Winter 2023
Fall 2022
September 2023
Happy September!
Thanks to IT at Ripley, we were able to start checking out books on the first day of school! As with last year, all Willard students can have 1 book checked out at a time. Checking out or renewing books weekly during library time is an expectation for all students. Please check your child’s specials schedule and help them remember their books on library day.
This month in library classes, students will be acclimating back into library. Students in all grades will be reviewing how to find books in the library.
March 2022
This month in library classes…
Kindergarten students listened to books about tricksters. We began with several stories featuring Anansi the Spider then also explored some stories with other tricksters. We are now beginning a unit on gardens as the weather hopefully becomes more spring-like.
Students in grades 1 and 2 have been working on their Digital Citizenship units. In these lessons, students are taught how to be appropriate, responsible and effective online. In grades 1 and 2, the focus is on online safety. In many scenarios, students are encouraged to seek out a trusted adult in they have questions or feel uncomfortable about something they see online. Feel free to contact me at ejosselyn@concordps.org if you have any questions or would like more information.
Students in grades 3 and 4 are beginning units on literary genres this spring. Third grade classes will be focussing on different kinds of fiction while fourth grade students will be focussing on various types of folklore.
Grade 5 students have just begun the library president project. For this project, students will work in teams to nominate a fictional children’s book character. They will write their own scripts and film their campaign videos using green screen software. In several weeks, their videos will be shown to the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classes and students in those grades will be able to vote for their favorite character or presentation.
January 2022
Library Updates
Kindergarten students are listening to winter stories and practicing identifying fiction and nonfiction.
First and second grade students learned about call numbers through the end of the fall. They are now learning about different parts of a book.
Third and fourth graders finished a review of library sections and learned how to find books in the library. They are now working on their Digital Citizenship units. These units teach students how to be appropriate, responsible and effective users of the internet.
Fifth graders finished their Digital Citizenship unit and are now starting a unit on Media Literacy.
September / October
This month in library classes…
It has been wonderful to be back in our beautiful library space. Students have enjoyed perusing the shelves and finding new books to borrow. Students in Kindergarten, first and second grade have been learning about library procedures and book care, and listeing to lots of great stories. They are currently participating in a Mock Caldecott project by listening to award contenders and voting for their favorites.
Grades 3, 4, and 5 have also been practicing their library search skills. They have practiced using the library catalog to find books in the library system and are currently practicing how to use call numbers to locate books on the shelf. The goal is to combine both sets of skills so that students will be able to find pleasure reading books independently.
This year, all Concord Elementary students also have access to Sora. Students can access Sora at home. Visit the Sora Login page to learn more and feel free to contact me at ejosselyn@concordps.org if you have any questions.
Happy Reading!
Summer Reading at the Public Library
Make a Book Recommendation for Sora
Log into Sora to get recommended reading lists by grade level! (The librarians are working on them now and they should be up soon)
If you would like to suggest a book, click here to fill out the recommendation form!
Happy Reading!
Beanstack Reading Challenge
The Concord Free Public Library invites the whole community to join
our online reading program and engage with each other about what you’re reading! You can track your reading progress, earn reading incentives, and connect with your
community. We also have activities to help people stay on track with their reading goals.
There are three programs: Concord Read for Adults, Concord Read for Teens, and
Concord Read for Kids–all of which have specific prize badges and activities geared
towards their general interests. You can also share your reading progress on social
media with the hashtag #ConcordReads”
Register at: https://concordlibrary.beanstack.org/reader365
Also check out the other summer activities happening at the public library!
Read to Luna the Dog on Zoom
Friday May 15,11:30 am- 12:30 pm
The Concord Free Public Library invites children to Read to Luna the Dog every Friday
in May between 11:30 am – 12:30 pm. Did you know that reading to dogs boosts
reading skills & emotional & social skills for children? Join us for a “Read around the
Zoom” group reading experience. Using Zoom meeting platform, we’ll all take turns
reading aloud to Luna and to each other. Bring some of your favorite poems or short
stories. This event is for children ages 5+. This event is for children ages 5+.
Email Royce McGrath at RNMcGrath@minlib.net to register.
Sora is Here!
Check out our new library app, Sora, to access thousands of ebooks and audiobooks.
Available online at https://soraapp.com/library/masslibma
Or from the app store for IOS and Android
