Library Links

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

11.3.11

Early Literacy Resource

The castle in the classroom : story as a springboard for early literacy by Ranu Bhattacharyya ; foreword by Georgia Heard. (for grades K-1 teachers)

This book describes a year in a kindergarten classroom as the children embark on literary exploration. As the book progresses through the year, teachers will find a wealth of resources, including practical models to teach strategies and skills; effective teaching schedules; ways to address, challenge, expand, and celebrate student learning; examples of student work; parent education materials; and ideas on how to manage assessment (from book).



Some Special Ed Pro-D titles to consider

Embracing disabilities in the classroom : strategies to maximize students' assets by Toby J. Karten
A collection of interdisciplinary lessons designed for special education and general education teachers and administrators that help to promote student growth and development through differentiated instruction.   Click the link to read table of contents and sample text.

Martian in the playground : understanding the schoolchild with Asperger's syndrome by Clare Sainsbury
Describes mannerisms of children with autism and provides suggestions on how to use them to help children in learning and social environments. Table of contents and sample text.

Kids in the syndrome mix of ADHD, LD, Asperger's, Tourette's, bipolar, and more! : the one stop guide for parents, teachers, and other professionals by Martin L. Kutscher ; with contributions from Tony Attwood and Robert R. Wolff.
A guide to neuro-behavioral disorders in children that provides information on each disorder's causes, symptoms, interactions with other conditions, and treatments. Preview the book online.


using E-books in K-12 education

With the increasing popularity of ebooks, the following book which might be of interest:

The digital reader : using E-books in K-12 education by Terence W Cavanaugh
Preview on GoogleBooks.
This book was published in 2006.  Some information might be out-dated, but is still an interesting read.

Chapters topics include:
- E-books across the curriculum
- Picture books and read-alouds
- E-books and the reluctant reader
- E-books for students with special needs


Engaging teens to read - some resources to consider

Want to engage your adolescent students in reading & learning?  The following resources might be helpful.

Video Resources

Building adolescent readers by Kelly Gallagher
Presenting examples of both small- and whole-group discussions, Kelly Gallagher demonstrates how to engage students with a variety of texts, teaching them what it means to be a good reader.

Thoughtful reading : teaching comprehension to adolescents by Cris Tovani
Tape 3. Engaging students : choice, respect, and talk

Books

Engaging adolescents in reading edited by John T. Guthrie
Preview on GoogleBook

Puzzle them first! : motivating adolescent readers with question-finding by A. Vincent Ciardiello

Reading reasons : motivational mini-lessons for middle and high school by Kelly Gallagher
“Why should I read?” Can your students answer that question? In Reading Reasons, Kelly Gallagher offers a series of mini-lessons specifically tailored to motivate middle and high school students to read, and in doing so, to help them understand the importance and relevance reading will take in their lives.

You gotta be the book : teaching engaged and reflective reading with adolescents by Jeffrey D. Wilhelm ; foreword by Michael W. Smith.


Mrs Alphabet links and more

Mrs. Alphabet's Website, (by Anne Lynch), is a collection of educational materials to assist children in early learning and successful progress in alphabet recognition, phonics, beginning reading, math, and more. Some of her links are to games, reading material and PDFs that would work well on SmartBoards or projected for the class. (Good for home practice too!)

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alphabet,

Automated Cameras capture Rare Animals Online

The Smithsonian Wild site.

"The site, which launched March 3, is designed to be a clearinghouse for motion-triggered “camera traps” used in research across the world to identify, count and observe some of the world’s most elusive animals. It is another example of “this is what the web was made for,” as pictures that are usually only seen by fortunate scientists are now available for anyone with access to the internet to see." (Daniel Donahoo - GeekDad)
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Smithsonian, webcams, animals

Some iPad links to explore


Check out this iPad bookmark page (created by John Simi, a district technology supervisor) on the ikeepbookmarks site.

"Many tips and tricks, some interesting video links, and of course, reviews and suggestions
of apps."

Also, "Five-Star Guide For Your iPad" [PDF format]
Download it and read it on your PC or using your iPad in iBooks.
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iPad,

BookTrailer article

School Library Journal - NeverEnding Search

An article about "Booktrailers for all" along with some links to addtional Booktrailer sites.

Link to article

Decluttered version

Fwd: live tweets from Japan

See live Tweets mapped on Japan

eReader and iPad blog for libraries

If you are interested in more about eReaders in school libraries, check out this blog by Fiona Casida (the Pixelated Librarian) from Copley, Ohio.  (She is the coordinator of K-12 library & media services at Copley-Fairlawn City Schools.) She has a passion for eReaders, eBooks, iPads, and digital video, specifically with a focus on how those devices and applications enable and empower students to access and create content.


