I just finished Homecoming (Voigt) and it was excellent! What a difference when you have several days off like the Thanksgiving break. I wondered how it would turn out and I was very satisfied at the ending with the Grandma. The little family of 4 went through a lot together and not a thing was easy, butt they stuck together ! How they traveled was truly amazing and most of the time they were very resourceful. I am hoping that there is another book to say what happens next but I will have to check that out.
Sunday, November 27, 2016
Weekly Reading
I just finished Homecoming (Voigt) and it was excellent! What a difference when you have several days off like the Thanksgiving break. I wondered how it would turn out and I was very satisfied at the ending with the Grandma. The little family of 4 went through a lot together and not a thing was easy, butt they stuck together ! How they traveled was truly amazing and most of the time they were very resourceful. I am hoping that there is another book to say what happens next but I will have to check that out.
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
Physical de-cluttering ( Part 2)
Another thing that is easily de-clutter is your file cabinet. Why should you do this? Well for starters if you had any excess files in your office , they need a place to go. Secondly, if your cabinets are overstuffed, you will not be able to access what you need to get out without getting frustrated.
First thing to look for is duplicate files, either files with the exact same name or files that look similar with slightly different topics on their tab. Take them out and go through them.If you have duplicates , put one of the contents in recycling.
The second thing is to grab a handful of files ( maybe 5 or 6 at a time) and ask yourself the same questions as you did for getting your files into the cabinets ( see blog post from Nov ) If you spend 10 to 15 minutes a day on this you can have your file cabinets in order and with room for new files.
I find the end of the day is a great time to do this because by that time I am winding down, and it gets something done without being a major brain drain.
First thing to look for is duplicate files, either files with the exact same name or files that look similar with slightly different topics on their tab. Take them out and go through them.If you have duplicates , put one of the contents in recycling.
The second thing is to grab a handful of files ( maybe 5 or 6 at a time) and ask yourself the same questions as you did for getting your files into the cabinets ( see blog post from Nov ) If you spend 10 to 15 minutes a day on this you can have your file cabinets in order and with room for new files.
I find the end of the day is a great time to do this because by that time I am winding down, and it gets something done without being a major brain drain.
Saturday, November 19, 2016
December Bulletin Boards for Libraies
December is almost around the corner so it is time to start thinking of new bulletin boards. I like to plan ahead so I start now to figure out what I will put up. I usually keep my bulletin boards from year to year, So many times I can just pull on out and put it up. I do not put the same one up each year- I alternate.
December Bulletin Boards Slogans
Seasons Readings - Put a wreath in the middle with students favorites all around. I use scanned covers.
LOL- Place large letters in the center, Place names or covers of books jokes and riddles.
Mittens- make large mittens out of construction paper, Have students write their favorite books on the mitten. Slogan: Keep Warm With Great Books
Battle of the Books: Place photos of teams on the board with Team names and date of competition.
Books Are Gifts You Give Yourselves.
December Bulletin Boards Slogans
Seasons Readings - Put a wreath in the middle with students favorites all around. I use scanned covers.
LOL- Place large letters in the center, Place names or covers of books jokes and riddles.
Mittens- make large mittens out of construction paper, Have students write their favorite books on the mitten. Slogan: Keep Warm With Great Books
Battle of the Books: Place photos of teams on the board with Team names and date of competition.
Books Are Gifts You Give Yourselves.
Tuesday, November 15, 2016
De-cluttering your physical office
Okay , lets say you piles of files in your office. Are they all in your file cabinets or are they in boxes on the floor or under the work table.( That's where mine were!)Decide to de- clutter your office - your brain and eyes will thank you!
Grab a bunch of files . Take 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Look at each file to determine: How important is the material? Will you need it this year or maybe next year? Is it an activity or program that you do on an every other year basis? Do you not want to do that activity/lesson ever again?
If the answer is that you'll use the information / papers this year , then keep the contents of the file. Make sure it is properly marked , place the file in alphabetic in the correct file cabinet.( See The Organized Librarian handbook for my other ideas on filing)
If the file is not needed this year but maybe next year then take one or two copies of what is in the file for ones that are lessons) and put the rest in recycling or use as scrap paper ( print out needed emails ,or cut up to use for notes)
And if you have file that you do not need and will never use again, or are duplicates of what you have in your drawer then put the materials in recycling!! There -in 10 to 15 minutes you have organized more files and have gotten rid of items you do not need!
