Welcome to L.I.N.K.S.!

This page is designed:

• to introduce you to the materials available for use through the 2004 L.I.N.K.S. grant;

• to help you explore the database of titles in a way which meets your child’s interests or needs;

• to explain how the materials can be obtained and used.

Questions & Answers

What is L.I.N.K.S.?

What is the purpose of the L.I.N.K.S. grant?

What kinds of literacy materials are available?

What does the “reading level” of a book mean?

How do parents make selections from the collection?

What does the “topic” section of the database contain?

What does the “other information” section of the database mean?

Are there different titles in each school’s library?

How can I contact you?

What is L.I.N.K.S.?

L.I.N.K.S., an acronym for Literacy in Non-Fiction Knowledge Support, is a 2004-05 grant awarded to the four Mamaroneck elementary schools by the Mamaroneck Schools Foundation.  It is a district-wide collection of non-fiction resources, linked to the fourth- and fifth-grade science and social studies curriculum, and available for students, teachers and parents.

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What is the purpose of the L.I.N.K.S. grant?

 The grant has three goals:

• To support literacy-growth in 4^th and 5^th grade students who benefit from a variety of visual, printed and auditory learning materials, or who are ready to move into a more independent inquiry in non-fiction reading;
• To provide teachers with multiple-copy sets of materials which support the curriculum through guided reading instruction at a variety of reading levels;
• To offer parents an opportunity to support both classroom work and the interests and needs of their children through copies of the literacy materials, available for circulation through the school library.

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What kinds of literacy materials are available?

The L.I.N.K.S. collection includes:

• Short, high-interest multi-level books about
  • science and social studies topics covered in 4^th and 5^th grade
  • topics which build valuable background knowledge
• Short non-fiction books with audiocassette tapes
• Kid-friendly non-fiction magazines about curriculum topics
• Videotapes related to science and social studies studies curriculum

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What does the “reading level” of a book mean?

Many of the books in the L.I.N.K.S. collection have assigned reading levels, ranging from level J-X.  A level indicates the degree of difficulty of the book, based on the language structure, vocabulary, the amount of reader support given by pictures and other text features, as well as the complexity of concepts in the text. 

In the chart below you can see that ranges of reading levels overlap between grades, since reading skills develop at different rates. If your child is in 4^th grade, but struggles with reading, s/he might enjoy titles at Level L, M, or N.

  It helps children to read simpler books about difficult concepts, in order to build their understanding of the ideas in a reader-friendly text. Matching the reader to the text is not based on grade level, but rather on reader comfort. Choose a text based on your child’s needs and interests.  There are often several titles on the same topic, but written at a variety of levels.

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How do parents make selections from the collection?

Parents should browse through the collection.  You may select a link to view the entire collection of titles, or browse by grade level, curriculum topic or reading level.  There is even a section for magazines, videos or books and accompanying audiocassettes.

Some suggestions for choosing books include:

• Select titles which match the current science or social studies topic or ask your child’s teacher about upcoming units of study.  Choose a title which might build background knowledge for your child. 
   
• Select titles which might interest reluctant readers, or which might pique the curiosity of a more independent reader. All books are short, high-interest pieces which invite discussion.
   
• A teacher might also recommend reading a particular title which has been used in small group guided work, so that your child can reread it with you and discuss the information and/or reading strategies s/he is using.
   
• Visit your school library and browse through the L.I.N.K.S. collection.
   
• Once you have selected a title, go to the library, or ask your child to request the book from the librarian.  Each title is bar-coded, so it will be charged to your child’s “account” like other books in the library. Although there are three copies of most titles available for circulation, parents are encouraged to return the book in a timely fashion so that others may enjoy it.
   
• Read and enjoy it with your child.  Share his interest in the topic.  Praise her developing skills.  Plan activities which might further a budding interest in a topic. Show the value you place on knowledge and education.
   
• Note: Videos are kept in the teacher/student collection.  If you are interested in a particular video, please request it from your child’s teacher.

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What does the “topic” section of the database contain?

This category indicates either the specific unit of study included in the curriculum for your child’s grade, or “General Knowledge”.  General Knowledge includes books that broaden a child’s knowledge base, and were chosen for their high-interest content.

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What does the “other information” section of the database mean?

This field shows other useful information regarding the title.  For example, “+ audiocassette” indicates that an audiotape is included with the book so that the reader may listen to the text being read as he follows along in the book. This is an invaluable support for a struggling reader.

 “Fiction/Nonfiction” indicates that a title has two sections in the same book: a fictional story and a nonfiction story about related topics.

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Are there different titles in each school’s library?

The L.I.N.K.S. collections are identical in each of the four schools.  The collections offer equity and variety to each of our students.

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Contact us with questions or comments:

• L.I.N.K.S.-related: kenny@mamkschools.org or boyle@mamkschools.org

• Web-related: hess@mamkschools.org