Resources for teaching BC history

BC150 - Teaching our history

  • Use this resource to learn about the explorers, fur traders and gold miners who came to B.C.
  • Explore this site to learn about B.C.’s one-room schoolhouses and the history of Education in British Columbia.
BC History in Action K-7 (PDF, 2.66MB) 34 pages (View online)
  • A Guide to Teaching History through Drama
BC History in Action 8-12 (PDF, 709KB) 40 pages(View online)
  • A Guide to Teaching History through Drama
Resource page for teaching BC history can be found at:

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BC, history,

10.3.11

Panel discussion re: Wikipedia

Wikipedia: What do experts and students think? What do you think?
Panel Discussion from the NCCE Connect 2011 Conference

Addressing the following questions:
  • What are the pros and cons of a “free encyclopedia that anyone can edit,” particularly in an educational setting?
  • Do teachers have a responsibility to discuss Internet resources, such as Wikipedia, with students?
  • Do districts or schools have a responsibility to provide professional development on this, or is this up to the individual teacher?
  • Should Wikipedia be accepted as a valid source for school projects?
  • Should a policy be set on the use of Wikipedia in school?
  • If so, who should set policy – districts? schools? teachers?
  • And what should that policy be?
UStream recording of the panel discussion
The first 8 minutes or so is introductory remarks.
The panel discussion starts at about 8:45minutes in.

Main page for session information and documents.(wiki)

Slide shows used during the panel

Data from student survey mentioned in the intro
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Wikipedia, NCCE Connect, webinar,

Far West: The story of BC - eBook + Teachers' guide

KnowBC.com has as one of its "eBook" offerings, Far West: The Story of British Columbia.
This is an excellent resource that covers the people and cultures that have lived in what we call BC today.

"British Columbia’s colourful story has been told many times, but until now no one has attempted to relate the chronicle specifically for young readers. From the gold rush to the Gumboot Navy and from “bride ships” to W.A.C. Bennett, BC history comes alive for young readers in this highly illustrated and vivid account by award-winning writer and historian Daniel Francis."

The eBook is available here: (School password needed.)

There is also an extensive 40 page PDF teacher guide that can be downloaded here;

"Zap Sciences" FI Reading kits available at DRC

"Zap Sciences" is a series of "easy reader" titles on a variety of science topics written for French speaking students. Each of the 12 kits has 2 copies each of 10 titles, each title dealing with a different theme. (see themes listed below). The series aims to popularize science topics for younger readers.  
(View all the titles here.)

Search DRC for the title "Zap Sciences" to see all the kits.

==========en français=============

Zap Sciences
Une collection de vugarisation scientifique pour jeunes lecteurs.
Francophones: maternelle à 5e année
Immersion: Maternelle à 6e année

Survol de la série

Dix "thèmes" dans chaque trousse.
  • La Terre et l'Univers
  • L'énergie et les transformations
  • La vie
  • Les matières naturelles et transformées
  • La méthode scientifique
  • Culture et société
  • Les époques et les changements
  • Les lieux et les coutumes
  • La recherche et la communication
  • Les ressources naturelles et humaines
  • Les systèmes naturels et sociaux
La collection Zap sciences permet aux élèves de construire les concepts de base en science et technologie ainsi qu’en sciences humaines et d’acquérir le vocabulaire spécifique.

Chaque livret de la collection Zap sciences est lié à un thème scientifique ou un thème concernant la société et l’environnement.
(vue d'ensemble en suivant ce lien.)


9.3.11

Horrid Henry Lyrics contest

"Horrid Henry Rocks!" Lyrics Contest
If you like the books, you may want to have your students participate, or maybe just run your own scaled down version of the contest.

How to Participate
  • Download the contest entry form and worksheet (see pdf on webpage).
  • Have each child fill out the Horrid Henry Rocks worksheet. Activities to include: create a band name, write their own lyrics, draw a CD cover, and draw a picture of their band.  Samples of the Killer Boy Rats lyrics and Dancing Daisy’s lyrics and suggestions on how to implement the contest are located on the site too.
  • Send or email the forms and worksheet to the address below by April 30, 2011. One winner will be selected per grade levels 2-6, and one Grand Prize winner will be chosen. Winners will be selected based on originality, creativity, and completion of all parts of the entry form.  No purchase necessary to enter.
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Digital Storytelling with the iPad

Apps for Ipad Storytelling

These apps may help you get started with digital storytelling using the iOS (iPods, iPhones and especially iPads). The site owner is also accepting suggestions. Use the "Submit Recommendations" page to share your favorite apps to add to the list.
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Help your students eliminate common writing mistakes

"SpellCheckPlus"

Here is a grammar checker that finds common spelling errors and grammatical mistakes in English. Simply type (or paste) your text into the window and hit the "check text" button. The main objective is to assist users in correcting their errors so that they learn from the process. Unlike other grammar checking software applications which correct mistakes without user involvement, SpellCheckPlus.com flags errors, suggests how to rectify the problem and lets the students do the work"

Great for getting students to address their individual "most common" errors. Consider telling kids they must run their work through SpellCheckPlus before submitting it. (ESL students can benefit greatly from this site.)

(Also available in French: http://bonpatron.com/ )

The site’s creators, Dr. T. Nadasdi and Dr. S. Sinclair, have extensive experience in language instruction, linguistics and humanities computing.

