Help Build LibGuides to Support Your Class

The new PS Library pages are constructed with a program called LibGuides.  Help us add content to the page for your grade and language.  We can add weblinks, video content, images of student work, audio files, book covers and assignment boxes.  Let us help you construct a page that supports your class.    Here is a screen shot of an example:

Information Literacy Skills by Grade Level

Are you wondering what the curricular objectives are for your students in the library?  Information literacy skills by grade level are posted on the English page for the grade.  These lists outline skills by the information literacy standard for 21st century learners to which the skills relate.  The list also reflects whether the skill is being introduced, practiced or mastered.

Please take a look at these lists and share any comments and suggestions with me.  I'd really value your input as we collaborate to make these lists as consistent and age-appropriate as possible.  Many thanks for your help with this!

"Blog Bits" Retired

With the change to the new PS Library Faculty webpage, I am retiring the "Blog Bits" section of the old newsletter format and replacing it with the blog feeds from several well known educators and librarians.  I think you will find their posts to be full of interesting ideas and resource links that will be helpful for you.  Please take a look . . . .

If you know of an educator with a blog that you think we should follow, please let me know and I will add their blog feed to our webpage.

Thanks!

November, 2012 (click here for full post)

November, 2012

Good Start for Year

We have had a good start for the school year.  Our rearranged physical space seems to work well for the students and staff.  On Fridays, we are working with the ELC students and it's been lots of fun having the younger students visit and visiting them at the ELC.  Check out our
PS Library blog for pictures.

Library Password Key for this School Year

The library password key for this school year is "smarties".  You will need this word to reach the grade level pages of the library website.  You will also need this word to access library resources via the Primary School Library Resources Quicklink from the AIS home page.

New Library Website

Please familiarize yourself with the new library website.  Note that each grade has its own area (with pages for English, French, Spanish and German).    You must enter the library password key to reach grade level library pages.

PS Faculty Area of Library Website

The PS Faculty area of the library website is also password protected.  The special faculty password is "psfaculty" -- to prevent student access.  Please take a look at the great resources on global education, IB blogs, teaching with technology and the changing face of the library.

Brainhive

We are beta testing a great new concept in ebooks.  Teachers will have access to thousands of ebooks under a pay as you go model.  We only pay for books that you use and then only $1 per use.  Great for Smartboards!!  Please ask Sharon for an account and start using this wonderful elementary level collection today!  We would like to open this resource to students in the near future, but we need your feedback before we move forward with student checkout.  For more information, go to www.brainhive.com.

Apps for Library Resources

Many of our families have various mobile devices at home such as iPads, iPhones and iTouches.  We are trying to get the word out that apps are now available that enable use of library resources on these devices.  Tumblebooks, Sylvan Dell ebooks, BrainPop and Accelerated Reader can be accessed and used on these devices.  See the Primary School Library page for more information.  Please note that Accelerated Reader quizzes still must be taken at school.  BUT it is much easier to take an AR quiz on an iPad than on a library netbook!!

New Library iPads to Launch Soon

As soon as the IT Department gives us the go ahead, we will deploy iPads in the library. These will be for use in the library only and by classes only.  You will be welcome to bring your students for reading circles, to do research, to film video and take photos and many other uses.  Stay tuned for updates!