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Library Media Tech: Literacy, Digital Citizenship, and Innovation

Library Media DASH Robots

At Sherman School, the Library Media Tech program is a modern, collaborative hub where curiosity meets innovation. We recognize that the definition of "literacy" has evolved. To succeed in the 21st century, students must not only love reading but also know how to navigate, evaluate, and create information within an increasingly complex digital landscape.

Our integrated curriculum explicitly blends foundational library and research methods with critical digital citizenship and advanced technology skills, preparing students to be ethical, savvy, and creative media consumers and creators.

Our Exciting Transition: Connecting to Our Community

Sherman School is currently undergoing a major building renovation! While we are operating out of our temporary school footprint, our program has found creative, impactful ways to keep library literacy vibrant.

  • Sherman Public Library Partnerships: To ensure students maintain direct access to physical stacks, research archives, and community literacy programs, our Library Media Specialist has intentionally integrated walking field trips and collaborative visits to the Sherman Public Library directly into our weekly curriculum.

  • Looking Ahead to January 2027: This bridge to our town library perfectly prepares our students for the future. When we officially move back into our main school building in January 2027, our students will step into a completely renovated, state-of-the-art Library Media Center designed specifically for 21st-century research, collaboration, and STEAM innovation.

Three Pillars of Our Media Curriculum

Library Media Teacher

Our program is intentionally structured around three intersecting domains that build in complexity from Kindergarten through Grade 8:

1. Library & Literacy Foundations

We cultivate a lifelong love of reading while teaching the mechanical architecture of information search. Students learn to:

  • Navigate library organization systems to locate print and digital materials independently.

  • Explore a rich variety of literary genres to broaden their perspectives and reading preferences.

  • Practice foundational research skills, learning how to formulate search queries and cross-reference sources.

2. Critical Digital Citizenship

As students spend more time interacting online, we equip them with the ethical frameworks needed to navigate digital spaces safely. Our units focus on:

Online Safety & Privacy: Protecting personal data and understanding the permanence of a "digital footprint."

Media Literacy: Evaluating online sources for bias, accuracy, and credibility—learning to distinguish fact from misinformation.

Cyberbullying & Digital Well-being: Practicing empathy online and understanding when to unplug for a healthy balance.

Library Media Robotics

3. Technology & Innovation Skills

Students transition from passive consumers of technology to active creators and innovators. Using a variety of hardware and software tools, students explore:

Keyboarding & Productivity: Mastering core software applications for writing, data organization, and presentations.

Coding & Computational Thinking: Developing logic and problem-solving skills through introductory programming and robotics blocks.

Digital Media Production: Synthesizing their learning by creating original digital content, including podcasts, videos, and graphic designs.

Partnering at Home: Tips for Families

  • Visit the Town Library Together: Keep up the momentum from our school visits! Stop by the Sherman Public Library as a family to grab library cards, check out books, and explore community events.

  • Talk About Online Safety: Have open conversations about the apps, games, and websites your child visits. Create shared family agreements regarding screen time and digital boundaries.

  • Question the Source: When reading an interesting fact or story online together, ask your child: "Who wrote this, and how do we know we can trust this information?"