Grab a bunch of files . Take 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Look at each file to determine: How important is the material? Will you need it this year or maybe next year? Is it an activity or program that you do on an every other year basis? Do you not want to do that activity/lesson ever again?
If the answer is that you'll use the information / papers this year , then keep the contents of the file. Make sure it is properly marked , place the file in alphabetic in the correct file cabinet.( See The Organized Librarian handbook for my other ideas on filing)
If the file is not needed this year but maybe next year then take one or two copies of what is in the file for ones that are lessons) and put the rest in recycling or use as scrap paper ( print out needed emails ,or cut up to use for notes)
And if you have file that you do not need and will never use again, or are duplicates of what you have in your drawer then put the materials in recycling!! There -in 10 to 15 minutes you have organized more files and have gotten rid of items you do not need!
Sunday, November 13, 2016
Weekly Reading
This week I am reading Miss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children ( Riggs) I am about halfway through and can see why it was a NYT best seller. It is peculiar ( especially the characters and the setting) .As I read I want to find out what will happen next and what the conclusion will be.
I 'll want to see the movie and even read the next two. We just got them in the library and I am hoping the students will pick them up after they've seen the movie ad read the first book.
I 'll want to see the movie and even read the next two. We just got them in the library and I am hoping the students will pick them up after they've seen the movie ad read the first book.
Friday, November 11, 2016
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
Library Signs
Recently I purchased new Dewey Decimal signs for the middle school library.( from Demco) They are wordle( word cloud) designs so look modern .The signs are much more sophisticated than the one ones that had been hanging there for many years according to my library assistant,
I needed a few more and did try to do a wordle but they came out way to busy and hard to read. So I just made a simple black text on white for the ones I needed. But now I am thinking of doing them over on read paper to make them pop against the wood and the other signs, Demco's are black and since our colors are red and black I think it would be great!
I needed a few more and did try to do a wordle but they came out way to busy and hard to read. So I just made a simple black text on white for the ones I needed. But now I am thinking of doing them over on read paper to make them pop against the wood and the other signs, Demco's are black and since our colors are red and black I think it would be great!
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Accelerated Reading at the Middle School
My Assistant Principal at the middle school ia former ELA Teacher . He is a proponent of The Accelerated Reading program and has gotten a plan for each student! So now we are working on a program on how we will carry out and promote it to the students and teachers.
I surveyed the ELA teachers to see how they would like it used. I was surprised by the answers. The seventh grade team wanted to use it as a reading motivation and did not want it tied to grades. ( like a reading reward program similar to my fall into reading challenge that I am currently doing) The 8th grade team thought they might like it tied to the grades but then changed their mind.
So I think we are going to go with the reading motivation theme and it will be run though then library which is logical and also helpful because then I will not have to do anymore challenges , just help keep track of the students who are doing the most AR!
What do you do at your school ( especially Middle School) for accelerated Reading? Leave your ideas and comments below please!
I surveyed the ELA teachers to see how they would like it used. I was surprised by the answers. The seventh grade team wanted to use it as a reading motivation and did not want it tied to grades. ( like a reading reward program similar to my fall into reading challenge that I am currently doing) The 8th grade team thought they might like it tied to the grades but then changed their mind.
So I think we are going to go with the reading motivation theme and it will be run though then library which is logical and also helpful because then I will not have to do anymore challenges , just help keep track of the students who are doing the most AR!
What do you do at your school ( especially Middle School) for accelerated Reading? Leave your ideas and comments below please!
Sunday, October 30, 2016
Weekly Reading
Every week , I pick at least one book to read from my middle school collection.Sometimes it's a brand new book, other times it's just one that catches my eye and I think looks good. I want to be able to recommend books to the students and also know whats in my collection.
I am reading Phillipa Gregory's Changeling. Actually I had read it before , but now I am reading to determine if we should get the then next one in this series- I am thinking I already read the next one because I have read all of her books as they are interesting and a great read.
