In the Ridge Road Library, I strive to instill a love of reading, inspire life-long learning, and foster independent library use. My program encompasses literature appreciation; students are introduced to various genres and discuss terms such as theme, sequence and voice. We conduct author studies, discuss character development, and reflect on what we've read. Additionally, students learn to access digitial information. We complete research using subscription databases, and they learn to safely navigate the internet. They learn what it means to be a Digital Citizen, and the importance of analyzing websites to determine credibility. Students learn that the library is a place to find information. Whether they are utilizing the Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) to locate a resource in our collection, or searching our digital databases, they are developing the skills necessary to work independently, and to seek and find answers to their questions.
When developing my lessons, I ensure that I am meeting the standards set by both the
Common Core State Standards (CCSS),
as well as the content standards established by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL).
Common Core State Standards (CCSS),
as well as the content standards established by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL).
Mrs. Robbins' Resources
Often, when woking on computers in the library, students start by clicking
Mrs. Robbins' Resources, which is located as a link on the Library Homepage.
This is a symbaloo that I have created which is continuously updated and tailored to the students and staff at Ridge Road.
I am proactive in seeking out and infusing technological resources which support and enhance students' essential curriculum. Students are able to use the computers during Leaning Lab time to
engage in research specifically tailored to their classroom curriculum.
I actively collaborate with teachers to inquire about current content, and then incorporate that content into our library curriculum. Technology skills are learned more effectively when they are integrated with core curriculum, rather than taught in isolation.
Here is a snapshot of resources that have recently been utilized in the library to enhance instruction and student engagement:
Often, when woking on computers in the library, students start by clicking
Mrs. Robbins' Resources, which is located as a link on the Library Homepage.
This is a symbaloo that I have created which is continuously updated and tailored to the students and staff at Ridge Road.
engage in research specifically tailored to their classroom curriculum.
I actively collaborate with teachers to inquire about current content, and then incorporate that content into our library curriculum. Technology skills are learned more effectively when they are integrated with core curriculum, rather than taught in isolation.
Here is a snapshot of resources that have recently been utilized in the library to enhance instruction and student engagement:
Lessons and Units
Independently and with other District Librarians, I have designed a vertical curriculum that accounts for students' developmental skills and knowledge. Students are guided in relating new knowledge to what they already know. They refine that knowledge by participating in activities involving comparison, classification and analysis. I integrate content from their classroom curriculum whenever possible, often collaborating with teachers to determine research topics. When giving instructions for an activity, I give them orally and/or written, and have the students paraphrase to check for understanding. Students can work independently, or with buddies. They are encouraged to help each other find information.
Megan Janeski, a Fourth Grade teacher at Ridge Road, wrote this regarding her experiences in collaborating with me:
Working with Amanda is a phenomenal experience. While teaming with her, she provides my students with highly engaging activities that are related to our fourth grade curriculum. My students and I enjoy going to learning lab because she makes our time there fun, yet educational.
Topics by Grade Level
Kindergarten
Book Care
Author
Illustrator
Fiction vs. Nonfiction
Retelling
Themes
Exploration of Nursury Rhymes
Keyboard and Mouse skills
Beginning Research skills
First Grade
Book Care
Parts of a Book
Locating Authors on the shelves
Features of a Fiction Book
Features of a Nonfiction Book
Book Selection
Sequence and Sequels
Research-finding information, taking notes
Author Studies
Keyboard and Mouse skills
Navigating the Library Website
Using Databases
Second Grade
Sections in Library
Using the OPAC
Nonfiction Text Features
Fiction and Nonfiction Comparison
Research-Super3
Author/Illustrator Studies
Tall Tale Unit
Using Databases for research
Navigating the Library Website
Keyboard Skills
Online Safety
Third Grade
Dewey Decimal System
Genre Study
Biographies
Navigating the Library Website
Using the OPAC to locate resources
Research using websites
Research using Databases
Digital Citizenship
Keyboarding Skills
Fourth Grade
OPAC/Dewey Decimal Review
Historical Fiction
Research-Big 6
Note Taking and Citing Resources
Evaluating Websites
Digital Citizenship
Keyboarding Skills
Students working in groups on a Dictionary Hunt
that were purchased for the Ridge Road Library
Return to top