November 2009 Update

Please Note: If you are viewing this update in print format or via email, feel free to visit our library Web site @ www.danvers.mec.edu/hrmslibrary for more information on Dream Teams, wish lists of books you can choose to donate, and other library happenings.

On September 23rd we hosted our first book discussion meeting, and were thrilled to hear author Jack D. Ferraiolo talk about writing and his book, The Big Splash. More than 50 students attended the author talk in the MPR and were entertained by the amusing Mr. Ferraiolo. Thanks to Michelle Deschene-Warren at Peabody Institute Library for arranging the visit. Afterwards we had a small group of students stay to talk about the book.

Also in September, all 6th and 7th grade students visited the library.Orientation for 6th grade included an introduction to the library itself and how materials are arranged, information on activities and special programs, and library policies and procedures. Sixth grade students returned for a second visit, during which they heard some book talks and checked out books to read for SSR. We hope they will continue to visit the library on their own before and after school and during SSR.

Seventh grade students came to the library for a lively game of Library Jeopardy. They displayed an impressive amount of knowledge they remembered from last year about library policies, procedures, layout, and arrangement of materials. We always enjoy seeing students at the beginning of the year and encouraging them to visit us throughout the year.

We also saw all 8th grade students in September/October, for the banned books project, which celebrates our freedom to read in the United States. While this is the 5th year that we’ve undertaken the project with 8th grade English classes, it is the first time we incorporated a blog into the unit. Students commented on several “scenarios” related to First Amendment rights in preparation for a final discussion of the issues in their respective classes. You can view the blog on our library Web site at: http://www.danvers.mec.edu/hrmslibrary. Click on 8th grade, then either Mrs. Pardue, Ms. Pelletier, or Ms. Redman; then “To Ban or Not to Ban,” (twice) to find a list of blogs.

            Mrs. Ellen White’s 7th and 8th grade students began a research project in October entitled “What Was the World Like in the 1960s?” Students began by reading Gary Schmidt’s The Wednesday Wars, a historical novel that takes place in 1967. Students researched individually, investigating various topics pertinent to the decade. Eventually the class will create a timeline of the 1960s to display either in the library or in the classroom.

            Lastly, at the end of October, Mr. Hodsdon began a project on Sustainability with his 6th grade science students. We have introduced the team to the IIM research process, which is the method we use in Danvers at all levels. It is a 7-step process that can be applied to any research project at any age. For this project, students each are researching specific topics with the goal of eventually answering the question, “How Can We Make Our World More Sustainable?” They are expected to follow the 7-step process, which includes citing sources, taking notes to answer specific questions, and synthesizing the information they obtain in their research.

        As I write this update, we just had our Halloween Scary Story Hour. We would like to thank the following students for decorating the entrance of the library with a spooky theme in preparation for the fun tomorrow: Brenna Ambrose, Erin Haley, Michael Kilbride, Maggie Shannon, and Carly Tarricone, Thanks goes to Mrs. E. White, too, for helping to create a chilling entry to the library. Twenty-two students, along with Michelle Deschene-Warren from PIL, attended to enjoy snacks and Halloween stories read aloud.

            Our next title for book discussion is Graceling by Kristin Cashore. Book discussion is open to any students who have read the title or titles of the month, but we think this month’s title will be particularly appealing to 8th grade students. We have lots of fun and offer plenty of snacks at book discussion group. Books are available for checkout at our library and at the public library. Students should stop in at the library and ask if they think they might be interested in reading the book. Our discussion of Graceling will be held at Borders on Monday, December 2nd, time TBA. We are excited to report that Michelle (YA librarian at the public library) has once again arranged for an author visit, this time at the public library: Cashore, author of our title of the month, will visit PIL on 12/16 from 7 – 9 p.m.

            Meanwhile, our theme for November is “People, Places, and Things: Fiction and Nonfiction.” We will have fiction and nonfiction titles on similar subjects displayed together for the month. We will also begin our 7th grade Rebecca Nurse team research project on the Salem Witch Hysteria. Mrs. Maney and Mrs. Woo work together on the project, which complements the interdisciplinary unit the team does.

Remember, check out our library Web site for wish lists of  titles that may be donated and for more information on library happenings:

http://www.danvers.mec.edu/hrmslibrary

This month's wish list can be seen at:
http://www.danvers.mec.edu/hrmslibrary/DreamTeams/Nov09DTTitles.htm
where you will find a variety of new titles, including fiction and nonfiction, that you may choose to donate. We will update and add to the list as books are donated.

Until next month…

Sarah Woo, Librarian

Joan Shay, Library Aide

Note: The Dr. Betty G. Allen Fund is managed under the auspices of the Danvers Educational Enrichment Partnership (DEEP).