Library/Media Center Announcements

2016 - 2017 Research 8 Class

• This year the library is supporting a new research class for 8th graders. Students are scheduled in the library for 1 semester for three days a week to work on research and reading assignments for their other classes.  Students who do not have individual projects to work on in the lab or main library use the class to read and research.  Students also work with the librarian in groups to complete research assignments or to create multimedia projects using the computer lab and library resources.                         Next year this class will become a blended learning class using Google Classroom.  Students will be given new Google Classroom passwords or use their old passwords to access the Research 8 classroom assignments.  During each 9 week period, student will individually work on the 10 assignments with guidance from the librarian to recieve a minimum 80% grade on each reading or research assignment.  The assignments will be a combination of database/library reference research and reading comprehension/writing projects. Students will set their own pace and will accept responsibility for completing and passing all assignments before the end of each 9 week period.

2015 - 2016 Research Projects

• Students in Mr Eckert's history classes are effectively using the Access PA Interlibrary Loan database to complete a research paper.  In January Mr Eckert's students worked in the library to locate sources in the library stacks, on databases and through Access PA to create a 15 source (10 print sources) Works Cited page to be used for their research assignment.  To locate enough print sources, his students found all sources in our library and then ordered books from Access PA.  
• Students in Mr Shwallon's history classes periodically visit the library to access our newspaper databases including the New York Times website.  Mr Shwallon's classes are learning to work in a blended learning classroom by digitally submitting answers to questions posted by Mr Shwallon through Google Docs.  The library lab allows Mr Shwallon to guide his students in the use of Google Docs to enhance their digital ability needed for their college years.  

2015 - 2016 Reading Competition

• Preparation for this year's reading competition has begun with the creation of a reading competition class.  Mrs Julie Tupta will sponsor the teams this year and prepare them for the May competition. The class consists of approximately twenty-five 8th graders who have been given the book list and have access to copies of each book chosen for the competition.  As the year progresses the students will be required to read at least 7 of the books in class and several after school to be considered for the team(s).  Students who prove that they have read their selections through notetaking and discussion will fill the team rosters for the competition.
• Because interest is high this year outside Mrs Tupta's class, she and the librarian are considering incorporating extra members by allowing them to read and discuss the selections outside of this class as we have prepared in the past.  Good Luck Mrs Tupta and students!

2015 - 2016 Library Evolution

• Scheduling for the middle school library is constantly evolving to accommodate all our students in their quest for improved grades. This year students will gain greater access to the library through their reading classes.  Collaboration is the name of the game as teachers plan to work with the librarian during their reading classes.  The teachers will reserve a section of the library in the main reading area or library computer lab for collaborative lessons taught by the teacher and librarian.  Our students will discuss genres and pick out their favorite examples of each to be read during their time in the classroom.  The students will have greater access to online reading programs and varied sources of reading materials including magazines and newspapers for multi-format analysis projects.

2014 - 2015  Reading Competition 

• The L.H. Reading Competition team is ready to compete on May 6th against other area middle schools. The following students were selected to represent Laurel Highlands Middle School: 8th graders Josh Phillips (Captain), Taylor Wise, Alyssa Lambert; 7th graders Taylor Smith, Emma Evans, Sydney Chiado; 6th grader Parker Georgiana.  The competition will be held at Saint John Byzantine School.  Teams from Connellsville, Uniontown Area, Brownsville and Saint John Evangelist and Albert Gallatin send teams each year to compete.  

The 2014 - 2015 Reading Competition Season Has Arrived!!  

• Students who are interested in showing their reading skills by competing against other area school districts in May have signed up in the library earlier this year.  These students will read and study a least 7 of 20 pre-selected books to be considered for the team in May. Each student must read and take notes while reading.  All students will participate in book quizzes throughout the year to prove their knowledge of each book. The students who have read the most books, taken notes and passed each quiz will be assigned to a team. LET THE READING BEGIN!!!