tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15226939139705335842024-02-19T07:05:36.011-08:00check it out!Read. Connect. Create. Share.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger117125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522693913970533584.post-71776859824714472272016-03-18T13:09:00.002-07:002016-03-18T13:09:20.937-07:00STEM Superpowers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522693913970533584.post-55888443576749919022014-11-09T15:53:00.000-08:002014-11-09T16:43:57.442-08:00Maker Space Magic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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"Learning is experience. Everything else is just information." </div>
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~ Albert Einstein. </div>
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"I never thought I'd say this but I don't want to leave school! I just want to keep on making stuff!" </div>
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~Arial, 5th grade.<br />
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"I learned something new today!"<br />
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The Maker Movement is a BIG idea in school library media right now and in education in general. I have watched the MAGIC of maker spaces happen right before my eyes over the past few months. I've placed a few pop up maker spaces such as <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=snap-circuits&tag=googhydr-20&index=toys-and-games&hvadid=29648300947&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5667129536665595507&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_96tymh8zlc_e" target="_blank">snap circuits</a> or Legos paired with the Lego movie maker app in library centers each week. I expected these to be popular centers (and they were!) but I was surprised at how they also drew students into the media center for "how to" books and books about electricity, art and building.<br />
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I've been following this maker movement for a while now from educator gurus on Twitter, school library media conference sessions and numerous articles in <a href="http://www.slj.com/search-results/?q=maker%20movement" target="_blank">School Library Journal</a> and other sources. I've found numerous creative and useful ideas for creating maker spaces on <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/bennettrebecca/maker-spaces/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>.<br />
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When the reading committee at my school was trying to plan a meaningful reward for students who met their reading goals. We knew a Maker Day would be the perfect fit! Our students are so often have to follow formats and formulas that they just don't have many opportunities to create and work on projects that inspire them to learn something new.<br />
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Creative thinking is a life skill that is often missed when standardized tests drive curriculum. The Maker Movement recognizes the potential of empowering our students to dream, design, build and create. More and more careers require creative thinking and authentic problem solving skills. What better way to nurture life long learners than by providing resources for them to do just that!<br />
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We named our maker day "Creating Coast to Coast" in keeping with our year long theme, "Read Around the World in 180 Days." We asked for donations for supplies from parents and staff and purchased the remaining needed supplies knowing that what ever was left over would go towards a more permanent maker space in our school.<br />
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As the big day approached, students viewed a short video about the maker spaces so they could make informed decisions when they signed up for their favorites.<br />
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<b>Student Choices for Maker Day:</b><br />
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<b>Design Lab: </b>Design your own jewelry, paper crafts or paper airplanes, craft with duct tape or try your hand at interior design using templates and graph paper. <br />
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<b>Construction Zone:</b> Use building blocks and other materials to build your dream house, bridges, sky scrapers and more!<br />
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<b>Digital Maker Space and Tinker Lab: </b>Use online resources to create your own digital projects OR use tools to take apart a real computer and other equipment.<br />
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<b>Knitting: </b>Use yarn, knitting needles or looms to learn basic skills needed to make a hat or scarf.<br />
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<b>Litter Bugs and Marble Run: </b>Use recycled materials to create something new OR design and test a marble run or maze using recycled materials.<br />
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<b>Art Studio: </b>Use paints and brushes and paper to create your own master piece while listening to music. Then join the gang to make a collaborative masterpiece on canvas to display in our school.<br />
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<b>Photography and Movie Making: </b>Join the paparazzi as we take pictures and video around the school. Use iPads to create a photo collage or iMovie. OR make your own miniature movie set using plastic creatures and <a href="https://www.fatbraintoys.com/toy_companies/waba_fun_llc/kinetic_sand_22_lb.cfm" target="_blank">kinetic sand</a> and direct your own movie.<br />
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Kindergarten students who signed up for movie making used kinetic sand in a large plastic container and plastic animals, trees and rocks to create their own movie set and story about two liztards, Lizard Jane and Lou Lou, and one creepy spider who became friends. They filmed and edited their movie on the iPad using iMovie.<br />
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The maker spaces worked their magic inspiring students to think outside the box, explore new ideas, problem solve and ask questions. Of course, the most frequent question of the day was, "When can we do this again?"<br />
