November 2011

Blog Bits and Interesting Links

• K12OnlineConference - Going on right now, this event for K12 educators worldwide has a fantastic lineup of speakers - and you can learn at home with a cup of hot chocolate. Lots of great videos here too!  Full program schedule posted at this comprehensive website.
• We Give Books - A great website for reading free digital books AND donating a book to a reading initative of your choice at the same time!  What better thing to do during the season of giving?
• International Education Blogs - Bookmark this LibGuide page with blogs on international education.  What others should I add? 
• Libraries as Learning Labs -  Think a library is just books?  Think again!                    

Language Book Talks Schedule

A language book talks schedule for the rest of the year will be posted in the library and sent by email.  Pascale, Elke, Lucie and I will give book talks in French, German, Spanish and English respectively as shown on the schedule.  We are always available to suggest books and help students, but on these days we will have a special book talk ready to share.

PYP Unit Lists

We are working to update PYP Unit Lists to reflect the changes in central ideas, organizing themes and allocation of subject matter between English and the other languages.

You can help us tremendously by working with us when you check out unit books AND BY: 

• returning unit books directly to library associate Pascale Viala, and
• completing a very short questionnaire about the books at the end of the unit.

When you return the books to Pascale directly, she can ask you for any information she needs to update the unit list. 

If you need help returning books, library staff will be happy to come to your classroom to retrieve books.  Just send one of us an email to that effect.  Thanks!


Request Library Books to Support Curriculum


We count on you to help us identify the best books for library purchase.  Please recommend books that you would like to see in the library.  This link will take you directly to a box where you can enter the title (and whatever other information you have) of the book that you want the library to purchase for its collection.
 

Shadra Strickland Visit Posted on YouTube

During the Fall Book Fair, two of our third grade classes visited with illustrator Shadra Strickland via Skype from the library computer lab.  A portion of that visit is posted on YouTube.  The library is hosting an exhibit of Strickland's original work for five outstanding picture books.  Please watch the video and then visit the exhibit in the library!


Upcoming Library Programming  

Two primary school library events are now on the calendar:

• February - Black Authors Exhibition
• February  - French Book Fair  

Twitter "Hashtag of the Month"

#k12online11

Follow the talk from the K12Online Conference.  Looking for some help with Twitter?  Try this video tutorial from CommonCraft.

Accelerated Reader Update

• Spanish AR books are being labeled as such to make them easier for students to locate.
• Please remind your students that they can check to see if a book has an AR quiz by going to http://www.arbookfind.com/.
• Students who have participated thus far will be acknowledged before winter break.
• Team participation is relatively low, so please encourage your students to take at least one quiz.

Flat Classrom Book Coming Out


Vicky Davis and Julie Lindsay have coauthored Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds: Move to Global Collaboration One Step at a Time, a new book to be released in February.  Davis and Lindsay are the creators and leaders of the Flat Classroom projects.  Would you be interested in participating in an informal book club on the book?  A group is forming now. 

October, 2011

Blog Bits and Interesting Links

• 25 Best Websites for Teaching and Learning  - this is a great list of free web-based tools that are organized by application to the Standards for the 21st Century Learner
• 100 Things to Do With Books   - a very handy list of simple activities as an alternative to the traditional written book report.  Look here for some fun ideas for the upcoming Book Week!
• International Education Blogs - here is a page for you to bookmark that feeds blogs in the area of international education.  If you can suggest others, please let me know as I am seeking the best of the best for this page which is part of a LibGuide I am developing for teachers on global education.                        

Accelerated Reader Teams 

Take a look at the display in the lobby of the PS building!  The four AR teams for this year are posted there.  All students from grades two through five should be on one of the team lists.  This year we have the Fire, Earth, Water and Air teams to go along with our theme "Reading is Elemental!"  Please encourage your students to take AR quizzes on books they have read.  The quizzes need to be taken at school.

Upcoming Library Programming  

Two primary school library workshops for parents are now on the calendar:

• October 13 - The Virtual Library - Online Resources for Primary School Students (slides from the presentation are posted on the Primary School Library Moodle)

• November 1 - Multicultural Children's Literature

Each will be offered in the Library Computer Lab from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.

