Storylineonline-

http://www.storylineonline.net/

This is one of the coolest sites I have seen in a long long time- I am so excited
to show this and use this with my teachers and classes!! Boy will this save time
for so many educators. And the students will LOVE it!

If you haven't seen this before - check it out. I want to use this with students for black history month! ( there are many great books here) Also  there are teachers guides for most of the books so you can really use the books for extending learning!!

Google arts and Culture

Google arts and Culture

https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/beta/

 Google arts and Culture is a fascinating site to explore!  There are collections of art, history, and   images / stories about people and places around the world from a variety of  sources.  I could spend hours and hours just browsing. But there is also a search box so  you can ask for specific topics to see what you come up with- I put in World War I and got tons of information  including  articles, videos , images, and primary sources. There is art work, from the time period, photographs, illustrations,  and flyers from this time.  Just check this  out- you will find something that is interesting and you can use!

History, Music, Art and Social Studies teachers are most likely to use this in their classes February's theme is Black History Month - which includes( Under Home)  Black History and Culture. There is enough material here to explore black History  for several months!!

Book publishing sites

http://www.lulu.com/create/books/

 LULU.com is a site that offers authors young and old  the ability to create their own books and share stories and knowledge. Lulu Jr. (for young children) and Lulu allows students and adults to become published authors. The site is encouraging and helps build literacy skills.

Lulu provides tools to help you publish your work for personal use or to sell for pro0fit. There are many resources: featured videos, articles on the knowledge for publishing, forums for discussion, and self-publishing guidelines. This would be great to use with students to help them with writing goals. There is an area for teachers to manage their classes and their students work.

https://storybird.com/

  Story bird’s  claim is that anyone can produce visual stories in seconds.  Illustrators and artists around the world have their art work available for use by creators of stories.  Families, student’s & teachers, and authors use story bird to create  & publish their own stories.

  Visitors to the site can read books from their favorite writers. They can create their own stories and share them with friends and families.  Teachers can help their students use Story Bird to have them learn the art of writing and have them produce their own books. (This encourages  reluctant writers and readers) Authors use story bird to give them a growing audience and connect with more readers,

Weekly Reading- So Be it

  Heidi and her mother (So B. it) live in Reno, next to Bernadette. Bernadette and Heidi take care of mother (who is mentally challenged) . Heidi has been with Bernadette and her mm since Heidi was a week old. Heidi doesn’t have aby other family that she knows of. 

   But when she finds some old photos, she being to wonder and ask questions about who the people were in the pictures. Her Mom’s limited vocabulary includes Soof. Heidi cannot figure out what it means. Heidi and Bernie start making calls to Liberty, NY to try and find out about the people in the phots..

  Heidi travels to liberty and finally gets the answers she is looking for. This is a bittersweet story that I would totally recommend.

The Librarian and the Principal

   Advocate for your library and its programs and increase your influence with your principal. This is one sure way to make sure your principal doesn't want to close the doors on your library. Think of your principal . What does he/she need? What materials and services would be helpful to them? What do they care about? What makes them successful?  What does the principal want to accomplish?

   Influence come when the school librarian  helps solve the principal's and staff members problems or help them achieve their goals.  So, begin by finding out your principals objectives and concerns. In addition to your annual and monthly reports. speak to you principals about what they want to see happening  in the schools. Are you helping to achieve the goals of the school and the students?

 This will go along way to keeping your programs alive!

Weekly Reading- The Magnolia Story

    I am a big fan of Fixer Upper(HGTV) , so my husband got me "The Magnolia Story"  by Chip & Joanna Gains for Christmas.  Chip and Joanna met at her Fathers Firestone store  when Chip was there with a friend. Chip was outgoing and an entrepreneur. Joanna  called her self an introvert.  After dating , they were soon married and lived in their first renovated home.

  There story is told in both their voices , but mostly Joanna's. It details their many projects , setbacks, and problems. This was both interesting to learn about their early married years , and also inspiring   in ways they managed their personal and work lives in the businesses they pursued. This is  well written and show cases how they appreciate their hometown and the simple values of family and their ethic of hard work.

Librarian as a Technology Specialist

  The librarian in the 21st century needs to be also be a technology specialist. In the past we were the keepers of the AV equipment. ( Who remembers those days??)  We were the schedulers / fixers of the movie projector, slide projectors, FS projectors. DVD players, ect.
  Now a days, we may be in charge of the Chrome books, laptops, and I pads that are used by staff and students. But most importantly , we need to step up and be users and instructors in the newest programs and resources,
   This involves using technology to create research projects, using tech to produce lessons, and teaching students how effectively use our sources and cite them.  We also need to help teachers integrate technology in to their lesson,s We can do this by  large group formal staff development  or showing individuals ( or by department) new technologies and new tech tools. So as librarians we need to keep up with the latest  tools and resourcesn.

