valentines_day_bookmarks.docx |
I made some Valentine's Day Bookmarks. I am again happy to share with you. These bookmarks have a very simple design, but I didn't really have a lot of time to spend on making them. It allows students to color them and make them personalized. Feel free to print and use them for your library.
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Recently, I was asked about books that encourage a growth mindset. I searched online for lists and ideas. I noticed that many of the books that are featured on these lists, I don't have in my collection. As a new librarian, my collection goals are to replace books that are damaged and beyond repair before purchasing new books. As I am learning two collections from different libraries, it has been interesting to find books that fit in this category. These books vary from fiction picture books, nonfiction, and biographies. As I work on my collections, I will add to this list.
George Krum and the Saratoga Chip by Gaylia Taylor What if Everybody Did that? by Ellen Javernick The Dot by Peter Reynolds Marvelous Mattie How Margaret E. Knight Became an Inventor by Emily Arnold McCully When Marian Sang by Pam Ryan Munoz Flight School by Lita Judge Timeless Thomas: How Thomas Edison Changed out Lives by Gene Barretta The Right Word: Roget and his Thesaurus by Jen Bryant and Melissa Sweet I like to make bookmarks for the library. We are having a Polar Express Day at one of my schools. I thought it would be nice to have a bookmark that was like a boarding pass. I used Word Art and I found a train clipart picture online that was free to use. I printed some on colored and white cardstock. If you would like to use them, feel free to print them out. I'm always happy to share.
I am so happy to say that I have a job! I was hired in the DFW area and I have a split campus position. I was a late hire, so it's been a little frantic trying to get everything together at two schools.I have two elementary schools and when I'm not at one location, I have a library clerk there. I feel very fortunate because my library clerk is amazing! She is great and helpful!
As I move forward with this position and blog, I still hope to continue to provide books and reviews for my readers. I will also be posting about my experiences and sharing information that I've learned to offer advice and suggestions. With this position, organization is critical. Here are a few tips that I've learned thus far:
Does anyone have any advice or suggestions for a split campus position? Please feel free to comment with any tips.
Critical Analysis:
The world that Sanderson creates is rich and vibrant. The story takes place in an alternative world where wild chalkings threaten the safety of humanity. The United Isles is made up of islands like Nebrask, Georgiabama, and New France. The history and culture of this alternative world is woven into the lessons of the students and in the investigation of the missing students. Sanderson builds suspense and mystery as the story moves along. Joel is a well fleshed out character. He is a students who is capable, but hardly applies himself to his studies when they do not interest him. He struggles with this grand dream of what he wants, but circumstances force him into another path. Many teen readers will be able to relate to him. Melody is a female character that is less developed. She comes off as rich, impulsive, and melodramatic. At times, it’s hard to understand her motivations. She serves at times as a foil for Joel, but in some of those instances, it may be hard for readers to empathize with her. The story has an intriguing premise which will engage readers who like steampunk or fantasy stories. Interspersed in the chapters are drawings and information about the chalk attacks which enhance the understanding of the story. Sanderson has created a unique world that showcase a world with many possibilities. Awards:
Lesson Plans/Activities:
Similar Books:
Dorothy Must Die Paige, Danielle. Dorothy Must Die. New York: Harper. 2014. Print. Summary: Amy is a teenage girl living in a trailer park in Kansas with her negligent mother. A tornado transports her to OZ. Dorothy is now an adult and a tyrannical ruler of the land. Her friends, the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion have all been transformed into twisted creatures. Amy is recruited by the other witches of OZ to join the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked to kill Dorothy. Amy learns magic and fighting skills to face off against Dorothy. Critical Analysis: Amy starts off as resentful girl who makes mistakes and stumbles as she navigates this new world and her training. Her choices have consequences and Amy has to learn to deal with them. She is not sure if she can go through the act of killing Dorothy, but by the end, she is determined to try. The evolution of her character feels natural. Romance is thrown in the mix with Nox, a fellow member of the order. The romance aspect seems a little forced and shallow. The emotional connection between Amy and Nox is not as strong, so it is hard for the reader to become invested in their relationship. Paige creates a dystopian version of Oz that is dark and menacing. She creates a strong horror tone and sense of dread as the reader learns more about what Dorothy and her cohorts are doing. The kind sweet version of Dorothy becomes replaced with a sinister and maniacal woman. The Scarecrow has turned into a mad scientist experimenting on creatures especially the flying monkeys. The Lion is a terrifying creature that drains the fear out of others killing them. Another issue with the novel is that it has a dissatisfying ending or rather a non-ending to set up the sequels. Readers will want to know how this story turns out, so be sure to have the sequel available. Overall, Paige creates a compelling version of Oz that will appeal to those who love fractured or re-imagined fairy tales. Awards: Great Lakes Great Book Award, 2015: Nominee Michigan Other Books based on Oz
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May 1st-7th is Choose Privacy Week, a a public awareness campaign of privacy concerns in the digital age. Serious questions have been raised about the privacy of students using technology provided by schools and at home. The Electronic Frontier Foundation filed a complaint against Google for Education for its data collection on students using district Chromebooks to show target ads to kids (Google Deceptively Tracks Students’ Internet Browsing, EFF Says in FTC Complaint.
