Lowell Elementary Library by Erin Radway

Lowell Elementary Library by Erin Radway https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library 21st Century School Library en-us 2022-04-20 17:11:11 UTC 2025-11-21 21:21:17 UTC hello@padlet.com Erin Radway, Cybrarian erinradway https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2150725959
Full-time cybrarian for the Sioux Falls School District at Lowell Elementary, 2012-Present

Master of Library and Information Science from Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 2014

Bachelor's of Arts Elementary Education and Spanish from Dakota Wesleyan University, Mitchell, SD 2008

]]> 2022-04-20 17:22:43 UTC https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2150725959 Lorilei Frentz, paraprofessional erinradway https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2150737813 Mrs. Lorilei works full-time in the Lowell Library as our paraprofessional. She spends her 35 hours checking in, checking out, shelving, and repairing books. She assists with classes and is wonderful at readers' advisory! In her free time she writes her own books and poetry.]]> 2022-04-20 17:30:14 UTC https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2150737813 Committees and Professional Development erinradway https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2150745820 Member of the building Technology Team for Lowell Elementary

Member of the District Librarian Technology Integration Committee that helped develop the Digital Literacy curriculum for elementary librarians

Mentor to a first-year librarian

Participant in weekly collaboration with Sioux Falls School District librarians

Participant in ongoing professional development through courses offered by the South Dakota State Library and Blended Learning courses through NEA]]> 2022-04-20 17:35:34 UTC https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2150745820 Grants erinradway https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2150946192 We have received many grants throughout the past few years. Most recently we have received the SFEA Projects Grant to implement MeReaders as an audiobook option for K-1 readers. This year we received the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation grant to implement STEM Challenges in 2nd-5th grade. Last year we received a grant from Civil Air Patrol that included K'Nex Renewable Energy Kits to experience solar, wind, and hydropower to enhance our research unit. Over the past few years we have received grants to update for our nonfiction collection, to build our digital collection, to purchase breakout boxes and locks, and a to purchase a 3D printer through the Public School Proud grant from the Sioux Falls Education Foundation and Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation.]]> 2022-04-20 20:04:59 UTC https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2150946192 Classroom Collaborations erinradway https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2150955438 Monthly I meet with grade level teams to discuss how the library can support their curriculum. I am then able to incorporate classroom concepts in the library to either pre-teach or supplement instruction. I also provide browsing boxes for many classrooms with rich texts that correlate with the ELA unit of study.

The photo attached here is an example of notes taken during a fourth grade collaboration. The focus of the curriculum was inferring and wondering. This classroom teacher wanted students at all reading levels to feel successful in reading a chapter book during IDR. Armed with this knowledge and knowledge of the library collection, we were able to find something that each child could use to practice their inferring skills daily that also matched their interests!]]> 2022-04-20 20:13:27 UTC https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2150955438 Professional Organizations erinradway https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2150961977 South Dakota Library Association
Sioux Falls Education Association
National Education Association]]> 2022-04-20 20:19:48 UTC https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2150961977 Collection Development erinradway https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2150962706 The Lowell library offers 26,691 resources in our collection. Each year dedicated building funds support our mission to continually provided for our readers' needs both recreationally and academically.

Using reports like Collection Analysis from our OPAC we are able to strategically update portions of our nonfiction section each year in order to keep information as up to date as possible.

