Second Semester Begins.....

We made it through mid-terms and are now off and running into second semester. With no major storms in sight (this time last year we had the first of many major storms and were under three feet of snow) and a January/February thaw on the horizon I think we are all getting excited for the spring!!

New classes are beginning, year long classes are moving forward and students and staff are ready for the long stretch!! The library has been busy with students and prepping for the 3rd term English research projects for each grade. The library will be teeming with students elbow deep in the research process!!


Students filling out what their dreams are on the MLK board

Graphic Novel Display 

Midterm Week

"Don't study until you get it right, study until you can't get it wrong"

 

The library was a busy place this week as students studied and prepped for midterms. While many students used the library for studying and collaborating with peers, just as many were in here to relax, grab a book and take some time to hang out with friends before or after their exams. It was a nice mix of studying and relaxing and just how we want the library to be used by our school community! 

 

We are looking forward to starting off Semester 2 with a bang! As I write this we are gearing up for the annual Chemistry research project and English classes across the grades will begin their term three research project. The library will be so busy and exciting! 

MLK DAY

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."-MLK

 

 As we move into the long weekend to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr's life and legacy we should keep in mind his teachings and what the day truly stands for. Instead of looking at Monday as a day off, those that want to celebrate MLK see it as a day ON! A day where we give back to our community and others and work towards making our small slice of this world a better place. Natick has a celebration at Wilson Middle School at 11 and many organizations throughout the Commonwealth have service days and projects people can become involved in. If you can not make it to any service opportunities at least take the time to appreciate what we have.

Some of the books we have on Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy.

Happy Vacation!!!!

The library would like to wish everyone a most relaxing and happy vacation!! Take the time to catch up on some good reading!!!


We put out a challenge to the faculty and we are AMAZED at the response. A simple email inviting staff to come to the library and check out some books for vacation has seen so many books fly off the shelves! In addition to that Ms. Carrick put out the 2016 "Harder Reading Challenge" sponsored by The Book Riot and we have had some teachers take us up on the challenge. The link below explains the reading challenge, essentially reading a book in 24 different categories. It takes you out of your comfort zone and introduces you to genres you may not have considered.

2016 Book Riot: Read Harder Challenge

Twas the Week Before Vacation......

And all through the library, not a student was stirring, not even for tests....

Early morning hockey practice made for a tired start to the day for these girls!

It has been a long week as we all gear up for the winter break! Students and staff are working hard, getting excited for vacation and adjusting to the slightly crazy warm temps for this time of year. This is the perfect time of the year to take out a book and relax with some good reading. Both students and staff need the time to de-stress and what better way to do that than with a good book. We have set up many displays filled with great reads so we encourage everyone to come down and pick out something for vacation!
                                                                                      

Our Back to the Future invention display is a BIG hit with the students. Ms. Carrick brought in two working typewriters and the kids are getting a huge kick out of trying them out! They find it hard to believe people actually had to type and be careful as there is no "back button" or delete key!

"Tell me, doctor Where are we goin' this time?"

"We're going back in time".... -Back In Time / Huey Lewis & The News

and so is the library! Thanks to Ms. Carrick and Ms. Williams amazing display we have traveled back in time. Currently the library is displaying inventions from the past! Typewriters, answering machines, film projectors and others inventions that paved the way for our smart phones, blue tooth and Netflix! Come on down and see the displays and check out a book relating to inventions that have changed our lives!

Celebrating the Library!

Welcome Back!! We hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving and was able to find some much deserved rest and relaxation. It was definitely needed as we hit the ground running Monday! Monday was the districts professional development day and I had the privilege of presenting to my peers the "Power of your Library" with middle school library teachers Amy Bloom and Kathi Rotkiewicz. The focus of our lesson was how the library should be embedded in all research based units! The presentation can be found here.
The Power of Your School Library

The presentations did not stop there! That night Amy, Kathi and I were honored to present to the Natick School Committee on the status of the Natick Public School's Libraries in the 21st Century. We showed our school committee the vital role the school libraries play in driving the curriculum in all of our schools K-12. It felt great to share with our  school committee and central administration the wonderful work we are doing in our school libraries!


Teaching this week focused on the Honors Biology Annotated Bibliography Project! One of my favorite projects to teach, biology students spend the next few months researching a topic of interest that has a connection to biology. Students will dive deep into their topic so the choice and research component is critical. The focus on quality resources and strong search terms was the focus of the lesson in the library. I enjoy working with Ms. Tully, Mr. Wilson and Ms. Conroy who always bring energy and enthusiasm for this project!