When I review apps or Web 2.0 Tools on here, I always share about privacy aspects such as can projects be set to private or public. I believe it's important for educators and librarians to know about this feature for the safety and security of children. These features are often based on subscription costs. Projects that can be set to private often require a fee. In other words, what's the cost of a free app? I have created a number of about me projects using free apps and Web 2.0 tools as a way to familiarize and experiment with the tools. A Google Search for me will pull up some of these projects. People will know about my interests and hobbies. They can learn a few things about me. Some people would not think much about what is being shared or try to justify it with it's just a little information. A little information here and there can add up. We have to consider the privacy of these tools. What information is being collected and possibly shared with other companies? What information can be accessed by others? These tools also leave a digital footprint for children. Even though these tools are for education, we must carefully consider the tools that we use and promote. I understand budget constraints make it difficult to for schools to afford subscription services.Librarians and educators can apply for grants, ask for trial periods, or negotiate for a discounted rate. Educators or librarians may consider creating a class email account and use that email to create an account for one of the apps. All students in that class will use the that email account to log in. When students create digital projects, we need to emphasize how important it is to protect their identity and privacy without the use of scare tactics. What are some ways that we can help students protect their privacy online? Feel free to add a comment below.
I use Weebly for a number of reasons. It allows me to share some of the work that I have created during grad school. I can share about books that I have read. I can also share about technology and some sample products. I discovered an interesting tool that can be used to share projects and projects can be embedded. It is called LiveBinder.
Live Binder has both a free and paid subscription plan. There is a reduced education rate available. With the paid plan, they offer users more binders, items that can be uploaded, and the ability to set binders to private. It has a pretty basic layout. There is a quick tour when the user logs in and a how to guide on the first binder. I had to play around with it for a bit. I would suggest not to click on don't show tour again until you feel comfortable with it. Another benefit is LiveBinders also offers collaboration. Multiple people can work on the same binder. This is a wonderful tool when someone is collaborating with others on a project or lesson. I like that I can curate different projects under different tabs. Users can link to pages, upload videos, pictures, documents and even QR codes. This is a tool that I will definitely continue to use as a professional portfolio. I will need to add more content to it, but it would be nice to have a QR code with this Binder on my resume. One downside is that users can only upload one document to a tab. Teachers and librarians can use this for collaboration on a lesson. It can be used to help curate resources for a project. It can be used to create a WebQuest. The questions and links over a topic can be in tab. Many possibilities exist with this tool. Tithe: A Modern Faerie Tale Black, Holly. Tithe: A Modern Faerie Tale. New York: Simon & Shuster. 2002. Summary: Kaye lives with a free spirited rock star mother. When her mother is attacked, they move to New Jersey to live with Kaye’s grandmother. Kaye uncovers a hidden secret from her past which places her in the middle of a battle between two fairy courts. In the midst, of these troubles, she becomes attracted to Roiben a fairy knight of the dangerous Unseelie Court. She struggles to navigate the dangerous path ahead of her and to keep her friends safe. Critical Analysis: Kaye is presented as not the typical young adult heroine in many ways. Before the stunning revelation of her true heritage, she is described as half Asian. She smokes, drinks, steals, and has dropped out of school. Her mother who works as a musician has a laid back approach to parenting her daughter. It makes the dynamics from the three generations of woman interesting to read and crease a tension in the house that some readers will be able to relate to. Not all the fairies are good. They have complexity and cover the spectrum of morality and immorality. One fairy’s treatment of Corny, Kaye’s gay friend, is appalling and horrifying that may disturb some readers. Roiben is well developed and guards his inner thoughts, but through his actions the reader gets a glimpse into his mind. The story is fast paced and engaging. Black provides a window into fairy lore without overwhelming the reader with details. Her description of a fairy party is lush and vivid. It pulls the reader into this incredible world. Some of the topics of abuse, homosexuality, alcoholism, and stealing may make younger readers or immature teens uncomfortable. Many older teens who are fans of supernatural stories with romance elements in them will certainly enjoy this modern fairy tale. Awards:
Other Books by Holly Black:
Books with Supernatural Elements:
Lesson Plan Ideas/Activities:
I debated about whether to put my last Scratch project here or a book review for Tithe by Holly Black. I was so pleased with how my game turned out that I decided to show off my learning. I have to say that I have not had much coding and programming experience before taking this MOOC. I learned something about html code from a book that I read. I would by no means claim that I am an expert, but I feel confident enough to share my work. I would be able to walk through with someone on how to create a game or animation.
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AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
April 2016
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