Following our district collection development policy, I select books based on student interest, research needs, and resources that enhance the curriculum. Books purchased are a mixture of print and digital. Our collection also offers a variety of magazines for recreational and research purposes.]]> 2022-04-20 20:20:27 UTC https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2150962706 Kindergarten -- Building Sportsmanship erinradway https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2150973716 After the past two years of living in a pandemic, we noticed that our youngest students had not learned the basic soft skills of collaboration, communication, and sportsmanship. Seeing this need, we wrote and received a DonorsChoose grant to implement kindergarten stations that specifically focus on sportsmanship and collaboration. One to two times per quarter, kindergarteners learn a new, age-appropriate game to build and practice these skills. ]]> 2022-04-20 20:30:52 UTC https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2150973716 Teaching Practices erinradway https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2150980770 --All lessons are aligned to the South Dakota Library Standards
--Each grade participates in grade-level, inquiry-based, collaborative projects that incorporate concepts learned in the classroom and the library (Linked above is an example of a 4th grade research project. The class read the book A is for Musk Ox, chose an animal to research, and worked as a team to create their own A is for Wolf eBook complete with citations for each fact.)
--Lessons incorporate a variety of technology such as SeeSaw, Google Earth, Scratch, Google Suite, BreakoutEDU, and robots.
--Upcoming training on Kagan Strategies]]> 2022-04-20 20:38:18 UTC https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2150980770 Ethical Model erinradway https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2150994745 I implement Common Sense Media lessons in all grades, K-5, to build the foundation of digital citizenship and digital literacy. All research, starting in kindergarten, respects the rights of creators by providing age-appropriate citations to understand the basics of fair use and copyright. In the building I am the go-to for copyright questions. Teachers use me as a resource when implementing their research units in order to utilize the newest databases available to them as well as bibliographic information.]]> 2022-04-20 20:52:57 UTC https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2150994745 Policies and Strategic Plan erinradway https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2150997727 The Sioux Falls School District has developed a Library Strategic Plan. I adhere to all school board approved policies regarding collection development, donations, and challenges. I have developed specific circulation policies that work for our school and our patrons. The library is the place where students learn about the district's responsible use policy (in an age-appropriate way) and how to follow those rules in order to maintain use of technology. Our strategic plan was presented and acknowledged by the School Board in 2021.]]> 2022-04-20 20:56:09 UTC https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2150997727 Comfy Seating erinradway https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2151055530 Students are encouraged to read on the variety of comfy seating options we have in the library. Each class ends with independent or partner reading. Students choose a spot that is best for them!]]> 2022-04-20 22:07:22 UTC https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2151055530 Our Library erinradway https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2151062715 Our large library space accommodates carpet spots for story time and instruction near the Promethean board. It also has ample tables for students to work independently or in groups on various projects. Students bring their 1-1 iPads or Chromebooks when working on projects. The library also has 8 dedicated iPads for catalog search and other Makerspace applications and projects.

Library services are available every day before and after school. Students can switch out books, ask technology questions, and get book recommendations during these times. When there are regularly scheduled classes, patrons can still access the library through the help of our wonderful paraprofessional.]]> 2022-04-20 22:17:52 UTC https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2151062715 Visual Signage erinradway https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2151064805 Independently locating books in the library is a key skill we focus on in the library. Our visual signage helps students locate favorite topics, authors, and series. As students progress from kindergarten through fifth grade, they build their ability to locate just what they want to read!]]> 2022-04-20 22:21:03 UTC https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2151064805 Shelfie Challenge erinradway https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2151066450 Fourth and fifth graders compete in a Shelfie Challenge each semester. The object of this challenge is to locate as many specific books on the shelf as possible. In teams of two, students choose a call number from the table, locate the book on the shelf and take that book's "shelfie." Since implementing this challenge, students have become much more proficient at finding books in their library after searching for a book of interest from the online catalog!]]> 2022-04-20 22:23:22 UTC https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2151066450 Bookroom erinradway https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2151067778 The library offers a leveled bookroom for a variety of readers. The bookroom is organized by DRA level and is split between fiction and nonfiction so teachers can locate exactly what their students need to practice specific reading skills.]]> 2022-04-20 22:25:17 UTC https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2151067778 STEM Challenges erinradway https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2151071217 Students in 2nd-5th grade participate in two STEM challenges each year. In these challenges, student teams apply the Engineering Process as they ask questions, brainstorm ideas, choose a plan, create that plan, then test and improve their prototype.

2nd grade: Santa's Parachute, Rainbow Bridge
3rd grade: Sledding Hill, Straw Rocket
4th grade: Football Catapults, Titanic Lifeboats
5th grade: Football Catapults, Renewable Energy (K'Nex)]]> 2022-04-20 22:30:13 UTC https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2151071217 Technology erinradway https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2151073378 Technology available in the library:
--Promethean board (interactive whiteboard)
--Wifi access for iPads and Chromebooks
--AirServer so any iPad can be broadcast on the Promethean Board as a document camera
--8 iPads
--7 additional iPads for checkout
--MeReaders (a kindergarten version of an audiobook, pictured above)
--Robots (including BeeBots, Dash, Sphero, and Lego WeDo)
--Makey Makey
--3D printer
--Copier/Printer, used by staff

]]> 2022-04-20 22:33:24 UTC https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2151073378 Library Catalog erinradway https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2151119514 Lowell Library Catalog (through Destiny Discover) accessed by all patrons, students and staff.

Lowell Mission Statement: All will learn and achieve beyond what they believe is possible.

