LM_NET: Library Media Networking
Thank you all! When I finish my unit of practice, it will be posted on a website
with others that are taking this academy with me. I'll post the URL when they're
up. You will probably see your good ideas incorporated somewhere.
Debbie Wolfe
Library MS/Tech Coord
Wilson Elementary
402 N. 17th St.
Collinsville, OK 74021
918-371-6801
wolfed@collinsville.k12.ok.us
Debbie, check out Judy Freeman's Books Kids sit still for. There's a
lesson there I use each year with fourth grade. first they brainstorm
in teams of 2 or 4 - "10 ideas for choosing a GREAT book for yourself"
Then I have a pile that fits the bill ready. I ask, did anyone think of
"A friend recommended it"(, or whatever) and I show them one that I
recommend, etc etc. at the end I hand out a flyer I made pointing out
the 10 or 12 techniques they can use.
Patty Melville
1. Book talk, book talk, book talk! And pick the good ones! No one will
need to booktalk Captain Underpants to get it off the shelf, but telling a
bit about the biography of Helen Keller or Stewart Little may be necessary
to get people interested. Your provocative brief hints at what's in store
for them and your enthusiastic attitudes will inspire them to value what you
value.
2. Teach the "five finger test" and have kids practice it. To recognize
that they have learned it and can use it, and to show parents what they have
learned, I give a paper with the steps written at the bottom of a piece of
paper. The student can trace his/her hand above the words - with any number
of fingers out - and can decorate it with rings, watch, cuff, nail polish,
etc.
Mary Flanagan, Librarian
Chandler School
93 Chandler Street
Duxbury, MA 02332
I always have my students do the five finger test. They should open a book
they may be interested in reading and do the test. Randomly choose a page
in the book if you make more than five errors on that page the book is too
hard for you. If you don't make any mistakes it may be appropriate or too
easy. This is a great tool and a lot of kids easily understand it.
Nicole Roach
tnroach@means.net
I call it tasting (see if you like what the book is about) and trying on
(seeing if it fits how you read.)
I teach them to read the summary on the opposite side of the title page, or
blurb on jacket, or failing anything else, read a few pages. I stress that
this is what I do. I told them this fall about a trip I made to a
bookstore with a gift certificate. I didn't want to "waste" my $30 on a
"lemon" so I took a long time to read summaries and make sure I found one I
liked.
After first teaching this strategy, I do a book pass. Everyone gets one
book from the top of either of two stacks as we form a circle. We sit down
and read silently until I stop them. Then I ask in a variety of ways for
students to reflect on the "taste" (Did you find out and like or dislike
what the book is about?) and the "fit" (When you "tried it on" by reading
a page, did it fit how you read?) Then we pass our books to the right and
taste and try on the new book. After doing this for about 5 books
(spending a minute or more on each book but less time than for the first),
I explain that this is what they should do when selecting a book in the
library OR the bookstore.
This takes a lot of teaching up front, but now when students choose
something that I question is right for them or when they are having
trouble, all I have to say is "be sure to taste and try on until you find a
good book."
Marcia Dressel, Library Media Specialist
Osceola Elementary/Intermediate Schools
PO Box 128, 250 Tenth Ave E
Osceola, WI USA 54020
dressel@oz.osceola.k12.wi.us
I teach all my students the "Five Finger Method" for selecting a book: pick a book
you are interested in, open the book to any page at random and begin to read. Every
time you hit a word that you have to sound out or a word that you do not
understand, hold up a finger. If you reach the bottom of the page and there are
five fingers held up, the book is too hard for you. If you've held up three you
need to make a decision about whether you want to be challenged or if you want
something a little easier. This method works for all ages (including adults) and
helps all our patrons become more independent!
Susan K. S. Grigsby, LMS
Virtual Reference Desk Volunteer
Midvale Elementary, Atlanta Georgia
skg0577@dcss.dekalb.k12.ga.us
You've probably already heard of this one, but in case not, the
"five-finger" test is a good one to help them decide if a book is too hard.
They open the book to any page and start reading to themselves. Everytime
they find a word they aren't sure of, they put up one finger. If they make
it to the end of the page with less than 5 fingers up, it will probably be
OK for them to read. If they get 5 fingers up, it's probably better to wait
with that book for another year or so. This has helped many of my students go out
the door with a book at a
comfortable reading level for them.
Lili Jensen
Elementary Media Specialist
Estherville Lincoln Central Schools
library.lili@estherville.k12.ia.us
I have run across a couple of web sites that might be of help. Both are
sites are designed for kids. They include reviews, games, and author
information. <www.kidsreads.com> is part of the Book Reporter network.
<www.bookhive.com> is sponsored by a public library in North Carolina.
Beth Alton
Moody Intermediate School
Moody, Texas
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