LIBRARY/MEDIA 

OVERVIEW 

Number of faculty: Five 

Library instruction at St. James Academy emphasizes the appreciation of literature and reading and the development of skills that allow students to become effective users of ideas and information. Students are encouraged to make use of resources for recreational purposes and academic needs. The program integrates with the classroom curriculum and provides enrichment activities that include author visits, media production, and participation in Maryland state award programs. 

Teachers in Kindergarten through Fifth Grades may schedule additional time in the media center to facilitate classroom instruction as needed. Middle School students make use of the library facility on a flexible schedule as coordinated by subject area teachers and the library staff. Guided activities require students to locate, evaluate, and manage both print and electronic sources. 

Eighth Grade students participate in a Research class for one trimester. The class meets three times per week for 45 minute periods. As a culminating activity, students write a formal research paper on an approved topic of their choice. Students then prepare an oral presentation incorporating visual aids for presentation to teachers, parents, and peers. 

GOALS: KINDERGARTEN -GRADE EIGHT 

Students will: 

• Develop an appreciation for literature;
• Develop lifelong reading, listening, and viewing habits;
• Select reading material to support individual interests and classroom assignments;
• Access print and electronic resources;
• Demonstrate effective and ethical use of print and non-print resources;
• Evaluate and select media for a specific need;
• Retrieve and organize information from a variety of sources;
• Communicate information through print and non-print media.