http://educationalsoftware.wikispaces.com/
"On this wiki you will find resources for different educational applications, Web 2.0 and digital image and video resources. My name is Suzie Vesper and as you can see from my WeeWorld picture, I am a lover of chocolate and Mac computers. However, PC users will see that I haven't neglected them on this site.
I work as an ICT Facilitator in Wellington, New Zealand. Feel free to add your own ideas and resources to this site as I have now lifted the protection on the site so that anyone can add to it. If you do add some content, please add some information about yourself to my contributors page."
There is a companion wiki on web 2.0 blogs and wikis at http://learningweb2.wikispaces.com/
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Print books versus e-book debate
I would like to share this interesting article on an American boarding school library getting rid of their book collection and replacing with it with kindles and databases: http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2009-10-26-kindle-school-library_N.htm
I had the opportunity while down at the SLANZA conference to put the question to a panel of eight high-achieving, keen-reading students whether they prefer to use print resources or e-books - the answer was 100% in favour of print books. I would tend to question the library environment and culture within the school that books weren't being borrowed in the first place. Ongoing data on the students' literacy and achievement standards will be essential now that they have these millions of e-books but only 65 kindles to distribute them on, and 13 databases but what computer access . . .
I find it a fascinating topic - would love to hear other peoples comments.
I had the opportunity while down at the SLANZA conference to put the question to a panel of eight high-achieving, keen-reading students whether they prefer to use print resources or e-books - the answer was 100% in favour of print books. I would tend to question the library environment and culture within the school that books weren't being borrowed in the first place. Ongoing data on the students' literacy and achievement standards will be essential now that they have these millions of e-books but only 65 kindles to distribute them on, and 13 databases but what computer access . . .
I find it a fascinating topic - would love to hear other peoples comments.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Library Research Service reports
The (USA) Library Research Service http://www.lrs.org/impact.php generates library statistics and research for library and education professionals, public officials, and the media.
One of the topics of continuing interest to the LRS and its clients is the impact of school librarians on student achievement.
From this site you can download articles, research findings, powerpoints and pdf planning sheets with information about libraries and student achievement, the key roles of library staff, library advocacy, the need for evidence based practice, next steps for research etc...
Here is one example of advice on increasing the school librarians' profile :
10 easy leadership ideas to help school librarians become leaders on their campuses :
One of the topics of continuing interest to the LRS and its clients is the impact of school librarians on student achievement.
From this site you can download articles, research findings, powerpoints and pdf planning sheets with information about libraries and student achievement, the key roles of library staff, library advocacy, the need for evidence based practice, next steps for research etc...
Here is one example of advice on increasing the school librarians' profile :
10 easy leadership ideas to help school librarians become leaders on their campuses :
- Meet regularly with your principal.
- Attend all faculty meetings.
- Serve on curriculum and standards committees.
- Present professional development for teachers and librarians.
- Engage in collaboration with teachers and the technology staff.
- Meet with school library colleagues.
- Visit other school libraries.
- Link to initiatives that are implemented on your campus or in the district.
- Give recognition to others for their successes.
- Attend and participate in district, state, and national associations and conferences.
The Horizon Report 2009 - ICT and learning
The annual Horizon Report describes the continuing work of the NMC’s Horizon Project, a long-running qualitative research project that seeks to identify and describe emerging technologies likely to have a large impact on teaching, learning, research, or creative expression within learning-focused organizations.
Here is a link to the Horizon Report on the web, http://wp.nmc.org/horizon2009/
You can download an Australian / New Zealand edition PDF
http://www.nmc.org/pdf/2008-Horizon-Report-ANZ.pdf
This report talks about key trends, critical challenges, and technologies to watch. It discusses technologies in terms of "time to adoption" ie one year or less, two to three years, four to five years, and for each it gives an overview, explores relevance for teaching / learning / creative expression, gives examples and identifies further reading. In three words the technology is personal, portable and social.
The five research questions that are at the core of the Horizon Project are :
Here is a link to the Horizon Report on the web, http://wp.nmc.org/horizon2009/
You can download an Australian / New Zealand edition PDF
http://www.nmc.org/pdf/2008-Horizon-Report-ANZ.pdf
This report talks about key trends, critical challenges, and technologies to watch. It discusses technologies in terms of "time to adoption" ie one year or less, two to three years, four to five years, and for each it gives an overview, explores relevance for teaching / learning / creative expression, gives examples and identifies further reading. In three words the technology is personal, portable and social.
The five research questions that are at the core of the Horizon Project are :
- What would you list among the established technologies that learning-focused institutions should all be using broadly today to support or enhance teaching, learning, or creative expression?
- What technologies that have a solid user base in consumer, entertainment, or other industries should learning-focused institutions be actively looking for ways to apply?
- What are the key emerging technologies you see developing to the point that learning-focused institutions should begin to take notice during the next 3 to 5 years? What organizations or companies are the leaders in these technologies?
- What do you see as the key challenges related to teaching, learning, or creative expression that learning-focused institutions will face during the next 5 years?
- What trends do you expect to have a significant impact on the ways in which learning-focused institutions approach our core missions of teaching, research, and service?
SLANZA study grants for 2010
SLANZA is offering study grants for 2010 to those working in a school library including library assistants, librarians, library managers, teacher aides, and teachers with library responsibility.
Conditions of application :
- Each Study Grant will cover the cost (up to $550.00), of a paper, course or module offered by an approved library education provider such as The Open Polytechnic or University of Auckland.
- Applications are to be supported by a covering letter from the school principal.
- Applicants must have been SLANZA members prior to 31 March 2009
- Applicants should state in writing:- the potential benefits of undertaking this professional development how it will contribute to your role as part of the library team your relevant library experience whether you have completed any other papers
- Supply the name of one referee
- Applications close on 6 November 2009
Enquiries to Di Eastwood at deastwood@kerikerihigh.ac.nz
Sunday, October 25, 2009
EnglishTeaching Online (UK) and poetry
The Frank Cottrell Boyce article mentioned in the previous post was originally published in English Teaching Online - a UK resource for English teachers, in the Spring 09 newsletter.
You can browse other newsletters - helpfully called "the one with all the novels", "the one with all the plays", "the one with all the organisation"... which gives the theme of each.
I enjoyed "the one with all the poetry", including a great activity using the clever one-page book (with instructions)
http://www.teachit.co.uk/custom_content/newsletters/newsletter_sep07.asp
You can browse other newsletters - helpfully called "the one with all the novels", "the one with all the plays", "the one with all the organisation"... which gives the theme of each.
I enjoyed "the one with all the poetry", including a great activity using the clever one-page book (with instructions)
http://www.teachit.co.uk/custom_content/newsletters/newsletter_sep07.asp
"Libraries - the best of us" Frank Cottrell Boyce
What a wonderful article by Frank Cottrell Boyce (author of Millions, Framed, Cosmic - all great funny wonderful novels - would be good read-alouds) reprinted in the latest SCIS Connections newsletter : Are schools killing off the library ?
http://www2.curriculum.edu.au/scis/connections/are_schools_killing_off_the_library.html
In this paean to libraries, Frank Cottrell Boyce talks about the importance of reading for pleasure and makes a plea to avoid changing libraries into "Learning Resource Centres" full of computers.
He ends : "The year I won the Carnegie, my MP was among the first to congratulate me. Part of the prize was a bequest to a library of my choosing. I was thinking about my local library. She said no. She told me that Waterloo – the Liverpool suburb – was twinned with Waterloo in Sierra Leone – a small African town devastated by the civil war. She had just met the local mayor and had asked him what she could do for him, thinking he would ask for a health centre, a school or cash. He said, ‘What we’d really like is a library.’ So often when people ask for help, they ask for the worst of us. They ask for weapons or dodgy large-scale engineering projects. This man asked for the best of us. And where is the best of us? It’s in the library."
Check out this article, and have a look at the whole Connections issue - lots of useful and interesting information - websites, Twitter, table arrangements in libraries, web filtering...
http://www2.curriculum.edu.au/scis/connections/are_schools_killing_off_the_library.html
In this paean to libraries, Frank Cottrell Boyce talks about the importance of reading for pleasure and makes a plea to avoid changing libraries into "Learning Resource Centres" full of computers.
He ends : "The year I won the Carnegie, my MP was among the first to congratulate me. Part of the prize was a bequest to a library of my choosing. I was thinking about my local library. She said no. She told me that Waterloo – the Liverpool suburb – was twinned with Waterloo in Sierra Leone – a small African town devastated by the civil war. She had just met the local mayor and had asked him what she could do for him, thinking he would ask for a health centre, a school or cash. He said, ‘What we’d really like is a library.’ So often when people ask for help, they ask for the worst of us. They ask for weapons or dodgy large-scale engineering projects. This man asked for the best of us. And where is the best of us? It’s in the library."
Check out this article, and have a look at the whole Connections issue - lots of useful and interesting information - websites, Twitter, table arrangements in libraries, web filtering...
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Reading to a dog
For those who love dogs, you'll completely understand this great story about a programme for learner readers to read to a dog...http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/10/22/dogs.irpt/index.html
Learning to read? Try talking to a dog [CNN]
I saw this happen at Russell School quite a few years ago - a young boy was out on the verandah, sitting cross legged with a lovely dog (the Principal Keith Dowdle's dog) resting its chin on the boy's knee while the boy read - it really looked as if the dog was listening and looking at the pictures - if only I'd had my camera !
Friday, October 23, 2009
Bright Ideas SLAV blog
Here is an Australian school library blog run by SLAV (School Library Association of Victoria) : Bright Ideas http://slav.globalteacher.org.au/
Lots of interesting posts and links to various things for a trans-Tasman perspective - school library blogs, school library wikis, web 2.0 tools, game based learning...
Lots of interesting posts and links to various things for a trans-Tasman perspective - school library blogs, school library wikis, web 2.0 tools, game based learning...