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Maker Spaces do not have to happen all in one day, but when they do, it's maker MAGIC! Starting with a maker day was a great way to introduce the concept of maker spaces to our students and faculty. The maker day helped build excitement and ideas for the design and implementation of our future school maker space. Until then, mini maker spaces will continue to "pop up" in the media center for students to explore before school and during library centers.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522693913970533584.post-46948493963010212152014-09-01T14:43:00.000-07:002014-09-01T14:43:12.719-07:00Birthday Book Wagon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4lxtYHfNu_dYRNaWa4pjc5_jROiMLzCRNJMUlVI5myoG2itMMPSAG1KfFnX3JFlJYwS3ARlZ0NcPOJ3A4irHtv3vAp6y2JCn4T4QOrwoLQ1s_MQSnT801KL0ENsIGdn6blh5QIRJnVms/s1600/1457485_566864393383172_1311937656_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4lxtYHfNu_dYRNaWa4pjc5_jROiMLzCRNJMUlVI5myoG2itMMPSAG1KfFnX3JFlJYwS3ARlZ0NcPOJ3A4irHtv3vAp6y2JCn4T4QOrwoLQ1s_MQSnT801KL0ENsIGdn6blh5QIRJnVms/s1600/1457485_566864393383172_1311937656_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Seeing the desperate need for my students to have books of their very own, I decided to take every opportunity to put free books in their hands throughout the school year. Last year with the assistance of teachers, parents and friends, we collected new and gently used books from the community to give to students on their birthdays. I made a colorful birthday sign using the fabulous free graphics from mycutegraphics.com and wha-la! Our first Birthday Book Wagon was ready to roll!<br />
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You can download a copy of my sign from my <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Birthday-Books-Sign-1426387" target="_blank">TeachersPayTeachers store</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Birthday-Books-Sign-1426387" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt=" Free download of this sign at TpT" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPcou363grazEWAZ6VeT3vtpgfHIGU8bHaFIMRLUKTRGTlrHMg-Lv-8qd_nV3jDn1r463JU7K_24wBsaGR1YJ6evn3aluZPoCNf87VzW0xY23k5NC019yXgCDo3TkdI5r-rhn_E7Yt7GM/s1600/Birthday+Books.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522693913970533584.post-59487144130811573132014-08-15T13:09:00.003-07:002014-08-15T13:10:42.681-07:00Going Global!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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Our school is going with a global theme this year so I decided to tag along for the ride with our school wide reading promotion. It really is a great theme for a reading promotion as reading really does take you just about anywhere.<br />
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Over the summer I met with a group of fabulous teachers and administrators who form our school literacy committee to plan out our reading goals and promotions for the year. More on that later...<br />
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To get things started for our global focus I made this info graphic using a free app I just discovered called <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/i-visual-info-touch-lite/id664653480?mt=8" target="_blank">iVi Touch Lite</a> that provides tools to make crisp looking info graphics in a snap.<br />
Check it out!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522693913970533584.post-159005997835869282013-01-16T10:39:00.000-08:002013-01-16T10:39:00.625-08:00Common Core ResourcesCheck out Scholastic's new resource for teachers: <a href="http://www.scholastic.com/commoncore/common-core-free-resources.htm" target="_blank">Common Sense for the Common Core</a>. You'll find booklists for nonfiction texts and literature that support the Common Core, teaching tips, links, free ebooks, paired texts, sample lessons and more. Thanks, Scholastic!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522693913970533584.post-85610820382533089832013-01-11T06:20:00.000-08:002013-01-11T06:27:47.248-08:00Using Book Trailers in the ClassroomReluctant readers often feel lost in a library or classroom when given time to read. These students don't know how to choose a book they enjoy because they haven't yet discovered the joy of reading. These are the students who can be heard saying, "I can't find anything to read." Book trailers, much like movie trailers, are short commercials about books intended to spark the viewers' interest in what they might like to read next. Book trailers are the perfect filler activity when you've got a few classroom minutes between activities. They also make great discussion starters about books and what readers in your classroom look for when selecting a book to read for fun. When reluctant readers hear their peers talk about what they are reading and what they might like to read next, they just might be encouraged to join the community of readers too. Many book publishers create book trailers to market their books and do it well. Check out the links for book trailer collections below. <br />
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<a href="http://www.schooltube.com/channel/randomhouse/" target="_blank">School Tube Book Trailers by Random House Children's Books</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.scholastic.com/kids/stacks/videos/" target="_blank">Scholastic Book Trailers</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.scholastic.com/browse/video.jsp" target="_blank">More Book Trailers from Scholastic Books</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/kids/gamesandcontests/features/video/" target="_blank">Book Trailers by Harper Collins Children's Books</a><br />
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Book trailers are easy to make with the right tools, such as <a href="http://animato.com./">animato.com.</a> You can check out a high school <a href="http://rebslm.blogspot.com/2011/02/everlost-book-trailer.html" target="_blank">book trailer I made using animoto here</a>. Consider allowing your students to make a book trailer to advertise the books they just read instead of writing a traditional book report. Incorporate setting and other story elements as part of the rubric to guide students in the project. Feature several of the student-created book trailers on the school's morning news. <br />
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Below are a few of my favorite book trailers. Check them out!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522693913970533584.post-82433591649266241102013-01-09T09:25:00.001-08:002013-01-09T10:45:07.973-08:00One iPad. 28 Students. Here's How to Make it Work<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I was fortunate enough to work as a school library media specialist at a school where there were 60 iPads that teachers could checkout individually or in sets of 6 or even in a classroom set of 30. While more and more schools are acquiring iPads for classroom use there are still many more schools who simply don't have the funds to purchase these magical devices. So what is a teacher to do if there is only one iPad in the classroom? Is it worth it?<br />
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I know, some of you are saying, one iPad would be nice! Right now we have zero... Hang in there. Consider other sources such as PTA and educational grants. Some teachers even use their own personal iPads in the classroom (gasp!). Once you have an iPad in hand, evaluate the apps carefully. Explore educational apps on the iPad (many are free) and take time to play with them. Consider how user friendly the app is and its educational value for your curriculum and your particular students. Here are a few tips to get you started:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VGA adapter</td></tr>