  

Ebook Resources Great for Smartboards

Now that Smartboards are in almost all the classrooms, our Ebook resources are hopefully even more useful for teachers.  If you have not already explored Tumblebooks, Bookflix and Sylvan Dell, please take the time to do so.  You will be glad you did!  If you have questions or would like a preview from a member of the library staff, just let us know.  We will be glad to help!

Updated Library Schedule and Curriculum

The library schedule has been tweaked in a few places and an updated schedule will be posted by the Book Return in the PS building entrance.  The full curriculum will be available on the J: drive under Faculty - Primary - Subject Areas - Library.  Library planners for each unit will be posted by the Story Room door.

Changes for This Year

• No paper overdue notices this year!!  We hope this will make life easier for you (and for us and the parents).  We now have the capability to send overdue notices by email.  You may still receive questions about overdue books via the agenda.  Please forward all inquiries on to us.

• The juvenile reference books (with the exception of some atlases and encyclopedias) are now shelved with the other nonfiction books.  This is to encourage students to use the reference books.  It does not change the fact that they remain in the library (i.e. they do not "check out").  Juvenile reference books are marked J REF on the spine label.

Meet Archie!

I am working on a new library friend, digital that is, named Archie (to go with the design of arches on the Primary School side of the library).  To see Archie, look for a link on Moodle under Library - Primary Library.  Once he is fully actualized, Archie will be multilingual and he will know A LOT about the library.

Video Tutorials on Moodle

We know that you need library info at all times of the day and during the year, not just when we are able to offer a workshop.  So we plan to provide more video tutorials on subjects related to use of the library and library resources.  Topics such as the library catalog, using the netbooks, how to schedule library time, databases and ebooks are on the list for video tutorials.  Can you suggest others that you would like to see posted on the Primary School Library Moodle?

March, 2011

Blog Bits and Interesting Links   

• Experts say E-Books and mobile devices are next for libraries
• Interested in more info about or for Third Culture Kids?
• TC Kid
• Families in Global Transition
• Global Education Explorer                                             

Library Unit Planners Posted by Story Room

Planners by grade for the library times within the current PYP unit are posted beside the Story Room door.  Please stop and take a look when you come over with your class.  I would appreciate any suggestions you can share about ways to connect library time to classroom by content or skill. 

  

  

New Quicklink for Primary School Library Resources

Many thanks to our webmaster Jay Denslow for creating a Quicklink from the homepage (www.aischool.org) for Primary School Library Resources!  A few more "clicks" eliminated for our younger students.  Please model use of this path to age-appropriate library resources with your students.  The library password key remains the same.

Donuts and Databases

It's time for Donuts and Databases!  I'll bring the donuts (or cookies or breads) and information about all the new online resources that we are considering for your grade for next year.  The more feedback we are given, the better the choices we can make for you and your students.  I will be contacting grade level leaders to find the best time for us to get together by grade.

Summer Reading

I need summer reading lists from each language group by the end of next week [April 1, 2011].  If you would like suggestions for new books from the library staff, please let us know.  Again this year, we will have our virtual summer reading book fair in May and we need to begin "stocking the stores" at Amazon by creating links to each of the books on the reading list.  Thanks for your help!

Accelerated Reader Team Finale 

Look for word soon on the Accelerated Reader team finale!  We plan to have a special activity for the students who are the top participants in their grade as well as a flag-signing event for the members of the team that comes out ahead.   Please encourage all your students to pass a quiz between now and the middle of May when the team competition will close.

 International Children's Book Day - April 2

International Children's Book Day is celebrated world-wide on April 2, 2011, the birthday of Hans Christian Andersen!  As it is on a Saturday, we will not be in session, but I encourage you to commemorate this day in some way on the following Monday, April 4.
 

Some suggestions include:

•    reading and promoting stories by Andersen
•    introducing folk tales from around the world

•    inviting parents from other cultures to share their childhood favourites and folk tales.