Boy readers and the Book Whisperer
Donalyn Miller, "the book whisperer", writes a blog I enjoy - her latest post is about the boy readers in her class http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/book_whisperer/
She mentions some titles her boys (and many girls) love to read this year:
She mentions some titles her boys (and many girls) love to read this year:
- The Hunger Games and Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
- Found and Sent by Margaret Peterson Haddix
- Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz
- The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney
- Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan
- Bone graphic novels by Jeff Smith
- Peak by Roland Smith (all of Smith's books are perennial favorites)
- Killer Pizza by Greg Taylor
- The Heir Chronicles by Cinda Williams Chima
For more information on supporting boy readers, check out author and boy reading advocate, Jon Scieszka's retooled Guys Read website.
Have you had a look at Twitter ? www.twitter.com
Twitter is a free service that lets you keep in touch with people through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?
Now, depending on the calibre of the "tweets" it can be a useful way to quickly be informed about a wide range of links and opportunities - or it can be inane and trivial... All depends on who you follow !
Bridget Schaumann, Librarian at Kings College Dunedin. promoted it on the school library list serv last week...
"If you think Twitter is just about ‘what I’m having for dinner tonight’ then you are sadly misinformed. This article http://www2.curriculum.edu.au/scis/connections/twitter_for_libraries__(and_librarians).html
http://www.teachersourcebook.org/tsb/articles/2009/10/01/01twitter.h03.html
If you join up to Twitter and want a manual about how to get the most out of it -here is a link
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/the-complete-guide-to-twitter-pdf/
Twitter is a free service that lets you keep in touch with people through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?
Now, depending on the calibre of the "tweets" it can be a useful way to quickly be informed about a wide range of links and opportunities - or it can be inane and trivial... All depends on who you follow !
Bridget Schaumann, Librarian at Kings College Dunedin. promoted it on the school library list serv last week...
"If you think Twitter is just about ‘what I’m having for dinner tonight’ then you are sadly misinformed. This article http://www2.curriculum.edu.au/scis/connections/twitter_for_libraries__(and_librarians).html
For many people, the word ‘twitter‘ brings to mind birds rather than humans. But information professionals know that Twitter (http://www.twitter.com) is a fast-growing, free messaging service for people, and it’s one that libraries (and librarians) can make good use of – without spending much time or effort.
http://www.teachersourcebook.org/tsb/articles/2009/10/01/01twitter.h03.html
If you join up to Twitter and want a manual about how to get the most out of it -here is a link
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/the-complete-guide-to-twitter-pdf/
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Converting documents to PDFs
This is a handy tool for converting documents - I was sent some documents in Microsoft Publisher which I couldn't open - didn't have the right version - but you upload them to this website and they are converted into PDFs and emailed back to you... http://www.pdfonline.com/convert-pdf/
Here are a couple of other sites shared on the list serv : http://www.convertpdftotext.net/Default.aspx
but I think it will depend on whether the original file is locked or not. There are tools to help unlock pdf files too though! http://www.pdfunlock.com/
Here are a couple of other sites shared on the list serv : http://www.convertpdftotext.net/Default.aspx
but I think it will depend on whether the original file is locked or not. There are tools to help unlock pdf files too though! http://www.pdfunlock.com/
Library displays
Here are some links / resources around school library displays...
- Blog by Elaine Pearson, Librarian at Horowhenua College, Levin NZ http://schoollibrarydisplays.blogspot.com/
- Blog by Ruth Buchanan, an Australian Teacher Librarian about what she's up to in her school library, http://skerricks.blogspot.com/ including display ideas, here http://skerricks.blogspot.com/search/label/display .
- Website by Anita Vandeburge at St Kentigern College Library http://www.creativelibrarydisplays.com/
- The International Reading Association website http://www.readwritethink.org/calendar/ has a good calendar, organised by each month, with author birthdays etc. If you click on the link it will take you to more resources, websites, lesson plans etc. More US focused.
- Marigold Enterprises produces a list of "Happenings" with its Around the Bookshops publication. Happenings 2009 came out with the November 2008 Around the Bookshops. Go here to subscribe.
- Remember what Ross Todd said about the need for book promotion to be more active than passive - displays are great and make the library look colourful etc but instead of heaps of time making elaborate displays which stay up for ages, I'd suggest more effort into active book promotion such as book discussions, web 2.0 initiatives such as a blog or LibraryThing, and displays which change regularly !
- A neat idea with wordle www.wordle.net is to make one with an author's name prominent and their titles, or a genre eg Fantasy and suggested authors / titles...
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Reading motivation
From the IRA (International Reading Association) August 2009 newsletter :
Help your students succeed as readers in today's high-stakes testing environment with Inspiring Reading Success: Interest and Motivation in an Age of High-Stakes Testing . This provocative text addresses this gap with a new perspective on reading instruction that goes beyond the realms of teacher content knowledge and methodology. You'll learn how motivation and interest can enhance reading instruction for all students—and you'll get strategies to increase reading success.
To learn teaching approaches that will spur progress for all types of readers, download Chapter 2 of Inspiring Reading Success : High–Interest Reading Leaves No Child Behind
The main message, which we know, is that if a reader is passionately interested in a subject they will perservere with reading - the 5 year old who knows all the names of dinosaurs is a classic example... So, access to relevant books, free choice, along with plenty of reading time...
Help your students succeed as readers in today's high-stakes testing environment with Inspiring Reading Success: Interest and Motivation in an Age of High-Stakes Testing . This provocative text addresses this gap with a new perspective on reading instruction that goes beyond the realms of teacher content knowledge and methodology. You'll learn how motivation and interest can enhance reading instruction for all students—and you'll get strategies to increase reading success.
To learn teaching approaches that will spur progress for all types of readers, download Chapter 2 of Inspiring Reading Success : High–Interest Reading Leaves No Child Behind
I'd skim read the first half of this document about her research with "striving readers" and how they overcame their difficulties, and go to page 20 where she discusses getting reading matching children's interests and outlines some strategies eg inventory questionnaire, bio-poems, rhythm walks, readers theatre... Possibly of interest ?
The main message, which we know, is that if a reader is passionately interested in a subject they will perservere with reading - the 5 year old who knows all the names of dinosaurs is a classic example... So, access to relevant books, free choice, along with plenty of reading time...
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Term 4 school library events
- School library network meetings are in week 4 - Wednesday 4th November at REAP for the Far North meeting and Thursday 5th November at Kerikeri High School Library for the Mid North meeting. Usual time - 3.3o ish for afternoon tea - starting by 4 at latest. Various things to talk about, including National Library' services to schools eg 0800 number, new federated searching websites - Digital NZ and FIND, plans for next year, and anything you'd like to bring along to share...
- Maori resources- print and electronic, one day workshop at Northland College Computer Suite on Tuesday 3rd November from 9 - 3 - exploring resources for your collection and websites for you and your students which provide so many great opportunities to access, use, create, share information... Contact Jeannie for more information jeannie.skinner@natlib.govt.nz
- SLANZA Bookshop evening at Take Note Bookshop Kerikeri, free event, Thursday 12th November 6.00 to 7.30 - drinks and nibbles, lots of book chat, extra discount 25%, farewell for Dyane from Northland...
E. Lockhart : The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks
In his speech mentioned in the previous post, MT Anderson mentions a book by E. Lockhart The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks which I just finished this week and loved... The story of a clever and independent girl who delights in language, equality - and as MT Anderson spoke about - thinking...
Here is a link to a review of this book in the New York Times by Donna Freitas... http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/17/books/review/Freitas-t.html which ends " A homage to girl-power, the novel offers biting social commentary throughout — not the kind that deadens a story but the kind that gives it punch — and a protagonist who is independent and fearless, even contemptuous of others’ expectations. For girls who have experienced a double standard but lacked the precise words to name it, there will surely be many moments of recognition in Frankie’s story. She will challenge girls’ images of themselves, who they are in relation to boys and why. Frankie faces a generous helping of disappointment, certainly. No princessy happy ending awaits her. But the novel holds out the hope that a girl like Frankie — who has above all an unwillingness to settle —could grow up to change the world. “The Disreputable History” not only delivers the line, but somehow makes you believe it is true.
Here is a link to E. Lockhart's website http://e-lockhart.com/main/ and from there you can go to her lively blog or Twitter... she is an author in touch with her teen audience for sure.
Amongst the various pieces of information on her blog sidebar is a list of sites that review YA novels :
Octavian Nothing, MT Anderson
From the Booklist online newsletter (book reviews from the American Library Association) here is an item about the author MT Anderson who wrote the challenging Octavian Nothing duet - the second volume of which won the Michael L Printz Award.
http://booklistonline.com/default.aspx?page=show_product&pid=3835395
http://booklistonline.com/default.aspx?page=show_product&pid=3835395
"There’s no question that the Printz Honor–winning Octavian Nothing duet presents readers with an intellectual challenge. In his National Book Award acceptance speech for The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation; v.1: The Pox Party, Anderson himself described the books as a “900-page two-volume historical epic for teens, written in a kind of unintelligible 18th-century Johnsonian Augustan prose.” Here, in his impassioned acceptance speech for The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation; v.2: The Kingdom on the Waves at the 2009 Michael L. Printz Awards (administered by ALA’s Young Adult Library Services Association and sponsored by Booklist), Anderson speaks right to adults about the importance of providing rich reading challenges for kids. Here are some memorable lines that earned some loud applause:
“No child naturally hates knowledge. No toddler comes into the world saying, ‘Don’t tell me about how stuff works. I don’t give a shit. Everything about the world sucks.’ . . . It takes an adult to make a child hate knowing things. The fact is that kids don’t believe that thinking isn’t fun until we tell them so.”
Just as in his books, Anderson shows in his speech how the unsettled complexities of Octavian’s time flow right into today. And he reminds us that thinking deeply about things is what makes life “vivid and full.” And fun. What, according to Anderson, is the “one remaining taboo left in YA literature”? Click here to listen to his speech to find out.
Reading and comprehension strategies
Here is a link to an interesting book Independent Reading Inside the Box by Lisa Donohue aimed at primary school teachers about strategies to enhance students' comprehension, language and thinking skills while they are reading.