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1. Whole group activities: Connect the iPad to your digital overhead projector or ActivBoard with a VGA adapter. These cost about $30. This converts your tiny screen into a large screen. Now everyone can easily see the iPad screen.<br />
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<li>Use navigation applications such as <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/google-earth/id293622097?mt=8" target="_blank">Google Earth</a> and other maps apps to locate places as they apply to your curriculum. Estimate miles from your school to a specific destination and check it with the app using the "Get directions" feature. These apps are also great for building background knowledge for the setting of a story or understanding where specific historical events took place. </li>
<li> Don't have a whiteboard? There is an app for that! Apps such as <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/whiteboard-lite-collaborative/id301962306?mt=8" target="_blank">Whiteboard</a> and <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/showme-interactive-whiteboard/id445066279?mt=8" target="_blank">Show Me</a> can serve as a white board that the teacher or students can write on just as you would a traditional dry erase board. Try several different ones out (most are free) before you decide which one to use in the classroom. They all have a unique feel and you will likely find one that you like more than others. Several of these apps have a recording feature that will record your writing or drawing and your voice and play it back for you. </li>
<li>Skype! Use the <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/skype/id304878510?mt=8" target="_blank">Skype app</a> (also free) or Face Time (free from iPad to iPad or iPhone) to connect with another class in another state or part of the world or host your own virtual author visit by Skyping an author. You can read more about using <a href="https://education.skype.com/" target="_blank">Skype in the Classroom</a> and see a <a href="http://rebslm.blogspot.com/2011/11/using-skype-in-classroom.html" target="_blank">video of how I've used it with 2nd graders</a>.</li>
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2. Small group / Centers: Set up the iPad as a center activity or Learning Station. Communicate high expectations for appropriate use and care of the iPad and take away the privilege if it is abused. You will likely find that your students enjoy using the iPad enough to meet or exceed your expectations. <br />
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<li>Read an e-book together as a class to demonstrate first, then set it up for use as a small group activity or even as an incentive for individuals to reward good behavior. Many e-books are free and run off of various free apps including the Kindle app (my favorite). The highlight and margin notes features work great for taking and sharing notes as you read. Sometimes the most reluctant readers will be the first to volunteer to read an e-book simply because they are attracted to the technology. There are even wonderful e-books for beginning readers. Check out the app <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/i-like-books-37-picture-books/id460795092?mt=8" target="_blank">I Like Books</a>, which has 37 nonfiction colorful easy readers your kindergartners and first graders will love.</li>
<li>Set up the iPad as a small group activity for researching the solar system using <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/nasa-app-hd/id387310098?mt=8" target="_blank">NASA's</a> excellent educational apps as a starting place. </li>
<li>Use the camera and video camera on the iPad to document events in your classroom. Set up a classroom blog (there are apps for that!) and assign students to be responsible for updating the blog each week. Be sure to share the blog link with parents and even other classrooms so they can see all the great learning going on in your classroom. </li>
<li>Set up the iPad as a center activity for literature response, creative writing, or to share information learned from a research project. Use creative apps that allow students to create a story while recording their own voice. Students will be actively engaged in the writing task just by having a new purpose and new tools with which to write. Suggested apps: <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/puppet-pals-hd/id342076546?mt=8" target="_blank">Puppet Pals HD</a>, <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sock-puppets/id394504903?mt=8" target="_blank">Sock Puppets</a>, <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/showme-interactive-whiteboard/id445066279?mt=8" target="_blank">Show Me</a>, and <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/toontastic-free/id404693282?mt=8" target="_blank">Toontastic</a>.<br />
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3. Classroom Management: Incorporate the iPad into your classroom management tool box for smoother transitions and increased student interest.<br />
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<li>Use a timer app to display a countdown clock on the big screen. Most timer apps are free and you can choose from several fun sounds instead of a buzzer. When students can see exactly how much time they have left for a task, they are more likely to better manage their own time. </li>
<li>Use the iPad as an incentive for good behavior by rewarding students with time to use the iPad as individuals or in pairs. Select specific educational apps for students to explore and create a folder for them on the iPad so students will be certain of their perimeters for exploration time.</li>
<li>Explore apps made especially for classroom management to assist with record keeping, grading, anecdotal notes and class calendar. Use clock and calendar apps to set reminders about when small groups leave the classroom for pull-outs such as speech or tutoring or for grade level events such as assemblies. </li>
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Chances are your students know a bit more about iPads than their teachers. Include them in the discussion. Ask them to share educational apps that they find and use at home. Ask them how we could use the iPad to support learning in the classroom. You might be surprised at their resourcefulness! </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522693913970533584.post-56036257613219304372012-12-07T10:29:00.003-08:002012-12-07T10:38:55.724-08:00Wings by Christopher Myers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Students who have ever been made fun of <i>or</i> who have stood up for what is right will quickly connect with the characters in Christopher Myer's thought provoking picture book, <u>Wings.</u> Based on the Greek myth of Icarus and Daedalus, <u>Wings</u> is the story of a boy named Ikarus who is made fun of because he is different. Despite the snickers and snide remarks of his peers, Ikarus stays true to himself and uses his beautiful wings as they were intended: to fly. The narrator of the story, a young girl at Ikarus's school, is also made fun of because she is so quiet. She can't help but notice how Ikarus's wings droop and sag when others make fun of him. Regretfully, she doesn't say anything. As the bullying continues, she eventually finds the courage and her own voice to stand up for what is right. She boldly tells Ikarus what he needed to hear, "Your wings are beautiful." This is a story about bullying and second chances and standing up for what is right when others are being treated poorly.<br />
