MAMS
April 2013 /May 2013
Volume 10, Number 4
Library Renovation
The first of the Book Room titles will be ready and added to the library very soon. The reorganization begins!
Music in the Classroom
Smart Songs combines hip hop, storytelling and skits to create memorable songs that explore history and science topics, examples include “Three Branches [of Government],” “Bill of Rights” and “Stock Market”.
From the April 1 K-12 Technology Newsletter - Big Deal Media
From the April 1 K-12 Technology Newsletter - Big Deal Media
Web Sites for Spring
April is National Poetry Month, established by the Academy of American Poets in 1996. Help your students celebrate by introducing them to great poets, from Emily Dickinson and Robert Frost to Walt Whitman and William Shakespeare. A number of creative learning activity ideas for students Pre-K to 8th grade can be found on the Scholastic website. You can also find a list of recommended poetry books for kids of all ages on the Reading Rockets website. Teach students about different types of poetry, from haiku and limerick to rhyme and metaphor unit poems, on the Teacher Vision website, which also has a list of student activities and craft projects you can use in your classroom to enhance students' appreciation of poetry. And finally, check out the Poetry Express website, full of terrific information all about poetry.
Trees are Good, hosted by the International Society of Arboriculture, includes links to fun facts, and has an FAQ section. It also provides a link to find a certified arborist.
The Science of Gardening is a collection of interactive graphics and videos produced by the San Francisco Exploratorium. There are three basic categories: Feed, Control and Bloom. In the ‘Feed’ category, students learn about dirt, compost and seeds. The ‘garden variety’ interactive reveals the origins of some common plants, such as corn, squash, onions and carrots. Students also take a video tour of a garden and learn what is needed to create good soil. In the ‘Control’ category, students learn about grafting and hybridizing plants, practicing biodiversity and growing plants in a greenhouse. They also take a look at a giant pumpkin competition. And in the ‘Bloom’ category, students explore pollination and the attraction of flowers, and they see that a garden can grow just about anywhere when it receives proper care.
Trees are Good, hosted by the International Society of Arboriculture, includes links to fun facts, and has an FAQ section. It also provides a link to find a certified arborist.
The Science of Gardening is a collection of interactive graphics and videos produced by the San Francisco Exploratorium. There are three basic categories: Feed, Control and Bloom. In the ‘Feed’ category, students learn about dirt, compost and seeds. The ‘garden variety’ interactive reveals the origins of some common plants, such as corn, squash, onions and carrots. Students also take a video tour of a garden and learn what is needed to create good soil. In the ‘Control’ category, students learn about grafting and hybridizing plants, practicing biodiversity and growing plants in a greenhouse. They also take a look at a giant pumpkin competition. And in the ‘Bloom’ category, students explore pollination and the attraction of flowers, and they see that a garden can grow just about anywhere when it receives proper care.
MAMS
February 2013 /March 2013
Volume 10, Number 3
New MAMS Library Web Site!
This is a work in progress, but a lot has been done. Much of the old web site, if you even remember it, has been included, and there are plenty of new things, too.
***The Follett ebooks and Catalist Digital audiobooks are ready to go (none work with Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet):
Destiny Quest (Library Search App)
Get the free Destiny Quest app in your app store. This allows students to login and view the card catalog/library search and check due dates on many devices. For more information, click the “Using the Catalog & App” tab.
Follett E-Books and Digital Reader
Included in the Library Search results are Follett e-books, indicated with an “e” icon. Login and these books can be read on a computer, projected to share in class, allow you to print a percentage of the book, and take and save notes.
You can also download the free Follett Digital Reader app on your iPad or Android 3.0 or higher tablet. Login, check out a book, and read on your device. For more information, click on the “Ebooks & App” tab.
Catalist Digital Audiobooks
Login and listen to audiobooks from the MAMS virtual audiobook library on a computer or download the Catalist Digital app from your app store, login, and check out an audiobook. These audio books can be downloaded to iPods, iPod Touch, iPad, and Android devices. For more information, click on the “Audiobook & App” tab.
News tab
This is a collection of online newspapers, magazines, and television stations. If you have something you would like added, please contact Mrs. Wirz. If you use news articles in your classroom, please direct students to this page.
