The Library Curriculum:
Information and Technology Skills for Elementary
and Middle School Students
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By the end of each year students should be able to:
KINDERGARTEN
Understand importance of caring for the library, books, computers.
Use inside voices. Display manners, kindness toward others, take turns.
Choose books from pre-selected group of books (fall/winter). Learn to select from shelves by end of school year.
Identify parts of book (cover, spine) and computer (keyboard, mouse, screen)
Recognize and define: author, illustrator
Locate picture books, easy non-fiction sections
Return books on time
Awareness that information is available in various forms.
Reinforce classroom topics including "Letters"
Activities may include: Story time, creative dramatics/puppets, big books, electronic stories on computers, author study, fiction/non-fiction DVD/videos,
GRADE 1
Choose leisure reading materials from shelves (picture books, easy non-fiction, easy chapter, learn to draw)
Identify parts of book (title page, table of contents)
Identify: title, author, illustrator, call number
Locate shelf area for particular picture books
Identify picture book, easy fiction, easy non-fiction, easy biography sections
Introduce concept of researching information for classroom based activities (Heinemann First Encyclopedia)
Reinforce classroom topics which may include: Myself, 50 States, Animals, Months
Use appropriate library voices, care of materials, consideration for others
Activities may include: Story time, creative dramatics,/puppets, big books, fiction vs non-fiction concepts, electronic CD stories on computers, author study, curriculum related fiction/non-fiction DVD/videos
GRADE 2
Choose leisure reading materials from shelves (picture books, easy non-fiction, easy chapter, learn to draw)
Identify: title page, copyright page, table of contents, title, author, illustrator, publication or copyright date, call number
Locate shelf area for: picture books, easy fiction/chapter books, easy non-fiction, easy biography, easy reference, magazines.
Extract research report information from magazine articles, elementary reference sources (print and computer based.)
Produce research-based project (written report, poster)
Develop familiarity with terms such as call number, publication, autobiography, biography
Reinforce classroom topics which may include: Our Community, Plants, Penguins
Activities may include: Story time, introduction to Dewey Decimal system, beginning research skills, use specific children's internet sites, electronic resources, author study, curriculum related fiction/non-fiction DVD/videos.
GRADE 3
Locate fiction , easy, picture books on shelf by call number
Identify picture book, fiction, nonfiction, magazine, reference sections of library
Locate information using print and computer sources: encyclopedia, dictionary, globe
Use teacher or librarian-selected internet site to locate curriculum related information.
Identify: title page, copyright, page, table of contents, index
Expand basic knowledge of Dewey Decimal system
Choose leisure reading material of interest
Produce research-based project (written report, poster)
Reinforce classroom topics which may include: world cultures - Japan, Australia, Italy, and habitat awareness
Activities may include: Literature appreciation, storytelling, folktales, fairytales, tall talls, curriculum related fiction/non-fiction DVD/videos, author study
Introduce OPAC (Online Public Access Catalog) to find book title, author, subject
GRADE 4
Learn to use OPAC (Online Public Access Catalog) to find book title, author, subject
Locate a book on shelf if call number is known.
Locate information using both print and computerized sources: encyclopedia, dictionary, atlas, globe
Take notes from an internet site for research reports/projects; identify site's title and URL address.
Follow simple standard format to create bibliography from these sources: book, reference/encyclopedia, internet.
Identify, locate, use: title page, copyright page, table of contents, glossary, index
Develop working knowledge of Dewey Decimal system
Choose leisure reading material of interest
Produce more detailed research-based project (written report, poster, oral presentation)
Reinforce classroom topics which may include: New York State, water cycle, energy
Activities may include: Literature appreciation based on curriculum (ie New York State), Newbery authors, poetry, basic plays/drama, further develop book location skills, curriculum related fiction/non-fiction DVD/videos, websites.
GRADE 5
Reinforce using OPAC (Online Public Access Catalog) to find book title, author, subject
Locate a book on shelf if call number is known.
Seek and locate information using both print and computerized sources: encyclopedia, dictionary, atlas, globe, almanac, thesaurus
Use internet directory or search engine to locate useful websites
Take notes from an internet site for research reports/projects; identify site's title and URL address.
Follow simple standard format to create bibliography from these sources: book, reference/encyclopedia, magazine, internet.
Identify, locate, use: title page, copyright page, table of contents, glossary, index
Working knowledge of Dewey Decimal system
Choose leisure reading material of interest
Create and produce simple electronic projects: Power Point, Inspiration
Produce more detailed research-based project (written report, poster, oral presentation)
Reinforce classroom topics which may include: Explorers, Early America, US History, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Stock Market
Introduce The Big6 Skills Approach
Activities may include: Literature appreciation based on curriculum, poetry, plays/drama, further develop book location skills, specialized reference sources (ie Civil War Encyclopedia), curriculum related fiction/non-fiction, Newbery authors, DVD/videos, websites, "Book Buddies" with younger students.
MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS - GRADES 6, 7,8
Students in Middle School will use the Library Information and Technology Skills learned throughout the elementary years for researching classroom related topics as well as independent reading and research projects. They will be able to present quality information in a variety of formats including type-written reports, posters, brochures, Power Point, and Inspiration. Middle school students will use "The Big6 Skills Approach." This process has been developed by renowned educators, Mike Eisenberg and Bob Berkowitz. It is a systemic way to find, use, apply, and evaluate information. The Big6 is the "most widely known and most widely used approach to teaching information and technology skills in the world."
The Big6 Skills include:
1. Task Definition
2. Information Seeking Strategies
3. Location and Access
4. Use of Information
5. Synthesis
6. Evaluation
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Students will use the Big6 Research and "Project Tracker".
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GRADE 6 topics may include: Core Subjects Research, Ancient Civilizations, Middle Ages, Wonders of the World, World Festivals, Sources of Energy, Weather, Literature Appreciation based on curriculum (including classics),F.A.C.S.(Family And Careers) Projects, "Jazz" Musicians, Art/Technology projects. Reinforce/review library skills including Dewey Decimal System, OPAC, Reference, Non-Fiction/Fiction, Web-based Research.
GRADE 7 topics may include: Core Subjects Research, Literature Appreciation based on curriculum (including biographies), African-American Scientists and Inventors, F.A.C.S.(Family And Careers) Projects, "Classic" Musicians, National Parks Project, Art/Technology Projects. Reinforce/review library skills including Dewey Decimal System, OPAC, Reference, Non-Fiction/Fiction, Web-based Research.
GRADE 8 topics may include: Literature Appreciation based on curriculum, Core Subjects Research, Art/Technology Projects, F.A.C.S. (Family And Careers) Projects, "Modern" Musicians, Creative Group Project (ie Roller Coaster Theme Park). Reinforce/review library skills including Dewey Decimal System, OPAC, Reference, Non-Fiction/Fiction, Web-based Research.
"Your education and imagination will carry you to places which you won't believe possible."
- Ellison Onizuka, Hawaiian Astronaut