Here is a good book list for International Children's Book Day.  We have many of these books in our library.

February, 2011

Blog Bits and Interesting Links 

• Fascinating Article on the Way Language Shapes our Understandings
• International Children's Digital Library Accessible via IPhone, IPad
• What is a Learning Commons?

Library Unit Planners Posted by Story Room

Planners by grade for the library times within the current PYP unit are posted beside the Story Room door.  Please stop and take a look when you come over with your class.  I would appreciate any suggestions you can share about ways to connect library time to classroom by content or skill. 

  

  

Friday at the PS Faculty Lounge?

On Friday mornings in February, beginning February 11,  from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m., I will be available in the PS Faculty Lounge to answer any questions you may have about library resources, including databases, video streaming, Noodletools, Accelerated Reader, ebooks (including NetLibrary), the library website or others.  Please feel free to stop by if you have a break and ask any questions you may have or give me information on resources that you need. I'll be working on this and that but mainly I want to be accessible to help with account questions and questions about using these resources.  If there is enough interest, I'll continue beyond February.

Donuts and Databases

Beginning after spring break, I would like to share "donuts and databases"with each grade level.  I'll bring the donuts (or cookies or breads) and information about all the new online resources that we are considering for your grade for next year.  The more feedback we are given, the better the choices we can make for you and your students.  I will be contacting grade level leaders to find the best time for us to get together by grade.

Video Streaming

Several teachers have asked recently about video streaming accounts.  If you would like to create a personal account linked to the AIS school account, you will need the school password key.  You can obtain this password key from the library and then create your own account at http://www.unitedstreaming.com/.  Also, when you stream video, it is best to do it OUTSIDE of the Xen environment. 

Accelerated Reader Teams

Please continue to encourage your students to take AR quizzes.  If you have read a book together in class and would like all students to take a quiz, I can set that up for you and assist with log-in questions.  

Right now, the ROCKETS team is in the lead.  I will have a second round of recognitions [handout of team stickers] for participating students around the beginning of March (right before spring break).

How to Request New Books

To request books for your units or that you think the students would like, please go to the Primary School E Bulletin Board (via PS Library Moodle) or from the Primary School Library Resources page under Academics on the school website.  You will see a link for recommending new books in English, Spanish, French or German.  You will also see a separate link for recommending books in other mother tongues of  faculty or students.  These links open to a  form. Requests submitted via the form go directly to our purchasing lists so this is the best way to be sure we will receive and retain your request.

November, 2010

Library Moodle


The students in UPS are beginning to use the PS Library Moodle page for links to Noodletools and resources needed during library time.  Please take a minute to look at the PS Library Moodle -- you will find lots of content there related to the library program.  Also, if you would like to include links to POI websites, project rubrics, model documents, and so forth, I am happy to add them there for you.  Moodle is a great place for materials that the students might need to access from home because there is no password required.


Netbooks Available for Use in Library


The netbooks have been used by students in grades 2 through 5 this year. They are used quite frequently in the afternoons and throughout the day for AR quizzes, but often there are a good number available in the mornings, especially in the middle of the week.  Please feel free to make arrangements with me to use the netbooks in the library with your class during these times.  Prior notice is required, because the netbooks need to be set up in advance for you.
  
 Library Faculty Workshops


Parents learned about the library online resources, including our great new ones, and the catalog through the library workshops in October.  How comfortable are you with using these resources?  Would you like to know more yourself or to come in with your grade level team or language group to learn about resources particularly suited for your students?  Contact me to schedule a short workshop tailored just for you and your group. We can meet in the library or in a classroom either before or after school.


Stickers for Students - How to Access Library Resources from Home

At Luz Bella's suggestion, I made stickers listing step by step how to access library resources from home.  If you would like me to make stickers for your students, please let me know.  The sticker is about 3" by 3" and is perfect to place in the inside cover of the agenda where it will be handy.

Posters on Citation Format and Big6 TM

I have printed more posters of the grade level citation format that was agreed upon several years ago and more posters of the Big6 Research Process in the four languages of instruction.  Please let me know if you need any of these for your classroom.  Each classroom should have both of these posted where students can see them.

