SEPTEMBER LIBRARY CURRICULUM

SEPTEMBER CURRICULUM

September Week #1

Title:  Library Policies and Procedures
Library Objectives:  Library Citizenship/Rules - Show respect for rules and procedures as responsible library users.

BULLET POINTS:

1. If you have been to the library, any library, raise your hand!
                          
2. What do you notice here?  Quiet, lots of books, librarian,...
                           
3. I am that librarian helper AND I do.....
                           
4. Librarian's Role - The other day I had a question and so I looked it up and ....answer question.
                                                                      
5. Reading to students
                                        
6. Shelving the books
                                            
7. Working with computers
                                                                            
8. Helping students find books, information, or answers to questions.                  
                     
9. NO checkout today.  We are checking out books next week. 
                                       
10.  Review Rules
                           
                           R - RESPECT OTHERS AND PROPERTY
                           U - USE A SOFT or SILENT VOICE
                           L - LISTEN TO OTHERS WITH RESPECT
                           E - ENJOY reading and BEING IN THE LIBRARY.  
                           S - SHELF BOOKS CORRECTLY - put on cart if you can't reshelf it.
                            
11.  DISCUSS putting up one finger to go to the BATHROOM and signing out when LEAVING.
                            
12.  SIGNALS FOR GETTING ATTENTION - When I say "Give me 5" or ring the chimes, you all freeze and raise your hand and wait for instructions.

13.  Hallways: QUIETLY walk in line to and from class.
                  
14.  Students listen with respect during story time and then you can browse books.

Books to read the first or second week:  We are in a Book by Mo Willems; Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen, Ill. by Kevin Hawkes or Lily's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes; "David Goes to School" by David Shannon, "One" by Kathryn Otoshi, "Max Goes to the Library", "Goldisocks and the 3 Libearians", "The Library Lady",...

 Great book to talk about RULES with!

Activity:  Read one of the books above and discuss why we need rules.  Review rules and practice them each week until students get them down.

September Week #2  
Title:  Circulation 
Library Objective:  To learn correct check in and check out methods, using shelf sticks, and using library materials appropriately, review policies and procedures above, read a book while students listen with respect.  (See my post on shelf sticks.)
Vocabulary: borrow, check-out, check-in, librarian, procedures, rules, respect, responsibility, shelf sticks

For older students (Grades 3 and up.)  
Title:  September 11th Remembered
Library Objective:  To remember those who lost their lives, their heroic acts and celebrate the love we feel for America. 

Resources:  Here is a great new book that commemorates the 10th year anniversary of the falling of the towers.

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
• Hardcover: 64 pages (summarize and paraphrase as needed)

 









Vocabulary:  heroism, patriotic, commemorate

SEPTEMBER Week #3 - 

Title:  CARING FOR BOOKS

Objective:  To teach all students the importance of caring for library books properly.

Resources:  "Stella Louella's Runaway Book" by Ernst; Mr. Wiggle's Book by Paula Craig. 

 
Letter to Parents - send home letter to parents reminding them that they will pay for lost library books.

Book Review by Barnes and Noble:  "It's Stella Louella's library due date, but aghast! She can't find the book anywhere. Almost everyone in town joins in on the frantic search, and the wild book chase begins. As she tries to find the book that she must return to the library that day, Stella gathers a growing group of people who have all enjoyed reading the book."

Activity:  Create a Book Doctor Kit with a large canvas bag, collection of damaged books, items on list below:

Do an object lesson with the following thing.  DISCUSS BOOK CARE:

1. doll - Don't let younger children play with your books since they might not know the right way to treat them.

2. gum - Don't put gum on any part of the book.

3. cup - Don't drink around books because your drink could spill on the book.

4. candy bar - Don't read while eating because your fingers might be sticky.

5. scissors - Never cut your library book.

6. bar of soap - Make sure your hands are clean when you are reading a book.

7. crayons/markers - Never write in your library book.

8. band-aid - If your book gets "hurt" at home, bring it back to school so that your teacher can fix it.

9. book tape - The librarian has special tape, so don't try to fix books yourself.

10. umbrella -  Don't leave books outside, they could get rained or snowed on.

11. stuffed dog - Don't leave your book where a pet can get it.

12. bookmark - mark your page with a book mark, never turn down a page corner.

Introduction:  Review that a library is a place to share books.  Let students know that they will be taking books home today or next week, but must return them on their library day next week or in 2 weeks, depending on the grade.

(Optional) 
1. Power Point Presentation:  Animals Should Definitely NOT Borrow Books or 
2. Alistair in Outer Space by Marilyn Sadler, Simon & Schuster, 1991.  Alistair is anxious to return to Earth because he has an overdue book.  This is also available in videocassette 
through Reading Rainbow, episode 27.
3. Book Care Bookmarks are always a fun project and in "Stretchy Library Lessons" by Pat Miller, on p. 36-37, there are some adorable bookmarks to color about taking good care of our library books.

Points to Remember:  Keep books in a safe place, away from young children and pets.  Keeps books dry and away from food.  Keep books in the same place when you are done reading them.  Return them on time so that others can read them.

Closure:  What would happen if nobody returned his/her library books.
(Revised from library lesson plans from Hanover County, Ashland, Virginia.)