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<b>Literature Connections:</b> <u>Wings</u> is the perfect read aloud to spark meaningful conversations about bullying, being yourself, and standing up for others. This would also work well paired with the Greek myth Icarus and Daedalus. After reading both stories, compare and contrast the character traits of Icarus / Ikarus in each story. Discuss the authors' purpose for each story as well as why the author may have chosen to name the character Ikarus in <u>Wings</u>. What else could the wings in Myer's story represent? <a href="http://www.rif.org/us/literacy-resources/multicultural/wings.htm" target="_blank">Check out the educator's guide, extension activities and vocabulary scaffold for Wings provided by RIF (Reading is Fundamental) here. </a><br />
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<b>Recommended Ages: </b>Pre-K through 6th gradeUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522693913970533584.post-32094295509408059432012-12-06T10:20:00.001-08:002012-12-06T10:20:10.751-08:00Common Core Thrusts Librarians Into Leadership Role<a href="http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2012/09/12/03librarians_ep.h32.html?cmp=SOC-SHR-GEN#.UMDhTAUYXFQ.blogger">Common Core Thrusts Librarians Into Leadership Role</a><br />
I came across this article in Education Week today about how school librarians are helping their schools meet common core standards. It's definitely worth the read!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522693913970533584.post-69606455217009941562012-11-06T07:13:00.002-08:002012-11-06T07:24:51.578-08:00The Power of Story During an Election<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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As an educator, election season is one of my favorite times of the year because of the opportunities for authentic learning experiences it provides. What better time to teach our students the power of exercising our right to vote than election day? And what better way to teach this than through the power of story? </div>
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Consider hosting a mock election with storybook characters as candidates. (See book list below for ideas.) Encourage students to consider what character traits they feel are most important in a candidate. Brainstorm each candidate's character traits as evidenced in the stories. Engage students in the planning of the voting event by making voting boxes, ballots, forming campaign teams for favored storybook characters, advertising election day details and counting the votes. *School librarians: Use this opportunity to host a school-wide mock election with storybook characters as candidates. Post or announce election updates throughout the day (or week) as each class votes.</div>
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Check out some of the election-themed children's books in the list below. These thoughtfully written children's books are the perfect conversation starters for discussing the importance of elections and the power of exercising the right to vote.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhppu37Z4aPcWmvMWuiKZAwVaaKVSIJu3IpVwLLh7oHt0u9WRpV-IxsBy-s1gUGmQ9lWqs-u8OZk1n4QOTDZ2I55V0Mbgg7v4ullDYV_M6T9aJ8keLVq1_TnQnDkUlkIU2gsQXuGyWi424/s1600/i-need-my-own-country-cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhppu37Z4aPcWmvMWuiKZAwVaaKVSIJu3IpVwLLh7oHt0u9WRpV-IxsBy-s1gUGmQ9lWqs-u8OZk1n4QOTDZ2I55V0Mbgg7v4ullDYV_M6T9aJ8keLVq1_TnQnDkUlkIU2gsQXuGyWi424/s200/i-need-my-own-country-cover.jpg" width="197" /></a><u>I Need My Own Country</u> by Rick Walton is perfect as a read aloud for K-2 students as well as students in grades 3-6. Frustrated by her little brother, a young girl decides to form her own country, make her own currency and her own flag. She soon realizes the importance of citizenship in her country and the need for rules and laws. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJmZU_KwxMqoL8pKmOADIkxcRjfpbRDLmQV6aCM5OXdOYfYXanQSLUr58hWSMegAr_cpdCYz6HOUg2bz8Xd0nGvxfadF-E_WBgn92WPfWV3uGFWIu78zP03-SPoC4qnGWAatpctcgSKw/s1600/BlackLagoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJmZU_KwxMqoL8pKmOADIkxcRjfpbRDLmQV6aCM5OXdOYfYXanQSLUr58hWSMegAr_cpdCYz6HOUg2bz8Xd0nGvxfadF-E_WBgn92WPfWV3uGFWIu78zP03-SPoC4qnGWAatpctcgSKw/s200/BlackLagoon.jpg" width="136" /></a><u>The Class Election from the Black Lagoon</u> by Mike Thaler will pull the young chapter book reader in with familiar humorous characters from the Black Lagoon. Readers will explore the importance of candidates standing up for what they believe in as characters in this story must choose the offices for which they will run.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_sxn4f7nUyGGm3s2ijcFQI7Qrsxa0mP6eypvh-sMD3EsG0PjWzOhOiA3lH7F114gYnNNEEZZvhhUYUEqUGcpH5UzaZR25OfuVrIIh21aFksc5Glg0q_q136lJI63eDlKme9nX1gUV8g/s1600/Duck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_sxn4f7nUyGGm3s2ijcFQI7Qrsxa0mP6eypvh-sMD3EsG0PjWzOhOiA3lH7F114gYnNNEEZZvhhUYUEqUGcpH5UzaZR25OfuVrIIh21aFksc5Glg0q_q136lJI63eDlKme9nX1gUV8g/s200/Duck.jpg" width="155" /></a><u>Duck for President</u> by Doreen Cronin is an enjoyable read aloud that is sure to spark meaningful discussion among students young and old. Duck is tired of the way Farmer Brown is running the farm so he decides to do something about it by running for office. (See video featuring this book at top of blog post.)</div>
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Grace for President by Kelly DiPucchio is a suitable read aloud for students in grades K-6. Grace, determined that there should be a female presidents, decides to run for president at her school's election. <u>Grace for President</u> would be a great introduction for an upper elementary lesson on the electoral system.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522693913970533584.post-72659452122724456792012-10-03T07:58:00.000-07:002012-11-06T07:15:24.401-08:00Keeper of Books?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://simplebooklet.com/publish.php?wpKey=bktX9eol5ffShoKpM54Sao#wpKey=bktX9eol5ffShoKpM54Sao#page=0" target="_blank">This is what a 21st century school library looks like. Check it out! </a></td></tr>
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When asked what I do, my reply is usually, "I'm a school media specialist." Then I wait. I know it's coming. Assumptions: "Oh, you're a librarian. You check out books." That's about the time I bite my tongue, smile, take a deep breath and try to explain what it is that we media specialists really do and why it is, in fact, the best job in the school.<br />
