Fight the Filter: ISTE SIGMS Webinar with Buffy Hamilton!

Posted by gwyneth jones on January 6, 2010 at 9:00am

"Fight the Filter" ISTE Sigms 2nd Webinar! Wednesday, Jan 13, 2010 at 8 pm E.S.T., 7 pm C.S.T., 6 pm M.S.T., 5 pm P.S.T Presenter: Buffy Hamilton Want to start your new year off by making a positive difference in your library program? Join SIGMS for our second FREE webinar on January 13 at 8 pm E.S.T. when Buffy Hamilton, The Unquiet Librarian, will share her ideas on "fighting the filter." For connection directions, visit http://sigms.iste.wikispaces.net.

Graphics from Buffy Hamilton's Slideshare and from Adobe PhotoElements if you don't know who Buffy Hamilton is....i invite you to read this AWEsome blog posting about her innovative Media Program in Georgia written by our beloved guru Joyce Valenza!

"If I had my way: More unquiet libraries!"

Yeah...She's a rock and a pop star!

Wake by Lisa McMann

Posted by bj neary on January 5, 2010 at 1:08pm

Wake by Lisa McMann

My rating: 5 of 5 stars Wake was certainly an absorbing, entertaining read. My reluctant readers will be sucked into this story. Janie is real, her pain, her honesty and her dogged determination not to get caught in others dreams. Her descriptions of dreams are funny, scary, and very visual. I loved her friend Carrie, hated Melinda and the others just like her, who judge others, like Janie as targets to humiliate, anger and destroy. Luckily Janie is true to herself and she is so in tune to her dirt poor surroundings and that others think she is a freak that she is able to defend, feel a connection with, and eventually care deeply for CabelStrumheller -(Love his name!). The pages were turning quickly as this story rushed to show the reader how determined Janie is to go to college by her many hours worked and faithfulness to her patients at Heather Home, especially Mrs Stubin. I loved the development of the Janie-Caleb friendship and how they fumble along with their feelings....Just a fantastic read, one my students will love. Can't wait to read the others----SORRY it took me this long! View all my reviews >>

The Brothers Torres by Coert Voorhees

Posted by bj neary on January 5, 2010 at 1:06pm

The Brothers Torres by Coert Voorhees

My rating: 5 of 5 stars This multicultural fiction novel from Coert Voorhees was great! The cover of the book with the tattoo will have teens taking the book just because they like the cover. I really enjoyed Frankie Towers. He was funny, honest, blind to his brother's and parent's shortcomings and the target of school bully, John Dalton. John Dalton has everything Frankie doesn't. He has money, good looks, and Rebecca Sanchez, who Frankie obsesses over how to talk to her, ask her out, etc. Frankie is a good kid but he is not strong, so his older brother Stevie ends up looking out for him alot and becomes a little too interested in RETALIATION. Frankie doesn't like that he works at his parents restaurant all the time while his brother has never worked a day in his life because he is getting all kinds of soccer scholarship offers. Things begin to change when Frankie gets Rebecca as his Homecoming date, his parents sell the restaurant without telling him and Steve is not coming home at night. Frankie is able to stand up to Dalton, his parents and brother and he is a much better compadre as a result. I learned that brothers can be tight when they are young but sometimes with age, things change and you have to grow up and be the man you want to be, View all my reviews >>

The Death of Jayson Porter by Jaime Adoff

Posted by bj neary on January 5, 2010 at 1:03pm

The Death of Jayson Porter by Jaime Adoff

My rating: 5 of 5 stars View all my reviews >>

Nailed by Patrick Harris

Posted by bj neary on January 5, 2010 at 1:00pm

Nailed by Patrick Jones

My rating: 5 of 5 stars Just like hos other book, Things Change, Nailed is such a great book in character study. Bret Hendricks is a kid who loves to act in the school plays, is not a jock, and likes to piss his father off by not showing any interest in fixing cars. As a result, Bret is constantly being "nailed" by his father - the nail that sticks out the farthest, gets hammered the hardest. He has a really sympathetic mom, who he confides him and trusts. He has great freinds in his band, Alex and Sean and he in totally in love with Kylee and feels at home each time he has dinner with her parents, the Edmonds. Bujt life in school is very difficult for Bret, with the constant bullying of Hitchins who calls him a "faggot" and pushes him down and hits him when no one is looking. Even when Bret goes to the principal and guidance counselor, they don't understand or totally believe Bret's assertions. So Bret gets loud, in trouble and if he messes up one more time, he will be expelled. It is only by fighting back the right way, that Bret gets the courage to take a stand. A terrific read for the reluctant reader, for the kid who is bullied and an honest look into the workings of high school. View all my reviews >>

