Media Center

Do school libraries improve test scores?

The Connection Between School Media Centers and Standardized Tests

Why are school libraries important?  Research shows that students score significantly higher on standardized tests when their school library is active, accessible, and well-staffed. Learn more at:

http://www.ala.org/ala/aasl/aaslproftools/resourceguides/studentachievement.cfm

http://www.educationworld.com/a_admin/admin/admin178.shtml

http://www.teacherlibrarian.com/tltoolkit/what_works/works_v31_1.html

Gently Used Clothing Donations

Clean out your daughters' closets and donate to a great cause!   If you're wondering what to do with your gently used girls' clothing, please consider donating it to  'Cool Girls.'  This organization offers after-school programs and activities that promote positive choices and support for girls with many challenges in their lives. Every July, St. Peter and St. Paul church hosts a special day for as many as 250 girls who enjoy fun-filled activities and a 'shopping mall' set up just for them.  If you would like to donate nice, gently used clothing, accessories, or shoes in girls sizes 8 - Jr. 18 for this shopping day, just bring them to the Media Center through 5/16.  All donations will be greatly appreciated and will certainly make a young lady smile!

Calling all Library Books ~ 5/9 Due Date!

Please return all library books by Friday, 5/9.  We know it's hard for our students not being able to check out books the last two weeks of school, but we have deadlines for inventory and year-end reporting.  Please help students continue to read books from home, classroom libraries, and the public library.  Thanks so much for your support during this busy time!

Media Center Lessons 4/28 - 5/9

Kindergarten is learning all about animals so we're sharing a variety of animal stories, both fiction and nonfiction.  It's important to know the difference!

1st - 5th Graders will experience Reader's Theater!  After hearing a fun read-aloud, students will re-tell the story by taking on the roles of the characters, narrators, and chorus.  With props, practice, and plenty of Voice, we hope to make these stories come alive!

Get Ready to Vote for Georgia Book Awards!

Kindergarten - 4th Grade ~ Friday is the BIG day!  We'll finally VOTE!!   Classes have been busy reading the 20 nominated picture books since February, and they're ready to cast their votes for a favorite.  The Georgia Picture Book Award Program is presented annually by UGA's Children's Literature Department.  It's a wonderful opportunity for children to experience a rich variety of award-winning books.  We'll turn the Media Center into a polling place complete with voting booths on Friday, 5/2.  Classes will vote throughout the day.  At the end of the day, we'll tally our votes and send to UGA where they'll be counted with thousands of other votes from schools around the state.  Then we'll wait patiently for the winner to be announced!  Let's get out the Vote!

Media Center Lessons 4/7 - 4/18

Kindergarteners celebrate Earth Day with stories!

1st - 5th Graders review library and research terms with Beyond Question Response Systems.

Media Center Lessons 3/24 - 4/4

Kindrgarten continues to enjoy springtime stories.

1st - 5th Graders review what they know about parts of books, reference books, and research with an interactive Beyond Question challenge.

Book Fair Volunteers Make it all Possible!

Our amazing volunteers make Murdock's Book Fairs lots of fun for our students and families.  Kathy Wardlaw and Marla Nilson co-chair our fairs.  They work behind the scenes decorating, organizing, attending workshops, and bringing it all together.  Their volunteer staff runs cash registers, directs children to books, and specializes in helping our youngest shoppers count out pennies, nickels and dimes to pay for that one special book they have to have.  Thanks to all of you!!

Media Center Lessons 3/17 - 3/21

Kindergarten and 1st Graders are enjoying springtime stories during their library visits.

2nd Graders are focused on the Thesaurus for juicy, interesting words.

3rd - 5th Graders are playing Library Lingo to review parts of books, reference sources and library terms.

Book Fair a Great Success!

Thanks to all our Murdock students and families for joining us on a Reading Road Trip!  You've proven, once again, that we LOVE reading! 

The Book Fair is Coming!

Murdock's Spring Book Fair will kick off with a Grand Opening on Friday, March 7th from 5:30-7:30p.m.  We're going on a Reading Road Trip the entire next week with an amazing selection of books available for purchase.  Book Fair Hours for 3/10-3/14 are Monday - Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Friday from 7:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.  Join us on Tuesday for Family Fun Night from 5:30-7:30p.m. for activities, prizes, and an opportunity to browse the book fair at your leisure!  We'll see YOU at the Book Fair!