The Lower School Library is dedicated to promoting a love of reading and
libraries. Our formal programs are described below. Informally, we do our
best to promote a love of reading every day!
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SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUB-Ordering from the Scholastic Book Club flyers is a great
way for our students to get quality books to read at great prices!
Participation in the club is voluntary. As parents, you may choose to order
every time the flyers are sent home, once in a while, or not at all. Because
we are an overseas school, we do pay a 50% shipping and handling fee to have
the books shipped express, which ensures door to door delivery. Once the
shipment of books arrives in Lebanon, it takes a while to clear them through
customs. Your patience is appreciated. The library coordinates the
Scholastic book club orders and handles problems that may arise with
receiving the shipment. Any questions about placing an order should be
directed to your child's teacher. Our only goal is to promote READING, the
most important skill your child can have!
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AUTHOR OF THE MONTH-Each month students in grades 3 to 5 are introduced to
an author who has a birthday that month. Information on the author is
displayed on the bulletin board and his/her books are
displayed for the students to borrow.
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THE IMPORTANCE OF READ-ALOUD:The Early Years
“In every task the most important thing is the beginning….
Especially when you deal with anything young and
tender.” Plato
Reading is one of the tools your child needs to acquire in order to succeed
in school and in life. Language comprehension is the key the child will need
to unlock the concepts expressed in print. In any life endeavor, we use
language to communicate information, knowledge, ideas, hopes, dreams and
fears. To educate ourselves, we need to read countless books prior to
launching our careers. As the children learn basic math concepts they need
to use language. In fact, one teacher told me during a parent-teacher
conference that language comprehension is the key to math problem solving.
Language skills are acquired long before our children begin to read. When we
talk with our children, they acquire language skills. As we sing and play
games together, tell stories and repeat silly rhymes with them, the children
develop a yearning for the word.
Many parents ask about the appropriate age for read-aloud. I have read to my
children while in the womb and continue to read to my twelve-year old today.
During a read-aloud, parents and children bond, share knowledge or
information, inspire and nurture each other’s curiosity. Interest in
learning and discovery can be fueled during a read-aloud. When you read to
and with your child, your child’s brain associates reading with pleasure,
your child builds background knowledge and expands his/her vocabulary. Most
importantly, you are modeling reading behaviors to your child by sharing the
pleasure and the value of reading.
As we meet, I will be sharing read-aloud tips. The first and most important
tip is to make reading-aloud time a fun time, a time your child will look
forward to for all the reasons we shared above. Establish a regular time to
read-aloud. Bedtime is great, but if evenings are challenging, naptime, or
after a meal could work just as well. Just make sure to choose a time you
can always keep and make it FUN, FUN, FUN…. Cozy up with your child in a
comfortable chair or under a favorite blanket and Read.