Internet Sites of Interest (added to “For Staff” page)
Association for Library Service to Children (ALA) Book and Media Awards - 2013
Award-Winning Books
Top 100 Sites & Apps of 2012 from Tech Learning
The 25 Best Pinterest Boards in Educational Technology –in case you want more than recipes J
30 Ways To Turn Yourself Into A Google Search Pro –It’s amazing what Google Search can do!
15 Lesson Plans For Making Students Better Online Researchers
Online Resources (featured on “Online Resources” page)
*Keyboarding remains a valuable skill. More sites to use for practice have been added.
*Presidents’ Day:
If I Were President: 11 Presidents' Day Activities
Presidents’ Day activities from Scholastic
7 Hat Challenge: Master the Roles of the President
Students explore the seven “hats” worn by the U.S. President, from Chief Executive to Head of State.
*Two all-time favorite sites, Make-A-Snowflake and Edheads Virtual Knee Surgery are also featured.
MAMS
December 2012 /January 2013
Volume 10, Number 2
More New Books on the Way
There are more nonfiction books ordered. These include subjects such as the planets/universe, natural disasters, hunting, and animals. With the Common Core placing emphasis on nonfiction--informational--reading, there are many new ideas and developments coming from publishers. I'm keeping an eye on what might be great for MAMS.
Ebooks and Digital Audiobooks
What's up with these? Well, I should know better, but I have suffered the pains of using a new technology (digital audiobook checkout) and I was caught assuming some things. The good news is everything with those digital audiobooks has been set back to square one. Once the pesky fixed asset reports are done, I'll put together some promotional sheets, and it'll all be good.
There’s More to It--Help Students Become Better Searchers
Google has created a series of lessons to help teachers guide their students to use web searches meaningfully in their schoolwork and beyond. Google Search Education provides free Search Literacy Lesson Plans and “A Google a Day” Challenges. The search literacy lessons help teachers meet the new Common Core State Standards and are grouped based on level of search expertise: Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced. “A Google a Day” Challenges help students put their search skills to the test as they use technology to discover the world around them. The challenges are organized into the following categories: Culture, Geography, History, and Science.
(WEMTA Big Deal of Technology Newsletter, December 3, 2012)
A Free Math App to Try--Hit the “Target” Number
5 Dice iPad app is a free math game that helps upper elementary and middle school students practice the order of operations. The game encourages students to use higher order thinking to solve the “target” number by working backward, given the answer but not the equation. After they are provided the number, students have to write an equation, using all of the dice presented to them. When they think they have created an equation that will result in the number given to them, students click “shoot” to hit the target number. If they have written a correct equation, 5 Dice will show them other equations that will also work. If they have not written a correct equation, 5 Dice will prompt them to try again. In addition to the “target number game,” students can use the app’s whiteboard option to try out various ways to hit their target numbers. Teachers can receive immediate feedback of their students’ progress through email. The app also includes printable game sheets. Download the app at no charge from the iTunes.
(WEMTA Big Deal of Technology Newsletter, December 3, 2012)
Reminders:
Tech Problems
Please report your problems to Christie Wirz in the library by email or leave a note in her mailbox. It is important to put your difficulty in writing so it can be kept track of and referred to when talking to Dennis.
Skyward and phone problems need to be reported to Keva.
If you haven't yet, please try your DVD/VCR player to make sure there is video and sound.
Printers—Toner Cartridges
We do not keep a supply of toner cartridge so contact the library when there is a low toner message. A new cartridge will be ordered after the notification.
New: Used toner cartridges must be returned to the library for recycling this year.
October / November 2012
Volume 10 Number 1
New Books
There are new nonfiction books on display on the “New Books” cart. There are books about hunting, fishing, sports, biographies, famous corporations and products. Stop by and check them out. Many could be used to beef up our nonfiction reading. New fiction will be added soon.
Flip Cams
The Flip Cams are checked out to teachers for in-school use. If a teacher decides a student needs to take a camera home, the teacher should contact a parent/guardian for their permission.
Please delete videos from the cameras before returning them to the library.
Tech Problems
Please report your problems to Christie Wirz in the library by email or leave a note in her mailbox. It is important to put your difficulty in writing so it can be kept track of and referred to when talking to Dennis.
Skyward and phone problems need to be reported to Keva.
If you haven't yet, please try your DVD/VCR player to make sure there is video and sound.
