Haiku Deck

In an age where a PowerPoints can be long, wordy and over designed, Haiku Deck is a breath of fresh air. It is designed to keep presentations simple, well designed and succinct...and about the speaker. When I see a speaker essentially reading what is on the slide behind him, it's frustrating. I'd rather read a hand out! But when the slide support their comments it becomes and engaging talk.

This will put me to sleep:

http://cdn3.computerworlduk.com/

This will not:

http://core0.staticworld.net/

I have used Haiku Deck on my iPad many times. It's quick to learn, easy to share and beautiful.

You can also export the deck to PowerPoint to take advantage of any PPT functions you want. I've used it both ways and found that it is a great way to generate an outline for a larger presentation or a simple one to support a talk. I used it to do my presentation to the PTA about weeding the library. They loved it! This year I want to let the students use it and see what they can do...I'm sure I'll be surprised!

OPALS Screencasts for 4th & 5th Grade

Hi 4/5 students! I made these screencasts for you to learn how to start using OPALS...a.k.a the new system. Watch them as often as you need to and feel free to as me any questions. Also, let me know what other screencasts you'd like to see.

1. Introduction to the OPALS system: Introduction
2. Learn how to search for materials and create book lists:Searching and Book Lists
3. Find out how you can write reviews for your favorite (and not so favorite) books:Reader Reviews


-doree

OPALS screencasts for 2nd & 3rd Grade

Hi 2/3 students! I made some videos to introduce you to OPALS, our new library system. You can learn about searching, making book lists and writing readers reviews. Watch these as often as you like!

1. This is an overview of OPALS: Introduction
2. This one talks about the beginner search and book lists: Beginner Search
3. Find out about Reader Reviews here:Reader Reviews

-doree

OPALS Screencasts for Kinders & 1st Grade

These are to help you learn about the new library system OPALS! There are videos for learning about searching and writing reviews. Watch them as often as you need to:

1.This is a introduction to OPALS: Intro Student
2.This is for a way to search for books: OWL Student

-doree

OPALS for Teachers

Our new library system is called OPALS and it's a great way for you to search, request books and see reviews of books! These screencasts will help you learn all about the new features:

1.This is for how to search and create book lists: Search Details
2.This goes into more details of the search results page: Teacher Search Detail
3.This one talks about Reader Reviews: Reader Reviews

As always, come see me with any questions.

-doree

OPALS for Library Volunteers

These are videos to help you learn about our new circulation system, OPALS. Watch them as often as you need and as always, ask questions as needed!

1. Introduction and logging in: Intro and Logging In
2. How to locate student records and also how to loan a book: Loans (aka Check out)
3. Returning a book: Book Returns
4. Searching for books: Search

As we add more features to OPALS, I'll add them here!

-doree

My Teacher is A Monster! (No, I am not.)

In this delightful picturebook, Peter Brown explores the often misunderstood realm of teachers outside of school. Despite how it looks to the parents and students, teachers do not live at school. This can be an unsettling realization for some children...like Bobby. He is the paper airplane loving student of Ms. Kirby. He is convinced she is a monster...I mean, just look at her!

https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/kids/

Bobby thinks he has escaped her with in the safety of the park. Oh, how wrong he is. She's there...in...the...park! What will he do? What will Ms. Kirby do? Find out if she really is a monster and how Bobby escapes from the horrors of seeing his teacher in the real world.

http://www.peterbrownstudio.com

Disclaimer: I can become a monster if I haven't had adequate amounts of coffee before 10:00 am.

by Peter Brown, illustrated by Peter Brown

Age Range: 4 - 8...or 48!

CCSS connections: RL.1.3 Describe characters, setting, and major events in a story, using key details.

RL.1.9 Compare and contrast the adventures and experiences of characters in stories. 

RL.2.6 Acknowledge differences in points of view of characters, including by speaking in a different voice for each character when reading dialogue aloud. 

My first try with making a PowToon!

Graphite takes the "lead out" of finding apps!

Graphite is a site created by the folks at Common Sense Media to help K-12 educators sift through all the apps, games, websites, and digital curricula available online. Their staff of educators and other professionals provide reviews and recommendations and a growing community of users add tips, tricks and advice. I use this to help teachers as they look for new iPad apps. It's a tremendous help! 

I also point parents to it to use as a resource for understanding what it is their kiddos ask to play on iPads, iPhone and laptops. More than one parent has come to me asking about Minecraft and Graphite has helped them understand what and why a Creeper is a bad thing. (They are often surprised that I have my own Minecraft account.)

They also have a Common Core Explorer that I highly recommend. It has helped a few of my teachers convince the district to pay for certain apps because they could point to the CCSS the app was linked to. In this era of app-overload, Graphite is a must have.

