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Welcome to the Library Media curriculum for PS 347 for 2104-15:

During library instruction time, I work in collaboration with a great staff to develop reading for pleasure habits in our students and cirtical thinking skills/technology/information skills aligned with the Common Core State Standards and the NYC Science Scope & Sequence the Social Studies Framework, which include:
 * how to find information (books, articles, web sites)
 * reading comprehension
 * evaluating information, especially in non-fiction texts, online sources, and media messages of all kinds
 * inquiry process or research process steps
 * digital publishing
 * writing booktalks and evaluating books

I use the Information Fluency Continuum, Bloom's Revised Taxonomy, Backward Design, and the CCSS to create curriculum unit maps. All my lesson plans are on Google Drive now.

In grades Pre-K and K, we emphasize cultivating a love of reading and focus on reading aloud and language experiences through finger plays and songs. We also spend time exploring great digital resources, including video adaptations of books, picture book apps on the iPad, as well as develop expressive, responsive skills using various drawing and storytelling apps on iPads.

To study nonfiction in K, we are avid users of PebbleGo Animals database and we do a comparison of holidays across cultures. We also use DK Find Out. We read about trees, habitats. We learn geography using the iPads. We retell fables and short folktales. We learn how to take care of the materials in the library as well to develop good citizenship. We learn about repetition in poetry, which works in both ASL and English poetry.

In grade 1, we do [|an author study with Gerald McDermott]. We also do a unit on the differences between the past and the present in our [|Now and Then unit]. This teacher website is a great resource. We compare animals using PebbleGo's Animal database or choose a planet to study using Pebblego's Earth and Space database. We create our own planets based on the criteria of what a planet is and create a non-fiction book on ScribblePress. I tell Greek myths: Persephone, Theseus and the Minotaur, Psyche and Cupid, and Daedalus and Icarus. Why is this grade so well-developed? Because I work with a long-time expert teacher Gary Wellbrock!

In grade 2, many read alouds feature NYC. Fables, folktales, myths, and legends open the students to the world of reading fantasy, and without this background in imaginative literature, many students will tend to shy away from longer, more involved texts. We also study Ezra jack Keats and specifically his stories about Peter growing up in the city. Nonfiction focuses on NYC and urban development and change. We also study biographies and use Pebblego.com and books as our research tools. We use questioning as a central comprehension strategy. We also focus on [|NYC and read historical fiction texts] as we imagine life here long ago. We start to blog about books we love on Kidblog.

In grade 3, many read alouds feature adventure stories and more dynamic folktales and fairy tales. We explore one culture and practice beginning research skills using nonfiction texts and online visual resources. We teach keyboarding and focus on digital citizenship in more depth. We also expire multiple genres and write book reviews on our blog.

In grade 4, students will do their first 6-step inquiry project about a famous person or an animal and create a digital story. We also study colonial NY history by reading George O'Connor's graphic novel //J////ourney to Mohawk Country//. We use primary documents along with picture books to study the American Revolution.

In grade 5, students create booktalks across various genres, study poetry, create a visual poem, and complete a second inquiry project connecting to a topic of interest in science, social studies, or art.

In grades 6, 7, and 8, I collaborate with middle school teachers of all subjects, focusing on research skills and digital citizenship, especially the responsible use of social networking media and information in research. I integrate technology into book reviewing to motivate teen readers. They learn to use iMovie, Excel, and other online publishing tools in collaboration with Humanities, Math, and Science.

This year we are starting a 1:1 with grades 5-8. 5th and 6th graders will have iPads. 7th graders will have laptops; 8th graders Macbook Pros. There is a lot of protocol to follow and I will use the very helpful information on Common Sense Media's 1:1 Initiatives page.

Having a robust school library media center with up-to-date materials, including virtual ones, and a certified Library Media Specialist always keeping abreast of new media and working as a collaborative partner with teachers, is smart school organization for preparing students for college readiness.

Please email Sara at spaulson@ps347.org with any questions or our principal, Dave Bowell at dbowell@schools.nyc.gov.