers have tested each student and they have been given their reading levels.  This PowerPoint presentation can be downloaded and viewed.  The presentation explains how students/parents can use the online library catalog, called Destiny, to find books on a particular reading level.  If you have any questions, please stop by the media center and I will be happy to help.

Thank you Sarah Cave

What could be more fun than getting into your comfortable pajamas, getting a cup of hot chocolate and cookies, and sitting with your friends listening to stories?  Whem Ms. Cave reads to you, you don't even need the pictures!  You can just make your own pictures in your head.  About 70 children, with parents in tow, turned out for another wonderful family night in the media center.

Family Night in the Media Center

Put on your pajamas and head to the media center for a night of stories and fun with Sarah Cave, Thursday, October 20th, from 6:45 - 7:45 p.m. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served.  This is a free event.  See you there!

 

Rocket Readers Blast Off!

We had 428 students participate in the Rocket Reader progam in September.  That means 428 students got to choose  a free book, the prize for September.  It was a happy bedlam last Friday, the day students came in to retrieve their book.  We were delighted with the level of participation and enthusiasm.  The October mission cards are due October 28th.  The October prize is yet to be determined.

 

Save the Date! November 12th Book Fair

This year we are having a book fair at the Cumberland Barnes & Noble Book Store.  On Saturday, November 12th, we will have lots of fun activities in the store. Our own Melody Makers will be singing, different teachers will be wrapping purchases for you throughout the day, there will be face painting and more.  So, plan to do some holiday shopping on November 12th and support our Library-Media program.  If you are unable to visit the store on November 12th, purchases made in the name of King Springs Elementary in any Barnes & Noble store country-wide or online between November 12th - 14th will earn a percentage for your school library.  Almost everything in the store qualifies, and you will have an enormous selection compared to past book fairs.  So, mark your calendars and don't miss out on the fun!

Pick a Free Book!

This month the Rocket Reader prize for all participants is a free book!  So, get your Mission Card in on time, September 30th.  Questions?  See the Rocket Reader site.

Internet Safety Resources

Please explore these helpful resources available from the U.S. government: OnGuard Online

 

Destiny Quest

We are half-way through orientation and going strong.  This past week 4th and 5th grade students were introduced to the new capabilities of our online library catalog.  Judging by the emails, flurry of online exchanges, and encounters in the hall, enthusiasm is nearly palpable. When a student creates their Destiny account they can search the school library catalog at school and at home, see what books they have checked out and when they are due, develop a list of "friends" to whom they may recommend books, write book reviews on books they have read (viewable by every student in the school district), reserve books, suggest books to Mrs. Tovi for purchase, make lists of books they plan to read, are reading have read, etc. 

For a student to access the catalog from home they will need to go to the Cobb Virtual Library.  A link can be found on the left side of the school website: http://www.cobbk12.org/KingSprings/ When you choose elementary you may be prompted for a user name and password.  These are available from the media center at school and for licensing reasons cannot be posted online.  Once you are in the Virtual Library you have access to a LOT more than the library catalog, but more on those other great resources later.  Click on the Destiny Catalog link at the top and choose King Springs from the drop-down menu. 

Click "Create Account" (upper right).  Enter the student's last name and in the bar code field the student should enter their student number.  The student number is the same number they use in the lunch room, in the library, and to log onto computers at school.  Click Next.  The following page will prompt you to enter the student's birth date. Then, click Next.  In the User Name field re-enter the student number again and then type in a password.  The password needs to be something the student will remember and should write it down somewhere if necessary.  The password will need to be typed again in the next line by "confirm password."  The e-mail field should be left empty.  Click Next, and you are logged in.  The student's name should appear in the upper right-hand corner.  Now, click on the catalog tab at the top, and the Destiny Quest link on the left.  The fun begins.

We Respond as Students' Browsing Habits Change

Students used to come to the media center, head to the shelves, and flip through the books to find one that sparked their interest.  Some students still search for books in this way, but more and more, they are heading to the online computer catalog.  With a recent upgrade, most catalog entries began to display a photo of the book cover.  Of course you have heard you can't judge a book by the cover, but most of us do, especially children.  Even 5-year olds are heading to the computer first.  This change in browsing habits has made it important that we change the call numbers for our picture books.  Instead of filing books by the just first letter of the author's last name, we are changing the computer entry for each book to include the first three letters of the author's last name.  In addition, we will need to replace the spine label on all 3,500 picture books.  This is a huge project, but will better serve our students.  Now, why did we choose this year to tackle this project???