A lot of learning, discussion, exploration and creation was generated in the library this year. 

With every grade level, I work to help students discover new books and authors, learn how to access and use online resources, develop information literacy skills and strengthen technology skills.

Now I'd like your feedback! Please leave a comment below to share how you feel about the library AND explain something you learned about in the library this year that you think is important.

Today I visited both 5th grade classes in their classrooms to talk about their research on individual game changers.

When Ms. D and Ms. R sent me students' topic choices, I was surprised to see so many familiar names on the list. A lot of the game changers on those lists are among some of the most important and are discussed and studied at school. These important game changers are familiar -- so  I challenged my 5th grade friends to push beyond what was familiar to them.

I pointed out that the point of research is to find information to teach yourself things that you didn't already know. What is the point of researching someone you already know a lot about -- unless you need specific facts to back up your knowledge.

A few friends decided to take my challenge and borrow a book about someone that they didn't know much about. I can't wait to see the grade's final product!

For Women's History Month, kindergarteners are learning about Jane Goodall in the library. Listening to and discussing Jeannette Winter's picture book biography, The Watcher has given our youngest learners an understanding of who Ms. Goodall is and what she has done for conservation protect animal welfare.


Next week, kinderfriends will look at and listen to Jane Goodall informational text using Pebble Go and look at a slide show of photographs and maps related to her work.

For Women's History Month in the library, second grade students are learning about to extraordinary women: Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan.  This two week unit will focus on Helen's early life through her discovery of language and communication and her adult life as an author, lecturer and activist.

By listening to nonfiction picture books, Annie and Helen by Deborah Hopkinson and Raul Colon and Helen's Big World by Doreen Rappaport and our library discussions and activities, these learners will also uncover how sound and vision impact communication.

We will also look at primary documents and read biographical facts about Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan to determine how authors and illustrators used them to help to tell their stories. Additionally, students will participate in silent book exchanges. For fifteen minutes, they will not use spoken or written words to communicate -- but must invent gestures and use facial expressions to help others understand what they need or what kind of books they want to find.

The best way to discover new information is to develop questions  that need answers!

There is a new bulletin board outside the Upper School Library to remind students to be curious.

Any member of the Brennan-Rogers community is welcome to submit questions to the library through the online link or on old fashion paper and drop it in the "mustache" box outside the library.  Look for answered questions on the bulletin board!

Third graders are working on further developing their research skills.  Our learning target is: I can locate information in multiple formats. 

Today, students learned how to log into Enclyclopaedia Britannica online, perform a search and explore the many media formats available.  

Students, why are encyclopedias a good information source for you to use to answer your questions?

Fifth grade students in Ms. D's fifth grade crew worked in teams to determine the focus, theme, audience and authors of several new magazine subscriptions in the library.  Below find their notes on each magazine to learn more!

STONE SOUP
The theme to this magazine is creative writing. It is written by kids and is for kids to read.  Kids even do the illustrations. There are short stories, poems and other cool things.

FACES
This magazine is for older kids that want to learn about music, food and maps. Each month has a different theme related to places and culture. The articles are written by adult authors for kids.

HIGHLIGHTS
The theme is fun stuff for kids that are bored and the purpose is for kids to enjoy it.  It is written by adults and some pieces are written by kids between the ages of 7 and 12.
Some of the magazine features:

• puzzles and games
• poetry
• nonfiction news and cool facts
• artwork and photographs

NEW MOON GIRL
This magazine is about girls by girls from all over the country.  It has craft stuff, book reviews and recipes.

Take this survey so we can learn more about your reading habits! The results will be posted at the end of the month.

March is Women's History Month! Our second grade students are investigating who the woman on this coin is.

Have you ever seen this coin before? What kind of faces do you regularly see on United States currency? Why is this woman on a coin?

In the lower school library, all students have been going on a virtual field trip to Washington D.C. to see the White House!  After listening to exploring the ebook What's Inside the White House? we used the interactive white board to access Google Maps and go inside the White House! If you haven't seen this amazing interactive tour yet -- check it out! You can zoom in on minute details like the gold china in the Gold Room and the Presidential Seal on chairs in the Blue Room.  Students were extremely excited to explore and learn about where the President lives and works.