A very important part of my mission is to make my students independent users of libraries. To that end, we do lessons about the types of materials available and where to find them, the layout of the library, and how to use the online catalog. For kindergarteners, it may just be getting comfortable with the process of browsing, choosing, and checking out books. First graders can locate easy readers, fiction, and non-fiction. All second graders get individual lessons on the online catalog.
We also practice using particular reference materials once they have been located. Third graders are currently practicing the use of guide words. Fourth graders have answered questions about an encyclopedia article on hippos. Please ask them how big these creatures can get and what they eat. Fifth graders are learning to use the three indices in the World Almanac. They have a tendency to get distracted by the wide variety of information available. There is something for everyone and I enjoy watching them find something they are really interested in. Ultimately, I really hope they will find both what they need to know and what they want to know. It is also great when they wander into unknown material and end up really liking it.
