Library

Library - Kindergarten through Sixth Grade

The Highland Catholic School library program is to ensure that the learning community of students, teachers and parents are effective users of ideas and information. For students in grades K-6, the library program offers a weekly story time and book checkout period. Library instruction is designed to provide the skills, experience and confidence that will enable students to use libraries for lifelong learning and enjoyment. All students, K-8, have flexible access to the library facility and materials. The school librarian works closely with classroom teachers to locate resources that support all areas of the curriculum.

The library program nurtures lifelong independent learning. As the amount of information available continues to grow, a strong school library program is essential to help its users acquire the skills needed to use information competently and to contribute to the community.

Our library is a center for learning, research, study, and fostering the love of reading.  In addition to checking out books for reading at home, students participate in a well-developed library curriculum including exploring the library through basic circulation procedures and literature appreciation, book care, recognizing the difference between fiction and nonfiction, and award winning books!  Second graders review the above, and have instruction including one-on-one tutoring to learn the computer catalog.  The third grade adds an introduction to the biography section to the above areas of instruction.  In fourth grade, students learn the Search Plus Computer screen and understanding and using the Dewey Decimal System.  Literature appreciation focuses on noteworthy authors and illustrators, Newbery Award Winners, and Caldecott Award Winners.  Fifth and sixth graders are introduced to basic Reference Materials in book and online formats with ELM (Electronic Library of Minnesota) reference resource being highlighted.  As a continuation of literature appreciation, we hold a mock Newbery and Caldecott award review. 

Yearly efforts are made to bring children's authors and illustrators to Highland Catholic School to help students understand that "real people" create books.