Lowell Library Newsletter

Hello Lowell Families and Caregivers!

It is so exciting for me to begin a new school year in our school! I look forward to checking out books during the first class with students and returning to reading aloud from many of our fantastic books. This newsletter provides an overview of curriculum and instruction for the year and a small list of the books we start the year off reading.

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.

Kindergarten

• Welcome to kindergarten in the library! Kinders explore the library in many different ways. We learn the different neighborhoods and how to choose a just right book for us. Later we learn the difference between fiction and nonfiction and explore the work of authors and illustrators and literary genres such as fairy tales and traditional literature.

First Grade

• We begin learning about how books are organized in the library and introduce organizational structures in general. We advance our learning in digital citizenship and basic computational thinking using Bee Bots and offline coding activities. We study the literary genres of fairy tales, biography, and poetry wrapping up the year exploring the Book Creator app on our Chromebooks.
• Our reading compliments our topics of study and our monthly book celebration topics making sure to read some funny silly laugh out loud books in between.

Second Grade

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• Jumps into the literary genres of fantasy, realistic fiction, mystery and science fiction. Our big topic is reading call numbers and spine labels on books to independently navigate the library while identifying and searching for just right books for us. On the tech end, we begin using our Google apps, code, and finish with a Book Creator project.

Third Grade

• This year is an opportunity to read longer more complex picture books as a group.
• Takes a deeper dive into the Google apps Docs and Slides learning to use the menus and toolbars effectively. Keyboarding is introduced, advanced basic coding, and digital citizenship. Lego robotics kits are introduced with a group rover building and coding project.

Fourth Grade

• Research, reflection, and critical thinking mark the fourth grade lessons. We learn about research databases, how to access the best information, and credit author's work. We also look at different sources of information such as primary sources, and using audio and video for information.
• Reading focus is on narrative nonfiction and biography.

Fifth Grade

• The Internet is a vast and complex place so what do we need to know to successfully navigate the pitfalls of using this amazing source? This year takes a much deeper look at what the Internet is, how we maintain our privacy , and how to choose the best most reliable information from the enormous amount of content.
• Creates a video book talk from beginning ,writing a script, end, creating a confident complete video.
• Read various genres.

Book checkout starts the first week of school during library class time. Students generally have about ten minutes to make a selection at the end of the specials block.

Overdue books must be returned before a new book is checked out.

Only one graphic novel at a time may be checked out.

The library will hold one (1) book for one (1) week for any student who forgot their book from the previous week.

Kindergarten and First Grade: One (1) book.

Second Grade: One (1) book September - December; Two (2) books starting in January.

Third to Fifth Grade: Two (2) books

It happens, even if you do not expect it. A book vaporizes while in your care. Here is what we can do to help return the book for someone else to share.

• Alert the librarian so she can keep an eye out for the book in the library and the school. She will check the shelves in case the book mysteriously materialized back on the shelf.
• Check the usual book sleeping spots at home: under beds, in the car, bottom of backpacks, home book shelves.
• Ask the classroom teacher in case the book ended up in the classroom collection or elsewhere in the room.
• If you use the Public Library, stop by the Watertown Free Public Library and ask at the desk. They keep books belonging to the school but they do not notify the school in any way or return the books. They will release them for return to the school library.

If you are absolutely sure it's gone or you do not want to think more about it the best option for the library is for you to purchase a replacement copy of the book. You can pay the District for the book but that money does not return to the library to purchase a new copy and my goal is to put the book in kids hands.

• In the case of book damage such as water, ripped pages, or scribbling, please check with the librarian. Some damage can be repaired but other damage means the book is permanently withdrawn from the library collection. Those books require a replacement copy or payment.

Any questions please do not hesitate to contact the library and librarian!

Would you like to spend a little time in the school library each week? The library is looking for parent volunteers to help with various library tasks such as book checkout, shelving returns, shelf reading, and possibly other projects. Click the link to access the form.

Email: kelly.mccollum@watertown.k12.ma.us

123 Lowell Street Watertown, MA 02472

Find Us Online:

@jrlowellreads

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