Describes how to explain the organization of a library to elementary school students by making an analogy of a library being like a state: each state is made up of towns and neighborhoods as libraries are made up of areas for fiction and nonfiction. Includes a worksheet. (LRW)

Discusses the use of digital cameras in school library media centers and offers suggestions for teachers and students in elementary schools. Describes appropriate image-editing software; explains how to create panoramas, screen savers, and coloring books; and includes useful tips for digital photographers. (LRW)

Offers ideas for activities that elementary school library media specialists can use in the beginning of the year to welcome students back and reacquaint them with library rules and procedures. Describes songs, group activities, treasure hunts, games, and poster design for older students. (LRW)

Describes a library media center activity for elementary and secondary grades where students use reference materials to find the answers to a travel game based on a "Where's Waldo" format. Clues for a worldwide version and a U.S. version are included. (LRW)

Describes funny characters in children's books and films, including humorous children, adults, and animal characters. Considers younger children and middle grade and older children and suggests library media center activities for various age groups. (LRW)

Suggests activities that school library media specialists can use to encourage students to think of history as fun and relevant and to want to read history books. Discusses heroism in poems and songs; writing poems based on historical figures; biographies; limericks; and publishing student writings on parchment paper. (LRW)

Discusses the collaborative role of school library media specialists as instructional consultants to help teachers plan curriculum and develop instructional activities. Topics addressed include the nature of instructional planning; how teachers plan; and strategies for planning in partnership with teachers, including planning styles, planning…

Describes a library media game for grades four and five that is centered around books and is based on the television show "Who Wants To Be a Millionaire?". Procedures for the game are explained, and examples of questions from simple to more difficult, with answers, are presented. (LRW)

Discusses the need for students to become more aware of other cultures as the population becomes more diverse. Provides examples of activities that teachers and library media specialists can use to expand student's cultural awareness and explains The Diversity Game that can be adapted to community demographics. (LRW)

Provides guidelines for preparing successful school library media center staff orientations. Discusses outlining major items of information; listing goals for the presentation; starting with a slide show; and designing and implementing a team-based staff activity that includes a section for identifying personal goals and a reward for completion.…

Explains a problem-solving format developed by a school media specialist and first grade teacher that used the framework of Eisenberg and Berkowitz's "Big Six Skills" for library media programs. The application of the format to a science unit on the senses is described. (two references) (MES)

Discusses how to schedule library use in conjunction with block scheduling. Highlights include the need for flexible scheduling, collaborating with teachers for long-range planning for library use, and a model schedule for library use coordinated with class activities. (LRW)

Discusses the personal and subjective nature of humor and considers ways that children respond to humor in literature and films. Suggests activities for school library media specialists to use with specific books that are humorous, including group discussions, individualized writings, and examining illustrations. (LRW)

Describes a program at an independent college preparatory school which introduces primary grade students to research techniques and tools through a carefully planned sequence of encounters with library research and reference aids. (CLB)

Provides ideas for activities related to gardening and growing things for elementary school media centers and classrooms. An annotated list of 49 age-appropriate sources of information, including 10 picture books, 5 audio-visual aids, and 2 adult books, is provided. (LRW)