Niskayuna Libraries

NISKAYUNA
LIBRARIES
Craig Elementary students engaged in the
research process.
SPRING 2015
NEWSLETTER
Craig Library Highlights
1st and 2nd Grade
Researchers are Out of This
World!
In library, Mrs. Spataro’s
1st grade class used the WISER
research model to learn more
about the Sun, Moon, and
Earth. They used PebbleGo on
the iPads to investigate more
about their chosen topic.
Once they finished their
research, they taught their
classmates about their topic.
Many students chose to do a
second project as well! Next
NEED SOMETHING
TO READ THIS
SUMMER?
Mrs. Sogoian
year’s 1st graders will use the
WISER research model to learn
about bees and spiders!
WISER research model to learn
about communities and
famous Americans!
Mrs. Peek’s 2nd grade
class also used the WISER
research model while learning
about the planets in our solar
system. In library, they used
PebbleGo on the iPads to learn
more about a specific planet
of their choice. They then
transferred their information
onto a poster, where they
presented their knowledge to
the class and to their families.
Next year’s students will use the
Check Out the NEW Nisky Book Nook
http://goo.gl/w8IvLI
An Oldie but
More fun in the Craig Library
Goodie
Before it's too late, Harold
the dog and Chester the cat
must find out the truth about
the newest pet in the
Monroe household -- a
suspicious-looking bunny with
unusual habits...and fangs!
FREE eBooks and Audio Books from OverDrive
Meet Bunnicula! Action!
Adventure! Mystery! A
vampire rabbit? It will
captivate your kids until the
last page! A great summer
read!
Students and staff will now have digital access to eBooks and more. Check out titles online, and read or listen offline on PC or Mac®,
smartphones, MP3 players, and eBook readers including Sony® Reader
and Kindle® . Just click HERE to access the catalog. You'll need your ID number in order to check out. Your ID number is your
LIBRARY Number (AKA Lunch Number) for students and NISKAYUNA email
(for staff). Make sure your number is FIVE DIGITS LONG! Staff members,
please add a "9" at the front of your ID number. Students, please add a
"0" if your ID is only 4 digits long.
Just click here for directions on downloading from OverDrive.
1000 Book Kids!
At Niskayuna, we believe
that reading with your
child can never begin too
early! Here at Craig (and
all 5 elementary schools)
we promote early listening
and reading skills through
our 1000 Book Kid
Program. If you feel that
your 2, 3, or 4 year old is
ready to start, please
contact your child’s
librarian, and we can get
you in contact with a 1000
Book Kid representative.
Glencliff Library Highlights
Miss Mitchell
Glencliff students have been super busy these past few months! First and
second graders have been learning how to use Opals. Third graders
have been working hard on their country research projects, making
books using Google slides. Fourth grade has begun writing their Pages
articles on their NYS Spotlight topics! Fifth grade has also been using
Pages to create their country feature articles!
Birchwood Library Highlights
Mrs. Kirkpatrick
Spring is a busy time at Birchwood!
2nd grade has been busy wrapping up our genre pizza! First
graders have been excited to explore Informational texts!
Going West has focused on quilts and the ways the
pioneers used them with fifth grade! Our Kindergarteners
have been working on an author study of Denise Fleming.
The Erie Canal and Immigration have been hot topics with
our 4th grade! Third grade has been working on their
research skills and non- fiction text features.
Birchwood is getting ready for Summer Reading! Stay tuned
for an always exciting program!
Birchwood students enjoyed a dynamic presentation by renowned authors and storytellers, Beauty and the
Beast on April 30. Students were treated to a storytelling performance and encouraged to become storytellers
by going home and sharing a story! Martha Hamilton and Mitch Weiss, Beauty and the Beast Storytellers, travel
the world telling stories and collecting stories from diverse cultures. Together they are the authors of over a dozen
books!
Hillside Library Highlights
Mrs. Ubriaco
Spring is a busy research time at Hillside Library! From exploring
the solar system in 2nd grade, to exploring New York State in 4th
grade and the world beyond in 3rd and 5th grade we are
growing WISER with new learning. As part of their WISER
reflection, students have identified PebbleGo and
CultureGrams databases as favorite sources for research
First graders are finishing up oviparous animal research, and will
share their learning with field guides to take home this summer.