Printers—Toner Cartridges
We do not keep a supply of toner cartridge so contact the library when there is a low toner message. A new cartridge will be ordered after the notification.
New: Used toner cartridges must be returned to the library for recycling this year.
Library Facilities
Additional shelving in the library is coming soon.
Ebooks and Digital Audiobooks
These resources will be available soon. Information will be given out when everything is ready to go.
April / May 2012
Volume 9 Number 4
MAMS Library
2011-12 and Beyond
Books
The new big hit this year is the Hunger Games series. Our first copies were purchased after last year’s book fair and interest slowly increased. Once a movie was announced, they were more popular. As the movie release got closer, demand soared. One could say there’s a hunger for the Hunger Games books.
In nonfiction, something worth noting is all the Star Wars fans we have. They love the new books with all the pictures and cross-section diagrams. I am hearing that the books are going home to share with dad, and that is a great bonus! The force is with us.
Coming for next year: We will add audiobooks and ebooks that can be downloaded onto student devices. There are apps for this. Anxious to see how this will work and how much interest in it there will be. You’ll hear more about it in the fall.
Equipment
We added twelve more Flip Video cameras to our supply. They are in steady use, especially with teachers experimenting with flipping the classroom videos. We also purchased memory card readers, external CD/DVD drives, and a couple of still cameras. You’ll notice all the equipment is being bar coded, and work is underway to circulate the equipment through our Follett Destiny system the same way as books.
iPads
Exploration of IPads and how to best use them with students begins at MAMS. Ten teachers will be trained and work out the kinks of operation and management. The IPads will be inventoried through the library, but managed by each classroom teacher. That’s the current plan, but it may change because that’s the way we roll at the middle school.
Facilities
Additional shelving will change the look of the library a bit and allow for MORE BOOKS. The books from the guided reading book rooms will be added to the library collection next year.
Tech Support
I think we are in a lot better shape than one year ago. I have learned a lot, and I am hopeful things will continue to improve. Dennis is an inspiring kind of guy, and I appreciate his patience with me.
Kathie Shaw
She’s awesome, what more can I say. She’s kind, capable, and seems to tolerate me. That’s pretty special. We are lucky to have her and please don’t hesitate to stop by or send her some love. Thanks, Kathie!!
MAMS: It’s been a good year, and there are lots of new things to come next year. Thanks to everyone for help, cooperation, patience, and some good laughs along the way. Love, Christie
The new big hit this year is the Hunger Games series. Our first copies were purchased after last year’s book fair and interest slowly increased. Once a movie was announced, they were more popular. As the movie release got closer, demand soared. One could say there’s a hunger for the Hunger Games books.
In nonfiction, something worth noting is all the Star Wars fans we have. They love the new books with all the pictures and cross-section diagrams. I am hearing that the books are going home to share with dad, and that is a great bonus! The force is with us.
Coming for next year: We will add audiobooks and ebooks that can be downloaded onto student devices. There are apps for this. Anxious to see how this will work and how much interest in it there will be. You’ll hear more about it in the fall.
Equipment
We added twelve more Flip Video cameras to our supply. They are in steady use, especially with teachers experimenting with flipping the classroom videos. We also purchased memory card readers, external CD/DVD drives, and a couple of still cameras. You’ll notice all the equipment is being bar coded, and work is underway to circulate the equipment through our Follett Destiny system the same way as books.
iPads
Exploration of IPads and how to best use them with students begins at MAMS. Ten teachers will be trained and work out the kinks of operation and management. The IPads will be inventoried through the library, but managed by each classroom teacher. That’s the current plan, but it may change because that’s the way we roll at the middle school.
Facilities
Additional shelving will change the look of the library a bit and allow for MORE BOOKS. The books from the guided reading book rooms will be added to the library collection next year.
Tech Support
I think we are in a lot better shape than one year ago. I have learned a lot, and I am hopeful things will continue to improve. Dennis is an inspiring kind of guy, and I appreciate his patience with me.
Kathie Shaw
She’s awesome, what more can I say. She’s kind, capable, and seems to tolerate me. That’s pretty special. We are lucky to have her and please don’t hesitate to stop by or send her some love. Thanks, Kathie!!
MAMS: It’s been a good year, and there are lots of new things to come next year. Thanks to everyone for help, cooperation, patience, and some good laughs along the way. Love, Christie