Library Information Center Orientation- 7th Grade

Ms. D'Eletto's class visits the Information Center as part of the annual 7th grade orientation conducted by the Library Media Specialist, Mrs. Hatcher. The orientation consists of a review of Information Center policies, available services and resources. The students are also given a tour of the facility. The session ends with a Library Jeopardy game.

Internet Safety: Cyber Security Awareness

The Internet is supposed to make our lives better, and for most of us, that's exactly what it does. October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month, and it's a good time to take a look how our online behaviors may be putting us in harm's way. By following a few common sense tips, you can make the most out of your Internet experience, while protecting you and your family from online threats.

For tips on staying safe online visit staysafeonline.org

Virtual Reference Collection

Paul J. Gelinas JHS subscribes annually to a Virtual Reference Collection (VRC) & Digital Media Library. The VRC contains a wealth of information in a database collection of newspapers, magazines, enyclopedias, e-books, etc.

Some examples of the VRC include the following:

• Science Reference Center
• New York State newspapers
• World Atlas
• CultureGrams
• Ebsco Animals
• TeachingBooks (Student & Teacher edition)
• Health & Wellness Resource Center
• Twayne's Author Series
• ERIC
• Soundzabound Royalty Free Music for schools
  

And many more subject area resources.........

Mr. Vorwald's Hurricane Project- 8th grade Science

Hurricane Project

Students will learn about hurricane classification, tracks, and emergency preparedness. Using Information Center resources (Books, Magazines, Internet sites) students will research hurricanes in order to answer a set of questions. All resources used will need to cited or referenced using in-text citations. Students will receive instruction from Mrs. Hatcher, the school Information Specialist, in the proper MLA style technique for work citation.

Information Resources

Websites:

www.fema.gov/hazards/hurricanes/hurricaf.shtm

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

http://fermi.jhuapl.edu/hurr/index.html

VRC:

-Science Reference Center

-Custom Newspapers (for the latest information on hurricanes Gustav, Hanna and Ike)

Print Materials:

-Encyclopedias

-Magazines such as Time & Newsweek

Summertime Reading for Teachers & Parents

Looking for a good vacation read?

Check out these titles from the NY Times best sellers list.

Hardcover Fiction:

1. TRIBUTE, by Nora Roberts

2. THE STORY OF EDGAR SAWTELLE, by David Wroblewski

3. RULES OF DECEPTION, by Christopher Reich

4. THE HOST, by Stephenie Meyer

5. THE LAST PATRIOT, by Brad Thor

Paperback Fiction: Great to take to the beach or on the airplane

1. STEP ON A CRACK, by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge

2. DOUBLE TAKE, by Catherine Coulter

3. LEAN MEAN THIRTEEN, by Janet Evanovich

4. THE NAVIGATOR, by Clive Cussler with Paul Kemprecos

5. THE WHEEL OF DARKNESS, by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

Paperback Non-Fiction:

1. THREE CUPS OF TEA, by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin

2. EAT, PRAY, LOVE, by Elizabeth Gilbert

3. The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch with Jeff Zaslow

4. WISDOM OF OUR FATHERS, by Tim Russert

5. THE AUDACITY OF HOPE, by Barack Obama

ENJOY!!

Check Out The New Spring Arrivals Joining Our Library Collection

Realistic Fiction:
Eggs by Jerry Spinelli
Sand Dollar Summer by Kimberly K. Jones
Lawn Boy by Gary Paulsen
Undercover by Beth Kephart
Zen and the Art of Faking it by Jordan Sonnenblick
Leap Day by Wendy Mass
I Conquer Britain by Dyan Sheldon
The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl by Barry Lyga
Right Behind You by Gail Giles

Historical Fiction:
Run, Boy, Run by Uri Orlev
Song of the Sparrow by Lisa Ann Sandell
Singing Hands by Delia Ray
A Drowned Maiden’s Hair: A Melodrama by Laura Amy Schlitz
Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy by Gary D. Schmidt
Runner by Robert Newton

Multicultural:
Bearwalker by Joseph Bruchac
Quicksand Pony by Alison Lester
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
Standing Against the Wind by Traci L. Jones
When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr
Zia by Scott O’Dell
Camel Rider by Prue Mason

Science Fiction:
Dark Ground #3: The Nightmare Game by Gillian Cross
The Secret Under My Skin by Janet Mcnaughton
Epic by Conor Kostick

Fantasy:
Darkwing by Kenneth Oppel

Horror:
Eighth Grade Bites (Chronicles of Vladimir Tod, Book 1) by Heather Brewer

Humanities Project- Children's Book

Over the next few weeks, 8th grade Social Studies students will work with a partner to create a children's book that incorporates a topic from American History. This will be a combined English/History project and it is expected that students will include thematic aspects from each discipline in the creation of their story.

Requirements:

1. The book must have an original story that is written from an audience between the ages of nine and sixteen (4th-10th grade). The students need to select an age group and write for it. A book for a fifth grader will have language and visuals that are different from a book for a tenth grader.

2. The book should include illustrations to enhance the story. These may be drawn or cut out (magzines, clip art, etc.)

3. The book should have a cover that includes the story title, author's name(s) and an illustration.

4. The story should be creative and based on an original idea. It also needs to incoporate a theme or topic from American History. Possible suggestions include:

• American culture and holidays


• Immigration


• Civil Rights Movement


• Heroes from American History


• Key Eras (Progressive Era, Roaring Twenties, Great Depression, etc.)
  

5. The book must reflect Literary Elements as dicussed in English Class (i.e. plot structure, descriptive language, characterization/setting, proper dialogue format).

6. Students will receive a grade for their English class as well as your history class for this assignment.

Note: 1. The story should be 10-12 pages long. 2. Once a topic is selected, it will need to be approved. 3. Time will be set aside in both English and History classes to work on the assignment.

Also, it is a good idea to create a rough draft before you move on to a finished product.

Library Information Resources for this Project:

• VRC (Virtual Reference Collection) is available. (The Teaching Books link has examples of children's book creation by various authors.

In addition students can utilize various encyclopedias and magazines/newspapers for historical information.)

• Work Citation format sheets are available at the circulation desk if needed.


• Noodle Tool accounts can be utilized. See Ms. Hatcher for assistance.


• Various information on American History can be found in 900's section of the library book shelves.