Media Center Planning Calendar for teachers
Our Media Center
The Heard County Middle School Media Center serves students in grades 6-8. Students are able to choose and reserve books from our media center collection at school or from any remote computer connected to the Internet. Reviews, book covers, Lexile reading scores and Accelerated Reader points are available in our automated card catalog. Students are invited to participate in Teen Read Week, Read Across America, Book Fairs and other events throughout the year.
We encourage each student to research and learn facts. We want each student to find joy in reading about topics that interests them. Patrons will locate, evaluate and use resources comfortably, correctly and legally. We want them to become independent learners and be active participants in 21st Century Society. New students should listen to rules and procedures by viewing the orientation movie.
We are committed to keeping our collection up to date and vital to patron needs. A book is not useful if its facts are no longer true. As stated in our Media Center Handbook, we purchase materials carefully by using professional resources, such as websites and journal reviews. Patrons (teachers, students, parents) may submit suggestions and needs through our wish list folder, needs assessment, email or through face to face conversations with the media specialist. Teachers are encouraged to collaborate with the media specialist to help students succeed during research projects. The media specialist will implement national technology standards, visual and information literacy skills and assist with finding the best learning style for student researchers.
Glovis South is the media specialist and Janet Scott is media assistant.
We live in a world driven by rapidly changing technology in a media-driven environment. We have access to an abundance of information, rapid changes in technology tools and the ability to collaborate and make individual contributions on an unprecendented scale. Effective citizens and workers must be able to exhibit a range of functional and critical thinking skills, such as:
Information Literacy
Media Literacy
ICT (Information, Communications and Technology) Literacy
--Partnership for 21st Century Learning Skills
I will be inviting small groups of students (reading comprehension achievements, teacher and administrative recommendations...) for a taste of hot chocolate and technology. Students will be given a pre-quiz on what they know about technology and Information Literacy. Together, we will use iPads, Smart Pens and the Internet to discover 21st Century learning skills. --GS
"xtranormal" visitors invite students to the cafe.
Reading and Renaissance Place
Students at HCMS may access Accelerated Reader quizzes, Star Testing, Accelerated Math and other reading products through Renaissance Place Real Time. RP is part of Renaissance Learning web-based software. Surpass Web Safari is the automated library system for HCMS. Students, who have requested their unique codes, may reserve books from any web-based computer through this website. 
Crazy hats for Red Ribbon Week @Bravesread!