September 2018 Updates

Septembers always fly by, and September 2018 was no exception!  It was a great start in the middle school library as we welcomed our students back to Iroquois.

Library Highlights for September 2018

Library Orientation Scavenger Hunt

All sixth through eighth grade ELA classes visited the library for an orientation scavenger hunt and book checkout.  Due to the many changes in the library's overall layout, this orientation included information that was new even for our seasoned eighth graders.  Students used the library iPads to access videos about the library's sections and offerings.  This was a great opportunity to move around the library and get re-acclimated to the space.  When the scavenger hunt was complete, students filled out an interest survey which gave me great ideas for book purchases and future library programming.  In fact, a large order full of student book requests was just placed!  It will be helpful to add these desired titles to the library's collection.

New Initiatives

During the library orientation sessions, students learned about two new library offerings: a special author visit and Free Book Fridays.  Students were excited to hear that Alan Gratz will be visiting Iroquois on November 7th!  In preparation for his visit, many students and classes are reading his titles.  His historical fiction selections are especially popular with Iroquois Middle School students.  Students were also interested in the new "Free Book Friday" promotion.  Each Friday, an Iroquois Middle School student is chosen at random to select a new book to take home.  The students that have won so far have been very appreciative!

Library Catalog Updates

Over the summer, all Iroquois school libraries moved to the Destiny Discover interface when viewing the library catalog.  This new interface supports some new, helpful features.  The main search page shows recently added titles and the status of popular book titles.

It's helpful to see the status of new and popular books.

The new interface also includes a "Collections" feature.  This feature is similar to an online pathfinder, where book lists and web resources can be found in one place.  The feature was especially helpful for Mrs. Maulucci's ELA students.  Her students are encouraged to read a book dealing with the topics they are learning in Mr. Baumgartner's Social Studies classes.  Suggested books were placed into collections and shared with students.  This will be a helpful starting point as they look for books of interest for their extra credit.

Suggested extra credit titles were placed into Collections.

Students could preview books to use for Mrs. Maulucci's extra credit opportunity.

Pay It Forward Introduction

There have been many visits from sixth grade reading classes so far this year.  In addition to reading books independently, each class will be reading a novel as a full class.  Mrs. Nicosia's class is beginning their year by reading Pay It Forward by Catherine Ryan Hyde.  This inspirational book is set in the 1990's, which is well before our middle school students were born.  In order to better understand the setting of the book, students came to the library to participate in a 1990's introduction.  Mrs. Nicosia and I shared information about 1990's events and technology (students seemed particularly horrified by the concept of dial-up internet).  Students then tested their knowledge of 1990's pop culture through a Kahoot competition.  It was a fun way to introduce the book!

Lego League Robotics Team

From feedback gathered last year, it was clear that students wanted more after school offerings from the library.  Mrs. Ferger and I were excited to bring a robotics opportunity to our students by forming a First Lego League team.  We held an informational session about the team, then interested students submitted their applications.  The first team meeting was held after school on September 24th.  We can't wait to see what the Lego League team will accomplish!

First Lego League students worked on a team building challenge.

The FIRST First Lego League team at Iroquois Middle!

Looking Ahead

In October, the library will be undergoing another big transition - the genrefication of our fiction section!

January 2018 Highlights

January 2018 in the Iroquois Middle School library welcomed new teachers, classes, and projects into the library space.  The larger projects for the month involved sixth grade mythology research and a seventh grade project based on The Outsiders (both of these projects will be discussed in separate blog entries).  Here are some of the other highlights from the month of January:

Civil Rights Stations
Because Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is right in the middle of January, Mrs. Reid wanted her sixth grade reading students to become aware of the events and key figures of the Civil Rights Movement.  We decided it would be powerful to introduce students to other children and teens that made an impact within the Civil Rights Movement.  Students moved through a series of stations in order to learn about Claudette Colvin, Ruby Bridges, The Little Rock Nine, and the Birmingham Children's Marches of 1963.  At each station, students used the QR reader app on an iPad to access a video of the station's subject.  The station also contained photos, articles, and books for further context on the individual or event.  Students discussed the stations in small groups, then wrote their own responses about each station.