The box refers to a one page template with 8 boxes in a table, each with a useful strategy to "dig deeper" into reading.
You can read the whole book online for free, or download each chapter and the templates as PDFs. Preview the entire book
These sort of activities do not take the place of pure reading for pleasure, the FVR (Free Voluntary Reading) which Stephen Krashen talks about, and there is a risk when a book is too analysed that it loses all spontaneity, but we know that the key to becoming a life-long reader is beyond decoding to make meaning, and with comprehension come the rewards of reading...
Independent reading inside the box by Lisa Donohue, Pembroke 2008 ISBN: 978-155138-225-8
The box refers to a one page template with 8 boxes in a table, each with a useful strategy to "dig deeper" into reading.
You can read the whole book online for free, or download each chapter and the templates as PDFs. Preview the entire book
These sort of activities do not take the place of pure reading for pleasure, the FVR (Free Voluntary Reading) which Stephen Krashen talks about, and there is a risk when a book is too analysed that it loses all spontaneity, but we know that the key to becoming a life-long reader is beyond decoding to make meaning, and with comprehension come the rewards of reading...
Independent reading inside the box by Lisa Donohue, Pembroke 2008 ISBN: 978-155138-225-8
What to read next website
From Senga Watson, James Hargest College :
Many of you may already have come across this cool “what to read next” website but I’ve only just recently discovered it. I think it’s great! http://bookseer.com/
Copyright information
DigitalNZ have a great little piece about copyright on their website http://makeit.digitalnz.org/guidelines/enabling-use-reuse/
The Copyright Council of NZ have a whole page for Educators with loads of resources, including a very straight forward information sheet
http://www.copyright.org.nz/viewUserCat.php?category=217
The Copyright Council of NZ have a whole page for Educators with loads of resources, including a very straight forward information sheet
http://www.copyright.org.nz/viewUserCat.php?category=217
wickED at TKI
A message from Anne Mason, Community facilitator at TKI :
wickED is a quality-assured online environment for 7-12 year olds (years 3-8), developed to complement the Ministry of Education’s study support centres initiative. wickED provides engaging curriculum-based learning activities in English and te reo Māori, many of which have been developed to reflect a literacy, numeracy and ESOL focus. The activities are intended to support facilitated or independent use by students.
Have you visited the wickED site ? From the home page :
Explore the wickEDly cool things on this site! Quizzes, crosswords, interactives and games in English and te reo Māori, a gallery of student artworks, profiles of inspirational New Zealanders, an information station, and activities and games based around topics – it’s all here – on wickED!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Mo Willems blog
I came across Mo Willems' blog - http://mowillemsdoodles.blogspot.com/ the other day - he is one of my favourite picture book author/illustrators, creator of the inimitable Knuffle bunny, Edwina, Pigeon...
I loved the idea of his family dining room being decorated with chalkboard - the latest version are portraits in frames - have a look http://mowillemsdoodles.blogspot.com/2009/10/weve-been-framed-chalkboard-walls2.html
There are links from this blog to other Mo Willems information - websites, interviews and the great teacher resources too - http://www.pigeonpresents.com/grownup.aspx
I loved the idea of his family dining room being decorated with chalkboard - the latest version are portraits in frames - have a look http://mowillemsdoodles.blogspot.com/2009/10/weve-been-framed-chalkboard-walls2.html
There are links from this blog to other Mo Willems information - websites, interviews and the great teacher resources too - http://www.pigeonpresents.com/grownup.aspx
Friday, October 9, 2009
Voicethread - from the Reading Rockets website
VoiceThread: Online Storytelling Made Easier
VoiceThread : Online storytelling made easier
VoiceThread is a storytelling platform gives students an independent voice in sharing what they've learned. An easy way to capture student voices, combined with flexible editing tools like image doodling and voice-over narration, allow students to produce meaningful content and learn digital skills as well. Video, audio, and photo content can all be uploaded to the site.
See how teacher and PBS Media Infusion blogger Janet English uses VoiceThread and the new PBS series The National Parks in her classroom to help students develop personal narratives.
The Exquisite Corpse
In a blog by Joanne Meier http://www.readingrockets.org/blog/33402 accessed through Reading Rockets, is a post about an online reading writing promotion event run through the Centre for the Book at the US Library of Congress.
It is like a game of what we call "consequences" where installments of a story are continued by the next person... and what a collection of authors is taking part in this collaboration : Jon Scieszka has started it off, followed by Katherine Paterson and to come luminaries such as MT Anderson, Natalie Babbitt, Daniel Handler (aka Lemony Snicket), Shannon Hale, Susan Cooper, Kate Di Camillo, Calef Brown, Nikki Grimes, Steven Kellog, Linda Sue Park,Patricia and Fredrick McKissack, Timothy Basil Ering, Gregory Maguire, Chris Van Dusen, Megan McDonald, James Ransome...
Here is part of Joanne Meier's post...
"Ever heard of an Exquisite Corpse? It's not what you might think. An Exquisite Corpse is an old game in which people write a phrase on a sheet of paper, fold it over to conceal part of it and pass it on to the next player to do the same. The game ends when someone finishes the story, which is then read aloud.
Our "Exquisite Corpse Adventure" works this way: Jon Scieszka, the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, has written the first episode, which is "pieced together out of so many parts that it is not possible to describe them all here, so go ahead and just start reading!" He has passed it on to a cast of celebrated writers and illustrators, who must eventually bring the story to an end.
Every two weeks, there will be a new episode and a new illustration. The story will conclude a year from now. To get bi-weekly updates with new Exquisite Corpse Adventure chapters, click on the subscribe link at the top of the page. "This story starts with a train rushing through the night...." No one knows where or how it will end!
http://read.gov/exquisite-corpse/
Themed literacy bags for younger students
I recommend checking out the Reading Rockets website http://www.readingrockets.org/
it is full of interesting links and useful resources. I've subscribed to the free monthly newsletter.
From their website : Reading Rockets offers a wealth of reading strategies, lessons, and activities designed to help young children learn how to read and read better. Our reading resources assist parents, teachers, and other educators in working with struggling readers who require additional help in reading fundamentals and comprehension skills development.
In the latest newsletter from Reading Rockets there is a new "literacy bag" based on the "Where the wild things are" by Maurice Sendak. Browse their full library of Family Literacy Bags. And for additional information about Family Literacy Bags, you might want to read this article.
it is full of interesting links and useful resources. I've subscribed to the free monthly newsletter.
From their website : Reading Rockets offers a wealth of reading strategies, lessons, and activities designed to help young children learn how to read and read better. Our reading resources assist parents, teachers, and other educators in working with struggling readers who require additional help in reading fundamentals and comprehension skills development.
In the latest newsletter from Reading Rockets there is a new "literacy bag" based on the "Where the wild things are" by Maurice Sendak. Browse their full library of Family Literacy Bags. And for additional information about Family Literacy Bags, you might want to read this article.
I could imagine these literacy bags being a great resource for Parent Mentoring Programmes or in junior classrooms.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Dewey, signage and non-fiction
Here is an interesting article about the future of Dewey to classify non-fiction in public libraries.
http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6698264.html
A key aspect I take from this discussion is the importance of having good signage, and I think shelf guides with words on them do add a useful element for library users browsing for information...
Here are subject shelf guides in the non-fiction at Paihia School (click on the picture to enlarge it).
http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6698264.html
A key aspect I take from this discussion is the importance of having good signage, and I think shelf guides with words on them do add a useful element for library users browsing for information...Here are subject shelf guides in the non-fiction at Paihia School (click on the picture to enlarge it).
Teen Read Week USA
Teen Read Week is a national literacy initiative of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association. It is aimed at teens, their parents, librarians, educators, booksellers, and other concerned adults. The 2009 theme, Read Beyond Reality @ your library, encourages teens to read something out of this world, just for the fun of it, including sci-fi, fantasy, virtual realities, and much more.
For more information on Teen Read Week, please visit www.ala.org/teenread
There are suggestions for activities, top teen reading picks, and a "sample proclamation" !
- Whereas, the ability to read and process information is a basic survival skill in our global information society; and
- Whereas, the reading proficiency of teens has remained stagnant over the last thirty years; and
- Whereas, the number of students who can read but choose not to do so is increasing; and
- Whereas, the most effective way to improve reading skills is to read regularly and often; and
- Whereas, too few teens think reading is a valuable tool for enjoyment and relaxation as well as for schoolwork; and
- Whereas, regular daily reading for the fun of it creates the reading habit for life; and
- Whereas, parents, teachers, librarians, and all concerned adults can serve as role models by reading for fun themselves;
- Therefore, be it resolved that I (name, title of official) proclaim October 18-24, 2009, Teen Read Week(TM) in (name of city, state) and encourage teens to read for the fun of it.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Readicide by Kelly Gallagher
The book Readicide by Kelly Gallager (Stenhouse 2009 ISBN: 978-157110-780-0) has been widely reviewed and discussed in the USA this year. It looks at instructional practices, particularly in (US) schools which "kill reading" /discourage students from reading.
Read-i-cide n: The systematic killing of the love of reading, often exacerbated by the inane, mind-numbing practices found in schools.
You can preview the whole book online http://www.stenhouse.com/emags/0780/pageflip.html. I've skim read it and found it interesting and readable (even online, enlarged 50%) and full of practical suggestions.
About the book from the publisher's website : http://www.stenhouse.com/shop/pc/viewprd.asp?idProduct=9158&r=eu091006&REFERER=
Read-i-cide n: The systematic killing of the love of reading, often exacerbated by the inane, mind-numbing practices found in schools.
You can preview the whole book online http://www.stenhouse.com/emags/0780/pageflip.html. I've skim read it and found it interesting and readable (even online, enlarged 50%) and full of practical suggestions.
About the book from the publisher's website : http://www.stenhouse.com/shop/pc/viewprd.asp?idProduct=9158&r=eu091006&REFERER=
"Reading is dying in our schools. Educators are familiar with many of the factors that have contributed to the decline — poverty, second-language issues, and the ever-expanding choices of electronic entertainment. In this provocative new book, Kelly Gallagher suggests, however, that it is time to recognize a new and significant contributor to the death of reading: our schools.