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The role of the media specialist in the 21st century has changed drastically in just the past 10 years. Hey, it's changed drastically in just the past 2 years! As technology continues to change at lightening speeds, the role of media specialist evolves and changes continually too. Long gone are the days as the keeper of the books. Much of the role of a media specialist today revolves around technology and staying current on all the latest, ever changing resources that are becoming increasingly available to the entire learning community. The 21st century media specialist has the unique role of bringing the vast array of resources (both print and digital) to teachers and students while equipping them with the training and skills needed to be effective and responsible users and sharers of information. Even with all the changes in school library media, one thing remains constant: the challenge and joy of fostering in students (and adults!) a genuine love of reading. <b>The wise school library media specialist meets students where they are by using digital media, Web 2.0, and other new technologies to spark student interest in the old fashioned art of reading a book.<i> </i></b><br />
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Last spring I had the opportunity to observe Andy Plemmons, Media Specialist Extraordinare, at Barrow Elementary School in Athens, GA. Mr. Plemmons blends information literacy, new technologies and a love for reading into his media lessons in a way that sparks students' interest and makes learning fun. You can almost feel the excitement these students have about learning in Mr. Plemmon's <a href="http://simplebooklet.com/publish.php?wpKey=bktX9eol5ffShoKpM54Sao#wpKey=bktX9eol5ffShoKpM54Sao#page=0" target="_blank">monthly media center report</a>. Check it out!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522693913970533584.post-75334387427539748362012-08-09T12:08:00.000-07:002012-08-09T12:30:45.773-07:00Teachers + Pinterest = Genius!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV1O-v9Djf261Uh2J39Qa6IhwgyVf4eCziOOtP8b_PYPsXWh8UuHj0zN2fUozxTeo54PIKGF3enpLyURlm0W7HALA9rEbyxdgdko4qGTsXuYMn4Wo3AOgH1uWGgELxDfRQDMEFnCJcy2A/s1600/photo.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV1O-v9Djf261Uh2J39Qa6IhwgyVf4eCziOOtP8b_PYPsXWh8UuHj0zN2fUozxTeo54PIKGF3enpLyURlm0W7HALA9rEbyxdgdko4qGTsXuYMn4Wo3AOgH1uWGgELxDfRQDMEFnCJcy2A/s320/photo.PNG" width="213" /></a></div>
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Pinterest as Collaboration Tool for Teachers<b> </b></h2>
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It's one of the first lessons learned in Kindergarten: Share with others. Teachers are naturally good at sharing, unless, of course, it's the week before school starts and the local teacher supply store is running low on the hottest sale items. Then of course, it's fend for yourself! But most days, if a teacher has a good idea for her classroom, she's likely going to share it with her coworkers at her school. But give a teacher a <a href="http://pinterest.com/about/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> account and she will share those great teaching ideas with teacher friends, friends of teacher friends and other teachers around the world... all with the click of a button.<br />
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If you haven't yet joined Pinterest, here's how it works: Pinterest is a free virtual bulletin board that allows the user to "pin" a webpage or blog post while capturing the link that takes you back to the source from which it was "pinned."<br />
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Old School: when teachers found an idea or resource to use in their classroom they photocopied it and put it in a notebook or pinned the page with a thumbtack to a bulletin board for later reference. With Pinterest, teachers can save those great ideas they find on professional websites and blogs onto their Pinterest account by creating and organizing virtual bulletin boards and "pinning" the picture links to their boards. They can then go back and click on the pin (or picture) and it will take them to the website or blog where they found that great idea in the first place. They can also "Repin" pins that other have found and "follow" other pinners or other boards. Here is where the sharing comes in. Everything that you pin can be viewed by other pinners that follow you as well as other pinners that just happen to explore the topic you organized it under. (If you aren't in the sharing mood, you can also limit who sees your pins.) <br />
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I have pinned numerous recipes, home renovation tutorials and nifty craft ideas in the short time since I joined Pinterest. While browsing pins of those I "follow" I could not help but notice my teacher friends are pinning like crazy! Popular pins include everything from bulletin boards and favorite read alouds to research projects, math center ideas, Web 2.0 resources and Common Core Curriculum. As the first day of school inched closer, the number of teaching pins increased so much that I found myself secretly blaming the teachers who had become <strike>Pinaholics</strike> avid pinners over the summer break as the reason the Pinterest app on my phone was moving so slow. No kidding! It is working fine now that school has started. <br />
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Pinterest makes it easy for teachers to collaborate on themes by allowing multiple pinners to pin on the same board. True story: Erin, a second grade teacher was frustrated with the low writing scores in her class. She browsed pins on Pinterest about teaching writing. After finding many great ideas for Writer's Workshop online and from other Pinners, she created a board, "2nd grade Writer's Workshop" and shared the board with the other teachers on her grade level. After giving her coworkers access to pin to the board, her teammate Jan, then browsed the board adding in the comment box on one of the pins, "This will work great for teaching author's purpose too. What do you think?" The other 2nd grade teachers also added to the board and commented on the pins already there. They can each access the board individually from school, home or on their cell phone via the <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pinterest/id429047995?mt=8" target="_blank">Pinterest app</a>. At their next collaborative planning meeting they were able to go back to several of the ideas they pinned to their shared board for a quick reference to the new resources.<br />
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If only we could get PD credit for all our "Professional Development" time spent on Pinterest! Oh, wait, I think I saw a quote about that on Pinterest the other day... <br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522693913970533584.post-48114364658574763642012-07-30T12:17:00.001-07:002012-07-31T07:47:43.008-07:00School Librarians as Common Core Partner<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kentuckyteacher.org/kentucky-teacher-of-the-year/2012/07/why-you-need-your-school-librarian/" target="_blank">Teacher of year advocates for school librarians as Common Core Partner</a></td></tr>
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With the implementation of Common Core curriculum, now more than
ever,
school librarians are a vital partner for the school learning community.
