"Writing to Learn"

Low-Stakes Writing Exercises

https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/writing-to-learn

"Learn more about an instructional strategy called "Writing to Learn." This technique encourages the use of low-stakes writing to allow students a chance to clarify their ideas and think critically. In this video, Andrea Culver explains how "Writing to Learn" allows students to process information without worrying about assessment or judgment." (Lily Jones)

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Neil Gaiman: Why our future depends on libraries, reading and daydreaming

The value and role of libraries

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/oct/15/neil-gaiman-future-libraries-reading-daydreaming

Neil Gaiman's lecture for the Reading Agency, delivered on October 14 at the Barbican in London. Here's an excerpt. Click the link above for the entire text.

"Libraries really are the gates to the future. So it is unfortunate that, round the world, we observe local authorities seizing the opportunity to close libraries as an easy way to save money, without realising that they are stealing from the future to pay for today. They are closing the gates that should be open."

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Young Learners Need Librarians, Not Just Google - Forbes

Teacher-librarian as professional guide to the internet

http://www.forbes.com/2010/03/22/moran-librarian-skills-intelligent-investing-google.html

Mark Moran (CEO of Dulcinea Media, a Web publisher that offers free content and tools that teach students how to use the Web effectively) writes about the skills that teacher-librarians bring to students. Click on the link above to read his entire article.

"Before parents accept the wisdom of a school board to cut school librarians, they should ask: Will my child graduate with a 21st century resume, or a 19th century transcript? Can he use collaborative technology, such as wikis? When a search engine returns 105 million results, can the student find the five that will set her paper apart? ... As the information landscape becomes ever more complex, why does a school district want to abandon its professional guides to it?"

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Beyond Read-alikes: What Else Can You Find in NoveList?

Features in NoveList you might not know!

http://www.ebscohost.com/novelist-blog/novelist-article/beyond-read-alikes-what-else-can-you-find-in-novelist

Lori Reed explains some of the additional features in NoveList you might like to explore:

• Author Read-alike Articles
• Award Lists
• Book Discussion Guides
• Common Core Connections
• Curricular Connections Articles
  

Read her article this month for more info on how to access these "extras"

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Simple machines websites

Exploring simple machines

Museum of Science and Industry - Chicago

http://www.msichicago.org/play/simplemachines/

Play a game to move an animated character through a series of challenges using simple machines. (The sound can be muted.)

 

Science and Math activities

http://www.howtosmile.org/record/13111

This is a web activity about simple machines. Learners will explore a lawn mower and identify six different simple machines which work together to help make our lives easier. This is an excellent activity for exploring how simple machines, and science in general, apply to learners' everyday lives.

The Franklin Institute

http://www.fi.edu/qa97/spotlight3/

Short description of each of the simple machines.

Edheads - Simple Machines

http://www.edheads.org/activities/simple-machines/frame_loader.htm

Animated activity - find the machines, with explanation.

Investigate and report - Scholastic

http://teacher.scholastic.com/dirtrep/simple/index.htm

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www.mikids.com/Smachines.htm