Library
Welcome to The Friends School of Atlanta Library
The school library is open Tuesday through Thursday. Our mission is to provide print and electronic resources for reading, learning and research projects.
FSA Catalog Search
Search our collection of more than 3500 items.
alt="World Book Web"> To use World Book Online from home, students will need login and password information. See the librarian or contact us.
Media Lab Resources
The FSA Media Center affirms the mission of FSA and the value of broad access to information for our students. We aim to provide a wide and diverse range of learning and reading resources of varied levels and points of view, encouraging students to be skeptical information consumers practiced in making informed judgements. Selection of a work does not constitute agreement with the content. Currently, the library specifically targets the student population and teachers relying on the main library for their curriculum needs.
Useful Links
Directories
These directories are good starting points for beginning internet researchers. Reviewed by teachers and librarians, they provide safe reliable results that are relevant and appropriate for elementary and middle school students.
4-2 Explore. Starting points and links organized by popular report topics
ALA Great Websites for Kids. American Library Association compilation of outstanding websites for children
Cybrarian. Educational links for grades 3 through 8.
ipl2 for Kids. Solid educational links and "Ask an ipl2 Librarian" public service
Online Reference Shelf
BibMe. An online tool that helps students create a bibliography
BAM! Body and Mind. Foods, fitness, diseases and more from the CDC
CIA Fact Book. Brief facts about world countries, including flags and maps
Fact Monster. An online almanac, dictionary, encyclopedia and thesaurus. Reliable information from Pearson Education resources (Information Please), but annoying ads
Kids.gov. Links to many government and nonprofit sites, organized by grade level
Smithsoian Education Students. Resources for history, science and world cultures
Word Central. Online dictionary and interactive word games from Merriam-Webster
Internet Safety
The Internet is a wonderful resource: a place to find information, keep up with friends, and network. It also poses dangers for the unwary. We urge you to discuss Internet safety with your student. If your student has been a victim of an Internet crime, he (or she) is not alone, and needs help. It is important to speak with a trusted adult about the incident.
Please stress to your student to be vigilant, and wary of contacts from unknown people.
Good safety resources include:
- Facebook's Family Safety Center is a good resource for safety on social networking sites.
- Wired Safety's Youth Page. Wired Safety is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that was established in 1995. It provides one-on-one help, information and education through the website and through volunteers. It serves as the umbrella for Teen Angels. It partnered with Marvel Entertainment to produce the first Internet safety comic, Internet Super Heroes Meet the Internet Villains. The organization also provides resources to help educate law enforcement officers on Internet safety issues. It is headed by Parry Aftab, security expert and lawyer who authored the books, The Parents Guide to the Internet and Internet Safety 1-2-3, and the Stop Cyberbullying! guide.
- NetSmartz. NetSmartz is the educational program of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. It provides age-appropriate information and resources to help keep kids safe both online and offline. The program is designed for kids aged 5–17, parents, educators and law enforcement officers. Its resources include videos, games, etc. to engage interest while they teach.
Tips
Public Library Cards
All students should get a library card from their local county library. A public library account entitles students to access many high-quality online subscription resources and databases. For more information about obtaining a library card and required login information, contact the library system for the county in which you live.
Choosing a Book—for Kids
Five Finger Method. Select a book you think you would like to read. Open it up in the middle and start reading. Each time you come to a word you don’t know, hold a finger up. If you have all five fingers up before you get to the end of the page the book is probably too difficult. If you have no fingers raised when you finish the page the book may be too easy for you.
Goldilocks Method. If your answer is yes to all three questions below, the book is probably too easy.
- Have you read it lots of times before?
- Do you know the story and vocabulary very well?
- Can you read the text smoothly, almost from memory?
If your answer is yes to all three questions below, the book is probably too hard.
- Are there more than five words on a page you don’t know?
- Are you confused about what is happening in the book most of the time?
- Does it sound choppy when you read out loud?
If your answer is yes to all three questions below, the book is probably just right.
- Is the book new to you?
- Do you understand most of the book?
- Are there just a few words on each page you don’t know?
Choosing a Book—for Parents
- Visit your public library and read to your child often.
- Allow your child’s interests and preferences to guide book selection.
- Try something new once and a while.
- Ask your friends and teachers for book recommendations.
- Use book lists generated by various literacy organizations such as the American Library Association, International Reading Association, or Capitol Choices.