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Resources and lessons

Library Detectives: The Case of the Missing Books

​Students became "Library Detectives" in this interactive lesson designed to teach them how to navigate the fiction section of the library. Working in teams, students learned how fiction books are organized by genre using color-coded labels, how call numbers help identify a book's location on the shelf, and how barcodes are used to confirm the correct title. Through a hands-on mystery challenge, students followed clues to locate "missing" books and practiced returning them to their proper place in the collection. By the end of the lesson, students were able to independently find and reshelve fiction books while gaining confidence in exploring the library's diverse genres.

Skills Learned:

  • Identifying fiction genres using color-coded labels

  • Reading and interpreting fiction call numbers

  • Locating books independently on library shelves

  • Understanding the purpose of barcodes in library systems

  • Practicing teamwork, problem-solving, and library citizenship

  • Navigating a bilingual library environment with English and Spanish resources

This lesson supports information literacy, library orientation, and independent reading by helping students become confident users of the library collection.

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  • CRAAP Method: Becoming Smart Researchers

  • Students in grades 6–8 explored how to identify trustworthy information online using the CRAAP Method—Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose. Through a guided lesson focused on researching historical figures from the Harlem Renaissance, students learned how to evaluate websites for credibility and determine whether a source is appropriate for academic research. The lesson also compared the use of Google searches with academic databases such as Gale, helping students understand the benefits and limitations of each research tool. By examining real examples, students practiced distinguishing between reliable and unreliable sources and developed the critical thinking skills needed to navigate today's digital information landscape.

  • Skills Learned:

  • Applying the CRAAP Method to evaluate online sources

  • Identifying credible and authoritative information

  • Comparing search engine results with academic database resources

  • Recognizing bias, misinformation, and unsupported claims

  • Conducting effective research using Gale and other library databases

  • Strengthening digital literacy and critical thinking skills

  • This lesson supports college and career readiness by teaching students how to locate, evaluate, and use high-quality information for research projects and everyday decision-making.




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