HIT: Ideas for Elementary Media

[Jo Upton <JUPTONS924@AOL.COM>]

Heard from a number of people per my request for ideas on how to start the
school year in my new position in an elementary media center, however, over
half were from people wanting the same info so here goes....

******************************************************************************
********************
You are welcome to use any of my ideas
You can find my lessons at:

http://mte.anacortes.k12.wa.us
Click on the library button, then follow the library information link to my
lesson plans.

Just let me know if you try anyting and how it worked.

Carl Dellutri

******************************************************************************
********************
Funny, I'm moving from an elementary school to a
middle school!

I assume you're just looking for a few things to do
with your students until the research kicks in.
Hopefully, you have a flexible schedule and some help.

I guess most people do an orientation of sorts, but
I'm sure you know how to do that from MS.  A few
things I've done:

Printed out a mixed up map of the LMC and had the
students correct it.

Had students pretend they are book spines, give them
call numbers and ask them to arrange themselves,
silently.

With Ks do a three part book care lesson, each visit
have to show one way they care for a book, ie. turn
pages from corner, wash hands, etc.  Get a book mark
as a prize.

Call number scavenger hunt.  Have students call out a
non-fiction topic, give them the call number then they
have to bring you a book with that call number.(Helps
to have an assistant to reshelve!)

Do a computer storybook with program such as Stanley's
Sticker Stories or Hyperstudio. Touch on character,
setting and plot.  Show a sample on computer, plan on
paper then do on computer. (This will keep you busy
for many visits.)

After I was in my position a few years I no longer had
to have things "in the can" for the start of the year.
I could launch right into research, knew which
teachers would be willing to jump right in.

Maybe you could give me a few hints about same for
middle school?



===
Kristine Werkheiser
Library Media Specialist
Webster Elementary School
Syracuse City School District
kriswerk@yahoo.com
_____________

******************************************************************************
********************

I have only been teaching for four years- however all my experience is
in Elementary- Including students teaching etc.  Don't sweat the small
stuff!  and alot of small stuff will happen.  I am now a media
specialist and last year I asked, the teacher of the "worst" class in
the school- How do you get them so under control?  She said, I make
them feel valuable, important and loved first.  Then the rest is easy!
I'll never forget that!

Cynthia

******************************************************************************
********************
One year I bought book worm masks for everyone to make.  I saw them again in
the Demco catalog, I think.  The kids loved it.  I am in a k-2 school, but
you could do it with just the younger children.  You can see them at my
library website:

http://morris.k12.nj.us/mps/library


Vicki Sweet
Media Specialist
Mountain Way School
Morris Plains, NJ  07950
vicki.sweet@mps.morris.k12.nj.us

******************************************************************************
********************
I started a library page program with my 4th and 5th graders. Interested
students worked  1 shift per week for 40-45 minutes. They checked books in
and out for students, shelved, ran errands, and more. There's more to it. If
you are interested in more details, let me know.

Helen Sissel
TnTcha@aol.com

******************************************************************************
********************
Hi Jo, how about the Library Dragon on the first day...to stimulate
discussion of the library and your expectations, consequences, programs,
etc.

Please post any hits you get on this one or forward them as we can all use
fresh ideas as the beginning of the school year heads our way.

Debbie Becker
Librarian
Oneida Castle Elementary
Oneida, NY
dbecker@dreamscape.com

******************************************************************************
********************
I had the students vote on what rules they thought were appropriate for
the library. (I had them suggest what they thought was important and
then offered a few choices that included their suggestions. This seemed
to work to create ownership and pride in the library from the start.) I
gave some lessons on general topics such as book care for the younger
students, research techniques for the older kids and writing techniques,
Colorado award winning books and author information for all.

Best wishes,
Candy
--
Candy Ballantyne, Librarian
Governor's Ranch Elementary
Littleton, CO
cballant@jeffco.k12.co.us

******************************************************************************
********************
Jo, I have 3 schools, so I always feel lost. I usually spend the first
student contacts of the year doing something silly that will get kids
jazzed about the library and reading, and also transmit some of the values
about book care. Usually I use the "Baby" with the K-2 students - an idea
that an LM_NET member gave me way back when. I cut a baby's head and
shoulders from an ad in a parent magazine (use one as full-sized as
possible), glue it to cardboard, and cut it out the same shape. Add a
cardboard extension that can go down inside a book like a giant bookmark. I
choose a book that has something to do with babies, preferably a really
silly one. Put the cardboard cutout in the book with the head sticking out,
put a Pamper on the bottom of the book, and wrap the whole thing in one of
those baby towels with a hood so that the face peeks out of the hood. Do
your spiel about how to treat a baby, write down their suggestions, then
bring our your "baby." Run them through the ideas again (don't drop, don't
hit it, don't let it stay wet, don't leave it alone, don't throw it - get
as wild as you want.) Then show them the Pamper. Take off the diaper, the
towel and the "head" and read the story. Remind them to "treat their book
like a  baby" as they leave. They will remember it all year.

With 3rd-5th grade students I've used a variety of things. Here are some of
the themes:
First class library - use a gigantic blue ribbon (I made mine from a blue
paper plate with gold letters and a frill cut from gift wrap and lots of
blue and gold dangly ribbons) Introduce your Young Reader nominee books for
the year, and also tell kids how to help you have a winner of a library by
taking care of the books.
Mr. No - I used a "slammer," one of those furry little balls with a face
that says something when you throw it down. Mine says "Oh, Noooooo!" in a
miserable tone of voice. I started the discussion about book care, and then
passed Mr. No around the room while I suggested things you could do with a
book. If it was a bad idea, the student was to throw down Mr. No so that he
whined his little statement. Then I read them a selection of the emails I
received from LM_NET back when I asked for people's most awful book damage
stories. (The HIT on those should still be in the archives from last year.)
I used this same lesson with my middle schoolers, minus Mr. No, just using
the stories. It was very effective.

*)*)*)*)*)*)*)*)*)*)*)*)*)*)*)*)*)*)*)*)*)*)*)*)*)*)*)*)*)*)*)*)*)*)*)*)*)*)*)

Gayle Hodur             Snail Mail:
District Librarian          Main Street Middle School
Soledad Unified School District     441 Main Street
(408) 678-3923              Soledad, CA  93960
ghodur@redshift.com

******************************************************************************
********************
I will be making the same move from middle to 4-5. I have only been in a
middle school for 18 years.    There is a reading incentive program
called Books and Beyond which I am going to try - have you hear of it? I
certainly can use suggestions also. Good luck and hope to hear from you
- Bonnie

--
Bonnie Gabriel/Media Specialist
M.J. Ryerson Middle School
Ringwood, NJ 07456
whitestone@nac.net

******************************************************************************
********************
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!  Have a good year!

Jo Upton, Media Specialist
Kingsford Elementary School
Mulberry, FL  33860
juptons924@aol.com

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=
All postings to LM_NET are protected under copyright law.
 To quit LM_NET (or set-reset NOMAIL or DIGEST), send email to:
   listserv@listserv.syr.edu          In the message write EITHER:
    1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL or 3) SET LM_NET DIGEST
 4) SET LM_NET MAIL  * Please allow for confirmation from Listserv
 For LM_NET Help & Archives see:  http://ericir.syr.edu/lm_net/
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=