Library Links

"Content that might be of interest to Teacher-Librarians..."


16.9.11

School Libraries Ebook Project

EVERYONE's eBook on the future of school libraries!

Read the submissions:

Explore this a set of essential questions that will encourage us to think deeply about the future of school libraries in the areas of:

Gaming
21st-Century Learners
Who and When Do We Teach?
Emerging and Multiple Literacies
Networks and Organizations
The Physical Library
The Virtual Library
Collaboration
Collection Development
Librarian Coursework and Professional Development

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If You Liked "X", then You'll Like "Y"

Book Recommenders, Anyone?

How often do you get asked to recommend a book? Here are two websites that try to help with this process. I like "What should I read next" because to generates a longish list of similar themed titles. Each book is linked to the Amazon website for a cover pic, reviews and reader feeback. (You can even order the book online if you want!)

Bookseer has a very retro and charming interface. The results aren't as good as WSIRN, but maybe that's because LibraryThing wasn't returning results when I tried it.
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Find The Data Website

A reference-based comparison engine

Compare data from a variety of sources. By logging in, you can even create Slideshows!

"FindTheData is an objective, reference-based comparison engine that allows you to find and sort through a growing number of databases that are fully sortable, filterable and comparable. FindTheData presents its data in side-by-side comparison databases—allowing for the apples-to-apples comparison of listings free of any hidden advertising.

We obtain our information from primary source, public domain databases—from governmental organizations to universities—and our data is constantly being expanded and updated. We also encourage users to send any relevant databases they would like presented and published on FindTheData."
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15.9.11

Thought-provoking video on 21st century learning

"I have a question: Why 21st Century Learning?"
Click the link to watch http://bit.ly/o4VPgj
A new paradigm for a new age. Let's prepare our students to find the answers.
TLs can help teachers move into this exciting way of thinking and teaching.

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An Open Letter to Techy Teachers

Helping friends put their digital lives together
"As the new school year gets underway, there will be plenty of times when the "techy" teachers are going to be asked to help others get their classrooms set up. As I spent the first few days helping my friends put their digital lives together, I made sure to follow some important tips I learned over the years. Follow these tips and helping teachers get ready will be a breeze."
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Lessons with a SmartBoard twist

Scholastic IWB Activities
Perfect activities to use with any Interactive Whiteboard
SMART Board | Promethean | Mimio | More
(many for the sites use Flash)
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Veteran's Week (Nov 5-11) Resources

Canada Remembers / Postcards for Peace

"Veterans' Week is observed each year from November 5-11. We are again offering our free educational newspapers Tales of Animals in War (ages 5-11) and the Canada Remembers Times (ages 12-18) to help engage young people in Remembrance. But that's not all... Postcards for Peace, colourful bookmarks and eye-catching posters are also available. And to help you turn these resources in teaching tools, we have created an on-line teacher's guide. Order your hard copies of our resources or consult our electronic versions at:"

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14.9.11

Webinar: Marketing: Librarians as web search expert

Marketing: Librarians as web search experts  
(aired on Tuesday, September 13, 2011. 49 minutes)

To access the webinar archive, you will find it here. (Scroll to the bottom of the page.) You are most welcome to watch it or share it with others. The webinar is under Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike.






Procrastination - Book Trailer for "You are not so Smart"

A Celebration of Self Delusion
"Based on the blog by the same name, "You Are Not So Smart" is a book about all the wonderful ways you delude yourself everyday. Inside this book you'll find expanded chapters on topics like procrastination, catharsis and conformity."

This looks like an interesting book! Especially the section on procrastination. Scroll down the page to view the Booktrailer - an amusing take on this topic.

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DEAR, SSR, FVR, Engaged Reading - find out more

Building Student Literacy Through Sustained Silent Reading
Preview this title by Steve Gardiner

This is a great boost for teachers starting a DEAR programme, or who would like to breathe new life into an existing SSR initiative. Gardiner shares his own experience and offers many examples from his own teaching. Many references are made to other leaders in the world of literacy. Many good ideas for implementation are included. (Hint: if viewed using Safari, the "reader" button in the address bar makes each chapter very readable.)
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Science Podcasts for the classroom teacher

Lab Out Loud

Lab Out Loud is a podcast, hosted by two science teachers, that discusses science news and science education by interviewing leading scientists, researchers, science writers and other important figures in the field. You can listen to select episodes on the site, or subscribe in iTunes and listen on a variety of platforms.

