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Makerspace
Makerspace
In our Makerspace, we foster creativity, innovation, play, risk-taking, resourcefulness, and personalized learning by providing opportunities for creation, failure, problem solving, tinkering, wondering, taking of risks in our learning, and hands-on activities utilizing tools, technology and other materials. By encouraging student curiosity and pursuit of their own passions, we inspire and empower global citizens.
Author Visits
Author Visits
As the budget and schedule allow, the library media center sponsors author visits every other year and/or cultural visits. Generously funded by PAC (Parent Action Committee), the Author in Residence program seeks to introduce students to published authors, provide writing workshops for interested students, and inspire students to read and write for pleasure.
World Read Aloud Day: Virtual Author Visits
For 13 years, World Read Aloud Day has called attention to the importance of sharing stories by challenging participants to grab a book, find an audience, and read-aloud! The global effort, created by the LitWorld and sponsored by Scholastic, is celebrated annually in over 173 countries and is all about bringing people together through the shared connection of reading aloud in all communities.
SDMS celebrated World Read Aloud Day on February 2 with ten virtual author visits over the course of the day that language arts and many other teachers attended with students. Authors donated their time and the visits lasted 20-25 minutes. All authors did a quick introduction to their books and writing journey, read aloud from one of their books, shared a favorite title they have read by another author, and answered student questions. The SDMS community appreciated the diversity of authors, experiences, and writing styles and genres! Students can find these authors' books in Destiny.
Past Author Visits
Past Author Visits
In the 2017-2018 school year, PAC funded an author visit by Young Adult author Paul Volponi in celebration of Read Across America Day and to introduce our March Madness Reading Brackets. Students participated in two interactive assemblies with Paul and some students had lunch with him or attended a creative writing workshop.
In the 2015-2016 school year, PAC not only funded an author visit by Lynda Mullaly Hunt on Read Across America Day (March 2, 2016) but also a number of after-school author Skypes with Tim Green and Kwame Alexander in May.
Past author visits have included author Dr. Padma Venkatram in October 2014, poet/photographer Charles R. Smith Jr. in 2014 and 2012, Nora Raleigh Baskin in 2007 and 2009, and Will Hobbs, in 2008.
2020 - 2021 School Year:
2020 - 2021 School Year:
Charles R. Smith
Charles R. Smith
Visited our 8th Grade students virtually on March 25th, 2021!
Nora Raleigh Baskin, Gae Polisner & Tom Rogers
Nora Raleigh Baskin, Gae Polisner & Tom Rogers
Visited our 7th Grade Students virtually on March 24th, 2021!
Sarah Darer Littman
Sarah Darer Littman
Visited Virtually on Friday, March 5th, 2021!
Lisa Schroeder
Lisa Schroeder
Visited Virtually on World Read Aloud Day (Wednesday, February 3rd, 2021)
Saadia Faruqi
discussed her book and writing, and her new Mad Libs book on Eid al-Fitr! The visit took place April 20. Students enjoyed a round of virtual Mad Libs and learning more about her background and how Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr are observed. Students can find out more about her on her website and can find her books in Sora and Destiny.
Past One Book, One Community Program and Visiting Author Events
Past One Book, One Community Program and Visiting Author Events
In order to build community, promote discussion of important topics, and promote a love of reading, the SDMS staff have participated in three One Book, One Community Read Aloud programs.
According to the Library of Congress’ Center for the Book, “One Book projects (community-wide reading programs), initiated by the Washington Center for the Book in 1998, are being introduced across the U.S.A. and around the world.”
In 2007, staff read aloud Basketball or Something Like it by Nora Raleigh Baskin in preparation for her visit. In 2008, eighth grade staff read Downriver and seventh grade staff read Crossing the Wire by Will Hobbs. In 2010, staff read aloud Anything But Typical by Nora Raleigh Baskin and conducted a number of staff and student activities related to autism awareness and the novel. Discussion guides, Jeopardy games, educational videos, and opportunities to question the authors about their writing process and book themes made the experience worthwhile for all involved. Click on the link to hear Nora discuss her book Anything But Typical.
Scholastic Book Fairs
Scholastic Book Fairs
Every year, the Library Media Center holds a Scholastic Book Fair in the fall to promote reading and raise funds to supplement the library budget.
In the spring, we sponsor a Buy One, Get One Free Book Fair.
The purpose of this fair is to provide an affordable way for students and teachers to build their personal libraries and promote summer reading.
Parent volunteers are usually on hand to staff and support both of these events.
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