Sixth grade students watch a video about the 1963 Children's Marches.

Students learn about Ruby Bridges' contributions to civil rights efforts.

After the students had visited each station, they then had time to reflect upon the stations as a whole.  Students were instructed to think about the following questions:

1. What station inspired you?  Why?
2. What station surprised you?  Why?
3. Why was it so powerful for children to participate in the Civil Rights movement?
4. Is there such a thing as "good trouble"?  What are some examples of good trouble?
5.  What can students in 2018 do to make a positive influence in the world?

Instead of answering these questions as a written response, students were instructed to record a video using the Flipgrid educational video platform.  When using Flipgrid, students can record a video response on a secure website that isn't visible to the public.  The Flipgrid responses can then be viewed by the other students in the class.

Preparing to record a video response on Flipgrid.

Some of the students enjoyed the opportunity to use Flipgrid, but others were more hesitant.  Sometimes it is a little unnerving to see and hear yourself on video!  The completed Flipgrid recordings were excellent.  Students shared many important takeaways and insights concerning the Civil Rights Movement.

Music Projects
Mrs. Fox visited the library with both her sixth grade and eighth grade general music classes.  The sixth graders were researching a specific orchestral instrument and the eighth grade students were researching a Rock and Roll musical artist.  Students used books, websites, and databases (specifically World Book, Britannica, and Kids InfoBits) in order to find their information.  These projects also gave students a chance to practice filling out MLA citation note sheets for each resource.

Genre Tasting
The sixth grade reading classes frequented the library to exchange books.  A handful of students have already reached their 40 book goal for the year!  One of the most memorable sixth grade reading class visits from January was a "genre tasting" event with Mrs. Whalen and Mrs. Govenettio's students.  During this genre tasting, students sampled the library's best selections from a variety of genres.  Students were on their best "restaurant behavior" and many left the library with a new and interesting book to read.

Students sample books from the mystery genre.

Nonfiction and biographies appeared as part of the Genre Tasting.

Science Class Visits
It was exciting to welcome two science teachers to the library!  Ms. Pici's eighth grade science class visited the library to perform research for their Atomic Theory project.  They used databases and websites in order to find information about scientists that contributed to what we now know about atoms.  Mrs. Ferger's seventh grade science students came to the library to complete a biodiversity webquest in preparation for their Skype visit from a Yellowstone National Park ranger.  Once students completed the webquest, they used the Wonderopolis website to learn a little more about Yellowstone.

RtI Inquiry Project
Ms. Beauchamp's seventh grade RtI students visited the library to embark on an inquiry project.  We began the unit with a YouTube compilation video called "Cats vs. Cucumbers" where it was observed that a number of cats seemed to be genuinely afraid of cucumbers.  In order to find out why this was the case, students utilized the Wonderopolis website in order to read scientific theories as to why cats might be frightened by cucumbers.  After reading through the Wonderopolis article, students then shared the main idea of the article with their classmates. 

On a subsequent visit, students went back to Wonderopolis to research a question of personal interest and then share their findings.  Over the next several class sessions, students posed questions for their classmates that could not be answered simply through the use of Wonderopolis.  To find the answers to their questions, students employed a variety of strategies such as keyword searching, website evaluation, finding the main idea, and reading for supporting evidence.  Students returned to the library in early February to present their research findings.

November 2017 in Review

November 2017 was another busy month in the Iroquois Middle School library!  We welcomed some new classes into the library and also received visits from some familiar faces.  Here are a few of the highlights from the month.

Early American Project
Probably the largest undertaking for the month of November was the Early American Research project with Mr. Smerka's seventh grade social studies students.  All of the research for the project and the actual group presentations took place in the library.  To read more about the project, visit this link.

Student groups presented their Early American research findings in the library.

Sixth Grade Reading Classes
Numerous reading classes came to the library to exchange books and learn about new titles of interest.  Mr. Frommann's students work diligently on their own book talks and are always eager to share those in the library.  The students in Mrs. Nicosia's and Mrs. Loveland's classes participated in a gallery walk where they viewed "comic strip book hooks" created by the cartoonists of the Unshelved comic strip.  These book hooks alerted students to some book titles they may be interested in reading.  Mrs. Reid's students worked on a genre graphic organizer and played a book genre game on Kahoot to test their knowledge.  All of these promotional efforts will help students to reach their 40 book challenge reading goals.