How To Sat Goodbye in Robot by Natalie Standiford

Posted by bj neary on January 5, 2010 at 12:58pm

How to Say Goodbye in Robot by Natalie Standiford

My rating: 5 of 5 stars Thanks Jen for a great book to read based on your review and mention of this as one of the 10 great books in 2009...hope I got that right...Loved the bright pink cover, each chapter is pink, the page numbers are pink with some solid black pages and the cover has a black telephone hanging off the hook.... I just loved Beatrice, she begins the book in August moving once again and her mother is upset about it and Bea doesn't know why, but when she doesn't get upset (like her mother) with the death of the neighbor's gerbil, her mother calls her "heartless" and a "robot" so begins the journey of Robot Girl. Each month is a new pink chapter, and Bea makes friends but is drawn to Ghost Boy, Jonah Tate, who looks like Casper, is an outcast and has a major chip on his shoulder. But Jonah and Bea forge a close frienship based on listening to the radio callers and talking and driving to places. But Jonah is tortured about the death of his twin brother and even though Bea will steadfastly help him in any way, Jonah uses their friendship and then pushes Bea away. Bea shed her Robot image as each page turned, her family changed, and Bea became a really sweet girl who will always hold a fond place in her heart for Jonah and will move on to college. Who knows what Jonah will do? View all my reviews >>

10 Things I've Learned This Year - Teaching

Posted by Bernice Wonderly on January 5, 2010 at 12:57pm

http://blog.biguniverse.com/2009/12/24/10-things-ive-learned-this-year-so-far/Teaching is always interesting. I never stop learning :o).

Just Another Hear by Sharon Draper

Posted by bj neary on January 5, 2010 at 12:53pm

Just Another Hero by Sharon M. Draper

My rating: 5 of 5 stars Draper's final book in the trilogy, Just Another Hero, was great. The plot was fast paced, the characters believable using as the backdrop---their final year of high school as seniors including many fire drills, jobs after school and getting into college. I just loved Draper's characterization of Arielle and her mother. They really grew from materialistic to becoming thinking, feeling women. Kofi was an athlete, in love with Dana, but addicted to pain killers. He is able to beat his addiction and win a scholarship. November is back at school, while her baby, Sunshine, is being cared for. A few other memorable students include Osrick as the brainy wierdo that everyone makes fun of and Crazy Jack who clangs his cymbals in the hallway and may be pulling fire alarms to get out of taking tests. As the seniors go toward graduation, money and ipods are going missing, Who is responsible? Read all three Draper books and see how friends cope with the anguish and drama of everyday life. Great for the reluctant reader with a nice large font. View all my reviews >>

Bringing the Outside In Visual Ways to Engage Reluctant Readers by Sara B. Kajder

Posted by bj neary on January 5, 2010 at 12:51pm

Bringing the Outside In: Visual Ways to Engage Reluctant Readers by Sara B. Kajder

My rating: 5 of 5 stars Sara Kajder did a great job of chronicling her use of Web 2.0 tools to engage reluctant high school readers. The introduction credits Kajder with inviting students in and teaching them as readers using the tools of technology. This book is about becoming a more effective reading teacher and challenges all teachers "to step into the twenty-first century along with our students. We need to catch up." I loved all of her stories about the many students and the different ways she was able to slowly reach out to them and gives us student exemplars to further our understanding. Using 7 different chapters the author uses students and Personal Narrative, Digital Stirytelling, Literacy Narrative, Marking a Path Through Text, Working with Words, The Visual Think Aloud and Making Meaning to engage the reluctant reader(s). Ultimately she invites us to "examine, play, invent, reinvent, and join in the conversation." A terrific read and resource, it has helped me with booktalking and digital booktalks. View all my reviews >>

Wait For Me by An Na

Posted by bj neary on January 5, 2010 at 12:30pm

Wait for Me by An Na

My rating: 5 of 5 stars Mina and Suna are two sisters who work long hard hours at their parents dry cleaners. Mina is the oldest sister who lives a lie, she steals money from her parents' business, lies to her mother about her place in school and where she will go to college. Suna is the youngest sister who has a hearing aid and talks to their car as if it was human. Mina and Suna are very close. Their mother is nasty, keeping secrets of her own. She runs Mina's life, is short and mean to Suna and her husband. Enter a new worker to their dry cleaner, Ysreal, a talented musician, born of migrant worker parents who has befriended both girls, unbeknowst to their mother. An endearing story of love and how one can change when their life is a lie. A great multicultural read, I can't wait to read An Na's other books! View all my reviews >>

LibraryCloud: Clouding up ideas for School Libraries

Posted by S. L. FAISAL on December 31, 2009 at 5:51am

LibraryCloudis a project to share workable school library ideas expressed in one sentence.Visit the site hereYou can also participate by sending ideas to libidea@gmail.com.Comments and suggestions are welcomed.

