Alaska Bush Library Service

Today is the day of my first school trip.  I am on my way to Gambell.  I will be there until Saturday and then move onto Savoonga.  Usually I only go out for a week at a time.  I am trying something new this year.  The cost for going to the island is so much more than anywhere else so I want to stay for two weeks and get more bang for my buck.  I will work through the weekend in Savoonga because their library program needs some loving care right now.  Savoonga’s library aide works hard, but he only gets one and half hours a day.  I am impressed with him that he sees all of the elementary students in a week’s time.  They are due to get a new school in two years.  Until then they are pressed for space.  The library is used as a classroom in the mornings.   I will also be implementing Accelerated Reader in the school.  Hopefully, all of this along with working with students will get done in seven days time.

I know I will achieve my goals in Gambell.  I will work with the library aide and with classrooms of students to cover the topic of online research skills.  My special lesson this year is one involving Jelly Belly’s.  I have a movie of how the candy is made, guides for what kind of Jelly Belly the student has, and best of all - two pounds of Jelly Bellies per school.  I think this will be a fun lesson.  The purpose of the lesson is notetaking from movies.