RESEARCH PROJECTS

The 8th graders have finished research for their persuasive speeches and after spring break, the 7th graders begin researching careers. Their Introduction to Research is on Wednesday, April 4th. Soon the 6th graders will start their research project as well. The IMC staff tries to lay a good foundation for research by encouraging students to follow the IMC's Road Map listing all the resources available in an order that makes research easier. Each Road Map is styled to the specific project and introduces or reviews print and online materials available at Lakeview. For most projects the IMC has sufficient resources, but information is also sent to Indian Prairie, Woodridge, and Downers Grove Public Libraries so that those staffs are ready to assist our students. With the many online resources available, like magazines and newspapers, encyclopedias and reference books, research is so much easier than when most of us adults were doing it. Today's students will never realize how easy they have it!

Congratulations to the 7th grade social studies students, Mr. Little, and Mr. K for an outstanding History Fair. The IMC is proud to have helped with the research portion of this project.

THE WEEK BEFORE SPRING BREAK...

...is too busy and confusing to keep track of in my mind. I know that 8th grade language arts classes are researching for their persuasive speeches because I gave the Introduction to Research to those classes this Friday. Students will begin their research on Monday at the Reference Tables and continue through the week. IMC computers are being used by 6th grade language arts, 7th grade advanced language arts, and 6th grade health classes at various times throughout the week. Similarly laptops are reserved for 8th grade language arts, 6th grade health, and 7th grade math throughout the week. With all the twists and turns and cross usage, it would be impossible to know what's happening with out the IMC Reservation Books!

ISAT Testing Finishes

ISAT Testing for this year will finish Monday, March 12th, with make-up testing throughout the rest of the week. The IMC returns to a busy schedule with computers reserved on Tuesday for 6th grade language arts, on Wednesday for P.E., on Thursday for 7th grade advance language arts, and Friday for 6th grade language arts and 7th grade advanced language arts. Laptops will be used by 7th grade social studies on Monday and Wednesday, and by 8th grade language arts on Wednesday also. There is 8th grade book checkout on Thursday. The table area has been reserved for 8th grade social studies Monday through Wednesday. On Friday I will give 8th grade language arts students an introduction to research for their persuasive speech project.

The IMC staff is encouraged by Hunter Himes's progress. Please keep him and his family in your thoughts.

ISAT Testing

The week ahead is very short -- only Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. During that time all grades will be taking the ISAT tests, the Illinois Standard Achievement Tests. Testing occurs during the first three periods of the day. Then the rest of the day will occur in a rotation that ensures that the same periods are not missed every day. So far the IMC has a very quiet schedule -- computers are only reserved on Thursday for the 8th grade math classes. Laptops will be used in 7th grade social studies to continue work on the History Fair projects. This should leave time for Mrs. Wilson to scan the library collection for inventory and for me to continue working on new books. After the very busy schedule this week both on computers and with book checkout (everyone seemed to need a book to read during testing), we librarians will definitely appreciate the quiet of next week.