Kendriya Vidyalaya Librarians' Network: an Indian School Librarian Network

Posted by S. L. FAISAL on December 31, 2009 at 5:30am

To know more about School Libraries in India,Visit the Kendriya Vidyalaya Librarians' Network , the premier online network of school library professionals in India.

Seasons Greetings from Brainyflix :)

Posted by Jack on December 23, 2009 at 6:00am

Seasons Greetings, y'all! Just spreading some of the holiday cheer courtesy of our awesome Brainypics users. Enjoy! :)

FYI - Starting on January 1st, you can compete in our 2nd annual vocabulary video contest. It's easy to do!Just pick a word off of our list, make a funny 1 minute video about it, and submit it to the site. More details at http://brainyflix.com/main/contest_rules

Teachers use the LRC/ librarians for resources

Posted by Elfin on December 17, 2009 at 1:14pm

Few days ago, my colleague sent me a mail and asked me to help put the assignment content on the VLE. I looked at the assignment and asked him if he would like us to create a resource bank on the VLE for his students to complete that particular assignment. After that invitation, he shared his SOW with us and so we started the cooperation relationship together. He is a Religious Studies teacher and I do think it's a very good chance for us to promote the library services for him and his students. It's the first time for me to work with RS teacher and I hope my strategy - from cooperation to collaboration, will work sooner or later.Apart from that, an English teacher came to library and asked if we can do a structured library lesson with her Year 9 class as she thinks it is important for her students know how to use ICT and Internet for learning. I suggested if we could design the lesson with reference to her SOW so the activity students are going to do would be relevant to the assignment and make the learning experience more meaningful. It seems like more and more teachers approach the library for teaching and learning support. It can be a very good start to make the library as the heart of teaching and learning. WoW... it's fabulous!My Work for Christmas:1. VLEa. create class list and enroll participants to Maths VLEb. design Maths course interface and templatec. put the course content on Maths coursed. design the login interfacee. integrate the Preium Learning login to VLEf. create course folder for RSg. create and find content for RS topic - Judalism2. Information Skills/ Library Skillsa. create and find the content for teaching IL skills and library skillsb. write the ppt slide for presentationc. write the framework and structured course content3. Inquiry Cycle Book Reading Group4. Reading for 2 Books Groups -- MBA & 6th Form Reading GroupHopefully I can use my time wisely and complete all these tasks on time!

Manchester Book Award 2010 Reading Group

Posted by Elfin on December 15, 2009 at 12:22pm

This year, I led the MBA students to use the movie-maker to create the book trailer for the MBA books. Also, I asked them to write the book reviews and recommendations so as to promote the books and the whole programme to the whole school community. Their work is brilliant and it works very well in library to attract pupils' attention and browsing. The MBA person-in-charge from public library also appreciated their work and put their work on the public library website. WoW... I will tell them and make them proud of their own work!Apart from that, I had a meeting with 3 MBA members to design the display board. They are all very creative and enthusiastic in taking part into the brainstorming and discussion process. I really enjoyed the time with them. We will have the second meeting tomorrow lunch time and will allocate the tasks to them to accomplish in the Winter holidays. When their display board is finished, I will upload the pictures here.

I'm going to be a high school librarian next year!!

Posted by Dana Stemig on December 13, 2009 at 1:42pm

I found out this week that I will be the Librarian Media Teacher at Downey High School in Modesto, California next year. Currently I'm an elementary librarian in the same district so it will be the same pay and I'll keep my seniority. One advantage is that I'll be at there all week instead of having to pack up my materials and haul them to another school in the middle of the day on Wednesday like I do now. Also I won't have to wonder year to year about where I will be assign next year because high LMTs are permanently at their site. Of course, if the elementary program is cut this year I will be very, very glad to be at high school because I'll be a librarian still. I love being a librarian so this is new job an absolutely wonderful thing that I am very grateful for.

