Field trips, free books and new friendships

WHEN GILROY PREP School teacher, Jessie Hill, along with her mom, Karen Hill, moved to town three years ago, her first stop was the Gilroy library, where she met Supervising librarian, Sharon Kelly.
“She’s actually the first person I met in Gilroy,” Hill said.
When she found out that Kelly offered student field trips to the library, she immediately signed up. It’s become a regular part of her curriculum.
“We’ve done it three times now, and it’s been a wonderful experience every time.” Hill said.
The first 9 weeks in third grade, called a unit, is all about reading around the world, and how kids access books. Hill felt the culmination of her first unit should end with a field trip.
“The kids get to see the library, and meet Kelly,” Hill said, “and that becomes a wonderful resource for the rest of the year.”
What Hill enjoys are the kids’ explanations to those first timers to the library, who are unfamiliar with how the library works.
“No it’s free, they’re free books,” Hill’s heard her students say. “And then you take them back, and get more free books,” Hill adds, laughing.
An important advantage for a number of Hill’s students each year who’s reading levels far exceed their age, is once again, Kelly. At times the content of the advanced reader may not always be appropriate for their age. Hill will refer them to Kelly for help in selecting books more appropriate for their age, as well as their reading level.
“Because she knows every children’s book ever written,” Hill said of her favorite librarian.
For those reluctant readers, Kelly is equally helpful, suggesting books that speak to their interests, which in turn are more engaging, and encourage reading.
This year’s field trip was an especially memorable one for the third grade teacher, because of the impact it had on one particular student.
This student had met with difficult challenges, “personally, academically, and health wise,” Hill explained.
Already a library regular, the student knew Kelly, and the other librarians, and was very familiar with how everything worked at the library, so when Hill announced the field trip he was more than excited.
“He felt like he got to explain the library to everybody else, that was a really neat experience for him,” Hill said.
“He doesn’t always get to connect with his peers, so this was his chance to sort of show off, and be advanced, and be the cool kid.”
For more information about Gilroy library’s events and programs consult the website at www.sccl.org/gilroy.
Reading together helps a child develop a love of reading, increases their vocabulary and knowledge of the world, and encourages imaginative thinking.
Before you begin a new book, look at the front cover and ask your child
to predict what the story is about. Leave through the book together and
have your child tell you the story based only on the illustrations. Then
read the book and discuss what you’ve learned from the story.
As you read, stop and ask your child the five “W” questions. What do you think will happen next? Why? Where is the story taking place? When? Who in the story would you like as a friend? Why? —www.sccl.org/gilroy