CURRICULUM

Encouraging a love of reading and an appreciation for all types of literature has always been an integral part of the library curriculum.

In addition, for:

Grades 1 and 2: Introduction to, identification and eventual understanding of parts of a book: title, author, and illustrator; plot summaries as well as development of inference, vocabulary and comprehension skills.

Grades 3, 4, and 5: Review of skills listed above and the introduction and understanding of books and materials and their placement in the library; namely, call numbers, reference books, works of fiction and genres, Dewey Decimal Classification of non-fiction books.

Celebration of Black History Month, Women’s History Month, and Poetry Month drives the choice of materials and activities used in class at those times of the year.

Grades 6,7, and 8: Review of skills listed above and vocabulary enrichment, study skills and writing in the form of literary analyses, persuasive essays, and alternate endings are emphasized at this level.

BOOK FAIR

Book fairs are usually held in the fall and spring. The fall book fair offers many selections for holiday gift-giving as well as books that you may be interested in purchasing yourself. The spring fair offers selections for the students’ summer reading lists as well as great choices for some fun vacation reading.

READING BUDDIES

This program encourages a love of reading in a unique way. Each kindergartener, first and second grader is paired up with a sixth, seventh or eighth grader, and, once a month, they meet during library class and take turns reading to their buddies. The little ones enjoy the attention from the older students and the older ones are wonderful role models. It is a privilege for me to witness the special bond that develops between the buddies throughout the year. Reading brings people together.

“Love of Reading Week” is celebrated during the first week in March. We fill the week with many fun activities for our students. Having a “celebrity reader” come to the children’s class is a special and rewarding experience for the reader and the listeners. Do we have any volunteers out there? I would also like to have a book swap during that week. If you have any other ideas that would promote reading, send me an email @ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . I would love to hear from you. Together we can encourage our children to pick up a book and truly enjoy the experience of reading!

In an effort to promote literacy in the larger community, St. Joseph School will participate in FIRST BOOK, a program that provides new books for the children of families in Sussex County who do not have the means to buy them. A donation of any amount of money would go directly towards the purchase of a brand new book for a needy child. This campaign will kick off during “Love of Reading Week “and run through the entire month of March. It’s a great way to bring the joy of reading to others less fortunate than ourselves.