SEPTEMBER Week #4: 
Author Spotlight:  choose from Roald Dahl, John Scieszka, Jack Prelutsky, Tomie dePaola
or
Do a week discussing the theme of "All About Fall" and read some of the following books to your students along with doing crayon rubbings of big leaves found outside:

Autumn: An Alphabet Acrostic by Steven Schnur and Leslie Evans (Aug 18, 1997)

 

Formats		Price		New	Used
Hardcover Order in the next 10 hours to get it by Monday, Sep 9. Only 9 left in stock - order soon.	$16.99	$12.68		$6.99	$6.96
Kindle Edition Auto-delivered wirelessly		$9.99

Excerpt - Copyright: "... about permission to reproduce selections from this book, write ..." See a random page in this book.

Leaves Fall Down: Learning About Autumn Leaves by Lisa Bullard and Nadine Rita Takvorian (Aug 1, 2010)

 

Formats		Price		New	Used
Paperback Order in the next 11 hours to get it by Monday, Sep 9. Only 15 left in stock - order soon.	$7.95	$7.16		$6.11	$7.13
Library Binding Order in the next 11 hours to get it by Monday, Sep 9.	$25.99	$23.39		$18.90	$8.12

 

Clifford's First Autumn (Clifford 8x8) by Norman Bridwell (Sep 1, 1997)

                                         

Formats		Price		New	Used	Collectible
Paperback Order in the next 11 hours to get it by Monday, Sep 9. Only 3 left in stock - order soon.	$3.99	$3.26		$0.22	$0.01	$3.50
Kindle Edition Auto-delivered wirelessly		$3.10

Other Formats: Hardcover

Autumn Board Book by Gerda Muller (Aug 1, 2004)

                                         

Formats		Price		New	Used
Board book Order in the next 11 hours to get it by Monday, Sep 9. Only 13 left in stock - order soon.	$9.95	$9.00		$4.36	$4.28

 

Tis the Autumn Season: Fall Quilts                                       

Formats		Price		New	Used
Paperback Order in the next 11 hours to get it by Monday, Sep 9. Only 18 left in stock - order soon.	$24.99	$17.11		$13.12	$12.99

Excerpt - Back Matter: "... Find out more about Shelley and ... com books • eBooks ..." See a random page in this book.

Animals in Fall: Preparing for Winter (Cloverleaf Books: Fall's Here!) by Martha E. H. Rustad and Amanda Enright (Sep 2011)

                                         

My Elementary Library Routines, Policies and Procedures

Home  - This post refects the routines that I use on a daily basis.  To check out other librarians ideas and routines, double click on the blue titles.

Routines

Attention Signals - I use a set of chimes when the kids are getting to loud and ask them to freeze when they hear it.  It immediately quiets the room and then I can quietly tell them what I need to say.
Bathroom Procedure - I have a sign out sheet and a boy/girl pass.  I usually let only 1 student leave at a time.  They put up 1 finger to indicate they need to go and if it is okay, I point 1 finger back at them.  That way, if I am reading a story, they don't have to interrupt me.
Book Care - In the lower grades we discuss books that are damaged and I show them lots of examples.  Then I bring a "First Aid Book Kit" and put lots of things in it and take them out, (one at a time) and we discuss them.  Here is my list.
1. Book tape:  for ripped books and only I repair books.
2. Gum:  It's best not to chew gum while reading but if you do, remember to put it in the wast basket.
3.  Food:  I bring a jelly sandwhich and let some drip on the book for dramatic effect.
4.  Rubber Ducky:  NO reading while in the tub.
5.  Soap:  Wash hands before reading.
6  Baby rattle:  Don't let your little sis or bro get ahold of your book.
7.  Dog bone:  Keep your book away from animals.  (Then I show them the books that dogs had chewed on.)
8.  Scissors:  Never cut a book.
9.  Glue:  Don't try and repair books yourself.
10.  Pens and markers and crayon:  Never write in a book that isn't your own.
Choosing a Just Right Book - We look at the cover, the number of pages, the 5 finger rule, (how many words do you miss on the first page, over 5 and it may be too hard, but you can STILL try it if you want to).  Maybe Mom or Dad could read it to you.
Check In - As they enter the library, they return the books they are finished with.  I hurry to check them back in as they are browsing for books.
Check for Understanding -
Check Out - Kinders get to check out books when Christmas break is over.  The first graders can check out one book for 1 week. The 2nd-6th graders can check out 2 books for 2 weeks with one renewal.
Class Appreciations - Applause for great behaviour or special recognition.
Computers/Laptops - After teaching them how to look up books using the 4 computers we have, then I allow the older grades to look up books.
Discussion Protocols
Entering the Library - Quietly
Exiting the Library - In a line, quietly, and not with their nose in their book.
Library Centers Procedure - I haven't done many library centers yet, but plan to.  Listening centers, magazine centers, worksheets related to an activity, drawing, writing, etc....  The best web site for this is http://librarycenters.blogspot.com/
Partner Work - So far it hasn't been a problem to have them pair up to do work, but I almost always allow them the option to work in groups of 3 or work alone.  This helps those who may feel left out.
Place Books on Hold - I don't allow it.  It's a BIG hassle.  I buy a few extra of the ones that are most popular.
Renew a Book - They may renew a book for an additional 2 week period.
Storytime - I read a story or book to each class as often as time permits, or a read a portion of a few books to "peak" their interest.
Transitions - I ring my chimes and ask for them to freeze while I give very explicit directions.
Using a Shelf Marker - Teach by modeling it, over and over.  If a child EVER uses a book mark as a weapon, I take it away and they don't get to check out a book that day.
What to do if a book is damaged/lost - Don't panic, the parents need to pay the replacement cost.
What to do if you may not check out books - They should bring a book to the library.  They may read another library book or can do a center I have set up.