My project's focus was on improving library skills in the primary grades, and creating a useful infographic to help teachers support students in choosing literature. I ended up focusing specifically on Kindergarten Library Skills.
A research study by Robinson et al (1997) looks at emergent readers in preschool and kindergarten. They observe how these students select books. Students were presented with a selection of 40 books, kindergarten students tended to selected books that were familiar to them over other books.
With this in mind my unit plan for kindergarten students is focused on familiarizing them with different sections of the library. It begins with library expectations, and moves into introducing students the fiction section, displays, and working through the non fiction section area by area, including an activity for each section to promote engagement and interest in those books.
I included references in document that inspired some of the ideas for the unit. These skills will set a good foundation for entering grade 1 where more locating skills can be worked on.
Click here to look at or hopefully use some of the lessons I created.
Below is the inforgraphic on "How to help student choose books"
A journal article by Johnson and Blair, 2003 discusses many reasons why it is important students self-select their own literature. I hope my info graphic is helpful for teachers and parents to learn the difference between suggesting and guiding students towards different pieces of literature versus selecting literature for them. This is a question that is often asked or brought up with my staff, and discussions will occur on we how to let students self-select, yet guide them. I hope my infographic will be helpful on this topic.
