Herald Square - or the Library Media Center
- provides a number of activities for children at Kedron. Not
only do we provide book checkouts, we also offer opportunities
for research, internet activities, and multimedia searches, plus
story time, Accelerated Reader, and STAR testing--both math and
reading. Herald Square operates on an open, flexible schedule
that means that the media center is open throughout the school
day for multiple activities. Classes may also be scheduled for
research, library skill instruction, and book checkout by teachers.
The Accelerated Reader program is an important facet of the media
program. Students select books on their reading level, read the
book at their own pace, then take a short, computerized quiz on
that book. Books have an AR point value with the more difficult
books commanding more points. The book point value plus the quiz
total equals a total number of points earned per test. In game
format, the Accelerated Reader program tabulates points throughout
the year for each student. The goal is to get the most points
with the greatest percent accuracy on the tests and read within
a reading range expressed in grade levels that encourages reading
growth
At the beginning of the year, students take a reading assessment called STAR (Standardized Test for Assessment and Reporting), which works hand-in-hand with Accelerated Reader. Using the scores on STAR, teachers establish a yearlong goal for each student defined in points. Students are rewarded for success in reading by obtaining “Triple Crown Reader” status upon reaching their goals. When a student reaches his or her final goal, that student appears on WKKB, our school wide closed-circuit television program to receive recognition and an award. This year that award is a special reading AR Medal. A picture is taken of the child and placed on our “wall of fame” outside the media center.
The goal ranges are as follows:
| Kindergarten's range | 20 points to 40 points |
| First grade's range | 30 points to 50 points |
| Second grade's range | 40 points to 60 points |
| Third grade's range | 50 points to 70 points |
| Fourth grade's range | 60 points to 80 points |
| Fifth grade's range | 70 points to 90 points |
The students will be recognized at three different intervals during the journey to their goal. When they reach the first number in their range, they will be photographed by the Media Specialist. A button will be made with their picture. The button will be hung on the wall outside the Media Center in the Level I category which stands for Single Crown Reader. Students will move to the second level when they add ten points or are halfway to the top of the range. Level II is called Double Crown Reader. When students reach the top number in their range they will move to Level III and be recognized as a Triple Crown Reader .
WKKB announcers highlight the outstanding AR students. This year, we plan to generate interest with other activities to keep reading interest high.
Throughout the year, the media center sponsors several book fairs, this year in September and February.
WKKB, our closed circuit television program, is produced by students in fifth grade. Each morning, a group of fifth grade students prepare announcements and provide the life skill and thought for the day. Students look forward to participating on WKKB as part of the fifth grade curriculum.
Should you have questions about the
Media Center, please stop by and say "hello". We will
be glad to help you in any way we can. Our goal is to make the
Media Center an inviting, interesting, wonderful place to visit.
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Jennifer Bilsky at jbilsky@comcast.net .