Check out Episode 54: - The Encyclopedia of Life
The Encyclopedia of Life is a free, online, collaborative encyclopedia intended to document every living species known to science. It is compiled from existing databases and from contributions by experts and non-experts throughout the world.
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Physics and Astronomy Videos

Videos about the symbols of Physics and Astronomy

"Ever been confused by all the letters and squiggles used by scientists? Hopefully this site will unravel some of those mysteries. Sixty Symbols is a collection of videos by experts from The University of Nottingham. It's worth noting many symbols have multiple uses and we somtimes tackle them from an unexpected viewpoint."

"Click on "gamma" and you'll find a professor of physics talking about cricket balls... Click on "rho" and we're stuffing paperclips into coffee cups. And sometimes - when there's no symbol to tell a story - well, we just make one up! Whatever symbol you choose, we hope you'll find something interesting and curious."
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The Periodic Table of Videos

Video Clips about Every Element

Watch short clips of lab workers and professors talking about and sometimes demonstrating the properties of different elements. Also included are some molecular videos, and chemistry related field trips. (Preview before using!)
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Articles and books for Science Teachers

Previewable Chapters of Science Resources

The NSTA has created a space called the Learning Center. Registration is free (although paid members get more features.) By logging in, you get access to a number of lesson plans and free resources, as well as the opportunity to create a "library" of articles and previewable chapters you can download as PDFs to read on what ever device/platform you like. While some chapters have a cost, you can view the list of free offerings by using the "filter by price" option.

For example: here's a link to "The First Week" by Teirney and Dorroh. Simply log in, add it to your library, then you can download and read it.
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12.9.11

Pearson - archived Pro-D webinars

Evidence-Based Professional Development
"For Results That Matter"


Some interesting sessions offered by some of the "gurus" in various fields. You will need to register in order to view the webinars. The site only accepts US zip codes, so 90210 is a popular choice. (Select "other" when prompted to choose a school.)
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DROP Everything and READ! October 24th

Join Us to...Drop Everything and Read!
"Reading is a beautiful thing...read twenty minutes a day, everyday!"

WHERE: Wherever you are!
WHEN: Monday, October 24, 2011 @ 11:00 a.m. - 11:20 a.m.
HOW: Stop whatever it is that you are doing and...just read!
WHY: Because the love of reading is a beautiful, valuable, lifelong habit that everyone should enjoy, every day.

The former Canadian Association of School Libraries (http://caslnetowrk.ning.com) recently approached the BCTLA for help with launching its first every NATIONAL Drop Everything and Read campaign.

The BCTLA is excited about this opportunity to be a part of what will surely become an annual national event. We will continue work towards obtaining federal recognition and observance of the last Monday of every October as Canadian School Library Day and Drop Everything and Read!

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Official DEAR T-Shirts Are Now Available!
Available in virtually any colour, our official 'Drop Everything and Read' t-shirts are now on sale.  To order your t-shirts, please contact Randy Haggstrom (randy@outofthebluedesigns.com or 250.380.9179) at "Out of the Blue Designs" in Victoria.

The t-shirts are $10 each with a minimum order of 12 required. Prices do not include shipping and HST. (Order for your school, staff, or even purchase a bunch to give away to students!)
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Canadian Library Month - October

Your Library: A Place Unbound

The Canadian Library Association / Association canadienne des bibliothèques (CLA/ACB) is pleased to announce that October has been designated as Canadian Library Month! The idea for a month dedicated to library and information services in Canada was developed by library partners from across the country to help raise public awareness of the valuable role that libraries play in the lives of Canadians.

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Modelling the Tools: Investigating Pictures

A Classroom Example of Investigating Pictures

Students and their teachers were filmed carrying out the Modelling the Tools: Investigating Pictures lesson. This classroom example has been divided into 15 sections, with each section featuring a different component of the lesson.

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