Guess Again!

http://www.amazon.com/

Need a great book that illustrates the idea of prediction? Or just a hilarious read aloud? Grab a copy of Mac Barnett's "Guess Again!". Using silhouetted images and a rhyme that offers clues...really obvious clues...to what the hidden picture is. Kids delight in guessing then finding out the true identity of the hidden character. Adam Rex's illustrations are delightful and capture the silliness of the text with just the right amount of whimsy. Trust me, they love this book!Hide this post from any kiddos and check out this example:

http://pinkme.typepad.com/

He steals carrots from the neighbor's yard.

His hair is soft, his teeth are hard.

His floppy ears are long and funny.

Can you guess who? That's right! My

(Then you turn the page)

http://pinkme.typepad.com/

Grandpa Ned

I'm telling you...they will go bananas! Even though I've read it before, my 5th Graders still request it if we have a little extra time for a read aloud. Give it a try. Just be sure it's on a day when the library doesn't need to be a quiet place. 

CCSS connections: 

RI.K.1: Ask and answer questions about key details in a text.

RL.K.1: With prompting and support, ask and answer key details about a text. 

RL.2.1: Ask and answer such questions as who, what, when, where, why and how to demonstrate understanding in a text.

Three Little Ninja Pigs

I can't seem to have enough ninja books on hand for my students. Fiction or non-fiction they want ninjas! So imagine my joy when I found "The Three Little Ninja Pigs" by Corey Rosen Schwartz. The classic tale of "The Three Little Pigs" is retold with hilarious text and bold illustrations by Dan Santat. 

from http://www.amazon.com

When the the Big Bad Wolf heads to town the 3 pigs...well 2 hogs and 1 sow to be more accurate...start training to become martial artists. One studies aikido, one jujitsu and the other karate. Who will be the victor against the Big BadWolf? Which martial art style will vanquish the pigs foe? Read "The Three Ninja Pigs" to find out! KIYA!

CCSS Connection: RL.2.9: Compare and contrast two or more versions of the same story (e.g., Cinderella stories) by different authors or from different cultures.

This is a great book to add to your fractured fairy tale 

type of books. Kids will love to compare and contrast multiple versions of The Three Little Pigs. Try "The Three Little Pigs: An Architectural Tale",  "The True Story of The Three Little Pigs" and "The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig"

Technology and Libraries go together like peanut butter and jelly!

www.zazzle.com

Peanut butter & jelly! Delicious, comforting, sticky, messy, potentially causes hives and anaphylactic shock!

Technology! Fun, helpful, fast changing, messy, potentially causes hives and anaphylactic shock!

It's all about how you handle it. Is it messy? Make sure you have a plan to clean up. Try hand wipes or and solid district tech plan to back you up. Also advice from someone who has made a pb&j or used the technology before is a great way to avoid potential messes. Hives? Have an Epi-pen at the ready and a good mindset before embarking on a new technology path. Fast-changing? Sometimes changes are a good thing...make things easier, more convenient, and mobile.

http://www.crushable.com/

Though sometimes technology might get too far away from what the students or patrons need...or want. No matter how you market it, it's still a sandwich in a can. 

http://www.thelunchtray.com/candwich-sandwich-can/

Add a little innovation and planning to a peanut butter & jelly sandwich or a put new technology in the hands of a skilled teacher librarian and you get this...the ultimate combination!

http://imgur.com/PrEDN0j

If libraries are the portals to information, then it makes perfect sense that they provide access to all forms of information. Remember, once upon a time the printing press was new technology.

Lib 740: Eisenberg Video Refection

from http://grhslibrarymediacenter.wikispaces.com/

Right from the fist question Mr. Eisenberg answers, I'm on board! All the "new" literacies branch of of Information Literacy. Regardless of how the information is viewed or consumed, we all need to know how to use it. The key word is "information". As students learn any form of literacy, there should be a repeatable process to help them gain mastery. He states that information literacy is a information problem solving process. In an elementary school setting I love the idea of teaching them a process. The Big 6 and Super 3 are a great way to, as he mentioned, to have a common vocabulary of how to problem solve and approach learning.  The more I learn about the Big 6 and Super 3, the more I want to implement it as our information literacy program. It not only helps them on finding and using information, but it also begins to teach them good study skills and habits. As my own high school boys are struggling with how to study and do good research, I see the benefits of a process like Big 6. 

The Day The Crayons Quit

The Day The Crayons Quit By Drew Daywalt and llustrated by Oliver Jeffers

Ever wonder what your crayons are thinking when they are quietly sitting in their box? Do they all get along? Find out how they really feel when they decide to quit working. They list their issues, complaints and requests in a stack of letters Duncan finds in his desk....right where his crayons used to be! Does red like being the color of fire engines? Black is tired of outlining things. Yellow and Orange are fighting over who should be the color of the sun. And poor peach! Missing his label...Find out how Duncan resolves the conflict and gets the crayons back on the job.


This is a great book to use with lessons regarding writing friendly letters, as a mentor text for persuasive writing or a creative writing lesson. Highly recommended!

What is a "Book Talk"?

A book talk is like a blurb, but with a bit more. Depending on the audience it might give a glimpse of the story line, a description of the characters, or simply just an opinion!