In Readicide, Kelly argues that American schools are actively (though unwittingly) furthering the decline of reading. Specifically, he contends that the standard instructional practices used in most schools are killing reading by:
- valuing the development of test-takers over the development of lifelong readers;
- mandating breadth over depth in instruction;
- requiring students to read difficult texts without proper instructional support;
- insisting that students focus solely on academic texts;
- drowning great books with sticky notes, double-entry journals, and marginalia;
- ignoring the importance of developing recreational reading;
- and losing sight of authentic instruction in the shadow of political pressures.
Kelly doesn't settle for only identifying the problems. Readicide provides teachers, literacy coaches, and administrators with specific steps to reverse the downward spiral in reading—steps that will help prevent the loss of another generation of readers."
Teachers as Readers (UK research)
The UKLA UK Literacy Association has undertaken research which I find interesting, about teachers as readers and about the relationship between reading instruction and reading for pleasure. There is such a role for the school library to play here...
The first phase of the Teachers as Readers research (2006-7) looked at patterns in primary teachers' reading, both personally and professionally - looking at their own personal reading habits and preferences, their knowledge of children's literature, their own childhood favourites and books significant to them, their use of texts in the classroom, and use of libraries... Download the full report
The goal of the second phase of the research is Building Communities of Readers (2007-8) to improve teachers’ knowledge and experience of literature in order to help them increase children’s motivation and enthusiasm for reading, especially those less successful in literacy, to build new relationships with parents and families and to explore the concept of a reading teacher: a teacher who reads and a reader who teaches (Commeyras et al., 2004).
The Executive Summary provides an overview of the research and the key findings as well as recommendations. It argues that teachers need support in order to develop children’s reading for pleasure, which can influence both attainment and achievement and increase young learners’ engagement as self- motivated and socially engaged readers.
Download Teachers as Readers :Building Communities of Readers: Phase II (2007-8) Executive Summary
Click on the picture to enlarge a summary of key findings :
Reading instruction - oriented towards learning to read, Reading for Pleasure oriented towards choosing to read...
The first phase of the Teachers as Readers research (2006-7) looked at patterns in primary teachers' reading, both personally and professionally - looking at their own personal reading habits and preferences, their knowledge of children's literature, their own childhood favourites and books significant to them, their use of texts in the classroom, and use of libraries... Download the full report
The goal of the second phase of the research is Building Communities of Readers (2007-8) to improve teachers’ knowledge and experience of literature in order to help them increase children’s motivation and enthusiasm for reading, especially those less successful in literacy, to build new relationships with parents and families and to explore the concept of a reading teacher: a teacher who reads and a reader who teaches (Commeyras et al., 2004).
The Executive Summary provides an overview of the research and the key findings as well as recommendations. It argues that teachers need support in order to develop children’s reading for pleasure, which can influence both attainment and achievement and increase young learners’ engagement as self- motivated and socially engaged readers.
Download Teachers as Readers :Building Communities of Readers: Phase II (2007-8) Executive Summary
Click on the picture to enlarge a summary of key findings :Reading instruction - oriented towards learning to read, Reading for Pleasure oriented towards choosing to read...
Storyteller Tanya Batt in Northland Nov 09
Just to let you know that a wonderful storyteller - Tanya Batt, is visiting Northland (Whangarei and Kerikeri so far) in the first week of November.
If you would like to talk to Tanya about the possibility of your school being included in the itinerary which she is organising, her contact details are as follows :
Tanya Batt
PO Box 660 Oneroa Waiheke Island
Phone 021 432379
Email faerybatt@gmail.com
Website http://www.imagined-worlds.net
Blog http://tanyabatt.wordpress.com/ where most of the details are..
I heard Tanya at the NZ Reading Association in Hamilton in 2008 and thought she was fantastic. I tried to organise her to be at our Storylines event but that didn't happen for various reasons.
If you would like to talk to Tanya about the possibility of your school being included in the itinerary which she is organising, her contact details are as follows :
Tanya Batt
PO Box 660 Oneroa Waiheke Island
Phone 021 432379
Email faerybatt@gmail.com
Website http://www.imagined-worlds.net
Blog http://tanyabatt.wordpress.com/ where most of the details are..
I heard Tanya at the NZ Reading Association in Hamilton in 2008 and thought she was fantastic. I tried to organise her to be at our Storylines event but that didn't happen for various reasons.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Innovative Teachers' Companion
Andrew Clements, a teacher at Kaikohe West School, heartily recommended this teacher planning diary - the Innovative Teachers' Companion. The website www.itcpublications.com.au
For Australian and NZ teachers, it has double page spreads for teacher daily / weekly planning as usual, interleaved with a variety of teaching strategies for critical and creative thinking. It costs NZ $33 and with purchase comes access to the website with a huge number of resources to download. I imagine that having these ideas and suggestions right in your planning book could be really useful...
I contacted Sharon Birss at the Tai Tokerau Ed Centre which sells it (s.birss@auckland.ac.nz / ph 09 470 1023) and she has kindly given me a 2009 Primary edition (Secondary edition also available) as a sample to show at network meetings etc.
For Australian and NZ teachers, it has double page spreads for teacher daily / weekly planning as usual, interleaved with a variety of teaching strategies for critical and creative thinking. It costs NZ $33 and with purchase comes access to the website with a huge number of resources to download. I imagine that having these ideas and suggestions right in your planning book could be really useful...
I contacted Sharon Birss at the Tai Tokerau Ed Centre which sells it (s.birss@auckland.ac.nz / ph 09 470 1023) and she has kindly given me a 2009 Primary edition (Secondary edition also available) as a sample to show at network meetings etc.
The SLANZA wiki again
To all SLANZA members - have you signed in to the new SLANZA wiki yet ? All members should have received an invitation and instructions by email.
If you aren't a member, then this wiki is one of the good reasons to become one - visit the SLANZA website for a membership form www.slanza.org.nz
If you aren't a member, then this wiki is one of the good reasons to become one - visit the SLANZA website for a membership form www.slanza.org.nz
A word a day from Wordsmith.org
I signed up for A.Word.A.Day and have enjoyed the small discoveries about words - their derivation, links, use etc and the quotes that this free daily email brings...
http://wordsmith.org/awad/subscribe.html
Here are a few recent quotes which I've enjoyed...
"Language is an anonymous, collective and unconscious art; the result of the creativity of thousands of generations." -Edward Sapir, anthropologist, linguist (1884-1939)
"The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong." -Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869-1948)
"That language is an instrument of human reason, and not merely a medium for the expression of thought, is a truth generally admitted." - George Boole, quoted in Iverson's Turing Award Lecture
"The imagination of nature is far, far greater than the imagination of man." - Richard Feynman
"Dealing with failure is easy: Work hard to improve. Success is also easy to handle: You've solved the wrong problem. Work hard to improve." - Alan Perlis
"We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements of life, when all that we need to make us happy is something to be enthusiastic about." - Einstein
"The power of instruction is seldom of much efficacy except in those happy dispositions where it is almost superfluous." - Gibbon
"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." -George Bernard Shaw, writer, Nobel laureate (1856-1950)
http://wordsmith.org/awad/subscribe.html
Here are a few recent quotes which I've enjoyed...
"Language is an anonymous, collective and unconscious art; the result of the creativity of thousands of generations." -Edward Sapir, anthropologist, linguist (1884-1939)
"The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong." -Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869-1948)
"That language is an instrument of human reason, and not merely a medium for the expression of thought, is a truth generally admitted." - George Boole, quoted in Iverson's Turing Award Lecture
"The imagination of nature is far, far greater than the imagination of man." - Richard Feynman
"Dealing with failure is easy: Work hard to improve. Success is also easy to handle: You've solved the wrong problem. Work hard to improve." - Alan Perlis
"We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements of life, when all that we need to make us happy is something to be enthusiastic about." - Einstein
"The power of instruction is seldom of much efficacy except in those happy dispositions where it is almost superfluous." - Gibbon
"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." -George Bernard Shaw, writer, Nobel laureate (1856-1950)
The English Companion Ning
A ning is an online social platform (like MySpace or Facebook) for people to create their own social networks around specific interests...
Ning is the Chinese word for peace. www.ning.com
Here is an article http://www.teachersourcebook.org/tsb/articles/2009/10/01/01ning.h03.html about a ning for English teachers called The English Companion started in December 2008 by English teacher and author Jim Burke. It shows the potential of online social networking to break the culture of professional isolation.
It's tagline is "where English teachers meet to help each other" and describes itself as "A place to ask questions and get help. A community dedicated to helping you enjoy your work. A cafe without walls or coffee: just friends." http://englishcompanion.ning.com/
I have explored it and found it interesting. I went to the Reading Strategies and followed a discussion about teaching students inference - teachers have shared various pdf documents and powerpoints with examples from their own teaching...
The English Companion bookclub feature book for October 09 is Donalyn Miller The Book Whisperer: Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child (which I did a LibraryZest post about in September 09 with the label Book Whisperer).
Library staff may want to draw English teachers' attention to it in case it is of interest and use ?
Ning is the Chinese word for peace. www.ning.com
Here is an article http://www.teachersourcebook.org/tsb/articles/2009/10/01/01ning.h03.html about a ning for English teachers called The English Companion started in December 2008 by English teacher and author Jim Burke. It shows the potential of online social networking to break the culture of professional isolation.
It's tagline is "where English teachers meet to help each other" and describes itself as "A place to ask questions and get help. A community dedicated to helping you enjoy your work. A cafe without walls or coffee: just friends." http://englishcompanion.ning.com/
Burke's Ning exceeded his expectations for a virtual meeting ground. In roughly six months, The English Companion Ning, which Burke refers to as "the world's largest English department, without the meetings," catapulted to close to 6,000 members of all ages and levels of teaching experience from five continents. "What's kind of fascinating and scary about Web 2.0 and Ning is that you can create it quickly and before you know it, its got a huge following," he notes.
