Kindergarten
Kindergarten in the library is meant to be fun and engaging! Children listen
to 1-2 books, and then they do an art or computer activity. Kindergarteners
take out 1 book per week beginning in late September. At first, they choose
from a wide variety of books selected by the librarian. In January, students
begin to choose their own book from the picture book section by using a
shelf marker. The “Shelf Elf”’ teaches them how to do this, and then hides
each week in the library, waiting to be found by eagled-eyed
kindergarteners!
First Grade
As in kindergarten, emphasis is on literature appreciation and
enjoyment in first grade. We spend some time with favorite series
books and where to find them in the library, such as Curious George,
Arthur, Franklin, Berenstain Bears and Clifford the Big red dog.
Second Grade
Emphasis is spent on choosing a book in the library that students
are interested in and that they can read by themselves. We learn
that like the traditional Goldilocks story, books can be too hard, too
easy, or JUST RIGHT. We use the “Five Finger Rule” to help us
determine if a book is JUST RIGHT for us. Then we spend several
weeks reading book series in the Emerging Reader section of the
library are JUST RIGHT for second graders. Some of these series
include:
•Henry and Mudge series by Cynthia Rylant
•Mercy Watson series by Kate DiCamillo
•Mr. Putter and Tabby series Cynthia Rylant
•Nate the Great series by Majorie Weinman Sharmat
•Poppleton series by Cynthia Rylant
•Young Cam Jansen series by David A. Adler
THIRD GRADE
In third grade, students learn much about non-fiction and
the parts of a book. Some topics we cover include: title
page, author, publication, copyright date, table of contents,
glossary, index, bibliography, dedication, etc. Another
major topic in third grade is learning how to use the
dictionary and using guide words.
Fourth Grade
Fourth graders learn about the Dewey Decimal
System and how to search our online catalog
(OPAC). Students begin to understand how the
library works and where to locate items that they
are interested in. We also go into greater depth
with reference books, such as the World Book
Encyclopedia, World Almanac and atlases.
Computer keyboarding skills are emphasized.
Fourth graders check out three books each week.
Fifth Grade
It is important to prepare the fifth graders for middle school. We
revisit the Dewey Decimal System so that they are comfortable
with finding and locating books in not only our library, but in any
library. We learn about Internet safety, cyber bullying, internet
search strategies and choosing appropriate websites. Fifth graders
review reference sources for example: dictionary, encyclopedia,
almanac and atlas skills.