pdate

GMS Library Update

Teachers Get Involved! Quarter 3 brought a whole new dimension to the media

center as we launched Reading . . . and Then Some

(otherwise known as R.A.T.S.!), a reading group

designed to get teachers engaged with the books that

our students love to read. We meet in the media center

during the first planning period for each grade level and

the exploratory team on two Fridays per month. Each

session begins with sharing the ways we have

positively affected readers and then features

professional development about literacy and/or a

technology topic. Since January we have looked at:

Finding time to read in a hectic schedule

What teachers should be doing during SSR

Air Server for Windows

App: 23,469 Classics to Go

Graphic Novels

PurrFect Picks

Reader-to-Reader shelf talkers

Infographics

Software: Easel.ly

Software: Venngage

5 Tips for Helping a Student Find the Right Book

Why Read 20 Minutes a Day?

App: Aviary

Goodreads.com literary community

Participation is voluntary, and more than 30 faculty

members have signed on to become Library Rats. It

has been so exciting to see teachers, guidance

counselors, and administrators coming together to read

and talk about middle-school books! It's especially

rewarding to hear the stories about how teachers

reading certain titles inspired or motivated students to

come and check out the same books. Imagine the

impact of 7th-graders seeing their math teacher, The exploratory team is passionate

about reading

8th grade math, English, science, and

social studies teachers come together

7th grade teachers love to read!

Quarter 3

2014-15

I'm Reading signs are posted inside

and outside of classrooms

Mr. McKie, reading Smile, the most popular graphic novel at GMS, or ISS students pooling

their change so that one of them could pay his fine and get a copy of The Fourth Stall in order

to catch up with Mrs. Ohlrogge. It's also fun to have an adult come in the library with an

"OMG, I need the next book in this series!" or "This was really good--I need another one like

it!" Teachers who don't normally come to the library are discovering that we've got a lot of

really good books that they can enjoy just as much as the students do.

We've started with the PurrFect Picks because there are 8-10 copies of each, but always

remembering that everyone wants choice, teachers may read any books they like as long as

they share with their students by posting (appropriate) titles on "I'm Reading _____, Ask Me

About It" signs. These are quick and easy conversation starters which let students know that

lots of their teachers love to read too. Math teacher Mrs. Feaster has noted that since she

began reading during SSR time, the whole class has become more focused and quiet. Eighth

grade social studies teacher Mrs. Ackerman posted a list of classics outside her door and

highlighted all the ones she's read, showing her students a whole new side of her personality.

Strings teacher Mrs. Atkins read the book Trash as a tie-in to her lessons about the Recycled

Orchestra in Paraguay. Each gathering brings great examples of how teachers are becoming

authentic reading role models for our students. The hope is that Reading . . . and Then Some

will continue in the years to come and grow into a school-wide group which believes in,

enjoys, and models a culture of literacy at Gettys Middle School.

Personal Skills teacher Mrs. Williams can't

get enough Gallagher Girls books!

Virtual School / ISS instructor Mrs. Ohlrogge

checks out Sisters and Drama

Mrs. Tensley shows off her new

Read, Read, Read pin

Mrs. Mote HAD TO HAVE The Fallout,

the sequel to The Compound! There’s always food on hand . . .

Mr. Tharpe was VERY excited

about his door prize!

Teachers can write Reader-to-Reader shelf talkers to share their reactions to the books

. . . and door prizes, too

March Madness Comes to the Library! On Tuesday, March 3, we launched the First Annual Media Center March Madness

Battle of the Books in order to choose the 2014-15 GMS Book of the Year. Sixth grade

assistant principal Mr. Lanford did a jam-up job of announcing the Sweet Sixteen, and there

will be a full report on the outcome of tournament in the 4th quarter Library Update!

Top Tens

Wow!! All ten of the Top Ten titles for the 3rd quarter are PurrFect Picks! Sisters

retains its number one position for the second quarter in a row. PurrFect Picks

books were checked out 798 times during quarter 3, and it's not surprising that

three out of the Top Ten titles are competitors in the Media Center March

Madness Battle of the Books. Magazines are also ’ this year. Last

year’s total magazine circulations were 700; this year we’ve more than doubled

that number for a total of 1,454 and still have the 4th quarter to go!

Weather definitely had a negative impact on circulations: we were closed for

three days, had an 11 AM dismissal on another, and dealt with 2-hour delays six

times. However, while circulations were down, overall library use was up with an

average of 360 students per day as numerous classes engaged in research

projects.

Top 10 Books for Quarter 3

1. Sisters Telgemeier, Raina.

2. Smile Telgemeier, Raina.

3. Drama Telgemeier, Raina.

4. The Raft Bodeen, S. A

5. If You're Reading This Reedy, Trent,

6. The Compound Bodeen, S. A.

7. Between Shades Of Gray Sepetys, Ruta.

8. The Fourth Stall Rylander, Chris.

9. The Ghost Of Graylock Poblocki, Dan.

10. Matched Condie, Ally.

Top 10 Magazines for Quarter 3

1. J-14 : December 2014.

2. J-14 : May/June 2014.

3. J-14 : January 2015.

4. J-14 : April 2014.

5. J-14 : February 2014.

6. J-14 : January 2014.

7. Discovery Girls : December / January 2013.

8. Gameinformer : April 2014.

9. Gameinformer : February 2015.

10. Gameinformer : September 2014.

We were open for 40 days of regular business.

Teachers reserved the library for 317 classes.

5,540 students visited independently

Average number of students per day: 360

5,498 books were checked out and returned.

Students checked out 1,062 graphic novels and 288 magazines.

Year to Date AR Totals Grade 6: 647.0 points Grade 7: 420.0 points

Grade 8: 5,969.5 points

Our Library by the Numbers 3rd Quarter

Contact us:

Christina Connell Gettys Middle School Media Center

510 South Pendleton Street Easley, SC 29640

864-397-3947 christinaconnell@pickens.k12.sc.us

gmsmc.blogspot.com

The Library on Display

In February we featured the Valentree and books

about love!

Did You Know . . . ?

63% of kids aged 12-14 say they read an equal mix

of fiction and nonfiction for school.

The percentage of boys who read for fun 5-7 days a

week drops at every age, whereas girls level off in

their teens.

32% of parents who have read an eBook say they

now read new kinds of books, including books for

children and teens.

Having reading role-model parents or a large book

collection at home has a greater impact on kids’

reading frequency than does household income.

Visit Library Chat with Bibliocat

Click the cat to go to http://gmsmc.blogspot.com