Media Center

Welcome to the Media Center
The staff of the Palos East Media Center are dedicated to providing valuable information and resources to all the students of Palos East from kindergarten through 5th grade and beyond. Our goal is to not only create a welcoming environment that invites students to become better readers but also strives to spark their curiosity and create a love of learning.

This year students will visit the library once a week with their class.  During this time students will check out a book and participate in a media lesson.  Media lessons may focus on digital literacy, fostering a love of reading, developing research skills, and/or reinforcing grade level ELA standards.  

Check out  Destiny Discover!
Palos East now has access to ebooks and digital audiobooks through Destiny Discover. These books can be read online or downloaded on most computers or tablet devices. Students login with their ClassLink username and password.

Mrs. Curran, Media Specialist

Mrs. Curran has been the Media Specialist at Palos East since 2006. Prior joining District 118 she worked for ten years in public and academic libraries. If you need to contact Mrs. Curran, you may send her a message in Seesaw, email her at gcurran@palos118.org or leave her a voice message at 708-448-1084 x3507.

 

Links

 

Reading

• Tumblebooks is an online animated collection of talking picture books! These books are great for students in kindergarten through third grade.
• Starfall.com is a website to help kindergarteners through second graders to become better readers.
• Destiny Discover is a collection of online books that support the curriculum at Palos East. This site was formerly known as Follett Shelf. Please contact the Media Center for the username & password.
• PebbleGo contains basic information about animals that is just right for our younger elementary students. Please contact the Media Center for the username & password.
• Storyline Online is sponsored by the Screen Actors Guild Foundation. Here you can listen to celebrities read stories to you.
• Toon Book Reader allows you to read or listen to toon books. This site is geared toward students in grades K-2.

Online Magazines

• Time for Kids is a great site K-5 students to read about the current events and our world. This is a fabulous site for nonfiction lovers.
• Ranger Rick and Ranger Rick Jr. have interesting articles about wildlife.
• Sports Illustrated for Kids is a must read for sports fans.
• National Geographic Kids is a website that is full of interesting facts about nature and our world.

Typing Practice

• Dance Mat Typing is a great site to help you become a super typist. This site is for people who do not know how to type or are still learning to type.
• TypingGames.Zone offers a variety of games to practice your typing. This site is for people who already know how to type.

Reference Resources

• CIA World Factbook contains information about the countries of the world.
• Merriam-Webster Dictionary and Thesaurus is a great site to help you with definitions, pronunciations, and synonyms.

Coding

• Code Studio allows users to learn the fundamentals of coding. It is designed for ages 4-18. All activities can be completed without registering. With parental permission, students may register for an account which will track their progress.

Graphics

• American Memory was created by the Library of Congress. The vast collection includes photos from the Chicago Daily News from 1902-1933.
• U.S. History Images contains pictures that relate to U.S. history. It currently specializes in Native American history and the explorers.

Bluestems
Grades 3-5
The Bluestem is the Illinois' Grade 3-5 Readers' Choice Award. Students who read more than four books will be eligible to vote for their favorite Bluestem title. When students finish a nominee they should report to Mrs. Curran. Here is a list of the 2022 Bluestem nominees. The program ends in mid-March 2022.

Rebecca Caudills
Grades 4-5
The Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award is an annual award given to the author of the book voted most outstanding by students in grades four through eight in participating Illinois schools. The award is named in honor of Rebecca Caudill who lived and wrote in Urbana, Illinois, for nearly 50 years. The students have been challenged to read the books that are appropriate for their grade level. Students who read at least three books will be eligible to vote for their favorite book.  When students finish a book they should report to Mrs. Curran. Here is a list of the 2022 Rebecca Caudill nominees. The program ends in mid-February 2022.

Fourth and fifth grade students who earn both a Bluestem and a Caudill ballot will be invited to our end of the year reading celebration.

Third grade students who read seven Bluestem nominees will be invited to our end of the year reading celebration.

Fourth and fifth grade students who read 20 or more Caudill and/or Bluestem titles will receive a medal!

 

Checking Out Books

Students are currently able to check out one book at a time.

If you have books at home from last year or the year before, please send them to school with your child.   

Lost or Damaged Books
Students who lose or damage books beyond repair will be charged the replacement cost of the book. Parents may give permission for their children to check out more books while lost books are being looked for by contacting Mrs. Curran. Bills for a lost or damaged books will be sent home upon request or at the end of each quarter.