Monday, January 26, 2009

Ms. Schwartz- 9th gr. Research Paper

Students will write a research paper that presents and interprets information gathered through the extensive study of a subject. The paper is due in stages (thesis, preliminary bibliography, Note Cards, Outline, Final paper). Ms. Scwhartz will guide students through the different stages.


Research Paper Topics:

  • Go green: environmentalism
  • Gun Control
  • Civil rights
  • Book censorship
  • Women's rights
  • Animal rights
  • Ethics and professional sports
  • cloning

Students will visit the school library where they will have the opportunity to peruse books on the above named subjects. It is there that they will narrow the area of study and identify an open-ended question to answer for the research.


The LMS, Mrs. Hatcher, will also work with the classes during various stages of the research process. There will be a discussion on the VRC databases pertinent to the topics of study as well as proper work citation style.

Recommended Resources:

  • VRC- SIRS Discoverer
  • VRC-Topic Search

Use Search Plus to find books on a particular subject. Books will be held on a cart in the Information Center.

Example: Global Warming

Information Literacy Standards:


Skills: 1.1.5, 1.1.7, 1.1.8, 2.1.2, 3.1.5


Disposition: 1.2.1, 1.2.5, 1.2.6

Responsibility: 1.3.1, 1.3.2, 3.3.2

Self Assessment Strategy: 1.4.2, 1.4.3

Friday, January 9, 2009

Mrs. Hatcher- 7th gr. ISAFE Internet Safety

This week 7th grade Social Studies classes have been coming to the Information Center for a ISAFE presentation on Internet Safety by Mrs. Hatcher.

Internet Safety Topic: Predator Alertness

Students need to:


  • Understand the need for being safe in the cyber community - just like your physical community.

  • Understand how predators typically approach kids and teens online.

  • Understand the importance of refusing inappropriate advances.

  • Know how to Report suspicious activities that you encounter on the Internet.

The activity included a powerpoint presentation with class discussion followed by a short video.

Students also received a handout of safety tips.


Thursday, January 8, 2009

Mrs. Waldbauer- 8th gr.- Independent Reading

Mrs. Waldbauer's classes came to the Library Information Center for an independent reading assignment. Students were given a book talk on a variety of genre titles by the Information Specialist, Mrs. Hatcher.

Students listened to book talks on the following titles:

  • The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
  • Hoot by Carl Hiassen
  • No More Dead Dogs by Gordon Korman
  • Roughnecks by Thomas Cochran
  • Ashes of Roses by Mary Jane Auch
  • Surviving the Applewhites by Stehpanie Tolan
  • Cirque Du Freak by Darren Shan
  • Crispin: the Cross of Lead by Avi

21st-Century Information Literacy Standard(s):

Skills: 4.1.1, 4.1.2., 4.1.3., 4.1.5

Dispositions: 4.2.4

Responsibilities: 2.3.1, 2.3.2

Self-Assessment Strategies: 4.4.1, 4.4.2, 4.4.6

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

VRC Site of the Month: Health & Wellness Resource

Happy New Year! Like many people, you may have made a resolution to get healthy in the new year. Check out the Health & Wellness Resource site on the VRC.

The site contains magazines, journals, newspapers, definitions, directories, and information on: Fitness, Pregnancy, Medicine, Nutrition, Diseases, Public Health, Occupational Health and Safety, Alcohol and Drug abuse, Prescription Drugs, Herbal remedies, and alternative or complementary treatments.