As they explore the great outdoors, they will be prepared with
identification guides for insects, amphibians, birds and more
Finally, Miss Mathews’ kindergarten class is engaged in a 6week project based learning unit on trees. In May we visited
the Saratoga Tree Nursery and the Indian Meadows Tree Farm
where students were able to interview an expert and explore
two very different tree nurseries. They will use their new
learning to create a tree nursery at Hillside, and will become
the “experts” at a learning celebration where they’ll teach
their families all about tree types, parts, chlorophyll,
photosynthesis and more!
Rosendale students writing
book reviews.
SUMMER HOT PICK
Crankenstein
Rosendale Library Highlights
Mrs. Carboni
The Rosendale Library recently hosted the Volunteer reception, which was
very well attended. Many thanks for our parent volunteers especially the
crew that supports our library.
Our third grades have been busy researching countries around the world
using books and many of our databases such as Britannica and
Culturegrams. They will be presenting their findings to friends and family at
the International Festival.
Our third grade book group learned to write book reviews and wrote
reviews of Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume. They would like
to recommend a great website we found: www.spaghettibookclub.org
which features book reviews by kids for kids.
Some of our fourth grade students became very adept at using Keynote
software to create and share what they have learned about their nonfiction topics. The second grades have been using the WISER inquiry
research model to study animal life cycles and habitats this spring.
As we approach the end of the school year students are sharing ideas for
lots of summer reading. Be sure to check out the Library Book Nook for
some great recommendations.
by Samantha Berger
BEWARE OF CRANKENSTEIN!
Who is Crankenstein?
HE IS A MONSTER OF
GRUMPINESS THAT NO ONE
CAN DESTROY! MEHHRRRR!!!
HE'S ALIVE!
He may look like any
ordinary boy, but when
faced with a rainy day, a
melting popsicle, or an early
bedtime, one little boy
transforms into a mumbling,
grumbling Crankenstein.
When Crankenstein meets his
match in a fellow
Crankenstein, the results
could be catastrophic--or
they could be just what he
needs to brighten his day!
Got a HOT PICK?
Come share a great book you think someone would love to read this summer! Don’t forget to check one
out for yourself. Sign onto the Nisky Book Nook Middle School section and leave a recommendation for a
great summer read!
Middle School Library Highlights
Mr. Wolfort and Mrs. Kirkpatrick
The middle school libraries have been filled with eager students
researching personal interest topics for their inquiry based research
projects. The students have been learning to efficiently find,
evaluate, and effectively use information in various formats
including library databases and print and online resources.
Mr. Frank’s Eighth grade Social Studies classes recently wrapped up
their mock trial of President Harry Truman in the Iroquois media
center. The kids researched various historical figures from WWII and
they had fun playing those roles on the witness stand, but maybe
not as much fun as Media Specialist Mr. Wolfort.
Court is in session at Iroquois
Coming Next Year in Your High School Library
Ms. McAndrews
Academic Resource Center (ARC) @ The Library
Next year the library will be home to a student-run Academic Resource Center. Student tutors will staff
the ARC throughout the day to provide one-on-one assistance in all subject areas, including writing,
math, research, and using computer programs such as Excel and Powerpoint, and online tools such as
Google Forms, Prezi, Screencast-o-matic, and more. Students can also submit questions using our
Online Help Desk, and they can receive writing feedback by sharing their writing pieces with our ARC
Google Docs account. Tutors will receive volunteer credit for their time working in the ARC, and
applications for tutoring positions will be accepted through the end of the school year. Applications are
available in the Library.
New Chromebooks, and more of them!
Students at Niskayuna High School have embraced the use of Chromebooks in the library, and next
year the devices will be more available when students need them. Because more classes are using the
library and its technology for research, there have been occasions when no chromebooks are available
for individual student use on assignments. Next year we will have 90 brand new chromebooks, and
plenty to go around for classes and individual use as well.
HS Summer Reading
Recommendations
Looking for some great reading
material for those relaxing summer
days? Check out the High School
Library website for links to lots of
great reading suggestions. The High
School English Department also
recommends the following for
summer reading:
The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown
2014 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in NonFiction Selection
I’ll Give You the Sun, by Jandy Nelson
2015 Printz Award Winner
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
2015 Alex Award Winner