Dundee Library Annual Report: 2014-2015

Focus on Fiction and Story Collection (short stories)

At the beginning of the year I ask students what books they think should be added to our collection. I usually get the response of the newer books in popular series, but often I have a student ask me about specific books. I take their requests and keep a running record of it, along with any teacher requests. I have already added several new fiction books to our Fiction and Easy collection, including any major award winners.

During the second semester, I plan to add several new titles in the Story Collection section. I see that it is very small, but very popular with our students. The students are asking for more titles in this section, and as the librarian I need to accommodate the students.

Update 1.8.15: As I have started searching for more Story Collection items, I have found it difficult to search for these specifically. So I have started to shift my focus to more of the 800's section and fiction. I feel that the literature section is starting to show its age and I would like to start to update it. So my current order will contain many new fiction chapter books, as well as some new 800's.

To increase sixth grade circulation. Just from my informal observations, I see that less and less sixth graders are checking out during library time. This could be due to the amount of classwork they have, but it could also be due to the fact that they are unmotivated to read. I want to develop a system or an idea that would encourage sixth graders to read more for enjoyment. This may be a book club or a special "sixth grade" shelf that has popular books that they would like. I will have to do some research on this and talk with other middle school librarians.

Update 1.8.15: I have been talking more often with the 6th graders as to what kind of books they like and want. I've noticed that more students are heading into the library to check out books to read for fun. We have also started our Book Trailer project for this year so I am hoping that will help motivate students to read different books based on peer recommendations.

To motivate students to return books in a timely manner. Often students are receiving overdue notices because they are forgetting their books in their homes or classrooms. I would like to find some strategies to decrease this by motivating the students to return, or renew, their books on time so that there are less fines at the end of the year and others students can enjoy these books.

Update 1.8.15: After winter break, I have been discussing book and check out procedures with the students. I was surprised to learn that many didn't know about our one week checkout time. Many of them thought they could keep the book as long as they wanted (which they can, if they remember to renew them). So we had a great discussion about why we need a check out time and why the one week policy is in place. I feel this will help students remember to turn books in in a more timely manner

As of May 20 most of the students have their books turned in, the average students per class that have books out still are about two. Most students were motivated to turn their books in, as I have an end of the year library incentive party. Many students have brought in fine money to replace the books they have lost, and with certain cases I have talked with teachers and parents to waive fines. I try to be firm but fair, I understand there are some things that happen in their lives that are beyond their control, and so I adapt to help them with that.

One resource that I have found to be very valuable is World Book Student. The fifth graders worked on a Historical biography project and used this database. They were able to navigate the sit easily and effectively, locating the information they needed. They were able to cite this source and add it to their project.

Another resource that I use often is a website called Storybird. This online publishing tool allows students to use stunning artwork and create stories from them. Last year I had the fourth graders do a free write project with Storybird, and the results were stunning. I'm hoping to branch out into other grade levels this year. My goal is to motivate students to want to write in a multimedia platform. This was a very effective tool last year. This year I had the fourth graders use Storybird and gave them some guidelines. Even the most hesitant writers were able to create a ten page story. I know the fourth graders are testing over their writing skills, so I wanted to give them a chance to create a story from the pictures. They were very motivated.

Add your 5 personal goals for you/your library this year.

First,I am always thinking about ways I can increase participation in the Golden Sower program that I have here at Dundee. Last year I had 23 students complete five projects to go along with five books read, and they were able to attend a Golden Sower party. So one goal this year is to get over 30 students, and I'd love to increase the number of male participants. Most of the students that attended the party last year were female, so I'm really going to try to get some of the males involved.

The Golden Sower program was not as popular this year, in the end I only had 15 students read and complete five projects to be able to attend the party. However, I did have five male students this year, four of them were 4th graders so they were completely new to the program. My hope for next year is that they will continue and spread the word to their friends. Also, several students told me they were unable to check out a Golden Sower book due to the wait list, so I am giving them a list of next year's nominees so they can read them over the summer. I think I will advertise more too!

The second personal goal is to open up more communication between teachers and myself, and see what they really want/need in the library. I have always kept track of what certain teachers ask for, but I want to go around and ask others what they need more specifically to support their classroom. During the second semester, I collaborated on a project with the third grade team for Nebraska Animals research. I was able to address skills  needed for NESA testing and students learned about the research process too. The students' final projects included a "Paper Zoo" where half of the class were the experts and presented their animal, and the other half were zoo visitors and got to learn about Nebraska animals.

The third goal I have is to revamp the historical biography project that I started with 5th grade last year. I want to make it more interactive and have students take more pride in their work. Last year we completely ran out of time, as in the year was over, before we had any chance to present!

Update: 5.14.15 -Today I had the last class wrap up their Historical Biography project. I had students research a person from the American Revolution and create a poster on them. They also had to write a script to present their person. This was a twist on a project that a 5th grade teacher did two years ago with a Wax Museum. I don't have the materials or the time to do one this year, but they became "museum guides" to the "visitors" (very similar to the 3rd grade project) and were able to present their research to one or two classmates at a time, not the entire class. The students responded very well to this type of presentation, and they all gave positive reviews, so I will be completing this again next year!

Fourth goal this year will be to learn something new at NETA and bring back a new and exciting idea to use in the library. I know we will be able to attend this year, so I'm hoping that there will be a few sessions that will help me avoid the end of the year slump!

Update: 5.14.15- After I attended NETA, especially Friday's sessions, my head was buzzing with so many great ideas! There are several projects and new web 2.0 tools that I can't wait to put into place next year. I want to wait until next year so that I have a chance to work on them over the summer and figure it all out, then I can have the students put them into practice.

My last goal this year is to open up communication with other fellow librarians in my district and beyond. I am lucky to be attending classes at UNO with other teacher librarians and I am able to increase my PLC. It's great to be able to work and talk with people doing the same job as me, because sometimes I feel isolated. I have found that others experience the same joys and struggles as me, so I like to be able to bounce ideas off of them. I had the opportunity to spend some of my spring break at Westside high school and learn a bit more about what the secondary library is like, and I see that students still need the same skills, in elementary or secondary. It also reaffirms my decision to go into school library. I am grateful for that!

The 3 strategies you picked from the Academic Achievement Plan spiral bound book.

Three strategies I want to focus on this year are:

1. The use of think alouds as a literacy strategy across content areas:

Think alouds are something I do without realizing it. I know I have done them in the past, but I am making an effort to do more with the intermediate grades. During the Historical Biography project with the 5th grade, I have done several think alouds to show them the process that I would take in order to complete each step. This helps the students visualize (and hear!) what each part of the process looks like.

2. The use of rubrics in other grade levels (other than 5th and 6th) and increase academic rigor

Update as of 1.8.15: I have started a writing project with the 4th graders this week using a website called Storybird. With their writing project, I have developed a rubric for them to use. The students still have a lot of room to be creative with this project, but they will also know what exactly is expected of them. Soon I plan to go over the rubric with them in detail so that I can clear up any questions about it. I also created a simple rubric for the third graders as they worked on their Nebraska Animal project with their partners. They knew the expectations and were able to track their progress as they worked.

3. Using more engagement strategies for lessons throughout the day, including some kinesthetic activities in the library

I have used a few brain breaks with the younger students, even something as simple as "follow the leader" around the library to show them new books and materials that have come in. This has really helped the students stay engaged in the lesson and try harder when things seem difficult. With the older grades, I will have them stand up and stretch if they have been sitting too long, and many classes do this in their room, so there may even be one or two students that will lead stretches!