Wood River Middle School Media Center

Summer Reading Lists for 2012-2013 School Year

6th Grade Summer Reading List

7th Grade Summer Reading List

8th Grade Summer Reading List

Young Reader's Choice Awards Party

Thirty-three of our students earned the right to vote for this year's Young Reader's Choice Award winner from eight nominated books.  Each of these students read and quizzed on at least four of the books to qualify and enjoyed pizza, ice cream, and the chance to win raffle prizes at the voting party.  The students were able to vote in authentic voting booths provided by the county clerk and submit their ballots in an authentic ballot box.  The Maze Runner by James Dashner received the most votes.  Mrs. Boesch will submit the students' votes to the Pacific Northwest Library Association who administers the award.  Once all votes are gathered, PLNA will announce the award winners.  Thanks to all the students who participated!

Students Inspired by Acclaimed Author


Amelia Anderson watches Lois Lowry sign her book as other students wait to get autographs from the acclaimed author.

Wood River Middle School students met acclaimed author Lois Lowry on Thursday, November 3rd.  Before speaking to the entire student body, she held a book signing in the library.  Students eagerly lined up to have their books autographed by the author. 

Lowry's books are widely read among teens and pre-teens.  The Giver is on the required reading list for 7th grade, and teachers Scott Chaffin and Donna McKelvey are using Lowry's presentation as inspiration for several Language Arts projects.  In Mrs. McKelvey's 7th grade Language Arts class, students make illustrations, timelines, and venn diagrams based on The Giver.  With the book's background established in 7th grade, Mr. Chaffin uses the book at the beginning of the year in 8th grade to review concepts such as variations to plot, conflict, setting, etc. 

Lois Lowry has written over 20 novels, including two Newbery Medal Award winners.  She is known for tackling a number of topics in her literature including adoption, mental illness, cancer, the Holocaust and futuristic societies.  Whatever the theme, Lowry portrays realistic life experiences to her audience.  Her books throw characters and readers into many thought-provoking situations, compelling young adult readers to confront society with all of its imperfections.

Lois Lowry reads from one of her books during her presentation to the WRMS student body.

Books!  Books!  Books!

Renaissance Home Connect is now Available

Renaissance Home Connect is a great way to monitor and encourage your child's reading.  It provides parents and guardians with a snapshot of a child's reading progress, including average percent correct on quizzes, number of points earned, and results on the last quiz.  Home Connect also allows you the opportunity to automatically receive emails about your student's progress in reading each time he or she takes an Accelerated Reader quiz.  You can also call or email Susan Tabor Boesch, our teacher Librarian at 578-5030 Ext. 2323 or stabor-boesch
@blaineschools.org

All About Our Library

The Wood River Middle School Library occupies a central location and serves as an information hub for our school, supporting the reading and research needs of our students. The Library is automated, with full Internet access connected to electronic reference databases, as well as an interlibrary loan system.  Library holdings total over 17,000 items and include a large library of pleasure reading, as well as information and reference resources, both hard copy and electronic.  We feature a collection of hundreds of full-text audio books in multiple formats, allowing students to improve reading skills by reading and listening at the same time.  The library also houses the School District's Audio-Visual Media Collection.

The library features a spacious floor plan with comfortable seating for reading and lounging, an instructional area under the skylight, a separate reference area with up-to-date networked computers, and study areas for extra quiet and privacy.

Susan Tabor Boesch, Media Specialist, manages the library with the assistance of our paraprofessional aide Laura Heather, student aides, and parent volunteers.

A large part of the collection is devoted to the Accelerated Reader Program.  During our first two years using the Accelerated Reader Program, students who participated were able to make big increases in their reading levels and skills.  Students are able to earn reading points to improve their grades in Language Arts classes and to "spend" in our new Accelerated Reader store.  Susan Tabor Boesch or any of the Language Arts teachers would be happy to explain the specifics of the program to you.

The Blaine County School District Media Collection is housed in our facility and provides easy access for our staff to a collection of over 2,300 pieces of audio-visual media, including a library of over 1,000 videos.

Parent volunteers help by organizing an annual Book Fair, keeping the book collection in order, checking the validity of Internet resources, doing electronic data entry, and helping with the Accelerated Reader Store.