I elected to create my Week One materials for a blended approach to my current face to face teaching position. My hope is to reach out to families through my library program to further promote a sense of community. Although most families feel a part of the larger school community, immersion in the culture of books and reading through family may provide a deeper connection, which may, in turn, help develop an ongoing love of reading and learning.
Please note: In the section "Week One Email", only the link to the Grade Two library class website is live. The Kindergarten library class website and the Grade One library class website are still in the planning stages.
To aid clarity, text that is part of the course content is framed below. The frames would be removed for actual communication. That is, only plain text would be sent to students and families.
Introduction Prompt:
To provide a sense of community and who we are in this class, please respond to the following writing prompt called an "icebreaker":
This is a library class, so… if you could become a book character, which would you choose and why? Provide the author and title of the book, and the type of story it is (mystery, fantasy, etc.), in case others are not familiar with your particular choice.
Also, please indicate if you have a name you prefer ( D.B. and not Daniel), and a little bit about what you do and what your interest are.
Below is an example.
Introduction Prompt Response:
Hi, my name is Mrs. Kabler (Mrs. Gabler works across the hall from me!) and if I could, I would choose to be Bartholomew Cubbins from Bartholomew and the Oobleck, a picture book by Dr. Seuss. Bartholomew is a page boy in King Derwin's castle. Because of his position and his age, he does not have much power. BUT, because he is smart and honorable, Bartholomew saves the kingdom from certain doom. Clearly, I am a person who roots for the underdog!
I am a K-2 Library Teacher in the Mount Horeb Area School District. I love what I do! When I am not at school, I enjoy photography. From time to time you will see my photos on display in both the Early Learning and the Primary Center libraries.
Deb Kabler / ELC & PC Library Teacher
Week One E-mail (e-blast through Infinite Campus):
Hello, Library Students and Families, and welcome to a new school year at the ELC/PC Library!
Please take a moment to create and send a new (replying to this automated email will not work) message to the kablerdeb@mhasd.k12.wi.us to verify that we are communicating.
view the welcome message and the plan for the year on your library class website listed below:
- To access the Kindergarten library class website: Kindergarten Library
- To access the Grade One library class website: Grade One Library
- To access the Grade Two library class website: Grade Two Library
While there, explore the About section for the goals of the library program, a bit of housekeeping, and to learn more about me (if you wish). If you have questions, please contact me as needed. My teaching position is half-time, so I am only at school on Wednesdays, Thursday mornings, and Fridays. The best ways to reach me (even when I am not at school) are:
- school email: kablerdeb@mhasd.k12.wi.us
- school phone: (608) 437-2400 x 5140 (by appointment)
- Skype name: dkabler (by appointment)
To access the ELC/PC library catalog: Destiny - Our Online Catalog (No login or password are necessary for browsing the catalog; a login and password are necessary to access the advanced features of the catalog. Login information is coming soon.)
Lastly, please create and send a new email message and send it to me at the email address listed above to verify that we are communicating. This email was sent from an automated email system and a simple reply will not work as expected.
Best wishes for the days to come,
Deb Kabler
Library Teacher, Early Learning & Primary Centers, Mount Horeb Area School District, Mount Horeb, WI 53572