Why are school libraries so necessary???

School Library Story: When libraries thrive and when they crumble.

Did you know?

·      The library catalog can be found on the school website under the Academics or on Moodle.

·      We do have eBooks. Look for links to eBooks on the library catalog Home Tab.

·      Most library database passwords have been changed to cdssh.                                        
           Log In: cdssh Password: 1865.

·      Some database content can be translated into other languages (including Chinese).

·      We now have access to all Delaware County Library System Databases with the Log in:  cdssh and the Password: 1865.

·      Students and teachers are eligible for a Philadelphia Library Card. Please fill out form and return to me by September 30, 2013. This will give you access to more databases and eBooks. Upper school students will be getting cards.

http://www.freelibrary.org/registration/Card_Application.pdf

·      I can create Pathfinders for your projects on the library Moodle course. The pathfinders can lead students to materials related to their projects, including: books, databases, and websites.

·      I have started a Professional Development Wiki. You are welcome to join the wiki and add content. http://cdsshprofessionaldevelopmentwiki.wikispaces.com

·      I am trying two new databases this year:

BrainPop:  I purchased a single classroom subscription of this simple lower/middle school video database, You can only use BrainPop from my school laptop in the library OR you can borrow the library laptop to use in your classroom with your projector. http://www.brainpop.com

Classroom Video on Demand: Video for high school students.

http://streaming.factsonfile.com/Dashboard.aspx

Teaching Books: This database will provide information including videos about K-12 books and their authors.  http://www.teachingbooks.net

Tools for Teaching: Developing Active Readers | Edutopia

Tools for Teaching: Developing Active Readers | Edutopia

World Read Aloud Day

This is very special! For World Read Aloud Day, I had asked teachers to take some time in their classes to read aloud to their students. Maureen Sullivan and her 5th grade class took the assignment a bit further. Maureen came to me and asked if we had "Math Curse" by John Scieszka.

Our library did not have it, but was able to order the book and get it quickly.. After she read the "Math Curse" to her class, the students and Ms. Sullivan decided maybe they could write their own math book. They did!!

 The students worked in their math class and in the computer lab. Each student thought of a real life math problem, wrote it, and provided an illustration. The students worked with each other, deciding on the title page, book cover, dedication page, and their math problem individual page.

 Two additional teachers collaborated to make this project happen: Mrs. Ackerley, their computer teacher, and Mrs. Scholl, the librarian. The culmination of the project was a hard copy book, written by Ms. Sullivan's 5th grade math class titled, Math Madness. The book will be on display in the library and available for check out starting in September. Kudos to Maureen Sullivan and her 5th grade math class! Peace! Catherine

On maximizing database use: Part 1, the one-page approach

I love how you can use html to change the home page of your Destiny Catalog.

On maximizing database use: Part 1, the one-page approach

5 Sites Students Can Explore to Learn About Career Options

5 Sites Students Can Explore to Learn About Career Options

IT Skills College Freshmen Need

What IT Skills Should Teachers Expect of Incoming HS Freshmen? 

Doug Johnson

doug0077@gmail.com

March 2013

Doug provided this document (please see the link below), which can help update high school technology courses. I think it is worth looking at, as a basis for middle and high school technology curriculums for those schools who still have a dedicated technology teacher and course.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/14UnsxDRzusyJhErfldqUxh92Y8C0A-qx4CwL-xmTgn4/mobilebasic

Library Online Sign In Form

Here is a link to my library sign in form. I am finding the data to be quite interesting. It gives a clear picture of when the students use the library and for what purpose.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?fromEmail=true&formkey=dGZ3VlNRUWZoZzNZa002S0xkYnBMQXc6MA

Google Forms

 I am including the information I learned from Sarah about Google Forms. One of my goals this year (and last year!) was to get an online form going for the library sign in. With Sarah's information and Google Docs Templates, I was able to get a form up and running in a very short time. I put the form in three different places: a netbook, an iPad, and a desktop computer. I gave the students the option of paper or online for signing into the library. After the first lunch period, I did away with paper. They all wanted to sign in online. Try it!

Tips and Tricks: Embedding Google Forms

By Sarah | Published: March 22, 2013

In this Tips and Tricks, we’ll take a look at Google Forms and how educators are embedding them in their wikis to create more interactive online classrooms.

Create a survey
Want to make your classroom a two-way conversation? Add a survey to your wiki and get feedback from your students on a particular unit. Or create a wiki page highlighting your recent class field trip and invite parents to fill out a survey on their chaperoning experience.

Build an online quiz
Looking to spruce up your quizzes? Embed a weekly vocabulary quiz on your wiki that your students can answer online. Or create practice quizzes for your students to do at home in preparation for the big exam. By embedding the quizzes on your classroom wiki, your students will always know where to head to find the latest test.

Engage the community
Looking to connect your classroom with the community? Have your students create online polls around a particular unit, embed them on the wiki, and invite members of your local or Twitter community to fill them out. Your kids will love seeing the wiki stats change as people outside the classroom engage with what they’re learning. In return, your community will get a peek into your classroom and all the great things you’re doing on your wiki.

Handle simple administrative tasks
Want an easier way to handle those little administrative tasks? Create a checklist for your daily attendance to easily mark students as present or absent. Or create a form for classroom observations or student assessments. You’ll be able to access your data online in a Google Spreadsheet.

To add a Google Form to your wiki:

1. Head to your Google account, and then to Google Drive.
2. Click Create and choose the Form option.
3. Create your quiz. You can choose between multiple choose questions, check boxes, text responses and more.
4. Once you’ve finished adding your questions, click the Send Form button at the top right. Choose Embed and copy the HTML code that appears.
5. Return to your wiki and edit the page where you’d like to put the quiz.
6. Go to the Widget tool in the toolbar and down to Other HTML.
7. Paste the embed code there and click Save.
8. Save your page to see the form.
9. The responses to this form will appear in a Google Spreadsheet.