Library Links

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


8.6.12

Alphabet Zoo - PDF download

Primary Animal Activity Book

Alphabet Zoo - a downloadable 50 page fun filled primary activity book of blankline masters in pdf format, by Pacific Edge Publishing. Part of the Alphabet Zoo set. gr. K–3 (5.2 mb) (From Pacific Edge)

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7.6.12

Transit of the Sun by Venus

Images from the Solar Dynamics Observatory

Here's a link to a "video and music" compilation celebrating the Venus Transit 2012. You can use the NASA app on an iPad or go to the Youtube clip on a desktop/laptop. The images show Venus against a backdrop of the Sun using a variety of filters. Students gain a sense of scale, especially considering that Venus is about the same size as the Earth. Stunning images. Moving music.


"On June 5 2012, the Solar Dynamics Observatory(a spacecraft launched in 2010 to study the Sun)  collected images of the rarest predictable solar event--the transit of Venus across the face of the sun.  This event happens in pairs eight years apart that are separated from each other by 105 or 121 years.  The last transit was in 2004 and the next will not happen until 2117."

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Kids' Stop - Games with FN focus

Aboriginal Games | People and History | Recommended Reads | Classroom Resources

Kids' Stop is a "fun zone" for students filled with information about Aboriginal history, culture and languages, games and stories, and classroom resources for teachers. The Recommended Reads section includes 15 fact sheets for children aged 8 to 11 on a range of aboriginal topics. (Sample: First Nations Music in Canada.)

(Thanks YLP)
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Welcome to Canada's Polar Life

Explore Inuit Traditional Knowledge

"Part of a set of educational materials examining Canada's Arctic environments and the organisms that occur in them. Although the Arctic comprises more than a third of our nation, most Canadians have only a superficial knowledge of our polar regions. We decided that an innovative educational effort was needed to direct Canadian perspectives northward."

Thanks YLP
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6.6.12

Readicide - Preview book online

How Schools are Killing Reading and What You Can Do About It
Readicide by Kelly Gallagher

Preview the book online, watch related videos or request a physical copy of the book from DRC.

"Read-i-cide n: The systematic killing of the love of reading, often exacerbated by the inane, mind-numbing practices found in schools. - In Readicide, Kelly argues that American schools are actively (though unwittingly) furthering the decline of reading. Specifically, he contends that the standard instructional practices used in most schools are killing reading"

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Aboriginal Teaching Resources


Building Strong Learners - Lesson  downloads
Reading Power Strategies to use with resources available on the site. (These ideas can be used with other novels or non-fiction materials.)

BC - Authentic First Peoples Resources K-7 (31 pp PDF)
This resource guide has been developed by the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC) with assistance from the BCMOE and support from the Education Partnerships Program of AANDC. (March 2012)

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5.6.12

"Books, Books, Books" CBC Radio - podcast

An episode of "Under The Influence" with Terry O'Reilly on Books in advertising

"We'll look at a new book, titled, Mad Women, written by an original Mad Woman from the 60s era Madison Avenue. Next, we flip through the pages of another new book by one of the most outspoken and notorious Mad Men of all time - George Lois - whose no-holds barred book of advice will certainly ruffle some feathers. Simon Sinek's book, Start With Why, argues that most companies don't know WHY their in business, and will not succeed as a result. Lastly, we discuss a book by Steven Johnson that looks at where good ideas come from."

Transcript, audio, images and video clips from the show.

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Spaces & Places - Rethinking your class layout

Designing Classrooms for Literacy

Preview the first chapter of this useful book. The introduction gives some good principles for classroom layout.

"Debbie Diller, author of numerous best-selling books and videos on literacy work stations and small group reading instruction, writes another practical resource filled with ideas you can use immediately to better manage your classroom and support student learning and independence."


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YALSA's Teen Book Finder App

New iOS app from the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA)

"YALSA's Teen Book Finder is a free app to help teens, parents, librarians and library staff, educators, and anyone who loves YA literature access to the past three years' of YALSA's awards and lists on their smartphone."

The application works on any iOS device ( iPod Touch, iPhone or iPad). An Android version is coming shortly. It's a great way to get teen readers to see and talk about upcoming titles. High School TLs might want to download the app to stay on the "cutting edge" of YA titles.

App features include:

  • a homepage featuring three titles from the database, refreshed each day
  • the ability to search for books by author, title, award/list year, genre, by award, and by booklist
  • a Favorites button, to create an individualized booklist
  • the ability to share books from the Teen Book Finder on Twitter and Facebook
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4.6.12

Sask Tips for promoting the library

Practical Suggestions for TLs


"These modules explore components critical to the role of teacher-librarians as instructional leaders in Saskatchewan schools. Each module contains information, examples of  best practices, resources, and learning opportunities. Together, they will assist in developing the skills required by teacher-librarians to support student learning. "

See more handouts and resources below.

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