Nings have borrowed the tools of Facebook and MySpace—the ability to post a personal profile, upload media, and have multiple asynchronous and synchronous conversations—while allowing for the customization around a particular subject. Members contribute content, while the administrator can meddle as little or as much as he or she wants. Members return not only to post, but also for the opportunity of discovery.I have explored it and found it interesting. I went to the Reading Strategies and followed a discussion about teaching students inference - teachers have shared various pdf documents and powerpoints with examples from their own teaching...
The English Companion bookclub feature book for October 09 is Donalyn Miller The Book Whisperer: Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child (which I did a LibraryZest post about in September 09 with the label Book Whisperer).
Library staff may want to draw English teachers' attention to it in case it is of interest and use ?
ALA Booklinks and "making a difference"
The ALA (American Library Association) produce Booklists / Booklinks Quick Tips for Schools and Libraries free e-newsletters. Booklinks' mission is to connect books to the curriculum. I have signed up to these newsletters, and although the focus is on the USA there is often something interesting and relevant.
Here is their website : http://www.booklistonline.com/default.aspx?page=booklinks
and here is the link to sign up for their monthly newsletter : http://www.booklistonline.com/default.aspx?page=general_info&id=64
"Booklist's Quick Tips for Schools & Libraries delivers easy, practical ideas and activities that help you integrate children's and young-adult books into the curriculum, and many of the resources may already be on your shelves. With thematic bibliographies, author interviews, and useful ideas for connecting kids and books, each monthly e-newsletter also features a sneak peek at what's coming up in future issues of Book Links and Booklist magazines. You will receive approximately 12 newsletters per year."
In the latest issue there is a great booklist on "Helping others : one child can make a difference" and National Library has many of these titles in it's collection available to borrow...
http://booklistonline.com/default.aspx?page=show_product&pid=3801340
In a related article on helping others and global awareness http://www.booklistonline.com/default.aspx?page=show_product&pid=3804960 there is an outline of possible teaching approach using various web 2.0 tools (as identified in the American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) 25 Best Web Sites for Teaching and Learning - I did a post on this in July 2009, with the labels Web 2.0 and ALA) .
The book used as the starting point in this teaching example above is 14 cows for America by Carmen Agra Deedy, which tells the true story of a Maasai village in Kenya who responded with sympathy and generosity after 9/11 by donating 14 sacred cows to New York. Go here for an account : http://www.childcareexchange.com/eed/issue.php?id=2313
Here is their website : http://www.booklistonline.com/default.aspx?page=booklinks
and here is the link to sign up for their monthly newsletter : http://www.booklistonline.com/default.aspx?page=general_info&id=64
"Booklist's Quick Tips for Schools & Libraries delivers easy, practical ideas and activities that help you integrate children's and young-adult books into the curriculum, and many of the resources may already be on your shelves. With thematic bibliographies, author interviews, and useful ideas for connecting kids and books, each monthly e-newsletter also features a sneak peek at what's coming up in future issues of Book Links and Booklist magazines. You will receive approximately 12 newsletters per year."
In the latest issue there is a great booklist on "Helping others : one child can make a difference" and National Library has many of these titles in it's collection available to borrow...
http://booklistonline.com/default.aspx?page=show_product&pid=3801340
In a related article on helping others and global awareness http://www.booklistonline.com/default.aspx?page=show_product&pid=3804960 there is an outline of possible teaching approach using various web 2.0 tools (as identified in the American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) 25 Best Web Sites for Teaching and Learning - I did a post on this in July 2009, with the labels Web 2.0 and ALA) .
The book used as the starting point in this teaching example above is 14 cows for America by Carmen Agra Deedy, which tells the true story of a Maasai village in Kenya who responded with sympathy and generosity after 9/11 by donating 14 sacred cows to New York. Go here for an account : http://www.childcareexchange.com/eed/issue.php?id=2313
PhotoStory software
PhotoStory is wonderful free software which enables you to turn a collection of digital photos into a "video" complete with your own narration, text and music background. It is lots of fun and very easy to use... It could be a great tool for the classroom with students of all ages for a variety of purposes, and in the library maybe for doing book reviews ? It could be a good resource to promote to families in the school newsletter too perhaps ?
Here is the website http://tiny.cc/Photostory610
There is a guide to making a video using a single photo which is also very effective, if a bit more complex ! http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digitalphotography/photostory/tips/create.mspx
Here is the website http://tiny.cc/Photostory610
There is a guide to making a video using a single photo which is also very effective, if a bit more complex ! http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digitalphotography/photostory/tips/create.mspx
School Libraries Petition (UK)
From Peter Scott's Library Blog, 29 September 2009 :
A high-profile group of children's authors, publishers, teachers and librarians is calling on the government to make school libraries statutory.
Signatories to a petition to Number 10 include Philip Pullman, Horrid Henry creator Francesca Simon and former children's laureate Michael Rosen, as well as the general secretary of the National Union of Teachers Christine Blower, Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison, top children's publishers and the directors of a raft of youth library associations.
“We, the undersigned, call on Her Majesty's Government to accept in principle that it will make school libraries, run by properly qualified staff, statutory and to prepare the necessary legislation in consultation with the appropriate professional associations and trade unions".
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/literacy/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/jul/01/authors-school-libraries-statutory
A high-profile group of children's authors, publishers, teachers and librarians is calling on the government to make school libraries statutory.
Signatories to a petition to Number 10 include Philip Pullman, Horrid Henry creator Francesca Simon and former children's laureate Michael Rosen, as well as the general secretary of the National Union of Teachers Christine Blower, Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison, top children's publishers and the directors of a raft of youth library associations.
“We, the undersigned, call on Her Majesty's Government to accept in principle that it will make school libraries, run by properly qualified staff, statutory and to prepare the necessary legislation in consultation with the appropriate professional associations and trade unions".
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/literacy/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/jul/01/authors-school-libraries-statutory
Thursday, September 24, 2009
IASL and Voicethread
Liz Probert posted this message on the school library listserv - it is a good chance to see something about the IASL conference and also to see an example of Voicethread which I did a post about earlier...
To see something about the IASL conference, have a look at http://voicethread.com/#q.b623055 - Elizabeth Greef from Australia has produced a really good example of the use of this technology, and her presentation gives a very good overview of the conference.
To see something about the IASL conference, have a look at http://voicethread.com/#q.b623055 - Elizabeth Greef from Australia has produced a really good example of the use of this technology, and her presentation gives a very good overview of the conference.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Astrid Lindgren
"Good literature gives the child a place in the world and the world a place in the child." Astrid Lindgren.
http://www.alma.se/en/ This is the link to the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, administered by the Swedish Arts Council, awarded annually it is the world's largest prize for children's and young adult literature (worth about US $480,000) - authors, illustrators, oral storytellers and those active in reading promotion may be rewarded. NZ's nominees are Margaret Mahy and Joy Cowley.
http://www.alma.se/en/ This is the link to the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, administered by the Swedish Arts Council, awarded annually it is the world's largest prize for children's and young adult literature (worth about US $480,000) - authors, illustrators, oral storytellers and those active in reading promotion may be rewarded. NZ's nominees are Margaret Mahy and Joy Cowley.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Vocabulary and picture books
Here is a post on the school library list serve from Gerri Judkins, librarian at Southwell School in Hamilton. Gerri recently attended the International Association of School Librarianship in Padua, Italy...
Hi All
At the IASL pre-conference Literature Day in Italy Aidan Chambers talked about the most recent brain research as it relates to leaning to read. He said children cannot learn to read a word unless they have heard it read aloud.
We've had sooo much fun this week in the library with "Piggity-Wiggity Jiggity Jig goes to Dad's Café".
I printed off (Times New Roman 72) words such as ravenous, resplendent, repercussions, belligerent, various, disarray, aplomb and auspicious and held them up one at a time asking students from Yr 3 - Yr 8 to read them aloud and give the meaning. They couldn't define most of them. Then, we read the book and talked about the meanings as we encountered the words. It really is quite sophisticated with politicians, business men and café food.
It was a hit with all ages and reinforced the reading aloud message to teachers, who come with the kids. I also encouraged the students to use the words at home and read aloud to their younger siblings.
Have a great weekend...
;-) Gerri
For another great account of the rich vocabulary in picture books, have a look at this short article from School Library Journal...
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6348381.html?industryid=47190
Hi All
At the IASL pre-conference Literature Day in Italy Aidan Chambers talked about the most recent brain research as it relates to leaning to read. He said children cannot learn to read a word unless they have heard it read aloud.
We've had sooo much fun this week in the library with "Piggity-Wiggity Jiggity Jig goes to Dad's Café".
I printed off (Times New Roman 72) words such as ravenous, resplendent, repercussions, belligerent, various, disarray, aplomb and auspicious and held them up one at a time asking students from Yr 3 - Yr 8 to read them aloud and give the meaning. They couldn't define most of them. Then, we read the book and talked about the meanings as we encountered the words. It really is quite sophisticated with politicians, business men and café food.
It was a hit with all ages and reinforced the reading aloud message to teachers, who come with the kids. I also encouraged the students to use the words at home and read aloud to their younger siblings.
Have a great weekend...
;-) Gerri
For another great account of the rich vocabulary in picture books, have a look at this short article from School Library Journal...
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6348381.html?industryid=47190
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Adolescent literacy "Time to act" report
Here is a link to a very interesting report - Time to Act: An Agenda for Advancing Adolescent Literacy for College and Career Success - from the Carnegie Corporation of New York's Council on Advancing Adolescent Literacy. There are also five corresponding reports on particular aspects - I found the most interesting one was about reading across disciplines - the others are more relevant to the USA.
http://www.carnegie.org/literacy/tta/
The Time to Act report would be of interest to secondary school management, teachers, librarians. It provides rationale, research, case studies, action plans...
There are parallels to the Effective Literacy Strategies emphasis on all teachers being teachers of literacy...
http://www.carnegie.org/literacy/tta/
The Time to Act report would be of interest to secondary school management, teachers, librarians. It provides rationale, research, case studies, action plans...