As part of the overarching mission of the Sioux Falls School District, Sioux Falls School District librarians will:

· Encourage all students in becoming lifelong academic and recreational readers

· Teach all students how to be responsible consumers and producers of information

]]> 2022-04-20 23:39:05 UTC https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2151119514 Digital Library erinradway https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2151122703 Our library provides access to digital resources whenever our patrons need them. Through the library website, patrons can access ClassLink and all of the databases they would have access to during the school day. Our digital collection also includes a wide variety of Capstone Interactive eBooks as well as a vast district-shared collection of eBooks and audiobooks through Sora.]]> 2022-04-20 23:42:53 UTC https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2151122703 Everybody Reads! erinradway https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2151222638 A collaborative effort between the Sioux Falls School District and the Siouxland Libraries, librarians set out to determine how many books Sioux Falls reads in a month. Students were encouraged to fill out a leaf for every book they read to see just how big our tree could grow. With daily updates, momentum continued throughout the month of March in which it was revealed that our Lowell community read 9,699 books! The total for Sioux Falls was 382,755 books in one month! Pictured here is the Lowell weeping willow tree as it grew the 9,699 leaves!]]> 2022-04-21 01:13:09 UTC https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2151222638 Special Library Programs erinradway https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2151239766 --Hosts two book fairs annually
--Developed and participated in a Family Literacy Night station: a breakout based on nonfiction text features
--Teaches lessons on the Prairie Bud and Prairie Bloom books for all K-3 students to participate in the statewide vote, books and materials funded through DonorsChoose every year
--Encourages 4th-5th students to participate in the Prairie Pasque challenge of reading all 10 books, providing a party at the end for all finishers
--Deliberately teaches book talk strategies to students so that students will in turn get their peers excited about the books they are reading
--Continually diversifying our library collection so that all students can see themselves in books. Most recently we added a collection of books featuring Latinx and Black characters through two Windows and Mirrors DonorsChoose projects
--Hosted an Ozobot Thanksgiving Day Parade with fifth graders creating the parade route and designing "balloons" for the parade
--Led book clubs for intermediate readers to build community through reading the same book (Fourth Stall). These students felt so encouraged that they read an entire chapter book that they continued to meet the rest of the year until they had read Fourth Stall Part 2 and Fourth Stall Part 3!
--Collaborated with Siouxland Public Libraries for summer reading program and Everybody Reads initiative
--Collaborated with Great Plains Zoo to bring in animal educators
--Partnered with Promising Futures Fund to provide a reading kit for every kindergarten through third grade student to have a pack of 6 books to read for the summer
--Organized book battles for 5th grade]]> 2022-04-21 01:26:34 UTC https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2151239766 Prairie Bud and Prairie Bloom Lessons erinradway https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2151246678 Each year Sioux Falls Librarians collaborate together to create a lesson based on each of the Prairie Bud and Prairie Bloom books. In doing so we hope to engage our students in the 10 books for their grade level so that everyone can be a part of the statewide vote. Linked above is the lesson for the book One Fox that I created and shared with the team. This lesson aligns with South Dakota library standards, classroom curriculum goals for kindergarten and first graders, and incorporates basic coding using the BeeBots.]]> 2022-04-21 01:31:42 UTC https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2151246678 Genre Study: A Collaboration erinradway https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2151280292 One of the biggest collaborative projects we worked on this year was to get our third grade readers to believe in themselves as chapter book readers. In conjunction with what students were learning in the classroom, each week students would learn about a different genre in the library. As part of the unit we learned about the different types of fiction (realistic fiction, fantasy, mystery, historical fiction, and science fiction) and I book talked a variety of series that fit that genre. Excitement was palpable, and these students really started identifying as chapter book readers from this unit forward! Linked above is the unit plan the third grade teachers and I co-developed during collaboration. Links within the document take you to individual lesson presentations.]]> 2022-04-21 01:58:22 UTC https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2151280292 Breakout Boxes erinradway https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2151317931 In order to develop critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills, 2nd-5th grade students participate in one or two breakouts with the physical boxes and locks each year.

The breakout boxes bring an escape room experience into the classroom. Students have a series of clues that they decipher in order to find combinations to a set of locks.

Breakout Themes:
2nd: Winter Olympics
3rd: Polar Express
4th: Mystery
5th: Digital Citizenship (linked above), Research Skills, Card Catalog

These breakout boxes are also lent to classrooms as needed. Each year Music class does a Carnival breakout with first grade. Kindergarten borrows the boxes for their Valentines Day party. Our after school program, Kids' Inc, borrows the breakout boxes for their family night.]]> 2022-04-21 02:27:09 UTC https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2151317931 Multifunctional Space erinradway https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2151969965 The library is used for our 18 scheduled classes that I see every fourth day. It is also used for grade level assemblies presented by DAPA (Dakota Area Performing Arts), animal educators from the Great Plains Zoo, and safety assemblies put on by the Sioux Falls Police and Fire Rescue. Each month our library transforms into a space for staff meetings and professional development. Committee meetings also happen regularly after school in the library.]]> 2022-04-21 12:42:51 UTC https://padlet.com/erinradway/Library/wish/2151969965