Today, I've been brainstorming ideas for next school year and our vision for the media program. For the second half of this school year, I have consistently read articles and blogs that emphasize the impact reading has on all aspects of a person's life. There is a correlation between students who read consistently and increased test scores; students who read consistently have a better understanding of this world and those who live differently from us; and students' creativity and imaginations are enhanced by experiencing new worlds and situations found in books. All of these examples are obviously found in the "plus column," so why wouldn't we talk about it more?
Facilitating conversations about reading is always a great place to start. Books initiate discussions; people like to talk about what they're reading. I enjoy talking about books with our teachers and watch their faces light up when they recall a favorite book they've read. This positive reading attitude translates to our students, who observe teachers as their reading role models. It's my goal next school year to facilitate a culture of reading in our school, sharing books with others and developing new opportunities through the media program that enrich students' middle school experience. Sound like lofty goals? If students aren't reading, then they aren't achieving as high as they could and are experiencing a limited view of the world. How can I NOT carry out this vision?
-Ms. Z
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
13 things your librarian won't tell you
In the spirit of Reader's Digest, two high school librarians and I collaboratively created the following list this afternoon ~ 13 things your Librarian won't tell you. Enjoy!
1. We hate taking fine money from patrons but it's the only method we can think of to make people responsible for returning materials.
2. Contrary to popular belief, we don't know everything.
3 . We DO want you to check out the books. We also want you to treat them well and return them on time and intact.
4. We don't own lots of cats, wear thick glasses with a safety chain around our neck, and pull our hair back in a bun.
5. We don't say "shhhh" anymore.
6. Students always recommend the best books to read.
7. Librarians LIKE using the internet.
8. We use Wikipedia, too.
9. We know what books you're looking at when you're giggling with your friends back in the 613s section. ;-)
10. We really DO have eyes in the backs of our heads!
11. Patrons, not salaries, inspire us to stay later, read outside our favorite genres, research new strategies, and look forward to more the next day.
12. Shelving books is really good exercise!
13. Librarians know how to have the most FUN!
-Ms. Z
1. We hate taking fine money from patrons but it's the only method we can think of to make people responsible for returning materials.
2. Contrary to popular belief, we don't know everything.
3 . We DO want you to check out the books. We also want you to treat them well and return them on time and intact.
4. We don't own lots of cats, wear thick glasses with a safety chain around our neck, and pull our hair back in a bun.
5. We don't say "shhhh" anymore.
6. Students always recommend the best books to read.
7. Librarians LIKE using the internet.
8. We use Wikipedia, too.
9. We know what books you're looking at when you're giggling with your friends back in the 613s section. ;-)
10. We really DO have eyes in the backs of our heads!
11. Patrons, not salaries, inspire us to stay later, read outside our favorite genres, research new strategies, and look forward to more the next day.
12. Shelving books is really good exercise!
13. Librarians know how to have the most FUN!
-Ms. Z
09-10 NC Young Adult Book Award
The 2009-2010 list for the NCSLMA Young Adult Book Award just came out. This program offers students a chance to have a "voice" by reading at least 4 books on the list and voting for their favorite. Unlike the Battle of the Books list, this selection of titles are all NEW fiction releases from popular young adult authors. I've only read 2 of the 10 titles so far, The Hunger Games and The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, but really enjoyed both novels and have recommended them to students.
We won't have all of these titles in the media center collection until next school year, but students can get started by reading the titles we do have. I'm always eager for new book recommendations, so please let me know which book to read next!
-Ms. Z
We won't have all of these titles in the media center collection until next school year, but students can get started by reading the titles we do have. I'm always eager for new book recommendations, so please let me know which book to read next!
-Ms. Z
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Promoting Professional Resources
For years, we have subscribed to many wonderful professional periodical publications for our teachers. Titles include The Mailbox, Instructor, Middle School Journal, and Learning and Leading with Technology. These publications provide informative, timely articles on a spectrum of educational topics. Our process has been to ask teachers which periodical(s) they're interested in reading, then adding their name to a "routing list" which allows them to spend several days with the periodical before passing it along to the next person on the list. After everyone has perused the issue, it is stored in the Professional Library collection. This sounds like a fairly orderly system, however teachers' time is valuable and limited and periodicals are not being shared in a timely manner. This week, a teacher apologetically brought back a stack of 7 issues, some dating back to 2007!
So, are these resources valuable to teachers? I believe they are, but it's the delivery system that's flawed. I'm brainstorming new ways of sharing powerful articles and relevant publications with our staff. By providing "Media Moments" at department meetings, I can share pertinent information in these publications that is curriculum-specific. PLC time also allows sharing articles directly related to units of study.
Teachers: Be on the lookout - - - you may find a sticky-noted article in your mailbox indicating something great I want to share with you. :-)
-Ms. Z
So, are these resources valuable to teachers? I believe they are, but it's the delivery system that's flawed. I'm brainstorming new ways of sharing powerful articles and relevant publications with our staff. By providing "Media Moments" at department meetings, I can share pertinent information in these publications that is curriculum-specific. PLC time also allows sharing articles directly related to units of study.
Teachers: Be on the lookout - - - you may find a sticky-noted article in your mailbox indicating something great I want to share with you. :-)
-Ms. Z
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