There are parallels to the Effective Literacy Strategies emphasis on all teachers being teachers of literacy...
For all students in all subject areas, literacy and language are central to thinking, learning and achievement. Students need to learn how to use effective literacy and thinking strategies in order to be successful in our secondary school system and to become lifelong learners. Therefore it is essential that all our teachers are effective teachers of literacy.
Effective Literacy Strategies, Ministry of Education, 2005
Roald Dahl and "the old stories"
In this interesting essay, James Parker explores Roald Dahl's book Charlie and the chocolate factory, and it's relation to the film with Johnny Depp, the impact of the illustrations by Quentin Blake, and connections with "the old stories" - fairy tales...
"In our age of interpretation, fairy tales — as befits their magical nature — have suffered many fates. But they have survived them all, because they are obstinate, irreducible productions of psychic life."
http://hilobrow.com/2009/09/13/winds-of-magic-1-dark-chocolate/
This essay was originally published by the Boston Globe, July 2005.
"In our age of interpretation, fairy tales — as befits their magical nature — have suffered many fates. But they have survived them all, because they are obstinate, irreducible productions of psychic life."
http://hilobrow.com/2009/09/13/winds-of-magic-1-dark-chocolate/
This essay was originally published by the Boston Globe, July 2005.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Joy Cowley writing workshop opportunity
Storylines Children’s Literature Charitable Trust of New Zealand is organising a 2 day interactive writing workshop with JOY COWLEY "WRITING FROM THE HEART"
in Auckland on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 February 2010
Joy is generously donating her time to help Storylines in its national advocacy work for New Zealand children’s reading and books. She has run many such workshops in America and other countries, but infrequently in New Zealand. This is a rare chance to attend an intensive two-day course with this master storyteller, covering all aspects of writing for children and young adults (getting started, plot, character, voice, humour, writing disciplines, picture books, chapter books, YA novels, presenting a manuscript, getting support.)
in Auckland on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 February 2010
Joy is generously donating her time to help Storylines in its national advocacy work for New Zealand children’s reading and books. She has run many such workshops in America and other countries, but infrequently in New Zealand. This is a rare chance to attend an intensive two-day course with this master storyteller, covering all aspects of writing for children and young adults (getting started, plot, character, voice, humour, writing disciplines, picture books, chapter books, YA novels, presenting a manuscript, getting support.)
- Maximum 30 participants, $500 – price includes critique of story (max 1000 words).
- Participants who wish to submit manuscripts to Joy for prior critique should send to Storylines for forwarding by 22 January, 2010
- Venue – Kohia School, Kohia Terrace, Epsom, Auckland, sessions from 9am to 4pm
- Applications will be accepted on first come, first served basis. To register, please send payment of $500 (includes GST) with your full name, address, email and phone number. A receipt will be sent. Make cheques payable to ‘Storylines Children’s Literature Trust’ and send to: Storylines Children’s Literature Charitable Trust of New Zealand, PO Box 96 094, Auckland 1342. For internet banking use Storylines’ bank account: 123067 0187408 03
- Please watch Storylines’ website, www.storylines.org.nz for further information.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Serving teens through readers' advisory
I'd like to recommend an interesting book which I borrowed from National Library Wellington called Serving Teens through Readers' Advisory by Heather Booth (American Library Association, Chicago 2007). If you google the title, a big proportion of the book is available for preview online through Google Books http://tiny.cc/ServingteensHeatherBooth
It can be a challenge keeping teens reading - and we all know how important it is to keep teens reading for pleasure - the impact on academic success, lifelong learning, an engaged life...
This book outlines strategies for building book relationships with teens, suggests approaches for "interviewing" teens about their reading needs and preferences, provides some "sure bets", and ways of dealing with various issues... It would be of interest to secondary school library staff and English teachers.
Here is a starred review from Booklist
As the teen specialist at Downers Grove Public Library, Booth brings together her experience working with an active readers'-advisory department as well as her knowledge of teen library patrons to cover all aspects of readers' advisory for teens. The first few chapters discuss teen reading habits and why readers' advisory for this group is different and also provide "Tips for the Generalist" who may not be an expert in teen fiction. Other chapters cover elements of the readers'-advisory interaction ("Opening the Readers' Advisory Interview," "Detecting Interest," "Articulating Appeal") and survey the various resources and tools that are available for identifying appropriate books. Two unique chapters offer well- thought-out and practical advice on making reading-related homework assignments less painful for staff and students as well as suggestions for providing readers'-advisory services to teens through their parents or other adults. Appendixes list popular authors, "sure bets," and teen-selected book awards. Filled with excellent tips and great ideas, Serving Teens through Readers' Advisory makes an important contribution to readers'-advisory services and is essential reading for all readers' advisors and any library staff who work with teens. Highly recommended for all school and public libraries. Moyer, Jessica
It can be a challenge keeping teens reading - and we all know how important it is to keep teens reading for pleasure - the impact on academic success, lifelong learning, an engaged life...
This book outlines strategies for building book relationships with teens, suggests approaches for "interviewing" teens about their reading needs and preferences, provides some "sure bets", and ways of dealing with various issues... It would be of interest to secondary school library staff and English teachers.
Here is a starred review from Booklist
As the teen specialist at Downers Grove Public Library, Booth brings together her experience working with an active readers'-advisory department as well as her knowledge of teen library patrons to cover all aspects of readers' advisory for teens. The first few chapters discuss teen reading habits and why readers' advisory for this group is different and also provide "Tips for the Generalist" who may not be an expert in teen fiction. Other chapters cover elements of the readers'-advisory interaction ("Opening the Readers' Advisory Interview," "Detecting Interest," "Articulating Appeal") and survey the various resources and tools that are available for identifying appropriate books. Two unique chapters offer well- thought-out and practical advice on making reading-related homework assignments less painful for staff and students as well as suggestions for providing readers'-advisory services to teens through their parents or other adults. Appendixes list popular authors, "sure bets," and teen-selected book awards. Filled with excellent tips and great ideas, Serving Teens through Readers' Advisory makes an important contribution to readers'-advisory services and is essential reading for all readers' advisors and any library staff who work with teens. Highly recommended for all school and public libraries. Moyer, Jessica
Monday, September 14, 2009
Magazines for teens
A recent School Library Journal which just came across my desk has an article "The Original Handhelds... 11 magazines that teens can't resist" . The list features celebrity gossip, humour, beauty tips, sports and manga...
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6654566.html
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6654566.html
Maps
I noticed in Take Note Kerikeri a two pack of large laminated maps - one of New Zealand, one of the world, for $20. It reminded me of a great activity that Robyn at Oruaiti School did, where she taped a map of NZ to the large table in the non-fiction area and then put a relevant book on display or made a "quiz" - find Lake Taupo, which island is Christchurch on, find 5 towns beginning with W, etc. It was as popular as Where's Wally ! You could make it a competition where the week's entries go in a box for a draw, or it could be a different question each day... Robyn changed the maps each term.I read an interesting article* about how three schools used NEMP assessment tasks to help them with their own in-school assessment. One school in Otago was concerned that their pupils' NZ map knowledge was limited due to comparatively few opportunities for travel and they used a NEMP Social Studies task "The Map" to assess pupils' knowledge of the location of 11 prominent places in NZ... Surprisingly, some students struggled to place their own home town on a map, though a relatively high proportion identified the location of Waitangi following on from a teaching unit on the Treaty... The school developed strategies for their teaching as a result of this information. If you google this title "using NEMP assessment tasks in the classroom" it will be the first result that comes up as a PDF.
*Eley, L. & Hague, R. (2002). Using NEMP assessment tasks in the classroom: Three schools’ experiences. New Zealand Principal, 17(4), 23–29.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Bookclubs
I subscribe to the the Booklist online monthly newsletter which has reviews, news, lists etc, though the focus is on US titles of course... Click here to sign up for the free newsletter http://www.booklistonline.com/default.aspx?page=general_info&id=64
For those of you who belong to bookclubs, you might be interested in Book Club Buzz - a Booklist blog http://bookgroupbuzz.booklistonline.com/ .
A recent post talks about finding out background information about authors etc to add to book club discussions and insights into books, and is the first in a four part series : how to track down and use reviews and other critical material; how to get the most from publisher and bookseller content related to the book; and ideas for researching subjects incidental to the book.
For those of you who belong to bookclubs, you might be interested in Book Club Buzz - a Booklist blog http://bookgroupbuzz.booklistonline.com/ .
A recent post talks about finding out background information about authors etc to add to book club discussions and insights into books, and is the first in a four part series : how to track down and use reviews and other critical material; how to get the most from publisher and bookseller content related to the book; and ideas for researching subjects incidental to the book.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Netsafety
Have you been to the Netsafe website recently ? It is one to bookmark in your favourites... http://www.netsafe.org.nz/index.php
The whole look has been updated and it is such a relevant, essential, user-friendly resource for all sectors of the school community - children, teachers, parents, school management...
They have developed a new teacher resource called The Grid.
From Beginner level (ECE to Yr 2) through Apprentice (Yr 3 - 6), Practitioner (Yr 7 - 10) to Master (Yr 11 - 13) it works through three aspects : Connected, Safe, Responsible with resources and suggested lesson plans for a range of aspects in each "category".
It is a great resource for "cybercitizenship education". It can be accessed through Netsafe but also has it's own website http://www.thegrid.org.nz/
Please check it out and share it in your school.
The whole look has been updated and it is such a relevant, essential, user-friendly resource for all sectors of the school community - children, teachers, parents, school management...
They have developed a new teacher resource called The Grid.
From Beginner level (ECE to Yr 2) through Apprentice (Yr 3 - 6), Practitioner (Yr 7 - 10) to Master (Yr 11 - 13) it works through three aspects : Connected, Safe, Responsible with resources and suggested lesson plans for a range of aspects in each "category".