Accelerated Reader Teams

The students seem excited about reading for their teams and I am glad that teachers are interested in supporting AR through the classroom as well.  We have a list of each grade with all student user names at the circulation desk.  The passwords are the same as Xen this year to make it easier for students and us!  If you would like a report on participation by students in your class, please let me know.

How to Request New Books


To request books for your units or that you think the students would like, please go to the Primary School E Bulletin Board (via PS Library Moodle) or from the Primary School Library Resources page under Academics on the school website.  You will see a link for recommending new books in English, Spanish, French or German.  You will also see a separate link for recommending books in other mother tongues of  faculty or students.  These links open to a  form.  Requests submitted via the form go directly to our purchasing lists so this is the best way to be sure we will receive and retain your request.

March 2009

Blog Bits

A few more interesting bits from the blogs:

a. Global Collaboration and Personal Learning Networks - detailed blog post by Julie Lindsay on "flattening" the classroom with global collaborations. Does this suggest a new concept of an "international school"?

b. New Fair Use Code of Practice - more on copyright for teachers by Wes Fryer, including a great Slideshare presentation.

c. Empty Praise - post by Kristin Fontichiaro features a video interview by Will Richardson with Carol Dweck on the danger of overpraising students as connected with the student's willingness to be a risk-taker. Gives examples of how to "praise the process" in a way that builds a growth mindset.

Stars and A Wish

Many thanks to all who shared suggestions for the library. Here is a summary of the suggestions that were made:

- more books in "diary" format
- more biographies
- more Eyewitness history books
- books addressing social and emotional needs of students
- more books in Portuguese
- more books about Native Americans
- more picture books about science
- more audio books
- more books from the countries of origin of our students

Another suggestion was to build more connections between the library and the arts.

I was delighted to receive these suggestions. Look for growth in these areas thanks to your thoughts.

Electronic Resources for Next Year

We will be renewing our library electronic resources subscriptions in April. As always, but especially in the current economic situation, we want to be sure to purchase resources that teachers and students like and will use. Many of our databases are purchased through our MISBO membership.

To see which databases MISBO is offering for next year and to access free trials of those resources, go to this MISBO webpage. Please let me know which MISBO databases you like the most.

We also subscribe to GALILEO for a number of our databases and buy several others, such as Bookwhere, Tumblebooks and World Book Online, separately. Any feedback on those resources would be much appreciated as well. We will also be looking at usage statistics to determine which resources are being utilized.

Thanks for your help in the selection process - this is your chance to speak up on what you like . . . and what you don't like.

PS Library Moodle

Some of you may not know that the PS Library has a Moodle page under "Library" (near the bottom of the list). There you will find electronic resources and citation information, as well as library lessons for particular units and links to resources. The PS Library E-Bulletin Board is also linked through the Moodle, so you can reach both areas from one portal.

If you have suggestions as to material to add to the PS Library Moodle, please let me know.

Visit by Paul Janeczko

Poet Paul Janeczko, award-winning poet and poetry anthologist, visited AIS on Thursday, March 5, and shared his books about poetry with our 4th graders. Students seemed particularly impressed with his concrete poems and with his strategies for journaling and idea generation. Visit the library to check out books by Paul Janeczko for this April, National Poetry Month!

Your Favorite Childhood Book or Poem?

What was your favorite childhood book or poem? I'd like to do a display of teacher favorites. Even better - please add several sentences about why you liked the book or poem. We did this a few years ago and the students really enjoyed seeing "who liked what".

September 2008

New School Library Standards for United States Stress Inquiry

The new school library standards from the American Association of School Librarians are strongly inquiry-based. At a recent conference, school librarians from around the world discussed the standards and remarked on the relative ease with which the standards can be incorporated in the IB curriculum. There are four components to the standards -- skills, dispositions, responsibilities and self-management.

