Laurel Highlands Middle School
Library/Media Center
Mrs. C. Vernon - Librarian
Course Syllabus
Laurel Highlands Middle School
6th and 7th Grade Library Science
8th Grade Research
Mrs. C. Vernon
6th and 7th LIBRARY SCIENCE GRADE
COURSE CONTENT:
In this class student(s) will review previously learned research skills and gain new skills which will allow students to become proficient in researching for all the other classroom subjects from middle school through college and into their personal lives.
In 6th grade Library Science, students will be scheduled one day a week for 18 weeks in the library. During this 43 minute, weekly period, students will discuss Book Parts, Dictionary, Encyclopedia, Thesaurus, World Book Encyclopedia Database Use and Card Catalog Skills. Students will also be taught in detail how to use the Dewey Decimal System to find nonfiction books and how a Dewey Number is formed for better understanding of our library system. Initial classes will center on correct Library Behavior in a research library. During class time students will also learn the Library Layout to facilitate their research projects.
In 7th grade Library Science, students will be scheduled two days a week for 18 weeks (semester) in the library. During these 43 minute periods, students will discuss Almanac, Dictionary Types, Using the Internet for Research (including Internet Safety), Bibliography Format, Access PA (Interlibrary Loan), Access PA Power Library (Database System), United Streaming (Database), Evaluating Resources and The Research Process.
GROUP DISCUSSION AND CLASS PARTICIPATION WILL BE 2/3 OF A STUDENT’S FINAL GRADE IN THIS CLASS.
TEXTBOOK:
- A variety of reference books and PPT presentations will be used in both 6th and 7th grade classes.
GRADING / TESTING PROCEDURES:
- Each 6th and 7th grade student will receive a Pass/Fail grade at the end of each 9 week period.
- Grades will be based on classroom and library behavior, daily participation in discussions and in-class projects and several graded papers.
- Grades will be determined based on the Laurel Highlands’ grading scale.
MATERIALS REQUIRED:
- Students will be required as part of their grade to come prepared to class with appropriate writing paper and a pencil or a dark blue or black pen (Assignment papers written in any other color, like pink or green, will not be accepted for grading – Students will be given a choice to re-do the assignment in the correct ink color or accept a 0% for the assignment).
STUDENT CONDUCT / RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Food, beverages, gum and candy are NOT to be brought into the library.
- Students will enter the classroom before the late bell rings. All students who are late to classmust have a signed, legitimate excuse from the office or other teacher. Students who are consistently late will be assigned after-school detention.
- Students who must leave the library must sign out correctly and take a utility slip (hall pass). Upon returning to the library, students must record the time they returned on the sign-out sheet.
- Each student will be expected to be courteous to other students who are trying to study and research. Students will also be expected to show great care when using the library materials. Students who damage or lose library resources or equipment must pay for the damaged/lost materials or equipment. The student will not attend in-school activities and report cards will be held until payment is received.
- Only neatly written papers will be accepted for grading (The student will have the choice of rewriting sloppy papers). Each student who is not satisfied with their written grade on a given assignment may request to re-do the paper or a similar paper for a higher grade within one week of receiving their graded paper.
- Students must leave the library as they found it being sure chairs are pushed in and the resources are returned to their proper locations.
MAKE-UP WORK:
- It is the responsibility of the student to check with the library science teacher to find out what work was missed if absent from class. The student must make up missed, written work. If not, a zero will be marked for that assignment. Students who miss the class discussion and in-class projects may make up class work by completing a research assignment to be graded in place of in-class work.
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8th GRADE RESEARCH COURSE CONTENT:
(In development for the 2017-2018 school year)
In this class 8th grade students will work in Google Classroom which is a blended learning platform using the library computer lab and book resources. Students will be scheduled three days a week for 1 semester in the library. Students will be required to complete and pass (80% or higher) a set number of research and reading assignments for each 9 week period. Students will be given all assignments at the beginning of the first 9 week period and will be allowed to work at their own pace to complete all assignments. Students will be guided to make corrections on all assignments by the librarian until each student has attained an 80% grade or higher on each assignment. All research assignments will test their research skills acquired in 6th and 7th grade library science classes. All reading assignments will test their reading concepts gained throughout their elementary and middle school years. All reading and research assignments will increase each student's ability to succeed in an online classroom setting and will increase each student's sense of responsibility in this self-guided classroom setting. Students will be assigned a user name and password in their 6th grade library science class and will use this same user name and password for the next 3 years in all classes using Google Classroom.
Students will work on individual projects from other classes between their Google Classroom assignments and after all Google Classroom assignments are finished. Students will be expected to follow all library rules while working in the library and library lab.
TEXTBOOK:
- A variety of reference books and databases will be used to complete all research assignments for Google Classroom.
- Copies of textbooks for math, science, English, literature, language and history will be available in the library for indivdual projects.
- All library books and databases will be available in the library for individual projects.
GRADING / TESTING PROCEDURES:
- Each 8th grade student will receive a Pass/Fail grade at the end of a 9 week period.
- Grades will be based on completed Google Classroom assignments, individual projects and library behavior.
- Grades will be determined based on the Laurel Highlands’ grading scale.
MATERIALS REQUIRED:
- Students will be required as part of their grade to come prepared to class with textbooks, notebooks, writing utensil, folder, planner (school supplied)
STUDENT CONDUCT / RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Food, beverages, gum and candy are NOT to be brought into the library.
- Students will enter the classroom before the late bell rings. All students who are late to classmust have a signed, legitimate excuse from the office or other teacher. Students who are consistently late will be assigned after-school detention.
- Students who must leave the library must sign out correctly and take a utility slip (hall pass). Upon returning to the library, students must record the time they returned on the sign-out sheet.
- Each student will be expected to be courteous to other students who are trying to study and research. Students will also be expected to show great care when using the library materials. Students who damage or lose library resources or equipment must pay for the damaged/lost materials or equipment. The student will not attend in-school activities and report cards will be held until payment is received.
- Students must leave the library as they found it being sure chairs are pushed in and the resources are returned to their proper locations.
MAKE-UP WORK:
- All Google Classroom assignments are due at the end of each 9 week period. Students may work on these assignments throughout the 9 week period in the computer lab or at home.