It is a great resource for "cybercitizenship education". It can be accessed through Netsafe but also has it's own website http://www.thegrid.org.nz/
Please check it out and share it in your school.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Google guide
Felice from Kerikeri High School Library has just shared this great "Google Cheat Sheet" link
http://www.googleguide.com/advanced_operators_reference_print.html
or this link as a PDF http://www.makeuseof.com/downloads/google-cheat-sheet.pdf
Thanks, Felice !
http://www.googleguide.com/advanced_operators_reference_print.html
or this link as a PDF http://www.makeuseof.com/downloads/google-cheat-sheet.pdf
Thanks, Felice !
Sunday, September 6, 2009
School library blogs
Have a look at the great King's High School blog run by Bridget Schaumann - it is full of interesting information, book promotion, library happenings etc and uses various web 2.0 applications such as Twitter and Shelfari... http://thekingslibraryblog.blogspot.com/
King's High is a boys' high school in Dunedin with 700 students.
Here are a few other NZ school library blogs I've come across :
King's High is a boys' high school in Dunedin with 700 students.
Here are a few other NZ school library blogs I've come across :
- Botany Downs Secondary College Library http://bdsclibrary.blogspot.com/
- Fendalton Open Air School Library http://foslibrary.blogspot.com/
- Golden Bay High School Library http://gblibrary.blogspot.com/
- Mount Aspiring College Library http://maclic.wordpress.com/
- Hillcrest High School Library http://hillcresthighlibrary.blogspot.com/
Literature as "an art" - Creative NZ report
Creative NZ has done a report New Zealanders and the arts : attitudes, attendance and participation in 2005 - go here for the link http://tiny.cc/CreativeNZartsreport and to download a pdf of the report.
One aspect I found interesting was that when the survey participants were asked "What do you think the arts are ?" only 10% thought of literature / poetry / books / authors / writings / readings etc as "the arts"... (page 28).
Funding sources
Here are details for accessing funding e-resources :
FundView http://www.fis.org.nz/databases/FundView.php
BreakOut http://www.fis.org.nz/databases/BreakOut.php
FundView http://www.fis.org.nz/databases/FundView.php
BreakOut http://www.fis.org.nz/databases/BreakOut.php
Book : Weaving Flowers from NZ Flax
Here is a link to the blog and website of Ali Brown in Christchurch promoting her book, Weaving flowers from New Zealand flax
http://www.alibrown.co.nz/blog/weaving-flowers-from-new-zealand-flax
"It contains detailed instructions for weaving fifteen different flower and foliage designs plus different variations of several of the designs. Many of the flower designs can be woven from a single flax leaf, and are very quick to weave once you’ve had a bit of practice."
How to purchase : http://www.alibrown.co.nz/book-on-weaving-flax-flowers.html#buy A good resource for the library maybe, even though it is spiral bound...
http://www.alibrown.co.nz/blog/weaving-flowers-from-new-zealand-flax
"It contains detailed instructions for weaving fifteen different flower and foliage designs plus different variations of several of the designs. Many of the flower designs can be woven from a single flax leaf, and are very quick to weave once you’ve had a bit of practice."
How to purchase : http://www.alibrown.co.nz/book-on-weaving-flax-flowers.html#buy A good resource for the library maybe, even though it is spiral bound...
Tommy Donbavand "Too Ghoul for School"
Each month, the National Literacy Trust (in the UK) interviews a well-known figure in the world of reading and literacy. Here, international bestselling author Tommy Donbavand talks about how to get kids excited about books, the necessary trend for authors to embrace new media and the importance of setting up a positive school reading environment.
http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/About/interview_tommydonbavand.html
When asked "If you could change one thing about schools what would it be?" his answer started, "Tough question! When I arrive at a school for a visit, I immediately get a sense of whether it is a 'book school' or not. From shelves of books in prominent, easy to reach places to wall displays and more - book schools appreciate the importance of reading and writing and help bring stories to life. Some other schools, however, simply don't do it that way...
And on the subject of technology he has this to say... "I appreciate that some people fear the use of new media will lead to the death of books (it won't, of course) but, simply put, a story is a story whether it's read from the pages of a novel, between the covers of a comic or by browsing a website. Teachers, librarians and authors should capitalise on this explosion of technology rather than try to fight it." and "I see the proliferation of blogs and social networking sites as vital to the future of books. Children embrace new media as a completely natural method of communication and, as that's where our potential readers are, that's where authors should be as well."
ASB Trust
On Saturday I attended the ASB Trust's public meeting at Kerikeri.
In spite of a difficult past year financially things are looking up now, and schools can apply for funding this year.
The deadline is 1st November, maximum $10,000, no more than every 4 years (from the date of the letter telling you about your last grant, so even if 1st November is still "within" the 4 years, by the time you get your grant ie about April, as long as that date is no shorter than 4 years that is ok... Phone me if you don't understand that bit!)
Here is the link to what they fund http://www.asbcommunitytrust.org.nz/funding-education.html
and here is the link for the application forms http://www.asbcommunitytrust.org.nz/funding-how-to-apply.html
As with most areas now, the ASB Trust is moving towards "evidence-informed grant making" to know the impact their funds are having, so consider how you might show that in your application...
It amazes me that some schools don't write to thank the ASB Trust for the donations they receive - apparently only about 50% do ! Apart from it simply being manners, it will probably stand the school in better stead if they express appreciation for / show the positive impact of any donation they have received.
In spite of a difficult past year financially things are looking up now, and schools can apply for funding this year.
The deadline is 1st November, maximum $10,000, no more than every 4 years (from the date of the letter telling you about your last grant, so even if 1st November is still "within" the 4 years, by the time you get your grant ie about April, as long as that date is no shorter than 4 years that is ok... Phone me if you don't understand that bit!)
Here is the link to what they fund http://www.asbcommunitytrust.org.nz/funding-education.html
and here is the link for the application forms http://www.asbcommunitytrust.org.nz/funding-how-to-apply.html
As with most areas now, the ASB Trust is moving towards "evidence-informed grant making" to know the impact their funds are having, so consider how you might show that in your application...
It amazes me that some schools don't write to thank the ASB Trust for the donations they receive - apparently only about 50% do ! Apart from it simply being manners, it will probably stand the school in better stead if they express appreciation for / show the positive impact of any donation they have received.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Skerricks & Book Whisperer blogs, and class novel sets...
Bridget Schaumann mentioned the Skerricks blog on the list serv this morning and though I've visited it before, now I can highlight and share it on my blog !
It is produced by Ruth Buchanan, a Teacher Librarian in Australia, and she says that "a blog is a great way to share the stuff my flypaper mind finds amid the internet jungle". It has won awards including the SLAV (School Library Association of Victoria) Bright Ideas award as the most nominated Australian school library blog 2009 - and the Zombie Chickens award - visit her blog to find out what that is about...
It is a great place to explore and browse, you are bound to find something interesting and inspiring - and if you want to really roam, check out the links to blogs that she follows... Here is the link http://skerricks.blogspot.com and I've added it to the list of blogs on the right.
The post that Bridget was highlighting was about a New York Times article about a teacher who lets students choose their own reading :
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/30/books/30reading.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1
"The approach Ms. McNeill uses, in which students choose their own books, discuss them individually with their teacher and one another, and keep detailed journals about their reading, is part of a movement to revolutionize the way literature is taught in America’s schools. While there is no clear consensus among English teachers, variations on the approach, known as reading workshop, are catching on. "
I've bought a copy of Donalyn Miller's book published this year - The Book Whisperer: Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child (9780470372272). In it she describes how she is so successful at getting her students reading - simply put, it is by being a powerful reading role model herself, knowing the literature, providing easy, plentiful access to a range of books, expecting every child to be a reader, and responding in a lively way to the students' reading responses...
It is produced by Ruth Buchanan, a Teacher Librarian in Australia, and she says that "a blog is a great way to share the stuff my flypaper mind finds amid the internet jungle". It has won awards including the SLAV (School Library Association of Victoria) Bright Ideas award as the most nominated Australian school library blog 2009 - and the Zombie Chickens award - visit her blog to find out what that is about...
It is a great place to explore and browse, you are bound to find something interesting and inspiring - and if you want to really roam, check out the links to blogs that she follows... Here is the link http://skerricks.blogspot.com and I've added it to the list of blogs on the right.
The post that Bridget was highlighting was about a New York Times article about a teacher who lets students choose their own reading :
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/30/books/30reading.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1
"The approach Ms. McNeill uses, in which students choose their own books, discuss them individually with their teacher and one another, and keep detailed journals about their reading, is part of a movement to revolutionize the way literature is taught in America’s schools. While there is no clear consensus among English teachers, variations on the approach, known as reading workshop, are catching on. "
"One Size Does Not Fit All
My seventeen year-old-daughter is what we call here in Texas, “a long, tall drink of water." I, on the other hand, have a full-figured glass that has overflowed. When shopping, we laugh when we see clothes sporting tags that claim “one size fits all” remarking, “Not us!” Stretch this t-shirt over the ubiquitous practice in reading classrooms of teaching whole-class novels, and you can see that it doesn't fit most readers..."
and her latest post picks up on the NY Times article mentioned above - here is what she has to say on it "... the New York Times [has] announced that The Future of Reading is "reading workshop". Describing one teacher’s journey to implement reading workshop with her middle school students, the article explores the messy challenges and smalls triumphs of a classroom environment where children choose the books they read. It bewilders me that reading workshop, first introduced to practicing teachers in works like In the Middle by Nancie Atwell (written in 1987), is still seen as groundbreaking or newsworthy. I continually wonder how activities like reading one book as a class, dissecting classics, and presenting book reports become entrenched in reading classrooms for generations while ideas like allowing student choices, reading contemporary literature, and writing authentic reading responses fail to gain a foothold in many English classes..."My seventeen year-old-daughter is what we call here in Texas, “a long, tall drink of water." I, on the other hand, have a full-figured glass that has overflowed. When shopping, we laugh when we see clothes sporting tags that claim “one size fits all” remarking, “Not us!” Stretch this t-shirt over the ubiquitous practice in reading classrooms of teaching whole-class novels, and you can see that it doesn't fit most readers..."
