Academics ~ Enrichment
Library

Library Curriculum

Kindergarten
During weekly visits kindergarten students enjoy story time and book checkout. Introductory library skills, responsible library usage, and literature appreciation are introduced in library class. Award-winning stories and selections from the current Florida Reading Association list or Caldecott Award list are included in the book selections.

First Grade
During weekly visits first grade students enjoy story time and book checkout. Introductory library skills, responsible library usage, and literature appreciation are taught in library class. In order to emphasize the alphabetical arrangement of library shelves and reference tools, we read a book by an author whose last name begins with “A” during the first week and continue each week all the way to “Z.” Award-winning stories and selections, including those from the current Florida Reading Association list, are included in the book selections. A wide range of early reader books in the library supports the school’s Accelerated Reader program.

Second Grade
During weekly visits second grade students enjoy story time and book checkout. Introductory library skills, responsible library usage, and literature appreciation are reviewed in library class. Folktales from around the world teach students to compare versions of literature and to see the common elements in all cultures. As part of the folktale curriculum, award-winning stories and current Florida Reading Association selections are included in the book selections. In addition to the scheduled library times, students may return independently for book checkout. A wide range of reading levels in the library collection supports the school’s Accelerated Reader program.

Third Grade
Beginning in third grade, students are eligible to participate in the Sunshine State Program. This program introduces students to a wide-range of recent fiction writing. They also study library arrangement and usage of research materials. Students learn to use a variety of techniques to locate reading and reference books in the online Library Catalog. By comparing reference tools such as encyclopedias, books and Internet sources, students become familiar with a number of tools for research. Students also read a book on an assigned genre each month. The short review of the books increases the students’ awareness of the elements of a story such as character, setting or plot.

Fourth Grade
Building on earlier skills, students in fourth grade improve their search strategies and become familiar with additional reference tools.  They apply their search strategies to a variety of formats, electronic and print. During the year they are assigned a topic, and in class compare material found in many formats. They continue literature appreciation by reading a variety of outstanding fiction, including the Sunshine State list.

Fifth Grade
Students in fifth grade polish their search strategies and become familiar with additional reference tools.  They apply the search strategies taught to a variety of formats, electronic and print. Bibliographic citation and web evaluation are important components of their research education. Books off the Sunshine State list and other lists of outstanding fiction for children encourage an appreciation for reading.

Middle School
Middle School students have full access to and familiarity with all types of research tools. They can find and evaluate information regardless of format, then organize and cite that information to complete research assignments in all subject matters. Classroom teachers’ work with the librarian to coordinate assistance and to schedule times for curriculum related research. The media center offers online research material and school wide access to its catalog. 

St. Mary's Library Links

St. Mary's Episcopal Day School
2101 South Hubert Avenue
Tampa, Florida 33629
(813) 258-5508
Fax: (813) 258-5603

 

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