I am lucky to have a large space with low bookshelves and a bank of computers large enough to service an entire classroom of students. One of the features of my library that I am still getting use to is its location. The library is at the center of our two story middle school building. My space is surrounded by windows and open two stories to the ceiling above. As a result all students and teachers can look in and down at the library. As you can see from this picture the view is great from above, but it means the library activities are viewed at all times. This is great when the library is active, and when everything is in place. When things are slow, however, some of my peers start to wonder if I am working as hard as they are! : ) This motivates me to do more programming and to make sure that I continuously communicate what the library is planning for the future. If any of you have a similar setting I suggest that you ask your teaching peers to bring classroom projects to your LMC for display. By showcasing student work from other classes you can increase the number of students, teachers, parents and community members that visit, and ultimately use your LMC services.
I put the below advice in a newsletter last school year (05-06). These are not my "origional" words, but these are words I agree with.
thom
5 Ways to Improve Your Child’s Reading
(at ANY age)
1. Set aside a regular time to read to your children every day.Studies show that regularly reading out loud to children will produce significant gains in reading comprehension, vocabulary, and the decoding of words. Whether your children are preschoolers or preteens, it will increase their desire to read independently.
2. Surround your children with reading material.Children with a large array of reading materials in their homes score higher on standardized tests. Tempt your kids to read by having a large supply of appealing books and magazines at their reading level. Put the reading materials in cars, bathrooms, bedrooms, family rooms, and even by the TV.
3. Have a family reading time.Establish a daily 15 to 30 minute time when everyone in the family reads together silently. Seeing you read will inspire your children to read. Just 15 minutes of daily practice is sufficient to increase their reading fluency.
4. Encourage a wide variety of reading activities.Make reading an integral part of your children's lives. Have them read menus, roadside signs, game directions, weather reports, movie time listings, and other practical everyday information. Also, make sure they always have something to read in their spare time when they could be waiting for appointments or riding in a car.
5. Develop the library habit.Entice your children to read more by taking them to the library every few weeks to get new reading materials. The library also offers reading programs for children of all ages that may appeal to your child and further increase their interest in reading.
