Our favorite library books get lots of wear and tear. Bookmarks help keep them in good shape (no dog-eared books) and teach responsibility. But that's not all, bookmarks are also used to "sneak in" literacy connections, library skills, quick assessments, student reflections and motivation to READ!
My students range in age from 5 to 10 years old, a beautiful mix of ethnic, cultural and economic diversity reflective of the large city in which we live.
Our urban public school has an arts focus woven throughout the curriculum. The students are creative and inquisitive; they are key to the rich artistic traditions that we foster and enjoy as a community.
My Project
Our K-4th grade library is used weekly by all students and they look forward to a fresh bookmark every week upon check-out of their new library books. With a well stocked supply of paper, card stock, crayons, markers, stamps, inkpads, and stickers, we can keep up our bookmark tradition and provide our students with the tools necessary to nourish their love of the library and enhance their literacy skills. Many older students visit the library at lunch and assist in making themed bookmarks for the younger children. Other times, I ask students to create their own bookmarks. Bookmark activities may be; write a one-sentence book review, reflect on a poem, draw a favorite character, write a question for the author, spell a new vocabulary word, make a list of favorite books or illustrate one new fact learned from a non-fiction title. These bookmark activities provide a quick assessment of my students and guide me in library lesson plans. Books + Bookmarks = Library Learning
The school library is staffed by a teacher librarian who structures the library program to enhance and support the arts focus.
Funding for art supplies is not budgeted for the library and these tools are crucial to the success of integrating literacy, reading, writing, critical thinking, researching and presenting within an arts framework.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Marshall and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.