Library
Early Program
In their second year in the Early Program, the four-year-old children visit the library once a week. During this time, they begin by sitting as a group, and listening to a story, then are guided in the selection of a book to take back to their classroom. They are introduced to the terms of "author" and "illustrator," and learn how to properly care for, and value books. Over the course of the year, the library program adds a drama component. As the children begin to learn that a story has a beginning, middle, and end, they begin creating their own imaginative stories. Puppet shows are enacted, children create their own plays after choosing their costumes from the dress - up chest, and their favorite stories are recreated as they choose different roles. The children are given the opportunity to not only listen to a good story, but to truly value the art of story - telling, through this interactive and highly anticipated class. They become authors of stories themselves, and as they perform for their classmates, important lessons on public speaking are developed and creativity and confidence are enhanced.
Elementary
The Elementary Library Program prepares children to utilize and enjoy both the resources and inspiration that are offered by the library. What the younger children initially perceive as a wonderland of stories, facts, and imagination, gradually comes to be comprehended as a resource for self-directed research, without ever losing its capacity for wonderment and surprise. From Kindergarten to Lower Level, each class goes to the library twice a week. During the first class, they learn age-appropriate skills such as alphabetizing, researching, the Dewey Decimal System, and the definitions of various literary genres .The second weekly class is for literary exploration. The librarian chooses a story to read aloud and discuss, using the opportunity to expand the children’s awareness of different literary genres and styles. At book selection time, the children have the opportunity to share their impressions of the book they have just finished, before practicing the discriminating art of choosing new reading material.