Book Talks- How To

  When you are preparing a book talk remember is not a review or a book report. A book talk is told to convince the listener to read the book.  So in your book talk , we should 'sell , don't tell' . It is like an advertisement or commercial for the book. Try to hook the listener and make your talk funny, exciting, and interesting.
   Everyone has their own style  of book talks , so you will need to determine what yours is. Don't try to copy or steal someone else book talk , but listen  and see if you like the style of the way it is presented. Be sure to read the Whole book!! Don't try to do a book talk without reading the whole thing! Most of all be sure that it is a book you would recommend - don't do a book talk on a book you are just luke warm on.
   Some suggestions for book talks to consider: read a quote from the book, introduce the main characters or set the scene or setting , highlight the most interesting part of the plot. Make sure you give the title ad author of the book. In a few short sentences , summarize the plot of the book. But don;t tell the ending. Show the cover  of the book. Most importantly- Practice what you say! Practice in front of a mirror , or  for a co-worker or family member!  Be enthusiastic when you deliverer your book talks and have fun!

Librarian as a school leader

    Librarians act as leaders in their schools. Most of the time we call this 'Leading from the Middle'. Librarians lead by modeling best practices, and acting as a person who works with teachers to help bring lessons that are Technology tested and engaging.
    By developing one unit or lesson at a time with one teacher, word of mouth inspires other staff to want the same services.    Changes in lessons and units takes place, as the librarians builds relationships with staff. This in turn , effects students and their learning by having more engaging learning and more information skills to help them with technology. 
   Leadership by librarians can be done in several ways.Professional development, reading promotions, and programs , integrating two curricular areas, sharing tech tools new strategies and websites are just a few  ideas.  By demonstrating energy and enthusiasm for our job we can make a difference in our students lives.
  

Weekly Reading- Eleanor & Park

     Eleanor & Park / Rowell was a book I just couldn't stop reading! Eleanor is a back with her mother and stepfather.   She wears weird clothes to conceal herself, and trys to manage her read curly red hair. She doesn't really fit in with most of her school mates.

   Park is part Asian, very cute, and also doesn't fit in with most of the school either. The two are thrown together on the bus- there is no where else for Eleanor to sit. They slowly develop a friendship and then a more serious relationship. 

  Rowell writes tight with great description and dialog that is just what teens sound like. This book make me laugh and cry. A true ending that is real life.  I loved this book and doesn't want it to end.

Librarian as Program Administrator and Advocate

   The Librarian is the developer of many   library programs. We need to highlight the value of the Library and also promote the important role of the librarian as a member of the instructional staff.  We can present students at meetings (PTA, Board, Staff Dev) . We can conduct reading challenges. ( I use Accelerated Reading challenge)

   I also promote programs, services, and books in my monthly newsletter.  I actually do a twice a month brief newsletter and I also send occasional emails targeted to specific departments. I take photos to show case what is happening in the library and what the students are doing.  The other way I promote my library and programs is my monthly report to administration. 

   The other simple thing that we do is to make signs for programs to be up all around the school. And we use the morning / afternoon announcements to promote the library and its programs.

Book Talks

    Librarians use book talks to encourage reading and to showcase new or great books. There are many  different  ways to accomplish book talks. If you have scheduled classes , then you can do  book talks on a regular basis.
     If you have a flex schedule  then you will need to devise ways to share your collection, Go into ELA classes or Social Studies classes with a tote bag of books.Give book talks during lunch time if your library is open and students have 'free time"

    Book talks could also be produced into blog posts, pod castes, short videos, or other ' digital " ways. This way the promotion would be on your library webpage or the schools webpage,

    Another idea to promote reading is a 'read around' whereby staff members present their favorite books . Students would hear many different titles this way.

Librarian as Information Specialist

  The librarian's second most important job is that of Information Specialist. As librarians , we develop our collections according to our curriculum  and teacher/ student needs.  The second part of being an information specialist is identifying and sharing resources that will support teacher created  lessons and project based learning  activities.

  So as librarians we learn our schools curriculum and our teachers lessons , and we build out collections based on these  specifications.  I am constantly speaking with teachers regarding their lessons, and if they need support material to be had in their classrooms. I build project pathfinders ( series of internet sites based on lessons/ information needed  ) that are placed on the library web page. Each time a class does a project, appropriate databases are reviewed

  As librarians, we look for print , streaming videos, databases, reliable websites, and eBooks for students and staff. The addition of electronic resources add to our roles of  information specialist. Resources of online databases and eBooks provide with further information. Instruction on how to access and use goes back to our primary role of teacher..