Despite this growing need for the expertise of school librarians across
our nation's schools, a growing trend in today's dismal economy is the
elimination of school library media specialist
positions due to budget constraints. Unfortunately,
outdated stereotypes of school librarians as merely a 'keeper of books' has
shaped the misconception that schools will get along just fine without
them. To those who reason their school budget can't afford to keep a
school librarian, consider this: How can you afford <i>not</i> to?<br />
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The ever changing digital age in which we live and teach requires our students to not only be proficient in using the latest technology but in being masters of <a href="http://theunquietlibrarian.wordpress.com/2011/01/05/beginnings-are-always-messy-thoughts-on-transliteracy-and-inquiry-from-a-learning-advocate/" target="_blank">transliteracy</a> in which students are expected to merge how they read and respond to what they get from traditional literacies with how they interact with new and emerging literacies such as digital media and Web 2.0. In an age where anyone can publish anything online with the click of a button, the 21st century learner must be able to use current technology and print resources to interpret information effectively, evaluate information sources critically and share information responsibility. How can we expect teachers to teach these skills without access to their very best resource and Common Core partner, the school librarian? Better yet, how can we expect students who don't have access to this valuable resource to compete with students from other schools who do?<br />
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In light of this growing need for advocacy, I'd like to offer a big
shout-out to Kentucky Teacher of the Year, Kimberly Shearer, who
advocates for school librarians as Common Core Partner. She states in the July 2012 issue of <i><a href="http://www.kentuckyteacher.org/kentucky-teacher-of-the-year/2012/07/why-you-need-your-school-librarian/">Kentucky Teacher digital newsletter</a></i> that, "school librarians have the resources, training and knowledge to help us
make those meaningful connections between the Common Core Standards and
our students’ interests and lives." Shearer goes on to list reasons why teachers and students need school librarians "now more than ever." Amen, sister!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522693913970533584.post-3251311832802759492012-07-23T10:38:00.000-07:002012-07-25T10:39:42.502-07:00More than ABC<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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While packing for my upcoming move to NC, one of my favorite books about my favorite state caught my attention. <u>T is for Tar Heel, a North Carolina Alphabet</u> and other ABC state books like it (try <u>P is for Peach, a Georgia Alphabet</u>) draw the reader in with color, rhythm and rhyme while tucking state symbols and bits of history among the side bars of each page. While ABC books are traditionally used with younger students, their value for teaching in the content areas with older students should not be missed. Consider creating your own class's version of an <b>ABC digital book</b> centered around a science, history or math theme. Choose your curriculum based theme and brainstorm with students potential words to include from each letter of the alphabet. After students choose letters, allow them to work individually or in groups to research online data bases and informational books to write a brief paragraph about their letter / word and how it relates to the overall topic. Use a rubric to keep students on track while providing additional guidance during each step of the project. Consider using digital format such as a blog, digital picture book, or even a simple power point slideshow to combine each student's or group's letter page for the final product. Share the project on your class website for parents and others to enjoy. It's way more than ABC! It's collaboration, research and technology integration at it's best!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522693913970533584.post-79270394508733780352012-04-14T12:03:00.000-07:002012-06-04T18:18:57.014-07:00Dictation App Makes Learning Fun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
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Recently the English as a Second or Other Language (ESOL) teacher and I collaborated on a lesson that incorporated the use of iPads to help her students practice their English skills in a new way.<br />
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For individual practice, we used <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dragon-dictation/id341446764?mt=8">Dragon Dictation </a>, an app that makes use of voice recognition to help you see your text after speaking it. Students were able to speak a phrase or sentence then watch as the app wrote the words on the iPad screen.<br />
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At first we weren't sure how quickly the 1st and 2nd grade students would take to this activity but five minutes into it, we were pleasantly surprised. We heard lots of giggles when the app interpreted words differently than expected at times. Students quickly figured out that in order for the app to get it right they had to speak as clearly as possible and slow down, a task that would require intentional and careful pronunciation of words.<br />
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Overall we found the simple design of the app to be user friendly. While the voice recognition does have it's limitations, after seeing the extra attention and energy it brought to the ESOL lesson, I began to think of other uses for a dictation app in the classroom:<br />
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<li>Students who are still learning to write and spell could use a dictation app like Dragon Dictation to dictate short stories. It would help them get their ideas down before getting bogged down in the mechanics of writing.</li>
<li>Students with special needs that find writing challenging could dictate stories or sentences using the app</li>
<li>Students could take turns dictating a sentence one at a time to build a story together.</li>
<li>Students could practice letter writing by dictating a letter then emailing it to their teacher or parent (the app has the option to send dictated text as text message or email).</li>
