Encouraging Reluctant Readers

 

As media specialists, parents, and educators, we want to see our students succeed.  We want them to love reading fiction, losing themselves in a good book.  Reading, however, is also the first step to their success throughout their life as learners.  Without a love of reading, there is no inquiry-based learning taking place.  We want our students to love fiction, as well as exploration into nonfiction to broaden their learning experience.  Check out Laura Candler's blog posting below titled "12 ways to motivate reluctant readers."

http://lauracandler.blogspot.com/2011/03/12-ways-to-motivate-reluctant-readers.html

Troubleshooting Ipad Apps in the Classroom

Has your Ipad app lost sound?  We are excited to have many new Ipads in our classrooms this year.  From a tech standpoint, that means more IT support.  Over the past several weeks, I have had many students come down to the media center, Ipad in hand, with an app with  no sound.  In my first encounter, I did some basic troubleshooting.  I made sure the Ipad had sound by recording a short video using the camera app and replaying.  There was sound, which meant it was something within the app.  I checked settings within the app to no avail.  I did the basic shutdown, made sure the app was closed, and reopened to still find no sound.  I finally resorted to calling Apple's support line, still only hearing that it was probably something within the app and we might need to contact their support line.  After a few minutes on Google, I found the fix in an online Apple forum.  I discovered that when some apps lose their sound, it has something to do with the Orientation/Mute toggle switch above the volume on the side of the Ipad.  In most of our issues, we have found the fix to be simply to open the app in question and toggle the switch. This will restore the sound within the app and the students are quickly back to work!  Happy troubleshooting!

My Son's Debut as a Songwriter

I know I should not be posting personal material but I could not resist. Such a proud mom!
http://youtu.be/LHL6ihzfl5s

Edmodo in Elementary Library programs

Our school recently started using Edmodo in third through fifth grades. The kids love it, and the teachers are slowly buying into this program.  It takes some extra time to moderate, but there are so many good reasons to use it.  There are opportunities to post quizzes and assignments, as well as a way to share files with each other.   The kids can collaborate online, ask each other questions about homework, share Powerpoint files with each other, and so much more.  There is an online backpack where the students can store great websites and their own MS Word and Powerpoint files. 

Why am I so excited about it?  As an elementary school library media specialist, it is a little frustrating at times that I get so little time with the students.  There is so much to teach them, and Edmodo is the perfect avenue for this.  Because I want to introduce them to new cool websites and Web 2.0 apps, I setup a group for all the students to join called Media Mania.  I post assignments and videos with me teaching them how to use all of these tools, and they watch the how-to videos on their own time and work on learning these new tools outside of the media center.  Many are coming in during recess or before school to watch the videos and work on the assignments.  Since I do not give grades, they can earn badges on their Edmodo profile for completing the assignments correctly. 

In addition to creating Media Mania, we also created a group called AES Chatterbox to give the students a chance to interact online with constant guidance by our guidance counselor, myself and our principal.  After reading the article, "Social Media: It Does have a place in the Classroom," we decided to give this a test-drive for the rest of the school year to see how it goes.  Every student post is public, and there is no opportunity for instant messaging so the students are simply chatting, sharing websites, jokes, and more.  Teaching our students social networking ettiquette is the least we can do to help them prepare for a digital world of social networking around every corner.  In addition to providing this venue for chatting, we can also post websites about internet safety, cyberbullying, and more.  There are so many possibilities and we are hearing nothing but positive feedback and even more school spirit than before!!

Apple TV

My husband finally asked the question... "So what's on your Christmas list?"  Wow!  Things have been so busy, I have not really stopped to think about it.  Maybe an Iphone alarm docking station would be nice...or what about a new Apple TV?   So I immediately decided to check it out to see if it is something I might find useful.  As you can see from the picture, it easily fits into the palm of your hand and can do so much.  So many possibilities!

You can project home videos, movies, tv programs, photos, youtube videos, apps, etc.  onto your widescreen tv.  You can also access your photos and videos in the Apple icloud through the Apple TV. 

Since I got my Iphone last year, I look back and wonder how I ever lived without it.  I am so connected now.  I see so many others with Iphones, as well, and I am always sharing my favorite apps with friends and colleagues.  Wouldn't it be great to share some of these apps with parents and colleagues in some kind of inservice or staff development!

What better way than with the Apple TV! The Apple TV projects the screen of your Iphone up onto a widescreen tv.  Check out the Youtube video below for a quick demonstration of Apple TV Airplay Mirroring.  The drawback seems to be that this feature is only available to the newer Iphone 4s and the Ipad 2. 

For more information about the Apple TV, check out Apple's official website @ http://www.apple.com/appletv/

Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon

Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon

As an elementary librarian, I am asked quite often for David Shannon books.  He is a popular author of children's picture books, but the kids seem to favor his books with his most-popular David character.  One of my favorites is Bad Case of Stripes.  Camilla Cream, the main character, loves lima beans.  She will not eat them, however, because she is afraid of what other kids might think of her. 

I love teachable moments, and I cannot tell you how many of those moments are talking to students about the importance of being true to yourself and embracing our differences.  This story takes this lesson to the next level and really allows for some great discussions, especially with some of the older students.  We recently had a Book Character parade at our school, and I took the opportunity to share this book with as many of our students as possible.  The kids got such a kick out of it.  My husband woke up 45 minutes early that day to help me "get into character," shaking his head the whole time!!  It was so much fun.  As I popped in and out of classrooms that day, we read the story, making predictions along the way and discovering new vocabulary words like "contagious."  In one of the child development classes, after discussing "contagious," the classroom teacher wanted a photo of the kids with me.  One child was so cute, saying "Do I have to stand beside her?  What if I get sick too?"  They are too precious!  If looking for a good read-aloud with a good lesson, Bad Case of Stripes is your pick.  Happy Reading!!


Edmodo

I am now on Edmodo.  Our school district is staying on top of the newest web tools available to help us all stay connected.  I have always said that there is no need to recreate the wheel...just tweak it!  Edmodo is the educational equivalent to Facebook.  It is a great way to connect with colleagues and share ideas, files, etc.  I am @ http://www.edmodo.com/dwest001.  Let's connect and start sharing!! :-)  Oh...and don't forget to download the Edmodo app to stay connected on the go!