News from the Middle School Library
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 Middle School Author Visit
 Avi Visited ASIJ!Avi portrait

Avi’s visit is made possible by the generosity and steadfast support of our Chofu PTA.
Young adult and children’s
author, Avi, was the
Middle School Visiting Author during the week of March 19—23, 2007.
Click here for photos of the Welcome Party!

The Spectrum Express!
 

Combine  a heavy demand for searching with students in a hurry,and you have  the Spectrum Express: two laptops dedicated solely to Spectrum, the library on-line catalog. No more logging in. No more waiting for settings. And no logging out on these dedicated computers.

Nadja and Gabriel take advantage of this new, speedy Spectrum Express.

 

Read it off @ your library!

Last year Mr. Swist and Mrs. Onozuka introduced a new approach for students dealing with library fines for overdue books and videos -
Read it off @ your library.

Students can "read off" their fines at the rate of 600 yen per hour. A student wishing to resolve his/her library obligation(s) by reading in the library can do the following:

  • Sign in/out at the circulation desk to document the time
  • Read a book in the library in the presence of the library staff
  • Read silently and independently
  • Read library books only. No text books. (Books brought from home may be approved.)
  • Sign out to document the ending time
  • No homework. Our intention is not to offer a study hall or Homework Club. Rather, it is to promote quality, independent, recreational reading while offering students a constructive, enjoyable alternative to paying fines for overdue material.

Students wishing to pay their fines may continue to do so. Or, a combination of reading and paying can be arranged. Either way, keep reading…and return your materials on time.

 

Mustangs on Books has been
very popular with MS students.
The discussions are purely
recreational.

Although Mr. Swist chose our first book
(because he knew how popular it would be),
most selections are made by the students
themselves.

Click here to see past discussions.

 

MS students have joined ES & HS students in
the Sakura Medal project. The purpose of the Sakura Medal project is to encourage and support quality recreational reading. Students participate
by reading and evaluating books on the
Sakura list. 

Sakura Medal Overview


Bessie loves the favorite pillow and
of course the Sakura cart with all her favorite books!

What are your friends reading?
Book reviews by 8th grade Language
Arts Students

 

An iPod and Some Brand New Playlists For many years the library has played Super Learning (mostly Baroque) Music. These selections remain our “default” playlist today and are our most frequently played. Last year however, as the library switched from CDs to an iPod,  composed several playlists to accompany student research and to celebrate special events. For example: “Mostly Mozart” to honor the composer’s 200th birthday, “Americana” to accompany the 8th grade unit on immigration, “Sea Songs” and “Bird Songs” for 7th grade classes doing Izu research; “Songs composed and/or performed by Women” for National Women’s Month; and a special playlist  for Black History Month. This year we received a grant from Dr. Adams which enabled us to greatly enhance our musical support with a new iPod and speaker system.

Book Donation Plan   
Recommended Reading List 
New Materials in the MS Library
 Author Visits at ASIJ