Street Art, Urban Art

S'Cool TV -
This video discusses Street Art and the feelings and emotions it may provoke in people. It talks about the different types of art, and looks at the difference between vandalism and art.

3D Street Art
The steps in making "3D" representations on a 2D surface.


ROADSWORTH - TRAILER
Excerpts from an NFB movie: "Roadsworth"
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Video Clip - "The Big Idea" - Writing workshop

Writing: The Big Idea
From Discovering Language Arts: Writing (Grades 6-8) [VIDEO] 5:00min
This video discusses the process of organizing ideas into paragraphs. It also presents a short segment about the construction of Tokyo's Sky City, and a follow-up activity that allows students to practice organizing a paper into paragraphs.

Copyright: 2006
Grades: Gr. 6 - Gr. 8   
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writing, the big idea, video, Discovery,   

Reducing Visual Clutter on websites

Want to reduce the visual clutter on websites?
Then the Arc90 Readability bookmarklet is for you.

Compare these two articles:

1)CBC site              2) Using same site with Readability

You can see the difference this makes, especially if you want to project the article on a SMARTBOARD or print for use in the class. (Also works on the iPad!)

Video to explain to use "Readability" bookmarklet.

You can also use a great new feature in Safari to do the same thing. The Safari browser (v 5) shows a  "Reader" icon in the address bar whenever you visit a newsy-type site. Clicking on this "Reader" icon will give you a similar effect to the Readability bookmarklet, but with fewer options. (Watch a short video on this feature.)

Space Shuttle "Discovery" article

"Space Shuttle Discovery Landing: 148 Million Miles for NASA Workhorse Spaceship"

Article from ABC News (Using Readability bookmarklet)

Video from article


DK Egypt resource in GVRL

Looking for good Egypt resources?

The Gale Virtual Reference Library (-see the icon in the Visual Tab of your school library) has recently been enhanced with the title "Ancient Egypt. Eyewitness Expert" by  Dorling Kindersley. You can search this book via the table of contents or the Index, and print or view any of the sections of the book. Students can also access it from home with ID and password.

Students can view the text as if scanned from the original, read sections on an iPad, have the page translated into one of 11 major world languages (machine translation, pretty good, but not perfect), or even download an mp3 of the text being read (machine version, pretty good, but not perfect).
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Global Issues in Context - database resource

Given the tumultuous events happening in the Middle East and North Africa, you might be looking for some background knowledge for yourself or for your class.

Don't forget to check out the "Global Issues In Context" database that we subscribe to. You can find it in the Visual Tab of your school library catalog.  (In elementary schools, it is tucked away inside the "Other Online Databases" icon.) The search feature in GIIC will bring you current articles, video clips and backgrounder articles.

(If you are accessing from home, you will need your school ID and password.)
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8.3.11

"Stories and Legends of the Northwest" - PDF books to download

Indian Reading Series: Stories and Legends of the Northwest

(This is an American site, and does not use the Canadian expression "First Nations Peoples", but rather the term "Indian") These books are also readable on an iPad.

In 1972, the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory received funding from the National Institute of Education for the development of a community-based reading and language arts program especially for Indian children. Twelve Northwest Indian reservations actively participated in the program from its beginning. For the next 11 years, the NWREL Indian Reading & Language Development Program produced 140 culturally relevant stories written by local Indian authors and illustrated by Indian artists.

The result of this work was a unique supplementary reading and language development program for Indian and non-Indian children. The materials were authenticated by the participating tribes and field tested with over 1200 Indian and non-Indian children in 93 classrooms throughout the Northwest.

The teacher's manual reflects the thinking of more than 80 teachers who were involved in the trial stages of the materials and who provided invaluable ideas which were incorporated into the manual. The manual was written to provide suggestions for teachers using The Indian Reading Series, to enable students to receive maximum benefits from the materials.
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NWREL, First Nations, PDF, ebook,

7.3.11

Addressing Bullying - webinar

To watch a recording of Dr. Wendy Craig's webinar and to download a copy of the slides used, please visit: Addressing Bullying: What Works! with Dr. Wendy M. Craig. Sponsored by "The Learning Bar."

Summary: Dr. Wendy Craig was the guest presenter for the first in a series of webinars directed toward the topic of bullying.

In this webinar Dr. Wendy M. Craig, Professor in the Department of Psychology at Queen's University, provides an understanding of bullying and how it changes with age; strategies for identifying students at risk for being involved in bullying; identifies the critical components for bullying prevention programs and specific strategies for addressing bullying at school. By understanding bullying and how to address it with scientifically proven strategies, educators and adults working with children can be more effective in intervening and preventing the problem.
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bullying, the Learning Bar, webinar,

Using Animoto to promote related titles

Analine Johnson, Library Media Specialist at Rodolfo C. Centeno Elementary is making what she calls  'Bibliovids' using Animoto- and embeds them on her school website. You can see the covers of a number of related reads, and she also posts the complete list under the video for easy reference. This might appeal to your more "visual" patrons.


Other sites to create similar prjects:
Flixtime – your flix in a flash = http://flixtime.com/

Longer vids:
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