POMS Library News for Yous

POMS Library hosted middle-school librarians from around the district as well as HISD Library Services Director Len Bryan for a half-day of professional development where librarians learned about new databases and new features of existing ones. Our online resources are essential to research and content-area support. In addition, a refresher like this helps Ms. Corso collaborate with teachers in matching library services and resources to curricular units.

• TSLAC: Strand 2 (Inquiry), Strand 4 (Digital Learning), Strand 6 (Leadership)
• ISTE: Educator 2.1 (Learner), 2.2 (Leader), 2.4 (Collaborator)
• AASL: Foundation III (Collaborate), Foundation V (Explore)

Gratz is one of our library's most popular Historical Fiction authors with titles such as Code of Honor, Refugee, Allies, and Ground Zero. Ahead of the release of his newest book, Two Degrees, Alan got to present to a group of Charger readers and talk about his writing process. He even answered one of our questions!

• TSLAC: Strand 3 (Reading), Strand 4 (Digital Learning), Strand 5 (Safe & Nurturing Environment)
• ISTE: Student 1.1 (Empowered Learner), 1.3 (Knowledge Constructor), 1.7 (Global Collaborator); Educator 2.3 (Citizen), 2.4 (Collaborator)
• AASL: Foundation I (Inquire)

Pin Oak MS and Library was represented on a national stage as Ms. Corso presented a session at the American Library Association Core Forum entitled "Book Harmony: Bringing All Voices Together to Create a More Responsive Library". It was a terrific conference with a lot of innovative ideas for the library and she was excited to have a seat at a national table.

• TSLAC: Strand 2 (Inquiry), Strand 6 (Leadership)
• ISTE: Educator 2.1 (Learner), 2.2 (Leader), 2.3 (Citizen), 2.5 (Designer), 2.6 (Facilitator), 2.7 (Analyst)
• AASL: Foundation I (Inquire), Foundation II (Include), Foundation III (Curate), Foundation V (Explore), Foundation VI (Engage)

POMS Library hosted the October fellowship in which district librarians were invited to a Saturday meeting of working together, sharing ideas, and of course food! Houston ISD covers such a large geographical area and it is important to have opportunities to collaborate and support each other.

• TSLAC: Strand 2 (Inquiry), Strand 5 (Safe & Nurturing Environment), Strand 6 (Leadership)
• ISTE: Educator 2.1 (Learner), 2.2 (Leader), 2.4 (Collaborator), 2.6 (Facilitator)
• AASL: Foundation II (Include), Foundation III (Collaborate), Foundation IV (Explore)

Spooky, short, and sweet!

• TSLAC: Strand 4 (Digital Learning), Strand 5 (Safe & Nurturing Environment)
• ISTE: Student 1.1 (Empowered Learner), 1.2 (Digital Citizen), 1.6 (Creative Communicator); Educator 2.5 (Designer), 2.6 (Facilitator)
• AASL: Foundation II (Include), Foundation VI (Engage)

Struggling and reluctant readers need to feel a sense of belonging and ownership in the library, which is why classes came in to hear about Dia de los Muertos and design their own sugar-skull bookmark, after which they checked out books and Ms. Corso told "very real and incredibly true" scary stories "based on semi-actual events...maybe."

• TSLAC: Strand 3 (Reading), Strand 5 (Safe & Nurturing Environment)
• ISTE: Student 1.6 (Creative Communicator); Educator 2.6 (Facilitator)
• AASL: Foundation III (Collaborate), Foundation VI (Engage)

Mrs. Kundert and Ms. Corso are excited to co-sponsor the campus D&D club in the library, where students from beginning to expert level gather to create characters, plan quests, and prepare epic battles! The more knowledgeable members serve as DMs (Dungeon Masters) and guide the others on their team through the quests.

• TSLAC: Strand 5 (Safe & Nurturing Environment)
• ISTE: Student 1.1 (Empowered Learner), 1.3 (Knowledge Constructor), 1.4 (Innovative Designer), 1.6 (Creative Communicator), 1.7 (Global Collaborator); Educator 2.4 (Collaborator), 2.5 (Designer), 2.6 (Facilitator)
• AASL: Foundation I (Inquire), Foundation III (Collaborate), Foundation IV (Curate)

Our Library Leaders had their first meeting on November 3, as students discussed design changes, seasonal/monthly decor, themed posters to create, and new books to order.

• TSLAC: Strand 2 (Inquiry), Strand 5 (Safe & Nurturing Environment), Strand 6 (Leadership)
• ISTE: Student 1.1 (Empowered Learner), 1.3 (Knowledge Constructor), 1.4 (Innovative Designer), 1.6 (Creative Communicator), 1.7 (Global Collaborator); Educator 2.1 (Learner), 2.2 (Leader), 2.3 (Citizen), 2.4 (Collaborator), 2.5 (Designer)
• AASL: Foundation I (Inquire), Foundation II (Include), Foundation III (Collaborate), Foundation IV (Curate), Foundation V (Explore), Foundation VI (Engage)

Charger Fest is the best way to spend a crisp, cool Saturday: great food, musical performances, student presentations, cultural exhibits, games and booths, and of course our BOOK FAIR! Thank you to our Pin Oak PTO for their amazing support of the POMS library program and our Charger readers!

• TSLAC: Strand 3 (Reading), Strand 5 (Safe & Nurturing Environment), Strand 6 (Leadership)
• ISTE: Educator 2.4 (Collaborator), 2.7 Analyst
• AASL: Foundation V (Explore)

Let's get crafty! Students signed up to eat their lunch in the library on November 11 and create an original reading/literacy pin using our brand new stamp machine!

• TSLAC: Strand 5 (Safe & Nurturing Environment)
• ISTE: Student 1.4 (Innovative Designer); Educator 2.6 (Facilitator)
• AASL: Foundation III (Collaborate), Foundation IV (Curate)

There are so many fun, free reading activities to do at home and in the community. Students have the opportunity to earn badges and pins simply by loving to read and trying new books (click on image to access both pages)!

• TSLAC: Strand 1 (Information Literacy), Strand 2 (Inquiry), Strand 3 (Reading), Strand 4 (Digital Learning), Strand 5 (Safe & Nurturing Environment), Strand 6 (Leadership)
• ISTE: Student 1.1 (Empowered Learner), 1.2 (Digital Citizen), 1.3 (Knowledge Constructor); Educator 2.1 (Learner), 2.2 (Leader), 2.3 (Citizen), 2.4 (Collaborator), 2.5 (Designer), 2.6 (Facilitator)
• AASL: Foundation II (Include), Foundation V (Explore)

Here are the standards I use while developing my library program:

• TSLAC School Library Program Standards (Texas State Library and Archives Commission)
• ISTE Standards for Students and Educators (International Society for Technology in Education)
• AASL Standards Framework for Learners (American Association of School Librarians)

Email: brooke.corso@houstonisd.org
Website: bit.ly/pomsvirtual
Location: 4601 Glenmont Street, Bellaire, TX, USA
Phone: 713-295-6500
Twitter: @pomslibrary