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.