Brainypics: Grand Prize Winner Announcement

Posted by Jack on December 13, 2009 at 11:30am

10 weeks and 3,818 Brainypics later (whoa), we have your Grand Prize Winner along with 10 Runners Up, as chosen by our panel of judges.The selection process was very, very, very, very tough... very. But I am sure you will find our prize recipients deserving. Check 'em out:#10 RUNNER UP – babyblue_456

#9 RUNNER UP – elgringoalex

#8 RUNNER UP – kris_kidd

#7 RUNNER UP – drewprice11

#6 RUNNER UP – countrymusiclover

#5 RUNNER UP – jberestovoy

#4 RUNNER UP – Marina

#3 RUNNER UP – matchmanmatt

#2 RUNNER UP – vazquezd

#1 RUNNER UP – bott_geneseohs

***GRAND PRIZE WINNER***

Congratulations, JKollar! And thanks again to everyone who got involved. Even though the Brainypics contest is over, Brainflix.com is still around for your kids to learn SAT vocab in the most funnestestest way possible. Speaking of which...***WE HAVE OUR 2ND ANNUAL BRAINYFLIX VIDEO CONTEST!***Make a funny or creative video teaching one of our SAT words and compete to win $600 and other goodies. Learn more at:http://brainyflix.com/main/contest_rulesSincerely,Jack & NoriThe Brainyflix Crew

TONIGHT! ISTE FREE Webniar: Library Media Marketing Through Easy Animation

Posted by gwyneth jones on December 10, 2009 at 4:00am

GoAnimate.com: Live Long & Animate! by gwyneth

I'm curious....which products have you used with your students or for yourself to promote your program or special projects? Which were the easiest? Which were blocked by your firewall? Did you stumble across any resistance or inappropriate content? Xtranormal has a motion of a "up yours" that i can't see using with my kids yet....as a tool for library promotion i've found it very effective. Thoughts? So yeah...this is both shameless webinar promotion but also getting some feedback that i can use for further presentations on this subject....thanks!!!! Live Thursday! Library Media Through Easy Animation: ISTE SIGMS FREE Webinar Thursday, December 10 at 8pm EST/7pm EST/6pm MST/5pm PST Presenter: Gwyneth Anne Bronwynne Jones Promoting your library media center and program has never been easier. Using quick, free, and easy animation studios teacher librarians can create engaging videos to market their media center, databases, research resources, special programs, and their love of reading to students, teachers, and the community. Combining easy animation with a wiki, website, or a blog your message will captivate your audience and reach beyond the brick and mortar walls of your school. Watch this Xtranormal animation to get a "taste" of the webinar. Library Media Marketing Through Easy Animation Directions to join the SIGMS webinar event 1. Check that your computer is set up for Adobe Connect by visiting Adobe Connect Pro Connection Test 2. Use this URL to enter the webinar room 10 - 15 minutes before starting time: http://Montgomery.na4.acrobat.com/SIGMS 3. Enter as a guest and type your first and last name. 4. Here is a link to a Visual Quick Start guide (pdf) to help you if this is your first webinar event. Click below to check out the Xtranormal animation for this webinar:

for more resources check out my Animation Studios Wiki

Fireside Chat with Joyce and Konrad: December 12th, 6:30 pm GMT

Posted by Durff on December 9, 2009 at 1:20pm

This Saturday there will be a live Fireside Chat with Joyce Valenza and Konrad Glogowski, the keynoters for week 1 of the k12Online Conference 2009. The live chat will take place at EdTechTalk --> http://edtechtalk.com/live where participants can hear the keynoters and chat in the chatroom. The Fireside Chat is scheduled at 6:30pmGMT --> Time Where You Are.Below is a downloadable flyer about this week's Fireside Chat. Feel free to disseminate.Live Event 12-12

Thank you! Over 900 Brainypics Received in 1 Week!

Posted by Jack on December 8, 2009 at 10:30am

WOWOWOWOWOWOW.As of midnight last night, students created 900+ Brainypics in one week. Way to finish strong, everybody! :]As you'd imagine, picking this week's winners to round out the Finalists for the $200 Grand Prize was harder than ever, but we found some worthy winners...

Congrats to Kris_kidd, Quinn, Caleb717, Lizard_king_93 and Babyblue_456 for their contributions.I'll put together a post with all of the Finalists ASAP for you to check out, as our judges git bizaaay!

"If I had my way: More unquiet libraries!"

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.