The standards are based on the following common beliefs (which I have abbreviated somewhat for the sake of this post):

1. Reading is a window to the world.
2. Inquiry provides a framework for learning.
3. Ethical behavior in the use of information must be taught.
4. All individuals must acquire thinking skills that will enable them to learn on their own.
5. Learning has a social context.
6. School libraries are essential to the development of learning skills.
7. Technology skills are crucial for future employment needs.
8. The definition of information literacy has become more complex as resources and technologies have changed.
8. Equitable access is a key component for education.

The language of the standards is intended to provide bridges to and commonality with the standards for technology (NETS) and education.

Our AIS information literacy skills continuum is now reorganized to align with these new AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner.

Flexible Afternoon Library Blocks

Please remember to sign up for afternoon time in the library for research and library activities. The monthly sign-up sheet is posted in the Primary School Office above the sign in sheet (on the IT and Library Bulletin Board).

Book Review Journals in French, Spanish and German

This year the library is subscribing to several journals for the review of children's literature in French, German and Spanish respectively. We are also subscribing to publications which feature children's literature from the UK and Australia. We believe that these journals will help us with our collection development in the library. Hopefully they also will be of interest to you and useful for you as you contemplate purchases for your classroom and selection of summer reading list books. Please take a look at these new publications when you have time (the first issues have not yet arrived, but we will keep you posted!)

Interested in a Web 2.0 Online Workshop?

Librarians and teachers are full of great ideas to use new online social networking tools such as blogs, nings, wikis, great graphics and podcasts. When you hear "Web 2.0", think of these forms of communication and information sharing that are now available through programs on the World Wide Web. Would you like to know more? Here is a website for a self-managed online workshop that leads you each week through well known technologies in the Web 2.0 environment. Don't be left behind! Explore Web 2.0 in the safety of your own home and you'll develop the confidence to be part of this growing community of learners. Here is the website for this free online workshop sponsored by the California Library Association:

http://schoollibrarylearning2.blogspot.com

If you prefer to work through a course like this with a group of colleagues, please let me know. Shelley Paul, the leader of the IT workshop that Tom put together last spring, offers a very similar course and she encourages groups of teachers to sign up together to provide support for each other. I am taking Shelley's course right now and can let you know more about it.

Accelerated Reader and Antolin

All students currently in grades 2 - 5 are now enrolled in Accelerated Reader and can begin taking quizzes. I hope that very soon we will have the new reading "challenge" for this year lined up and will be able to share it with you. We have lots of new books with quizzes in English and Spanish. Please encourage students to take quizzes in the computer labs or the library during independent checkout times. You can also visit the library as a class to take quizzes and check out books. Please just let us know you are coming either by the FS Direct system or the sign up sheet in Primary School.

We are currently in the process of subscribing to Antolin, a German online reading quiz program. Hopefully Antolin will be available by the end of the month.

February 2008

Six Traits

Did you know that you can use the library catalog to find a book that is an example of one of the Six Traits. First open the Library Catalog from the computer desktop. In the Subject window, type Six Traits-Voice (or Organization, etc. as the case may be). The results list will be all the books in the library that are cataloged as examples of that trait.

Accelerated Reader

All students in Grades 1 - 5 have attended an orientation on the new web-based Accelerated Reader and many students have begun testing. I will maintain a display board in the library showing statistics on student use of AR throughout the grades. February is the kick-off month for the Accelerated Reader school challenge to be selected by the Student Council. We also plan a webinar for teachers on how to use Accelerated Reader. More information on that coming soon!

Language Book Talk Weeks

Language book talk weeks are off to a great start. This month look for French, English and German book talk weeks ahead. In connection with the language book talks, take a look at the Audio Book Reviews link on the E-Bulletin Board. I am building this section to provide audio information about books in all languages and many of the books from the language book talks will be featured in the audio book reviews. Also look for audio book reviews on summer reading books!

Summer Reading Book Lists

Please begin to work on your summer reading book lists now. Final lists will be due at the end of March and the summer reading book list will be posted on the school website in April! Thanks for your help on this important aspect of our curriculum. Studies have shown that summer reading is vital to maintaining lanugage arts skills and is a key factor in student achievement.