<li>Students could practice reading fluency and reading with expression with the dictation app then go back into the text on the screen to edit for punctuation marks as needed.</li>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522693913970533584.post-85735311524030459812012-03-07T19:12:00.000-08:002012-06-04T19:14:41.075-07:00Student Book Selection Committee<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Upon arrival at my new job as media specialist with a less than desirable media collection, I set out this past fall seeking and applying for grants that would help us purchase much needed library books. Midyear I was notified that we won two separate grants for our school-wide reading program called Just READ. With money to spend I asked teachers to nominate a few students to help select new library books for our school. In a matter of hours our student book selection committee was in place. I had previously arranged for a book vendor to bring book samples for the students to preview. They eagerly began previewing and sorting the books into three piles: Yes, No and Maybe. Our experts took their task very seriously in selecting titles they were interested in as well as titles they thought the other students at our school would want to read. In the end we were able to purchase 100% of the titles in the Yes pile and many of the titles in the Maybe pile. When the books came in our student book selection committee became walking advertisements for the new books. Excitement really is contagious!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522693913970533584.post-74448556951682465132012-02-02T18:43:00.000-08:002012-06-04T18:44:16.234-07:00Titanic Text Sparks Research Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Fourth graders at my school recently read a nonfiction text in their reading groups about the Titanic. Their teacher casually commented to me that this is always one of her students' most favorite texts. "They just can't stop talking about it... Asking questions and more questions about how it sank and who was on it and who survived." This conversation naturally lead to an opportunity. Opportunity: Students are curious. They have questions. The media center is full of resources. What better way to teach research skills than in a real world context where students are seeking answers on a topic that sparks their interest? What better way to encourage collaboration with a teacher who has been hesitant to take advantage of the flexible media center schedule? Over the next two weeks, students came in first as a class then in small groups to check out every book we had in the library about the Titanic, use the computers and iPads and talk about how they could present their information in their final projects. Of course, mini lessons on research skills were woven throughout. Their excitement remained throughout the research with curiosity as the driving force. Gotta love a research project that doesn't sink!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522693913970533584.post-66596812256249830892012-01-11T18:16:00.000-08:002012-07-25T10:42:35.106-07:00School iPad Checkout FormsWe began this school year with 45 new iPads for use in the classroom and by the end of the year we had almost 60. Being one of the first schools in our district to have school iPads, we quickly found ourselves in need of creating our own policies and forms for iPad checkout. Below are some of the forms that worked for us. <br />
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<li>Maintenance: We found it helpful to keep the following chart on a clipboard attached to each iPad cart to help keep up with maintenance issues or noticed damage to the iPads. This way teachers could write down issues as they noticed them and we could be sure they were attended to as soon as possible. </li>
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<li>Teacher checkout agreement: At our school, we posted the iPad reservation schedule for teachers to access online. This allowed teachers flexibility to reserve six iPads for a small group activity or an entire cart / class set of iPads as needed. As teachers came to the media center to check out the iPads they reserved, we used the following form to help us have a visual of where the iPads were for the day. </li>
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<li>Overnight iPad checkout agreement: Our teachers often request to checkout a school iPad over night or over the weekend so that they may become more familiar with the apps they want to use with a particular lesson. We use the agreement below for this: </li>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522693913970533584.post-62426178134457674492011-12-22T12:50:00.000-08:002012-06-04T18:19:33.800-07:00Exploring Resources<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Helping students become more familiar with different resources is a lesson that reappears again and again in any effective media program. In fact, it is probably woven into more media lessons through practical application than any other topic over the course of a year. Knowing what information is needed and where to find it are life skills that are vital for any 21st century learner. But for many elementary aged students, understanding the different sources and what kinds of information they hold can be confusing.<br />
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To help students gain a better grasp on the similarities and differences of information resources such as encyclopedias, dictionaries, atlas, almanac, and thesaurus I created stations around the media center for exploration of these sources. I adapted this lesson as needed for grades 2-5 and was pleased at how much the students seemed to get out of the hands-on exploration. At each station I had multiple copies or examples of the resource (ie: various encyclopedias at the encyclopedia station, a piece of colored chart paper, small strips of paper and markers). Students were given about 5-10 minutes to explore the resources at their station. Then they were asked to write on the white strip of paper what they noticed about that resource. These were pasted to the chart paper and posted in the Media Center. (With some classes, depending on the availability of the iPads, students used the drawing app to write what they noticed about each resource instead of using the chart paper. We then took a picture of the "digital quilts" we made by placing all of our iPads together in collage form.)<br />
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We then broke each resource down for a closer look in lessons that followed and also took a look at other digital resources including the internet and online school library catalog. I have been amazed at how often students have referred back to the resource charts throughout the remainder of the school year. They have even added to the charts as they have discovered more details about each resource.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522693913970533584.post-8818872790027445342011-11-12T04:30:00.000-08:002011-11-12T04:30:35.067-08:00iPads in the Classroom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHniGplfb0RhEJ4FS8jEo0n9w4ZyfXRRUvS0HUap8E-F1ZN1X-t2vBacfvwYaZoWxPOEAwwRDANxCyQyH4UKCrTjpZUPi5zhEqYhQhyphenhyphenHr_nMoBHQTxuox6GZipvlrRBAjP873TLw89AIU/s1600/rebeccaiPhonePix+086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHniGplfb0RhEJ4FS8jEo0n9w4ZyfXRRUvS0HUap8E-F1ZN1X-t2vBacfvwYaZoWxPOEAwwRDANxCyQyH4UKCrTjpZUPi5zhEqYhQhyphenhyphenHr_nMoBHQTxuox6GZipvlrRBAjP873TLw89AIU/s320/rebeccaiPhonePix+086.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
"I'm gonna tell my mama, 'I got me an iPad!'" commented one excited kindergartener this past week during student iPad orientation. Fairview Elementary is all abuzz with excitement about the 45 iPads (and more on the way) now available for teachers to checkout to use in the classroom.<br />
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After reading endless blogs about how other schools are using iPads in the classroom, hours of training alongside our school's tech support team on how to manage sets of iPads and iPad carts and many, many meetings of how to best manage and implement the iPads in our school, they are finally ready for checkout! Whoooo-hooo! What we've learned so far: consistent training is the key.<br />
