Are books and libraries an outdated thing of the past? No! They help the development of children of all ages. For example, at Saint Joseph Joseph Grade school kids are learning through the library every day!
Sara Norwood is a School Librarian at the grade School across the street from our very own Saint Joseph High School. Norwood attended Indiana University and received an elementary education degree and then later in life went back to school through Indiana University Indianapolis to get a Master of Library and Information Science degree.
She works in co-employment with Elena Bartzen. Libraries have now transitioned to media centers where more than just books are being loaned out.
Some of the activities that take place in class are as follows: read stories to the students; followed by an arts and crafts activity relating to the plot of the book; story elements – characters, setting, problem, and solution – are investigated and digested. Children are being exposed to many great pieces of literature.
Norwood states she recommends books to students in multiple ways, “whether that’s through verbal recommendations, choosing one book to book-talk to the whole class, or showing book trailers to get kids interested in books.” Books and technology go together well, too. For example, last year the 5th graders researched famous people and drew portraits of their biography subjects. They then used an app called Chatterpix to make a mouth on the image, and recorded what the famous person might have said.
There is currently a large movement in children’s reading that includes mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors. The mirror represents when a child sees a reflection of themselves in a character and the validation they receive from that encounter. The windows represent a story that allows them to experience empathy so they can interact with other people’s lives. The sliding glass door is one step beyond this, fully experiencing empathy. The movement promotes a healthy dose of perspective in youth of today.
Norwood loves her job and finding new books for students to get them excited about reading. She hopes to use the library space to make the world a brighter place.
