SPOTLIGHT

Dutchess Board of Cooperative Educational Services, 5 BOCES Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601Phone: 845.486.8004 ~ Fax: 845.486.8044 ~ www.dcboces.org

June 2012

The library print collection was automated into a computer-based system, replacing the old-fashioned card catalog. Students can now view the library’s collection online, and check out books for both information and pleasure reading. The library acquired over 1,000 new titles for their collection through donations from school and public libraries throughout Dutchess County, the School Library System and various private donations. In addition, the physical space was restructured to look and feel like a 21st century library. LaBrake feels the traditional perception of a library has become outdated. “There is so much more available now.”

“It’s not just a place where books are kept and where one goes to read them. My goal for the li-brary is to turn it into a central learning hub for the school. This program highlights Common Core skills, emphasizing collaboration with classroom teach-ers, information literacy, and using technology as a tool for learning, communicating, and sharing knowledge. Students need to know how to access, evaluate, and utilize information within and beyond the walls of the library, thus making them broadly resourceful.” The mission of the School Library Me-dia Program is “to ensure that students and staff have access to, and are effective users of ideas and information, and to cultivate life-long learners.” (Information Power: Guidelines for School Library Media Programs [AASL 1988] p.1.)

“To accomplish this mission, the plan is to not only develop a digital and print collection, but also to work with teachers to implement research skills and instructional technology into the curriculum.” LaBrake recalls a class project in which students did research on US Presidents using library databases, external websites, and text resources, then used their research to write first-person narrative. In-stead of using the traditional research paper as the

final product, they created podcasts. Students used the Web2.0 tool Blabberize to record their own voice speaking as the president researched. After selecting a picture, they created a final product where the presi-dent’s mouth moves to the student’s voice so it appears as if the presidents are reciting information about themselves. The final product really allowed students to express their creativity, and showcase their hard work to their parents and peers via the library website. LaBrake remarks, “I created an example of the fi-nal product and showed it to the students before they began work on their own. This motivated them to work hard and go above and beyond on their research, thus gaining the opportunity to create something very exciting and innovative. They really embraced the project and enjoyed working toward that goal!”

LaBrake also created an in-depth Web presence for the library, which serves as a digital resource center for SPC students and faculty. Along with hundreds of databases and online resources, the Web site includes les-son plans from successful class projects in the library and examples of student work using Web 2.0 tools. “The really great thing about the website is students can go home and not just tell their parents about the really cool project they’ve been working on in the library … they can also show them by going online.”

Dutchess BOCES is proud to announce the emergence of a new library program for our students at Salt Point Center (SPC). Along with developing a collection of print materials and digital resources, Library Media Specialist Matt LaBrake also works with the SPC teachers to implement information literacy skills and instructional technology into an innovative and creative curriculum.

SPOTLIGHT

Dutchess Board of Cooperative Educational Services, 5 BOCES Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601Phone: 845.486.8004 ~ Fax: 845.486.8044 ~ www.dcboces.org

Norah Merritt, Director of Alternative and Special Education

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The library undertook three big initiatives this year including Read Around the Planet, Behave for a Book, and a Barnes and Noble Bookfair.

Read Around the Planet At SPC, classrooms celebrated the National Education Association’s Read Across America, using interac-tive video-conferencing equipment to connect with other classrooms around the continent. This year’s matches included schools in Michigan, Ohio, Montana, Alabama, and Alberta, Canada. After being randomly matched with another classroom, participating classes were responsible for developing their own reading activities in collaboration with their partner. Interac-tions consisted of many activities including skits, raps, songs, illustrations, games, books, quizzes, and game shows. Each connection allowed time for a Q&A exchange about the schools and communities, thus opening another door into learning about the location and culture of their partner. Classrooms also prepared introductions via Google Earth using the SMART Board technology. • KourtneyFitzmaurice’sclassvideoconfer-enced with students from Alberta, Canada, using Pow-erPoint as a tool to demonstrate what they learned during SPC’s anti-bullying campaign.• AdamRiehl’sstudentsengagedwithahearing impaired class in Roseville, Michigan, learning some sign language in preparation for the activity. The other classroom demonstrated their cooking abilities using an interpreter to relay the information.• JoeFitzpatrick’sclassinteractedwithan-other classroom in Dayton, Ohio, sharing information about the Underground Railroad and Harriet Tubman. The students showcased their creativity through a patch quilt.• AprilHart’sstudentscollaboratedwithaclassinGreatFalls,Montana,tocommemorateDr.Seuss’s birthday through a celebration of reading, rhyming and storytelling.• DaveFelipe’sclassconnectedwithstudentsin Clare, Michigan, discussing the characters, setting and plot of Charlotte’s Web through drawings and word games.• TimSheehan’sstudentsengagedwitha classroom in Mobile, Alabama, showing off their famous African American’s podcasts and learning about the true origins of Marti Gras. The podcasts are available on the library Web site.

Behave for a BookOver the course of the last couple years, thousands of books have been donated to support our emerging library program. Many of these books are now available for circulation in the media library. However, there were a large number of books that we were not able to keep. Many of these books were brand new or slightly used paperbacks that are not conducive to our library shelving; others were older titles for which there was simply not enough room. What a better way to share these excess books than giving them to the students…

Over the course of six days, students earned “book bucks” by displaying positive behavior for the entire day. Students used the bucks to purchase selected books. The objective was for every student in the building to be able to take home at least one book, while at the same time rewarding positive behavior.

Barnes & Noble BookfairOn April 20, SPC hosted its Second An-nual Bookfair at the Poughkeepsie Barnes & Noble to benefit the library program. This event was a huge success, with over 150 students, parents, teachers, and com-munity members showing up to sup-port the school. A percentage of all in-

store and online purchases went to the library, generating almost $500 to spend on new books. This year the two main events included the Battle of the Champions Spelling Bee and a spring-themed Poetry Slam. In addition, SPC hosted a children’s story time and displayed student artwork through-out the store. Many thanks to the BOCES community for coming out and showing their support!

There are so many more fantastic ideas that are being discussed! LaBrake and the SPC staff are working dil-igently to provide the best possible resources for our students at the School Library Media Center. Take the opportunity to see the exciting projects by visiting us at http://www.dcboces.org/saltpointcenter/library.