Research and Relationships

Happy Summer Librarians!  As we get ready to begin the school year I wanted to share some ideas I use to tie in research to our sections of the library.  As we meet each week it’s also important to build a connection with students and build relationships. 

Research…
1st Grade - Each week we learn a letter in sign language. I use that letter to choose my books to read to the students while also teaching Fiction and Non-Fiction choices.  Using the Non-Fiction book, we then do some research about the topic. We use maps and websites to find our more information. Sometimes the students have a template to fill out or other times they do an art project related to the topic.  Some of the websites we love to use are: National Geographic for kids, Pebblego, and San Diego Zoo Kids. These websites have terrific facts and videos to go with our topics. At the end of all the letters we then learn a few songs in sign language to help the students see how sign language helps people communicate if they can’t hear or talk.  

2nd - 5th Grade - The Golden Sower book choices give many  opportunities to find out facts share information about the authors and the topics of the stories.  This last year with “The Water Princess” and the “Boston Marathon” we were able to research about villages that don’t have fresh water and how women couldn’t participate in running races.  Students then either do some writing, create posters, word collages, slide shows, or an art project to share what they learned.  

3rd Grade - As we learned about the different genres and sections of the Dewey Decimal System, the students researched states and practiced taking notes from a website.  We research planets, animal groups, and body systems also when I teach those Non-Fiction sections. Pinterest has great graphic organizers for students to fill in as they use books or the internet to find out more.  

4th Grade - Our favorite research unit was about the weather.  We tied it into the Non-Fiction section reading about different kinds of storms that affect our country.  Students were able to use books and the internet to make a poster about their storm. They also had to include safety tips.

5th Grade - We use our Google accounts each week, so we have had fun doing many projects this year!  Our favorite right now is finding out about inventions and inventors. They are researching an important invention they use in their home or at school that they couldn’t live without.  The students are being very creative as they prepare their Google Slide and it gives them the opportunity to share their creation with whoever they want.  

During all these activities it’s important to build relationships with the students.  Students need to feel welcome in the library anytime. I have students coming in already at 7:30 to find books or just to visit.  Students come in during their lunch recess to volunteer to help or see what I’m teaching the other grades. Then after school is a great time to send students off with books for the night or weekend.  Even though we get busy and have lots to do, it’s important to take time to listen and give students the message that the library is a safe place they can come when they need to talk, get a hug, or find more books!  

Have a great school year!  Thanks for all you do to help our students love books, collaborate with others, and problem solve for our future! 

​By Laurie Schlautman