Media Center

Kindergarten students come in once every six day cycle for a story and book exchange. Students choose their books from a shelf geared for kindergarten students only. Selections include wordless picture books, early readers, Disney favorites, and non-fiction books. Books change throughout the year, based on holidays, upcoming events, and expressed student interest.

Students receive a "ziploc" type bag provide by me to transport their library books in. This helps to develop responsibility as well as keep the book dry in the event of wet conditions. If a bag is lost or damaged, please replace the bag making sure to write the student's name and teacher on the outside.

In addition to learning to care for library books, first grade students learn to use placesavers when looking for books. Students learn how to recognize authors and illustrators on the cover of books. They also learn the difference between fiction and non-fiction books and their location on the shelves. First grade students are emerging as readers and are introduced to beginning chapter books.

In addition to learning to care for library books, second grade students are reminded of the importance of using placesavers when looking for books. Students are expected to follow appropriate school behavior while in the media center.

Second grade students are learning the difference between fiction and non-fiction books and their location on the shelves. The biography section is introduced. Students develop favorite authors and illustrators. Students are introduced to the reference section, including dictionaries, thesauruses, and encyclopedias.

Second grade students are developing skills to become better readers and are introduced to beginning chapter books. We discuss selecting books based on the "five finger" rule, as well as just right read books. We practice the five-finger rule when students have earned their way to the 3rd and 4th grade side. Beginning the second marking period, students hear the story of the Shelf Elf, which monitors their behaviors in the library. Students are expected to use indoor voices, use placesavers, use walking feet, and line up quietly. After a class has successfully earned 10 "checks", they may go to the 3rd and 4th grade side to choose 1 book.

Goals for third grade students include an emphasis on library procedures, searching for library books with DESTINY, knowing the parts of a book, experiencing various genres of literature, learning the Dewey Decimal System, and an introduction to research materials. Students complete mini-research projects during library classes. Students also complete a test during the third marking period to become "Destiny Dectives." Destiny detectives have successfully completed a test using Destiny to locate a fiction and non-fiction book AND finding it on the shelves. Destiny detectives earn a certificate AND coupons that may be used to check out an additional book 3 times.

Goals for fourth grade students include an emphasis on library procedures, searching for library books with DESTINY, knowing the parts of a book, experiencing various genres of literature, learning the Dewey Decimal System, and an introduction to research materials. Students complete mini-research projects during library classes.
Students learn to write a book review and share with friends on DestinyQuest.

Classes visit the media center once every 6-day cycle for formal library lessons, and an additional 6 days for their "bonus" library day.

• Kindergarten and First grade students may check out 1 book for one 6-day cycle.
• Second grade students may check out 2 books for two 6-day cycles. During the second half of the year, as a class, students earn their way to the intermediate section of the library. Students are encouraged to remember to use placesavers, use walking feet, and use quiet voices in the library. Once a class has earned their way, students are shown how to choose appropriate reading level chapter books using the 5-finger rule.
• Third and Fourth Grade students may check out 2 books for two 6-day cycles.

**Once a month, overdue notices are emailed home.

During bonus days, 3rd and 4th grade students rotate through 3 stations - Puppet Show, Invent-A-Story, and Reader's Theatre. 2nd and 1st grade students are learning about inventors this year.

Evans Elementary School's TV Studio broadcasts morning announcements throughout the school. 4th grade students anchor the morning show, rotating on a weekly basis.

• Mrs. Polsz, physical education teacher, has students moving with a one-minute exercise program on Mondays.
• Tuesdays Mrs. Sullivan or Mr. Mest share a mindful moment.
• Wednesdays are Wellness Wednesdays with tips from Nurse Laura.
• Fridays Mrs. Sullivan or Mr. Mest announces winners for Good Choice.

Visitors often include Mrs. Havrilla and Mr. Raber sharing important news for the school. Our first graders provide a daily weather report.