Look!

Leading the way!

DYSTOPIA!

The success of the Hunger Games movie,the switch to genre-based fiction in the library, and our past One Book, One School choices has led to an increase interest in dystopian novels.

 Hoping to capitalize on student interest, some of the 8th grade language arts classes are doing a unit that includes reading some scifi/dystopia/post-apocalyptic literature.


 If you are looking for something to read, here are some of my favorite titles in those genres (linked to goodreads):

WDMS 2012 2

Created a partial Animoto video to show students how to use Animoto and to show parents their students during the school day.

Welcome Back! August 2012

SciFi and Dystopia

Woo-hoo! Today was the official first day the library was open.

Schedule

Mondays 7th graders

Wednesdays 8th graders

Thursdays 6th graders

Checkout policies vary based on grade level.  

Library is open from 8:50a - 4:00p each day with the following exceptions:

The library will be closed on 

Mondays 1:20p-1:50p

Wednesdays 11:10a-11:40a

Thursdays 12:15p-12:45p

Genre-fying the School Library

Some Sports books

I've been talking to my twitter PLN and after much discussion, I've decided to re-organize the school library. Again.

As always, my goal is to make the library a space students and staff not only want to visit, but want to borrow materials from. I also want those materials to be as accessible as possible.

Last year we moved all the series books to one area in the library. I also order those books separately so that they have my special SER prefix instead of FIC.

This year I'm putting all the fiction, and some of the non-fiction, into genres! This will be similar to what you would you find in a bookstore but based on past student interactions.

We get lots of requests for mysteries, romance, sports, action, horror, and just general good books! We are keeping our good books table but will try to highlight a different genre each month!!

Since I started this over summer with very little help (thanks Jess!) there is still a lot of work to be done! Especially since I'm slow at this stuff - it took me a long time to decide on the genres then decide where things might go! I had Jess measure the shelf space too because that doesn't exist anywhere! No worries though, the library will still open in time! I'll just have the students help me along the way!

Not even 1/2 the books

Once upon a SER section

WDMS School Tube Channel

Tune in to our new School Tube channel where we will upload some of the videos we do in class.

Find us at: http://www.schooltube.com/organization/145569/

Here's a video the students made this Spring 2012

DMS School Libary March 2012 Newsletter

News from

the

Instructional Media Center

March 2012

Between Acuity testing and ISTEP, the library has been like a ghost town. Time for me to take it to the streets. Spent a day in Mr. O'Malley's class - check out the slideshow after the news!

Checkouts have increased slightly from over 500 to over 600 and holds are down to 14. Top books circulated in February were:

1. Divergent by Veronica Roth
2. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
3. Wonderstruck by Brain Selznick
4. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
5. Harmless by Dana Reinhardt
6. Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
7. The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen
8. Squish, Super Amoeba by Jenni Holm
9. The Death Cure by James Dashner
10. Bigger Than a Breadbox by Laurel Snyder
11. The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore
12. Delirium by Lauren Oliver
13. The Familiars by Jay Epstein
14. Along for The Ride by Sarah Dessen
15. Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen
16. Sidekicks by Dan Santat
17. Anya's Ghost by Vera Brosgol
18. First Kill by Heather Brewer
19. Icefall by Matthew Kirby
20. Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan

Wow! Sarah Dessen and the Graphic Novels dominated the desk this past month!

Book Clubs

The sixth grade book club was canceled due to lack of signups. Both the 7th and 8th grade teams met to discuss their books. 8th grade was out in full force while we were missing a few students in 7th. The 8th graders had a lively discussion of The Fault in our Stars by John Green and the 7th graders agreed on the awesomeness of Legend by Marie Lu.

The next book club meeting is Thursday, March 22, 2012 during lunches. Don't forget your pass!

7th Graders will discuss The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann. If you've read it already - or you are in the middle - leave some comments on our Goodreads Group page - DMS Book Club.

The 8th Graders will discuss Enclave by Ann Aguirre. Check out the discussion page and add your thoughts at the DMS Book Club. You have to join to make comments.

Classroom Spotlight
Instead of highlighting a website this month, I want to show you a day in Mr. O'Malley's class. The cupcakes were being made in response to a reading of I Am The Messenger. Students in the HA classes decided how they were going to "be the message". One class is collecting items to make care packages to send to the soldiers, one class will be serving dinner at a soup kitchen, and one class baked, decorated and donated cupcakes to a local warming shelter. You go, 8th graders!