Seventh Grade RtI Project
Ms. Beauchamp was looking for creative ways for her seventh grade RtI students to use library resources in order to build skills.  We decided to use the webquests available on the World Book Student database with her RtI group.  The webquest used focused on the American Revolution, which students were just beginning to learn about in their Social Studies classes.  While working through the webquest, students identified the strategies they used in order to find the answers on the webquest.  We kept a running list of the strategies used so that students could reference available strategies in case they were stuck on a particular question.  Students were eager to complete the webquest and were excited to have some background knowledge they could bring to their Social Studies classes!

Eighth Grade Library Orientation
Mr. Marshall's eighth grade ELA classes visited the library in late November to participate in a library orientation utilizing a QR code scavenger hunt.  They also shared their ideas for future library purchases and special library events.  They were the last class in the middle school to visit for library orientation.  Now that all students have had a chance to weigh in on library purchases, new books will be ordered soon!

Iroquois MS Library Report for November 2017

Welcome to the Iroquois Middle School Library!

Welcome to our blog!  My name is Ms. Maria Muhlbauer and I am the new librarian at Iroquois Middle School.  I'm so thrilled to be teaching in the district where I reside!  Iroquois is definitely a very special place.  Be sure to visit the blog often to see what our students are learning in the library.

Fall 2017 was a very exciting and busy time.  Although I was not able to arrive until late September, we hit the ground running by organizing the library and hosting classes.

Over the summer, new lounge-style furniture arrived in the library.  This furniture has proven to be a big hit with students, as it allows them flexible and comfortable places to sit during their library visits.

The new seating area in the library.

The organization of the library was improved by adding additional library signage and displays.  Prior to my arrival, Miss Metz and Mrs. Jensen worked hard to get the library up and running!

A spooky book display near the library entrance.

Signage within the graphic novel area helps students find great books.

Fiction books were removed from the high shelves and replaced with displays.

Series fiction is grouped together.

Posters brighten up the reference area.

Mrs. Lasky, our fifth grade art teacher, had even more ideas to make the space inviting.  The nonfiction shelves now display some amazing works of art from fifth grade students!

Fifth grade artwork adorns the nonfiction area.

Students made Chiluly-inspired bowls out of old overhead projector sheets.

With the library ready for visitors, it was now time to host classes.  Here are some highlights from the past month:

Library Orientation and QR Code Scavenger Hunt
With all of the changes in the library, it was really necessary for students to have a library orientation.  In order for the orientation to be more interactive, we used the QR Reader app on the iPads to access videos about the sections of the library.  Students from grades 6-8 worked independently or in groups to complete the scavenger hunt.  Students then filled out a brief reflection.  The reflection asked students about what they like to read, what they would like to see purchased in the library, and if they had any ideas for special library events.  This feedback will help plan for future book purchases and library activities.  There were some amazing suggestions!

The scavenger hunt sheet was completed during library orientation.

Examples of the QR codes posted around the library.

Book Selection, Book Talks, and Free Reading
Many recent library visits have focused on selecting books for independent reading.  It is clear that Iroquois students love to read!  Sixth grade reading classes are participating in the 40 Book Challenge, inspired by "The Book Whisperer" Donalyn Miller.  Other grade levels also have reading goals and challenges.  For instance, eighth grade ELA students are challenged to complete a genre tic-tac-toe reading assignment this year.

The tic-tac-toe board used in eighth grade ELA.

Music Research
The seventh and eighth grade music classes of Mrs. Fox, Mrs. Kloc, and Ms. Louttit visited the library for research projects.  Seventh grade researched classical composers and eighth grade researched a rock and roll artist or group.  All students utilized books, encyclopedias, databases, and websites throughout the research process.  World Book Student and Kids InfoBits databases proved particularly helpful.  Useful websites were also organized on the library website through use of the Symbaloo tool.

The website organizer for the eighth grade music project.

All in all, it was a great start to the year in the library!  I'm looking forward to adding more library visits and special events in the coming months.

A snapshot of the last few weeks in the library.