Library Links

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

21.1.15

Re-using a VHS video case

Repurposing discarded VHS video cases:

I was out visiting a school recently, and in the course of the conversation remarked that maybe we need a way of pointing kids to our e-resources as they browse the physical shelves. And then I thought of the VHS tapes & cases that are being discarded in many of our libraries...
So...I played around with making Video case covers as stand-ins for books. Below are links to a template that can be formatted to go around an empty VHS case. You can put the case on the shelf or work it into a display.
(PDF link to see what it looks like, docx link to download and modify - it looks wonky, but downloads fine.)

I used goo.gl to create the shortened URLs and the QR codes. I hunted around on Google Image search to find a sharp enough cover image. Students can scan the QR and go, or make a note of the "goo" and use it with laptop etc. (These are cap-sensitive!)

You can also use this idea to create "stand-ins" for really popular titles - print the cover up and put it on the video case to use in displays so you can still circulate the real thing! (and, here are some other ideas to explore.)

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19.1.15

Supporting Writing (Reading) Skills

Some resources for parents to consult.


Reading Aloud to Your Children (brochure)

Trelease Brochures on Reading
(He also gives instructions on how to obtain print permissions if you are using a commercial printing company.)

What Is Family Literacy? Getting Involved in Your Child's Literacy Learning (3p)

Handout: Put it to Paper: Tips for Parents to Improve a Child's Writing Skills

Reading and Writing with Your Child, Kindergarten to Grade 6  (21p PDF)

Strategies For Improving Reading, Writing, and Mathematics Skills (8p PDF)

Building Your Child's Listening, Talking, Reading and Writing Skills (ASHA)

Bookworm Reading Log Bookmark

Word Strategy Bookmark

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First Nations Studies - Teaching Tools

Use these resources to enhance BC First Nations Studies
B.C. First Nations Studies
Digital version of the course textbook jointly published by the Ministry of Education and Pacific Educational Press.

  • Teacher's Guide (including blackline masters and other extras)

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Survive Math 5 - OpenSchool Resources

Open School BC is a part of the Business, Technology and Online Services Division within the Ministry of Education, and provides a number of resources to assist teachers, parents and students.

Survive Math 5
10 different packages on a variety of subjects.
Click on the link below to open the section that you want. You can view it from here, save it to your computer, copy it onto your tablet or print it off.


Web Crush: Genrify

Celebrate great literary mash-ups

The BookListReader features Genrify:
"Genrify is a useful blog that celebrates great literary mash-ups that may have tricky genre labels, and helps readers and librarians find more of the same. [...] one of the best things about this blog is a tool called "The Blender." Their website explains: "The Blender is a tool meant to help readers find books that include more than one genre. [...] simply pick two or three genres you are interested in and click the "BLEND" button. Your results will include any title from the database that has the genres you selected.

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Mars for Educators - NASA

Explore Mars, plan missions, be a robot...and more

If you are curious about Mars exploration, this website can help your students learn more about Mars and how we explore worlds beyond our own. You'll find project-based lessons, and other links of interest to Marsophiles!

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BC TLs on TL News Night - Monday, Jan. 19

TL News Night hosts the BCTLA

The BCTLA is the "school library association guest" on "TL News Night" on Monday, January 19 from 5-6 p.m. PST. 
 

Watch the live broadcast at
(You can also watch previous episodes here: http://tlvirtualcafe.wikispaces.com/TL+News+Night )

Here's a note from the BCTLA prez:
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The hashtag to ask questions, comment, etc. will be #tlchat.  Please encourage any BCTLA members/subscribers who are on Twitter to help us out on #tlchat!
Thanks, -Heather
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14.1.15

Me Read? No Way! A practical guide to improving boys’ literacy skills

Create a stimulating and engaging learning environment for boys (and girls)

"This guide offers a rich source of practices and strategies that are being used in successful literacy programs for boys around the world and that educators in Ontario can draw on to create a stimulating and engaging learning environment for both boys and girls. In this guide, you will find:

• supports, information, tips, and ideas conveniently organized into distinct categories;
• a wide variety of sources that you can refer to for more in-depth exploration of particular concepts or topics.

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13.1.15

SLC Library Technology Teachers - Short audio reflections

Listen to TLs talk about their work
Twenty-eight teacher-librarians talk about his/her facility and program in a series of short audio vignettes. Open the podcast series in iTunes and browse the offerings.

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How a book is made - behind the scenes

The book publishing process from start to finish - Spindlers
"New York Times bestselling author Lauren Oliver presents "How a Book Is Made". Go behind the scenes and follow the book publishing process from start to finish in a seven-video series for book lovers, students, and aspiring writers."

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Literacy With iPad apps

iPads as powerful tools for teaching literacy
Kathy Cassidy is a grade one teacher for Prairie South Schools in Moose Jaw, SK, Canada, who fearlessly explores technology integration with her grade ones!

