
Lowell Library Newsletter
January 2024

We Love Our Library!
Hello Lowell Families and Caregivers!
Welcome to 2024! January is an exciting month in the library. At the ALA (American Library Association) MidWinter meeting the winners of the Youth Media Awards are announced. This includes big children's literature awards such as the Newbery Award, the Caldecott Medal, and the Corretta Scott King Award. In anticipation of the announcement, we try to read potential winners and determine if they meet the criteria to win a medal. See a few of our books below.
The official announcements are Monday, January, 22, 2024.
Curriculum Corner
Our curriculum is a combination of library, digital learning , and computer science. Each year we build on previous year's work and expand our understanding in all three areas.
December- January 2024 Curriculum Guide K-5
Kindergarten
- Author Study: Jan Brett
- Children's Book Awards
- Characters
- Setting
First Grade
- Author Study: Jan Brett
- Children's Book Awards
- Visual Literacy: Mood
- Visual Literacy: Tone
Second Grade
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- Google Docs: Menus and Toolbars
- Children's Book Awards
- Let's Give Credit
- Online Encyclopedia
Third Grade
- Lego WeDo: Milo the Science Rover
- Keyboarding Check-in
Fourth Grade
- What are Databases?
- Keyboard Check-in
- Copyright and Citation
Fifth Grade
- Google Forms Wrap-up
- What is the Internet?
Some of Our Activities
Code Monkey Jr. (Pre-2)
Younger students practiced directional coding using the Code Monkey Jr. app.
Dance Party (2-5)
Students explore block coding puzzles to create the ultimate dance party!
Favorite Books
Students and teachers added some of their favorite books suggestions to our interactive bulletin board.
Hour of Code Moments in the Library
Coding our Beebots
This puzzle had students solve math problems and code their bot to the correct answer.
Directional Coding
Students worked independently or collaboratively on the big screen to solve the puzzle.
Dance Party AI
Block coding challenges for students to create the ultimate dance party.
Read Aloud Selection K-5 ππππ
This is a selection of books for various grade levels that are possible contenders for a Youth Media Award this year.
Big
An American Story
Jumper
Digital Citizenship @ Home
3-5 Media Balance and Well Being Home Activity
Helping kids learn what makes different media choices healthy or not is a good start. But how do we help them actually make responsible choices in the real world? Give your students the opportunity to create a personalized media plan.
Plugged in Parents: Grades K-8
How do we use media in balance as
a family, find quality content, set expectations around healthy use to prevent conflict, and raise media savvy consumers and creators?
Padres Conectados: Grados K-5
ΒΏCΓ³mo balancear el uso de los medios en familia, buscar contenido de calidad, establecer expectativas sobre el uso saludable de la tecnologΓa para evitar conflictos, y criar jΓ³venes que sean consumidores y creadores inteligentes de los medios?
Contact Lowell Library
Email: kelly.mccollum@watertown.k12.ma.us
123 Lowell Street Watertown, MA 02472
Find Us Online:
@jrlowellreads