Short summary: Luca ( age 17) is recruited to record the end of times across
Europe. Isolde ( also 17)is trapped in a nunnery, following her dead fathers wishes. Luca is sent to the nunnery to investigate some strange occurrence.
I am reading Phillipa Gregory's Changeling. Actually I had read it before , but now I am reading to determine if we should get the then next one in this series- I am thinking I already read the next one because I have read all of her books as they are interesting and a great read.
Short summary: Luca ( age 17) is recruited to record the end of times across
Europe. Isolde ( also 17)is trapped in a nunnery, following her dead fathers wishes. Luca is sent to the nunnery to investigate some strange occurrence.
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
November Bulletin Board Ideas
November Bulletin Board Ideas:
Elect to read!
Children's Book Week,
Don't be a turkey, Read!
Be Thankful for great books.
What are you Thankful for?
Gobble up these great books - turkey with book covers of book chosen by you or students
Pick a winner- football theme
Monday, October 24, 2016
Photos of my desk
On the right- my daily planner book, my librarian notebook and manuals for my library circ programs. My basket is used to put important files and papers.That is my "To Do File"
Right hand side- my weekly files with projects I am working on, also meeting files, budget files, and files used daily or weekly!
The whole thing - How I leave it almost every night!
Right hand side- my weekly files with projects I am working on, also meeting files, budget files, and files used daily or weekly!
The whole thing - How I leave it almost every night!
Monday, October 17, 2016
For Librarians- my office desk
On my desk there is are two file sorters because I do not have a file cabinet on my desk. These are items use on a daily and weekly basis. Every thing else is in my file cabinet or will be in my file cabinet when I get my filing supplies.
In the front of one file sorter I have my to do file.In that there are items that I need to work on . I also have a to file folder, and also a to read file which is full of items to read.
Then I have several folders of things I am working on . I really like to focus on one project at a time- I feel that is the best way to get tasks accomplished. But there are a few things ( like my monthly report and my monthly newsletter that I work on a little at a time , staring in the middle of the month).
So for right now I have a book club folder- my first meeting was last week and I have two more this week. After that I will move that folder until I need it. It have a folder with my budget work in it - because that is something that I will use until my money is spent.
In another stack sorter, I have my plan book, my " important papers" note book and also printed manuals about my circ system and other items that I refer to on a daily basis.
This keeps my desk clean and organized. I know where everything is and I can pullout what I need when need itl
In the front of one file sorter I have my to do file.In that there are items that I need to work on . I also have a to file folder, and also a to read file which is full of items to read.
Then I have several folders of things I am working on . I really like to focus on one project at a time- I feel that is the best way to get tasks accomplished. But there are a few things ( like my monthly report and my monthly newsletter that I work on a little at a time , staring in the middle of the month).
So for right now I have a book club folder- my first meeting was last week and I have two more this week. After that I will move that folder until I need it. It have a folder with my budget work in it - because that is something that I will use until my money is spent.
In another stack sorter, I have my plan book, my " important papers" note book and also printed manuals about my circ system and other items that I refer to on a daily basis.
This keeps my desk clean and organized. I know where everything is and I can pullout what I need when need itl
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Teaching with Primary Sources: Historical Photographs
Teaching with photographs( primary sources) motivates and encourages students to ask good questions and will eventually lead to higher order thinking. Primary Source photographs inspire students to think about the past an relate it to their life today.
As educators we need to determine questions about each photograph. Students will need to study and investigate the photograph to locate information and think of an answer to a question.
This will bring an emphasis on inquiry learning with encourages learns to observe, analyze, and form their own ideas on the primary source, This also helps them build knowledge.
More information will follow about the Library Of Congress website - check this out for Primary Sources useful for American History.
https://memory.loc.gov/ammem/index.html
As educators we need to determine questions about each photograph. Students will need to study and investigate the photograph to locate information and think of an answer to a question.
This will bring an emphasis on inquiry learning with encourages learns to observe, analyze, and form their own ideas on the primary source, This also helps them build knowledge.
More information will follow about the Library Of Congress website - check this out for Primary Sources useful for American History.
https://memory.loc.gov/ammem/index.html
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