Academics
Lower School (Preschool - Grade 5)

Library

In today’s world, students are increasingly surrounded by images, videos, multimedia presentations and print resources, all of which shape their views of themselves, the people with whom they interact, and the places around them. At Kew-Forest, we teach students how to access, interpret, analyze, navigate, and communicate using the many different types of print and digital resources available.
 
Our Upper and Lower School libraries integrate both technology and library resources. There are more than 8,000 print titles in the collection, and students have access to an array of electronic resources. The Upper and Lower School Libraries were developed to integrate technology and library resources and underwent significant updates in 2012. The Kew-Forest Library collection has more than 8,000 print titles and access to electronic resources. 

List of 3 items.

  • ECD and Kindergarten

    At this early stage of learning, our Lower School Library provides an important introduction to the world of print and digital knowledge, and our Library classes are designed to inspire a love of books and reading. Students meet each week to participate in interactive storytelling and are encouraged to check out books. Library lessons and activities include how to choose and care for a book, how the library is organized, and the difference between fiction and nonfiction books.

  • First Grade and Second Grade

    In first grade, a typical class includes interactive storytelling and an opportunity to explore and check out library books. The focus is on building independence in locating library resources, learning how to organize information (alphabetically), comparing different authors and illustrators, and choosing “best-fit” books. 
     
    Starting in second grade, students are encouraged to become more independent in using the library. Students are allowed to check out books from each section of the library when it is presented during library lessons, and our library lessons continue to develop a love of books, reading, and finding information. Library lessons and activities include how to choose the right book for you, how to find information using nonfiction books, different genres of literature, how books are organized using the Dewey Decimal System.

  • Third, Fourth and Fifth Grade

    In third grade, the Library program focuses on building basic library skills, as well as continuing to foster a love of shared and independent reading. Students learn the Dewey Decimal System, develop basic research strategies, and use the electronic card catalog. Students also become active storytellers by sharing favorite stories with their peers during story time, creating their own electronic books, and working hard to maintain an assigned section of the library by shelving and organizing books. 
     
    Library lessons and activities include choosing a book using our online card catalog, learning how to search for resources using the Internet, and reviewing different genres of literature and the ten sections of the library. Students are encouraged to explore various sections of the library to choose books that appeal to their own individual reading needs.
     
    In fourth and fifth grades, the Library program continues to focus on building basic library skills, as well as fostering a love of shared and independent reading. Students learn the Dewey Decimal System, develop basic research strategies, and use the electronic card catalog. Students also become active storytellers and work hard to maintain an assigned section of the library by shelving and organizing books. Library lessons and activities include a basic review of general reference materials using print and online databases, how to take good notes, and different types of nonfiction books.

The Kew-Forest School

119-17 Union Turnpike
Forest Hills, NY 11375
(718) 268-4667
The oldest independent school in the borough of Queens, The Kew-Forest School is an independent co-educational, college preparatory school for students in Preschool through Grade 12.