Welcome to our first Elementary Library Newsletter for the academic year 2008 – 09.  

The function of the Elementary Library is to provide a learning environment that supports the overall curriculum of the school.  

The students, parents and teachers have access to a wide range of resources and children's literature. The actual library program ensures that all students become effective users of the library and information. It also promotes a general appreciation of literature in all. 

Facilities:

The OFS Junior Library holds a large selection of picture books, fiction and non-fiction books for general use.   We also have an extensive home reading section to compliment individual development of reading and a significant collection of books printed in languages other than English.  

Six Apple eMac computers and twenty-four Apple ibook computers connect students to the school-wide network. Both are available to students before school, during library sessions, lunch times and after school.  

Library Borrowing Guidelines 

The following guidelines apply to all children in grades 1 to 5. 

Children reading between the levels 1 – 30 may borrow 4 books from labeled reading baskets and 1 library book.  Children reading above the level 30 may borrow 2 library books.

As homebase teachers take their own library session, they can monitor what students are borrowing and reading.  Support from the teacher librarian is provided and of course individual needs are taken into consideration.

Students are expected to care for the books they borrow. No fees are charged for overdue books, but borrowing privileges may be stopped or limited until missing items are returned. Damaged or lost books need to be replaced. 

The students are encouraged to change their books on a regular basis.  Many students return and check out books during their scheduled library session.  If students forget their books on their library day, they may change their books the following day.   As grade 4 and 5 students have library once every 2 weeks, they are encouraged to change their books when they are finished with them.  Books may be changed any day of the week - before school, snack time and after school.  A library reminder notice will be given to any student who forgets their books regardless of the due date shown on library accounts.  These dates are provided only as guidelines.  

If you are interested in viewing the list of books your child currently has on loan from the library, you can do so via the OFS homepage –  HYPERLINK "http://www.ofs.edu.sg/"www.ofs.edu.sg  Login using your child's username and password. On the next screen, down the left side, you will see "Library Status" Click on this link and it will display a list of books loaned to your child including the date borrowed and the date due. Select "All" from the popup menu at the top right to view a list containing a history of your child's borrowing activity.

Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any queries about your child's library account. 

Lunchtime Activities is an exciting time in the library.  We provide a variety of activities, including quiet reading time, story time, drawing favorite book characters etc...  Some popular activities during this first semester will include book / library related activities, research, story videos and POI related activities that directly link with what students are discussing and learning about in their homebase class.  

Library Schedule 

Students in grades 1 to 3 have a scheduled library session for half an hour every week.  Students in grades 4 & 5 have a scheduled library session for 1 hour every 2 weeks.

Library Program 

As the teacher-librarians, we attend grade level planning meetings weekly to ensure that the library program compliments and supports the class programs and the PYP units of inquiry being studied.  Profiles and attitudes are incorporated into borrowing and research sessions.  A monthly profile / attitude is discussed and displayed.  Skills related to use of the library, information literacy and the use of technology are taught collaboratively with home base teachers.   Building an awareness of authors / illustrators and developing a general appreciation of literature is also a primary focus of the library program.

Flexible Timetable:

With the grade 4 and 5 classes having an hour library session once every 2 weeks, it enables us to offer a ‘flexible timetable’ to ALL classes from grades 1 to 5.  This provides classes with the opportunity to ‘book’ the library on a 'needs' basis.  For example…..a grade 1 class recently booked a session for the class to use books, encyclopedias and the ibooks to 'research' about plants.  A grade 5 class required extra research time and needed books and encyclopedias.  We are also encouraging Language classes to use the library to share stories in their languages and Math classes can book a session to use Math related Literature and the ibooks.

What’s happening in Library Classes during this first Semester?    

Grade One 

Units of Inquiry – Days of Our Lives, Growing Things, We Are What We Eat 

Each class has a scheduled 30minute session for a library focus, Information Literacy skills, Literature appreciation and borrowing time.  

During these Units of Inquiry, the library focuses will include an introduction to the library, the borrowing and returning of books procedures, location of books, correct handling of books, differences between our books, careful selection of books to take home, an introduction to non fiction books and the Dewey Classification System, using content pages, indexes etc....

Quality authors will be introduced and their books shared.  Review of the library Essential Agreements and the careful handling of books will be reinforced on a regular basis.  

Books directly relating to POI Units and the PYP Key Concepts will be linked with shared literature and books on the profiles and attitudes will be displayed and shared.  

Grade Two 

Units of Inquiry – The Responsibility of Being Me,  A Sense of Place,  Signs and Symbols

Each class has a scheduled 30 minute session for a library focus, Information Literacy skills, Literature appreciation and borrowing time.  

During these Units of Inquiry, the library focuses will include an introduction to the library, the borrowing and returning of books procedures, the location and differences between our books, reviewing the location and use of our Non Fiction and Reference sections in the library, using content pages and indexes in non fiction books etc...  

Connections will be made with POI units through the focus or the sharing of related books.   eg. For this first unit we will be discussing what our responsibilities are in the library.  During the second unit, the Dewey Classification System will be reviewed when we discuss the location of library books about countries. They are located in the 900 section of a library.  Books on Singapore can be located on the 959 shelf.  During the Signs and Symbols Unit we will be discussing signs and symbols used in the library and their importance.  