I've bought a copy of Donalyn Miller's book published this year - The Book Whisperer: Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child (9780470372272). In it she describes how she is so successful at getting her students reading - simply put, it is by being a powerful reading role model herself, knowing the literature, providing easy, plentiful access to a range of books, expecting every child to be a reader, and responding in a lively way to the students' reading responses...
Carol Otis Hurst website & newsletter
A good website to visit is http://www.carolhurst.com which introduces itself as "a collection of reviews of great books for kids, ideas of ways to use them in the classroom and collections of books and activities about particular subjects, curriculum areas, themes and professional topics."
You can subscribe to a (free) online quarterly newsletter from the site, which, though it has a US focus in reviews and topics, could be useful for ideas - the latest newsletter has a booklist of "time fantasies" including old favourites like Tuck Everlasting, and Tom's Midnight Garden.
Carol Hurst was a great advocate for children's books and how they could be used in the classroom - she was an author, storyteller, lecturer, consultant, teacher and librarian. She died in 2007, and her daughter Rebecca Otis Hurst is continuing her work on the website / newsletter.
You can subscribe to a (free) online quarterly newsletter from the site, which, though it has a US focus in reviews and topics, could be useful for ideas - the latest newsletter has a booklist of "time fantasies" including old favourites like Tuck Everlasting, and Tom's Midnight Garden.
Carol Hurst was a great advocate for children's books and how they could be used in the classroom - she was an author, storyteller, lecturer, consultant, teacher and librarian. She died in 2007, and her daughter Rebecca Otis Hurst is continuing her work on the website / newsletter.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Book Reviews
I have found a vast selection of book reviews on the New Zealand Book Council website, http://www.bookcouncil.org.nz/Education/Whats%20New/School%20Library .
These reviews have been useful when considering books to buy, and I also use a few lines, which I include in the library catalogue, so that students can view the notes to help them make informed decisions when choosing their library books.
Cheers, Jenny
Cheers, Jenny
Monday, August 31, 2009
The New Literacy
If you've wondered if literacy is going to the dogs with all the new technology being used, then http://www.wired.com/techbiz/people/magazine/17-09/st_thompson
"As the school year begins, be ready to hear pundits fretting once again about how kids today can't write—and technology is to blame. Facebook encourages narcissistic blabbering, video and PowerPoint have replaced carefully crafted essays, and texting has dehydrated language into "bleak, bald, sad shorthand" (as University College of London English professor John Sutherland has moaned). An age of illiteracy is at hand, right?
"As the school year begins, be ready to hear pundits fretting once again about how kids today can't write—and technology is to blame. Facebook encourages narcissistic blabbering, video and PowerPoint have replaced carefully crafted essays, and texting has dehydrated language into "bleak, bald, sad shorthand" (as University College of London English professor John Sutherland has moaned). An age of illiteracy is at hand, right?
Andrea Lunsford isn't so sure. Lunsford is a professor of writing and rhetoric at Stanford University, where she has organized a mammoth project called the Stanford Study of Writing to scrutinize college students' prose. From 2001 to 2006, she collected 14,672 student writing samples—everything from in-class assignments, formal essays, and journal entries to emails, blog posts, and chat sessions. Her conclusions are stirring.
"I think we're in the midst of a literacy revolution the likes of which we haven't seen since Greek civilization," she says. For Lunsford, technology isn't killing our ability to write. It's reviving it—and pushing our literacy in bold new directions."....
Storylines Northland 2009
What an amazing day it was on Saturday at the Centre for our Northland Storylines Family Day - around 1500 to 2000 people were there, all taking part in reading and writing activities, art and craft, stories and face-painting, magic and music, dancing and food, comics and competitions... So many people were involved in various aspects - planning, setting up, packing up, helping on the day, dressing up, and local businesses supporting or taking part too....
There are too many names to mention, so this is just one avenue to say a huge thank you to everyone for being part of such a wonderful occasion for children.
There are too many names to mention, so this is just one avenue to say a huge thank you to everyone for being part of such a wonderful occasion for children.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Library displays and events calendar
From the school library listserv August 2009 :
For a new display about survival I chose the heading: 'Hey, I’m alive’. Magazine articles from the Vertical File with shouting headlines about ship wrecks, plane crashes and alligator attacks...
The Calendar of Events is a great success according to your reactions.... If you have updates you like to see on the calendar please mail me the correct date and I will add it. Cheers, Anita Vandenberghe, Librarian, St Kentigern College. vandenberghea@skc.school.nz.
For a new display about survival I chose the heading: 'Hey, I’m alive’. Magazine articles from the Vertical File with shouting headlines about ship wrecks, plane crashes and alligator attacks...
The Calendar of Events is a great success according to your reactions.... If you have updates you like to see on the calendar please mail me the correct date and I will add it. Cheers, Anita Vandenberghe, Librarian, St Kentigern College. vandenberghea@skc.school.nz.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Joyce Valenza, web 2.0 and the unquiet library
Here is a link to a Joyce Valenza blog (on SLJ) post
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/blog/1340000334/post/1090041909.html
Joyce wants to recognize "the value of forward-thinking virtual library service and instruction. If I had my way, we’d formally recognize professionals who get it---who know how to identify and grab the tools now available for information and communication, who know how to use these emerging tools in ways that engage young people and promote learning and reading, in ways that model effective communication strategies for today's world. An award for those professionals who present themselves and their libraries in attractive, interactive, professional, and usable ways. "
Joyce opens the door of the of the Unquiet Library (also known as Creekview High School Media Center in Georgia), which features a dynamic blog, and lots of widgets--including Browse Inside invitations to Printz Award titles and the library's Del.icio.us bookmarks; an option to subscribe to library Twitter tweets or the feed to the library blog, scenes of library life via Flickr, other updated slide shows (stored on Slideshare) including the Georgia Peach Award for books tor teens, and a tag cloud index. ...
This is a school library which is wholeheartedly embracing web 2.0 opportunities - make a virtual visit and be inspired !
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/blog/1340000334/post/1090041909.html
Joyce wants to recognize "the value of forward-thinking virtual library service and instruction. If I had my way, we’d formally recognize professionals who get it---who know how to identify and grab the tools now available for information and communication, who know how to use these emerging tools in ways that engage young people and promote learning and reading, in ways that model effective communication strategies for today's world. An award for those professionals who present themselves and their libraries in attractive, interactive, professional, and usable ways. "
Joyce opens the door of the of the Unquiet Library (also known as Creekview High School Media Center in Georgia), which features a dynamic blog, and lots of widgets--including Browse Inside invitations to Printz Award titles and the library's Del.icio.us bookmarks; an option to subscribe to library Twitter tweets or the feed to the library blog, scenes of library life via Flickr, other updated slide shows (stored on Slideshare) including the Georgia Peach Award for books tor teens, and a tag cloud index. ...
This is a school library which is wholeheartedly embracing web 2.0 opportunities - make a virtual visit and be inspired !
Charlotte Huck
"We don't achieve literacy and then give children literature; we achieve literacy through literature."
Charlotte Huck, author and children’s literature expert.
Charlotte Huck, author and children’s literature expert.
Reading promotion
I've mentioned the Read Kiddo Read website before and I've put a link on the right hand side of this blog... It has lots of great book recommendations and advice on getting children reading. I've signed up for their monthly e-newsletter - http://tiny.cc/Readkiddoreadnewsletter
I've also mentioned Judy Freeman, a friend of Roxie Munro - here she is writing on the Read Kiddo Read site with 12 TRIED AND TRUE WAYS TO GET YOUR KIDDOS READING - good suggestions - maybe useful for sharing with teachers and parents ? It can be downloaded as a pdf for printing...
I've also mentioned Judy Freeman, a friend of Roxie Munro - here she is writing on the Read Kiddo Read site with 12 TRIED AND TRUE WAYS TO GET YOUR KIDDOS READING - good suggestions - maybe useful for sharing with teachers and parents ? It can be downloaded as a pdf for printing...
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
School Library Procedures Manual
A school asked me the other day about setting up a Procedures Manual...
Here is a link to the information guide on the National Library website to creating Library Procedures Manuals
http://www.natlib.govt.nz/catalogues/library-documents/information-guide-creating-a-management-and-procedures-manual
and here is a link to a list of possible headings which could provide a starting point for gathering and sorting existing material and identifying areas for development...
http://docs.google.com/View?id=dg36bfgc_254c9jmjtg7
Here is a link to the information guide on the National Library website to creating Library Procedures Manuals
http://www.natlib.govt.nz/catalogues/library-documents/information-guide-creating-a-management-and-procedures-manual
and here is a link to a list of possible headings which could provide a starting point for gathering and sorting existing material and identifying areas for development...
http://docs.google.com/View?id=dg36bfgc_254c9jmjtg7
NZ Science website
"The Science Learning Hub provides teaching resources for school years 5 -10. Our teaching resources explore the latest research in science and technology in New Zealand adn are closely linked to the science curriculum. The Science Learning Hub is developed by educators and teachers in collaboration with New Zealand scientists. The project is funded by the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology and managed by the University of Waikato."
http://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/
http://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/
Roald Dahl Day - September 13
From the TKI English online newsletter :
"If you and/or your students are Roald Dahl fans, you might like to celebrate Roald Dahl day. The Roald Dahl Day website has lots of great ideas of things you can do with your class (or entire school!) and includes interesting lesson ideas. The material on this site is linked to the UK curriculum so you will need to remember to adapt the activities to link into the New Zealand Curriculum and the learning goals for your students."
"If you and/or your students are Roald Dahl fans, you might like to celebrate Roald Dahl day. The Roald Dahl Day website has lots of great ideas of things you can do with your class (or entire school!) and includes interesting lesson ideas. The material on this site is linked to the UK curriculum so you will need to remember to adapt the activities to link into the New Zealand Curriculum and the learning goals for your students."
Poem : To read
http://www.slate.com/id/2224389/
The Slate Magazine online has a poem a week, in text and read by the author, and this one is To Read by Michael McFee, likening a learner reader to a learner driver...
The Slate Magazine online has a poem a week, in text and read by the author, and this one is To Read by Michael McFee, likening a learner reader to a learner driver...
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