Media Center
Oaks Media Center
She started her teaching career in the Souderton Area School District teaching first through fourth grade, math support, reading support and gifted support. Ms. Rittenhouse also worked in Pottsgrove School District and in New Jersey.
In 1999, Ms. Rittenhouse accepted a job at Oaks Elementary School teaching third grade. After 2 years in third grade she then changed grade levels and taught second grade. Ms. Rittenhouse is currently the Media Specialist in the school and shares her love of reading and books with the children.
Ms. Rittenhouse received her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from Shippensburg University and her graduate degree in Library Media Science from Kutztown University.
Envirolinks
Kindergarten through 2nd Grade Links
3rd and 4th Grade Links
Media Center Links
Media Center Curriculum
These lessons are supplemented by a number of hands on activities based on stories presented through the year ranging from using puppets, flannel board and Velcro props, audio-visual aids such as videos, sound filmstrips, books with cassettes, overhead transparencies, educational games, computer software, research websites, etc. The following is a general breakdown of the curriculum covered by the Media Specialist in lessons throughout the year.
KINDERGARTEN, 1ST & 2ND GRADES:
- Care of library books and materials
- Media Center procedures and behavior
- Easy book arrangement
- Develop literature appreciation, listening and comprehension skills through storytelling
- Learning specific authors and books
- Difference between Fiction and Non-Fiction
- Identifying the parts of a book
- Utilization of basic audio-visual equipment
- Magazine contents
THIRD GRADE
All of the preceding areas are covered as well as:
- The Caldecott Award Books and puzzles
- The Reference collection - both print and electronic
- Folktales from around the world
- Computerized card catalog arrangement
- Biography books
- Book talks, book reviews, and reports
- Review fiction and non-fiction
- Review the parts of a book
- Publishing process
- Special projects
- Research report writing
FOURTH GRADE:
- Literature appreciation
- Newbery Award
- Computerized card catalogue arrangement
- Reference collection- encyclopedias, dictionaries, almanacs, atlases - print and electronic
- Book talks and discussions
- Poetry appreciation
- Magazine collection
- Review fiction and non-fiction
- Introduction to bibliography
- Outline
- Biography
- Research reports writing
- Book revision and reports
- Student research website
Policy & Procedure
The Oaks Media Center attempts to meet and supplement the needs of all students and faculty. The Media Center purchases books and audio-visual materials on a yearly basis to supplement the school's curriculum and for enrichment. These materials are selected with the utmost care in order that the Media Center only contains materials of value. The Media Center avoids purchasing "trendy" materials that do not provide life-long values and reading habits for its users. During the day, the Media Center is always open. All classes visit the Media Center on a weekly basis for book selection and are permitted to check out books at that time as well as other times throughout the week. All classes visit the Media Center on a weekly basis for instruction with the Media Specialist and book exchange
Book Exchange
Kindergarten and First Grade students are allowed to check out one book for five day cycle, while Second through Fourth Grades are permitted to check out two books for a five day cycle. The books must then be returned or renewed. Brooke students are strongly encouraged to return their books on time during their weekly tally is kept for all of the classes and special award is presented at the end of the school year to the class with the best record of returning all their books on time. The Media Center does not charge a fine for overdue books, but students will not be permitted to check out additional books until all over dues have been returned. If a book is lost or damaged, the student must reimburse the Media Center for the cost of the book. If the book is found after reimbursement, the cost will be refunded.