"Let's explore some of the options for using iPads as powerful tools for teaching literacy in your first grade classroom! Apps not indicated as "free" have a cost but sometimes go on sale."

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9.1.15

The Question Game: A Playful Way To Teach Critical Thinking

Encourage the exploration of alternative responses and creativity
Using a "print-out" question die, and a picture book, you can work on critical thinking!

"The Question Game focuses on teaching children a kind of thinking which is particularly useful in creative problem-solving–a focused approach to get from a problem to the most effective solution. It is most effective when combined with regular repetition, which solidifies the thought pattern, and with groups, which encourages contributory exploration of alternative responses and creativity."

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FNMI - First Nations, Métis, Inuit books for kids

Looking for some ideas for Aboriginal titles?
Here are some places to explore titles and authors.

Canadian Aboriginal Books for Schools

Saskatoon Library - Teen Book List

American Indian Library Association

American Indians in Children's Literature

Strong Nations Book Store

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YA Booklists to peruse

Best YA Books of all time?
This is a time when booklists abound, and the world of TeenLit is no exception. Take a look at these three lists and see if you agree with the selections. Some of the "tired-old" titles are to be expected, but there are also a few surprises. Are your favourites listed?


NPR: 100 Best-Ever Teen Novels

YALSA: Best 2014 fiction for YA

Flavorwire: YA Novels adults should read

Complex: 25 Best YA Novels of all time
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You are a musical expert

We know more than we think!

"[T]he more psychologists investigate musicality, the more it seems that nearly all of us are musical experts, in quite a startling sense. The difference between a virtuoso performer and an ordinary music fan is much smaller than the gulf between that fan and someone with no musical knowledge at all. What's more, a lot of the most interesting and substantial elements of musicality are things that we (nearly) all share. We aren't talking about instinctive, inborn universals here. Our musical knowledge is learned, the product of long experience; maybe not years spent over an instrument, but a lifetime spent absorbing music from the open window of every passing car...."

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7.1.15

What is the most cited resource by EasyBib users?

Wikipedia infographic

"How can you get an overall understanding of the online encyclopedia that has over 265 million readers worldwide?" Here's an infographic created by EasyBib. Use it to open up a conversation about sources, reliability, and purpose.

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Video Tour of Monticello High School Learning Commons

One vision of a Learning Commons


Joan Ackroyd writes about her library's transformation in an article for Teacher-Librarian. It's a big beautiful space with many repurposed nooks and crannies. The video is a quick walk-through of the finished facility.

"Growing into a learning commons that has had a positive impact on our diverse school community has certainly brought me the spontaneity and engagement I was seeking. I have witnessed our students' evolution from having a "recess" mindset to becoming young adults that are learning to think critically and manage their time independently. We still have a long way to go, for the challenge of filling each space with relevant projects that engage students as learners and lead them to become competent digital citizens is an ongoing task."

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5 Tips for Helping a Student Find the Right Book

Helping kids fall in love with reading.
Rebecca Alber offers her 5 tips for helping teachers (and TLs) guide students to that "just right" book: Connection, Experiment, Exposure, Permission, Time.

Read her complete post for the details!

"When I was a high school English language arts teacher, there was really no greater feeling than helping a kid find the book. [...] Once found, the book has a profound affect on them -- their emerging sense of understanding of life; it is often tragic yet hopeful and sparks empathy and speaks to the universality of the human experience. Franz Kafka's famous quote comes to mind, "A book must be the ax for the frozen sea within us."

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The Double Helix - Teaching Video & resources

An Engaging 17min Film about DNA

"What a great excuse to throw out my old PowerPoint on the discovery of the DNA structure, I thought, after I viewed The Double Helix short film. Olivia Judson is a captivating narrator and storyteller and the clips of James Watson walking us through his thought process while figuring out how to line up the bases is fascinating for my students. The In-Depth Film Guide is better than a textbook and answers all the major questions students have about the discovery of the structure of DNA. Before watching the film, I have students answer as many questions on the quiz as they can, then we use the quiz questions as our discussion guide after the film." –Paul Strode (Fairview High School, CO)

The video is also downloadable, so you can avoid streaming difficulties.
Link to teacher's guide:

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6.1.15

Giving Data Some Soul - Project Advocacy for SLRCs

The power of using data persuasively
Carolyn Foote talks about ways we can present data meaningfully for maximum impact and accessibility:

"At the conference, Ken Haycock, research professor of management and organization at the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business, acknowledged that the way librarians present data often doesn't resonate with decision-makers. Qualitative sorts of stories do. "Data with a soul," as keynote speaker Brendan Howley, chief strategy officer at Yup! media group, called it, quoting University of Houston professor and TED Talk sensation Brené Brown...."

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