Keeping+Current+Gems

[] This article entitled, “The Class of 2022: How Will We Meet Their Needs and Expectations?” by Elizabeth Haynes from //Library Media Connection// //Online// discusses how school libraries will need to keep up and use new technologies to reach the educational goals of students who are growing up in a high -tech world. It addresses questions such as: “How can we make our libraries educational yet relevant and fun places f or the post-millennial generation? “and “How can we guide and instruct them in efficient, ethical, and fulfilling use of these technologies?” [] This article from School Library Monthly Online, Jan. 2010, “Interactives: Dynamic Learning Environments,” by Annette Lamb and Larry Johnson discusses the use of interactive websites that can be used to enhance student learning. Museum websites are given as an example as well as a site called Smithsonian History Explores. [] This site contains many different activities for all grade levels. One example is called, “All the President’s Children,” where students match clues with images of children who lived in the White House in order to learn about their lives.

Michele Sherman 6/5/10 1. [] “Picture This: Image Applications for Creative Teaching and Learning” by Steve Hargadon, from //School Library Journal//, 4/01/2010. This article features websites and online applications pertaining to images that can be used to enhance education. Examples include, **PicLits.com** “Refrigerator poetry meets beautiful imagery in this creative writing site that’s a teacher favorite.” [] Users upload a picture or video and a write a sentence, great for learning SAT and ACT vocabulary.

2. [] This LM NET post contains many 8th and 9th grade research project ideas. Example: research paper on a new technology for autos, medical research etc. Projects included hybrid cars and stem cell research for diabetes. 3. [] “Young Learners Need Librarians, Not Just Google” by Mark Moran, 3/22/10, from Forbes.com. Author Moran argues that students need librarians now more than ever to guide them through the vastness of a Google search and web 2.0 environments, and to truly succeed in the 21st century. A must read for school boards or administrators thinking about eliminating the LMS position. 4. [] This blog entry is entitled, “Skype + Twitter+ 3rd Graders+ Boxcar Children = Wow” from //School Library Media Activities Monthly.com.// A LMS used “regular” books with graphic novels and Twitter and arranged a Skype talk with the editor of the Boxcar Children’s series.

Michele Sherman 6/10/10 for Monday 6/14/10 1. [] This LM Net post lists several places in which to find primary sources. I thought this information would be helpful when creating a DBQ. 2. [] This is a LM Net post containing end of the year activities and lessons for kindergarten classes. 3. [] This article/blog post on the New York Times, “The Learning Network,” is entitled, “English Language Learners and the Power of Personal Stories” by LARRY FERLAZZO. It is about lesson ideas for English language learners using NYT resources. His lessons are based on ideas and theories that we’ve been discussing in class and can be applied to any teaching situation. Ferlazzo mentions activating prior knowledge and quotes Robert J. Marzano about the importance of reflection in the education process.

Michele Sherman 6/17/10 for 6/21/10 // 1. // The “Teacher’s Lounge” section of //American Teacher// magazine has a few interesting ideas for the classroom. The 4th grade teachers in a school in Ohio teach students about how a state government works. Each teacher is the governor of their “state” (classroom) and students learn how a state is run by applying to be a lieutenant governor and by grouping their desks into “districts.” // [] //

// 2. // “Learning for Life: Applying the AASL Standards” by Pat Franklin and Claire Gatrell Stephens from //School Library Monthly.// This article discusses applying the AASL standards to school library lessons, and offers an example of how the standards are being used. []

3. I enjoyed this Twitter Quote from School Library Monthly, “On My Mind” blog post. “ John W. Gardner on education: All too often we are giving young people cut flowers when we should be teaching them to grow their own plants.” Tweeted by Stephen Krashen [] 4. “Carol Ann Tomlinson on Differentiation – How Can We be a part of it?” Thursday, September 11th, 2008 I found excerpts from an interview with Carol Ann Tomlinson on //School Library Monthly//’s blog. The interview originally came from //Teacher Magazine// which can be accessed through this site. []

Michele Sherman 6/28/2010 1. []   http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/LM_NET/2010/Jun_2010/msg00320.html This LM Net post contains a wiki created by two librarians as a way to stay up to date with web 2.0 technologies in the library. (It is designed as a staff development exercise) It is an excellent resource containing great sites to try. 2. [] [] I found this wiki through Joyce Valenza’s blog, “The Never Ending Search.” The wiki, entitled “School Library Websites: Examples of Effective Practice” contains resources (scribd), pathfinders, building tools (weebly, edublogs), library blogs, pathfinders, digital storytelling (how to make a book trailer) and much, much more. Users can look at examples and find ideas to implement in your own library and classroom. 3.  “To put the sheer size of the BP oil spill into perspective, measure it against the land mass surrounding your home town, enter and ‘move’ the oil spill your town in the location box top of page”, []. This site can be used in oil spill lessons in order to help students understand the size and impact of the spill. I found this information on a blog called //Reading Power.// [] This blog offers a ton of information on websites and articles. “The articles contain information related to Library events, news about reading and information literacy, and hints and ideas for students and parents to help with learning. Content is also selected based on interest to our community and learning goals.”