Library Curriculum

List of 7 items.

• Pre-Kindergarten

  The aim of the pre-K Library curriculum is to simultaneously establish a love of reading and an understanding of the library’s function as a source of information. The pre-K program promotes responsibility and independence through a focus on book identification and treatment. Students understand the unique functions of author and illustrator and learn the distinct conventions of fairy tales. Location of materials in the picture book section via author’s last name is a practice that all students engage in. Author visit opportunities allow students to engage with authors and illustrators firsthand and better understand the writing and publishing processes at a professional level. An introduction to William Shakespeare’s life through a biography project and play-based read alouds help develop a love and nascent understanding of the Bard.
  
  The pre-Kindergarten library program enables students to:

  • Recognize Pegasus books by their ID stamp, label, and barcode.
  • Demonstrate the proper treatment of books.
  • Understand that the library has an exact organization.
  • Explore the picture book and fairy tale collections and  understand how to locate each type.
  • Check out books and take responsibility for them.
  • Recognize fairy tale conventions.

• Kindergarten

  Kindergarten students continue to explore the Library as a place to develop a love of literature through read alouds and participation in the Caldecott Club. They broaden their understanding of a Library’s function through the introduction of the non-fiction section and its various subject areas. Students are offered a greater degree of independence through the assignation of individual library accounts and through the introduction of the beginning reader section. Homeroom curriculum is enhanced by picture book read alouds related to units of study taking place within the Kindergarten classrooms. Author visit opportunities allow students to engage with authors and illustrators firsthand and better understand the writing and publishing processes at a professional level. Shakespeare education is continued through shared picture book read alouds and various Shakespeare activities.  

  
  

  The Kindergarten library program enables students to:
  

  • Identify the differences between fiction and non-fiction books.
  • Use spine labels on library books to understand how books are classified and shelved.
  • Understand the Dewey Decimal System and library organization.
  • Recognize how the Caldecott Medal is earned and formulate opinions on illustrative techniques.
  • Discover the beginning reader section of the library and understand its organization.
  • Discuss the functions of authors and illustrators.
  • Learn proper book care and responsibility for borrowed materials.

• Grade 1

  The goal of the Grade 1 Library curriculum is to further encourage a love of reading while at the same time developing and defining one’s unique preferences as a reader. Students are encouraged to articulate strategies for selection of both fiction and non-fiction sources. Through participation in the California Young Reader Medal Program, students engage in discussions of award-winning literature. Students are introduced to different literary genres using the beginning chapter book section and are encouraged to broaden their selections by attempting different genres. Author visit opportunities allow students to engage with authors and illustrators firsthand and better understand the writing and publishing processes at a professional level.

  A focus on Shakespeare’s words and his contributions to and influence on the English language is the focus of the Grade 1 Shakespeare curriculum
  
  The Grade 1 library program enables students to:
  

  • Understand and utilize the Dewey Decimal System and library organization to locate fiction and non-fiction books.
  • Articulate criteria for winning a California Young Reader Medal and participate in statewide voting.
  • Compare and contrast books with similar themes.
  • Discover different literary genres using the beginning chapter books section.
  • Begin to develop unique reading preferences through self selection.
  • Access, evaluate, and use information appropriately.

• Grade 2

  At the second-grade level, Pegasus Library students begin a more in depth study of source evaluation, selection, and application. They practice ethical research habits while exploring a country of their heritage. Students continue to explore and analyze quality literature through group read alouds and further develop their unique preferences as readers through the introduction of the intermediate fiction section. The Library curriculum in Grade 2 seeks to enhance the studies taking place in homeroom through an emphasis on biographies and fairy tale conventions. The Grade 2 Shakespeare education continues through a more in-depth look at Shakespeare’s life and plays and through various Shakespeare activities. Author visit opportunities allow students to engage with authors and illustrators firsthand and better understand the writing and publishing processes at a professional level.

• Grade 3

  The Grade 3 Library curriculum includes a greater focus on developing sound research skills and avoiding plagiarism. Students practice locating, evaluating, and synthesizing information and are exposed to the MLA works cited format for the first time. Though an increased emphasis is placed on non-fiction source selection and evaluation, students continue to explore their unique preferences as readers through an introduction of the Library catalog and an exploration of the various genres of fiction. A more in-depth look at the realistic fiction genre and its characteristics helps support the Grade 3 curriculum. A love of literature is encouraged through group read alouds, the availability of a third-grade book club, and through author visits. The Shakespeare curriculum continues with a focus on A Midsummer Night’s Dream and through an introduction to Renaissance entertainment and games such as 9-Men Morris.

  
  

  The Grade 3 Library program enables students to:

  • Practice research skills through collecting, organizing, and synthesizing information.
  • Evaluate multiple media sources for credibility and reliability.
  • Understand conventions of multiple fictional genres and develop unique preferences as a reader.
  • Explore realistic fiction genre in greater depth.
  • Conduct in-depth research on endangered rainforest animals.
  • Demonstrate understanding of and ability to use MLA Works Cited format.
  • Independently access and use the online library catalog to locate book sources from home and school.

• Grade 4

  Grade 4 Library students continue their exploration of their unique preferences as readers through a more in-depth study of the Library catalog and its capacities and through participation in the California Young Reader Medal program. Further practicing ethical research skills is a key area of emphasis. The introduction of web-based citation generators like NoodleTools and a focus on website evaluation for reliability adds to the research conducted in homerooms. A fourth grader’s study of Shakespeare continues with a focus on Romeo and Juliet. The aim to increase all students’ love of literature continues through author visits, read alouds, and the availability of voluntary programs such as Battle of the Books.

  
  

  The Grade 4 Library program enables students to:

  • Participate in the California Young Reader Medal program and articulate personal criteria for voting.
  • Efficiently locate various library media through the use of the OPAC and knowledge of the library’s organization.
  • Evaluate websites on the basis of URLs for reliability and bias.
  • Utilize NoodleTools to produce citations for research projects.
  • Avoid plagiarism through proper note taking techniques.
  • Develop and articulate personal preferences as a reader.

• Grade 5

  The Grade 5 Library curriculum seeks to prepare and support students for the in-depth research occurring in the homeroom social studies units. A greater study of works cited and plagiarism (identifying and avoidance) takes place at the beginning of the fifth-grade year. The location and evaluation of sources is continued and emphasized. Through the provision of login credentials for the Library catalog, students garner more responsibility and practice digital citizenship in a controlled environment. Grade 5 students expand their knowledge of fictional genres through book talks and lessons on genre conventions. The aim to increase all students’ love of literature continues through author visits, read alouds, and the availability of voluntary programs such as Battle of the Books. Shakespeare education is expanded in Grade 5 when students study Macbeth and are included in middle school level programs such as the L.A. Troupe performance and monologue competition.

  
  

  The Grade 5 library program enables students to:

  • Practice sound research skills, including location and evaluation of various media sources and proper use of MLA Works Cited format.
  • Understand fair use, plagiarism, and copyright laws.
  • Participate in the California Young Reader Medal program and articulate personal criteria for voting.
  • Further develop unique personal preferences as readers.
  • Study various fictional genres in greater depth.
  • Become further engaged with the Library catalog not only to locate various materials, but also to practice digital citizenship in an online environment.