March 2022

On Monday, March 7 I got the chance to work with Yellow Cluster students to do a Common Sense Media lesson on finding media balance.

Essential Question: How do we balance digital media use in our lives?

Lesson Vocabulary:

Digital media- Content (text, audio, images, video) or devices that allow people to share information, communicate, and collaborate over computer networks.

Media balance - Using media in a way that feels healthy and in balance with other life activities (family, friends, school, hobbies, etc.)

Red flag feeling - When something happens on digital media that makes you feel uncomfortable, worried, sad, or anxious

“Unplug” - To engage in activities that don't involve devices, apps, or the internet

• Family Activity

• Family Tips

• Family Engagement Resources

On Monday, March 28th Green Cluster students came to the library to do our second Common Sense Media lesson. We discussed ways to respond to online hate speech.

Essential Question: How should you respond to online hate speech?

Lesson Vocabulary:

Hate speech - A verbal attack targeting someone because of a group they belong to—e.g., their race, gender, religion, ability, sexual orientation, etc.

Cyberbullying - Using digital devices, sites, and apps to intimidate, harm, and upset someone

• Family Activity
• Family Tips
• Family Engagement Resources

Mrs. Oswald brought Yellow Cluster students into the makerspace on Thursday, March 31st to work on a number project. It was so nice to see students back in the space using it to collaborate and create!

Our March display case featured fossils from eighth-grader Jonathan Currie and rocks and minerals from seventh-grader Tripp Spencer. Thanks to these two students for sharing their personal collections with our learning community!

Thanks to the generosity of Rhode Island Center for the Book, we will hold an in-person family book club on Thursday, May 12th at 6:30 PM in the sixth-grade breakout space. The first 20 families to sign up for How to Win a Slime War by Mae Respicio will get a free book to keep courtesy of Rhode Island Center for the Book. Here is the link to sign up. We hope you can join us! Optional: You can make slime using one of the recipes from the book to bring to book club for a very informal slime competition of our own!

If you know of a student who will be fasting in observation of Ramadan during the month of April, please let them know they are welcome to spend their lunch period in the library free from the smells and sights of peers eating and drinking.

We have so many new titles for students of every genre and format. Check the Destiny Discover catalog to place a hold or stop by the library to browse in person! If you need a refresher on using the Destiny Discover catalog, here is a quick video tutorial.

Students who need a brain break are welcome to take advantage of our many stations where they can unplug and use a different part of their brain to reset.