Key Concepts and the PYP Profiles and Attitudes will also be linked during units.  

 Quality authors will be introduced during each unit and their books shared.  

Review of the library Essential Agreements and the careful handling of books will be reinforced on a regular basis. 

Grade Three 

Units of Inquiry –  Visual Expression, Jobs and the Environment, Cities

Each class has a scheduled 30 minute session for a library focus, Information Literacy skills, Literature appreciation and borrowing time.  

During these Units of Inquiry, the library focuses will include an introduction to the library - the borrowing and returning of books procedures, the location and differences between our books, reviewing the location and use of our Non Fiction and Reference sections in the library, using content pages and indexes in non fiction books etc...  

Connections will be made with POI units through the focus or the sharing of related books.   eg. during the first unit we will be looking at the different techniques of certain illustrators.  One such author / illustrator is Jeannie Baker.  During the second and third units we'll look at the Dewey Decimal Classification System for the location of books relating to the environment and cities around the world.  We will also be using encyclopedias as a research tool.  

Key Concepts and the PYP Profiles and Attitudes will also be linked to units.  

 Quality authors will be introduced during each unit and their books shared.  

Review of the library Essential Agreements and the careful handling of books will be reinforced on a regular basis.  

Grade Four

Units of Inquiry – The Value of Me, Forces and Machines, Living Long Ago 

Classes in grade 4 have a scheduled 1hour library session every 2 weeks.  As the teacher librarians, we team teach with the homebase teacher during this time.  Every session begins with a library focus and includes borrowing time.  The focus includes library skills, Information Literacy skills and author introductions.  Some of the library and information literacy skills we will be discussing throughout these units will include: the library essential agreements, borrowing procedures,  the differences between our books, the location of related resources – Encyclopedias, books, internet use, websites, using the BIG6 as a problem solving tool and the use of the school catalogue.  

Connections will be made with POI units through the focus or the sharing of related literature.  eg.  The story Piggybook  by Anthony Browne has a lovely message about valuing others.  We will also be discussing the PYP profiles and how we use these during library time.  eg.  I am 'Caring' in the library because I take care of the books.  During the second unit we will look at the forces and machines found in the library.  The Dewey Classification System will be discussed with each unit to assist students in locating related books.  

Key Concepts and the PYP Profiles and Attitudes will also be linked with focuses. 

The library session can be used in a variety of ways and the focus may change each time according to the needs of the class.  Some classes may use the session with a ‘reading’ focus and others may have an Information Literacy focus.    We have 24 ibook computers and 6 emacs that classes can use to support these sessions.  

Grade Five 

Unit of Inquiry – Where Do We Fit, Forms and Transfer of Energy, A Place for Everyone

Classes in grade 5 have a scheduled 1hour library session every 2 weeks.  As the teacher librarians, we team teach with the homebase teacher during this time.  Every session begins with a library focus and includes borrowing time.  The focus includes library skills, Information Literacy skills and author introductions.   Some of the library and information literacy skills we will be discussing throughout these units will include: the library essential agreements, borrowing procedures,  the differences between our books, the location of related resources – Encyclopedias, books, internet use, websites, using the BIG6 as a problem solving tool and the use of the school catalogue.  

Connections will be made with POI units through the focus or the sharing of related literature.  eg.  books about respecting cultural differences will be shared during the first unit.  During each unit the Dewey Classification System will be discussed and related numbers shared to assist students in the location of  related resources.  eg.  Global Citizenship 305.  Energy sources  333  Books on countries around the world 900's.  

Key Concepts and the PYP Profiles and Attitudes will also be linked with focuses. 

The library session can be used in a variety of ways and the focus may change each time according to the needs of the class.  Some classes may use the session with a ‘reading’ focus and others may have an Information Literacy focus.    We have 24 ibook computers and 6 emacs that classes can use to support these sessions.

What an exciting time ahead of us.  It’s very rewarding to witness and be a part of your child’s growth here at OFS.

Volunteers

Parents interested in helping in the library are most welcome. Those with an interest in storytelling in English or other languages are also invited to help.  We have story time as a regular lunchtime activity.  Please get in contact with me or pop in and have a chat sometime.

Donations  

The library welcomes donations of books that are in good condition and relevant to the curriculum. We presently seek books printed in languages other than English, especially traditional and modern stories.  

Please come in and visit us – the library doors are always open.  

Monday to Friday - 8am – 5pm    

Feel free to contact us regarding any issues relating to the library.  

Mrs Jan Cox     Elementary Teacher Librarian    janette_cox@ofs.edu.sg

Mr Scott Dickson   Elementary Teacher Librarian  scott_dickson@ofs.edu.sg

Mrs Daphne Chia    Elementary Library Assistant    daphne_chia@ofs.edu.sg

Ms Shijin Foo         Elementary Library Assistant   shijin_foo@ofs.edu.sg

Elementary Library 

Overseas Family School 

25F Paterson Road 

Singapore 238515 

Phone: (65) 67380211 (Ext. 422) 

Fax: (65) 67338825