8th Grade Track 1 Colonial Newspaper Project

Mrs. Dempsey's 8th graders are continuing to research their colonies. They are using the colonial pathfinder to do their research, which is available on Blackboard and on the media center web site. These students are doing a great job with their Cornell Source note sheets. They will be working on their bibliographies next week.
~ Mrs. M.

North Carolina Dialect

On Monday, Mrs. M. taught track 1/8th grade about NC, its dialects and the literature set in our state. Students enjoyed learning about the various regions and the differences in them. They learned several new words, such as "dingbatter," which means someone not from the Outer Banks of NC and "jasper," which is a person not from the NC mountains.

~ Mrs. M.

Researching scientists

Today, I worked with Ms. Daniels' students on a scientist research project. Archimedes, George Washington Carver, Jonas Salk, Jane Goodall and Ptolemy were a few of the famous people who graced computer monitors throughout each class period.

The goal of this project is for students to discover important facts about their scientist by finding information using quality web resources. Students have two days to gather biographical information and details about important accomplishments. They are required to use one website resource and one electronic database source.

Like many projects I help students with in the media center, I've learned interesting tidbits of trivia throughout the day. My favorite fact from the day was finding out who invented white-out. I'm looking forward to discovering new information tomorrow as students complete their research. These tid bits of trivia are sure to help me win on a gameshow one of these days!

-Ms. Z

BoB Questions Needed!

In which book is a man paid for his work with a pig and a pound of sugar?

In which book does a boy watch ghostly hands push a box of books off a stain on the floor?

In which book do church bells toll without ceasing until the mayor orders them to stop?

Even though Battle of the Books practices don't begin until November, the media center staff has combed through files in search of practice questions. Most of the questions for BoB practices come from our very own DRMS staff members. During practices, students answer questions pertaining to the plot, characters or setting of one of the books on the list. These questions are similar to those used at the county competition where our students will compete in February. Some books are repeated from one year to the next, so we're fortunate to already have questions for about 2/3 of the list.

But, we need your help! Students, staff and parents can get involved! This is not just for Language Arts teachers! :-) Please let Ms. Z. know if you can write a few questions for one of the following BoB titles:

• The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
• Children of the River by Linda Crew
• Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis
• Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village by Laura Amy Schlitz
• The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
• My Life in Dog Years by Gary Paulsen
• Tangerine by Edward Bloor
• Treasure Island (unabridged) by Robert Louis Stevenson
• The Wright 3 by Blue Balliett

We have copies of all of these titles in the DRMS media center. See Ms. Z. if you're interested in helping out.

-Ms. Z

P.S. For those of you interested in a little trivia, the answers to the above questions are 1. Dovey Coe by Frances O'Roark Dowell; 2. Something Upstairs by Avi; 3. Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson

Selection

How are books selected for the media center?

Even though we only place book orders a couple times a year, selecting materials is a 12-month, continual process. The media staff subscribes to three library selection journals: VOYA, School Library Journal and Library Media Connections. We read reviews and indicate those titles best suited for the school curriculum, student interest, and needs or gaps in the library collection. This is just the start; our ears are always open! You'll find scraps of paper in our offices with scribbled notes containing the names of new titles and authors that were mentioned on a website, posted on a blog, mentioned by a colleague, recommended by a student, heard about on television, saw in a display at the bookstore over the weekend, etc. Our sources for selection are endless . . . and creative!

We always welcome student and teacher suggestions. Suggestions from students and staff typically move right to the top of our selection priority list! A selection box is located on the circulation desk and students are encouraged to recommend titles to add to the media center collection.

We're busy behind-the-scenes organizing and sorting lists of titles to purchase this school year. Books will be ordered during the fall and should arrive by December. Keep reading the blog for updates on the arrival of new books within the next few months!

-Ms. Z

6th graders invade!

Over 350 book check-outs into the new school year and we've seen all track 1, 2 and 3 sixth grade students. It was a joy to meet these new "Dolphins" and I look forward to working with them this year! Students first viewed an 8-minute video powerpoint presentation detailing media center policies and procedures.


They then ventured to the computers to complete a self-guided scavenger hunt through Destiny, the new library automation software. Once they finished their tour, their completed green answer sheet was their "ticket" they turned in to their teacher or media specialist that allowed them to look for and check out books. This 15 minutes of library "free time" was most students favorite part of orientation.

Below are scenes from one of students' favorite section in the media center - the comic books, graphic novels and drawing book section:

before . . . .

after . . . .

Messy bookshelves are our favorites because it's evidence that many kids have been there. We're looking forward to seeing our 7th and 8th graders next week!

-Ms. Z

First day of school

I love the beginning of the school year. Squeaky new shoes, the smell of new notebooks and pencils and a positive outlook toward new possibilities. Students were eager (and a bit nervous!) as they ventured down the hallways to meet their teachers this morning. I always enjoy the wide-eyed enthusiasm of our new 6th graders as they take everything in for their first time as a middle schooler. Today is a momentous occasion for them!

We saw several groups of sixth graders escorted into the media center as a preview before their orientations later this week. One student immediately spied the magazine collection and asked if he could check one out. All 6th grade students will be able to check out library materials this week! Many of today's visitors gravitated toward the dolphin collection, which showcases 40+ dolphin statues we've collected over the years.

We're looking forward to meeting our new students and reuniting with our veteran 7th and 8th graders. We'll see you in the media center!

-Ms. Z