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We began with iPad training sessions for the teachers.While a few of our teachers have iPads of their own, many had never used one. So, we began at the beginning and covered everything from how to turn it on and adjust the volume to how we can utilize specific apps to support creating, comparing, contrasting, analyzing and skill building in the classroom. Then we turned the teachers loose to just play with the iPads on their own. Teachers began checking out iPads for a week at a time to get more comfortable with them and to become more familiar with apps they would like to use to support classroom instruction and student projects. Teachers began to share with each other favorite apps that they can't wait to use in the classroom. Apps that provide opportunities for students to create, such as the Sock Puppets app, quickly became staff favorites.<br />
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Teachers were asked to sign up their classes for student iPad orientation in the media center before they were allowed to check out iPads to use in the classroom. This way, all students in the school were given the same lesson on how to take care of the iPads, our school iPad rules, and were able to practice skills needed to use the iPads including the following:<br />
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<ul><li>how to turn on the iPad</li>
<li>locating the home button</li>
<li>adjusting the volume</li>
<li>"swiping" through pages </li>
<li>pinching and spreading fingers to zoom in and out</li>
<li>locating apps</li>
<li>how to take a picture (3rd-5th grades)</li>
<li>acceptable use policy (we used the same one we use for internet on the computers)</li>
<li>responding "no thanks", X, or "cancel" to popup windows (No thanks, we don't want to buy anything-We have no money! No, we don't want to connect to Facebook.)</li>
<li>and the number one student iPad rule at our school: Keep the iPad on your desk (or floor). Students are not allowed to carry the iPad anywhere. (Don't carry the iPad to your teacher. Go get your teacher and bring her to the iPad if you need to show her something.)</li>
</ul><div>So now our teachers are trained. Our students are trained. The iPads are ready for classroom checkout. I can't wait to see how they use them and what they teach me! Stay tuned...</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522693913970533584.post-71484902536099512952011-11-12T03:14:00.000-08:002011-11-12T03:16:33.519-08:00Using Skype in the Classroom<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9ic4asfhi50?fs=1" width="459"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522693913970533584.post-44727324457893698852011-07-15T06:39:00.000-07:002011-07-15T06:39:01.434-07:00FakebookLooking for a new idea for those school projects? Try <a href="http://www.classtools.net/fb/home/page">Fakebook</a>. <a href="http://www.classtools.net/fb/home/page">Fakebook </a>is sort of like an online template for educators and students. <a href="http://www.classtools.net/fb/home/page">Fakebook</a> can be used for creating a facebook-ish page to highlight a famous person or event in history. <a href="http://www.classtools.net/fb/home/page">Fakebook</a> could also be used for an innovative spin on book reports or science projects. Check it out!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522693913970533584.post-64179544827096507842011-05-14T10:27:00.000-07:002011-05-14T10:48:07.746-07:00Summer Reading<object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" height="240" id="vp1efQ8G" width="432"><param name="movie" value="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1305393980&f=efQ8GyouNK2MRnNJy7BrbQ&d=80&m=a&r=360p&volume=100&start_res=360p&i=m&options="></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed id="vp1efQ8G" src="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1305393980&f=efQ8GyouNK2MRnNJy7BrbQ&d=80&m=a&r=360p&volume=100&start_res=360p&i=m&options=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="432" height="240"></embed></object><br />
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We all know the importance of encouraging students to read over the summer. Numerous studies show that students who read regularly over the summer continue to improve their reading skills and are better prepared for learning new skills when they return to school. Summer reading nourishes the brain, giving students the benefits of an increased vocabulary and a broader background knowledge which helps them form connections with new knowledge.<br />
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Recently I was part of a discussion with several other media specialists about the best ways to promote summer reading. We discussed a variety of programs, promotions and reading lists. Our experience has taught us that the greatest factor in getting kids to read over the summer is <b>choice</b>. When students choose what they read based on their own personal interests and curiosities, they are more likely to open a book over the summer, enjoy it and stick with it.<br />
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Below are some tips for promoting summer reading:<br />
<ul><li>Help students connect with the public library by forming a partnership between your school and your local public library. Encourage parents to take their children to the the public library where students may register for their own library card. Invite students to come to the media center to show you their library card and have their picture made. (See picture of "Ticket to Adventure" bulletin board below.)</li>
<li>Don't reinvent the wheel. Several bookstores and public libraries already have summer reading incentives in place. Many of these offer students a free book when they complete a reading log. Share these promotions with your school and encourage students to participate.</li>
<li>Provide book talks on a variety of books or feature short video book trailers on your morning news show for several weeks before the last day of school. Be sure to include a variety of genres to appeal to a broad audience.</li>
<li>Encourage staff to share their own excitement about summer reading. Take pictures of staff members holding a book they plan to read this summer for a special pre-summer bulletin board. (See picture below.)</li>
<li>Keep it simple and remember: <b>enthusiasm is contagious</b>!</li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKSKeYPClQXrWbybxuim1SGfRUh94tl_D_LWNqSEo8y7V8comqy81Cgo9UpB_I1vp96ySF_h3bnpKzwbz7uZUnxF2Ad9zjobipGYe-b2ZZTZ3STF5Qv8lU2vsPu_B_xVbYbClGdNeJVhc/s1600/library+card_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKSKeYPClQXrWbybxuim1SGfRUh94tl_D_LWNqSEo8y7V8comqy81Cgo9UpB_I1vp96ySF_h3bnpKzwbz7uZUnxF2Ad9zjobipGYe-b2ZZTZ3STF5Qv8lU2vsPu_B_xVbYbClGdNeJVhc/s320/library+card_edited-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pictures of students showing off their public library cards</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer Reading: What are YOU reading this summer?</td></tr>
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</div><div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/U-eBT7vnTLE" width="425"></iframe></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1522693913970533584.post-43889410246621205612011-04-29T05:21:00.000-07:002011-04-29T05:22:37.729-07:00Knowing How to Read is Not Enough<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LbNbLNStLn8" width="425"></iframe><br />
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Thanks, Carmen! I couldn't have said it better myself! The demands of today's society require students to not only be skilled at reading and comprehension but to also be confident gatherers of information who can evaluate, analyze, synthesize, apply and share that information in authentic ways. This learning magic happens when teachers and media specialists collaborate to provide meaningful lessons that naturally blend content area curriculum with information literacy skills.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0