Library

The Lower School library curriculum proceeds on two tracks: information literacy and literature appreciation. The two tracks are inextricably intertwined. Learning experiences reflect important principles such as being age appropriate, integrated with the curriculum, mirrors of diversity, meaningful, and mindful of intellectual freedom. Learning experiences also rely on important teaching strategies such as guided practice, incremental steps, increasing challenge, hands-on learning, authentic assessment, and integration of new abilities and understandings.

Kindergarten through Fourth Grade
Kindergartners come to the library once a week for fifty minutes. First, second, and third graders come to library once a week for forty minutes. Fourth graders come to library once a week for fifty minutes. During library, students enjoy many learning experiences: hearing books read aloud; engaging in literature and research related activities; and independent reading. Students also select and borrow books.

Information Literacy
From kindergarten on, students have many opportunities to practice research skills/strategies. They learn to define information needs, develop search strategies, find information, use information, interpret information and evaluate research process.

From kindergarten on, students have many opportunities to practice social responsibilities with regard to library use and  research. They learn to share space and resources, engage in thoughtful and thorough independent and collaborative learning, produce original work, respect intellectual property, use electronic sources in responsible ways.

Click here to learn more about Information Literacy at Burke's.

Literature Appreciation
From kindergarten on, students have many opportunities to develop an appreciation of literature. Literary experiences in library have to do with concepts about reading in general (making choices, varied literary experiences), literature (role, quality, structures, genres, literary elements) and reading and responding to text (comprehension, support, interpretation).

The Lower School library curriculum is designed to develop confident, competent, curious and personally connected learners, able to fully and responsibly process information and to fully and enthusiastically appreciate literature.

Click here to read more about Literature Appreciation at Burke's.