The BEST Library Bulletin Boards from Pinterest in One Place

I know that we are all sorting through Bulletin Boards right now. Some years I have even made a Board outline for the year. Good in theory but wasted time because I either see something else I love or time runs out ....or SOMETHING!!

My intention was to "curate" these boards and list the original site. After two boards and 30 minutes, I gave that up - if I know the original source, I list it but most of these have been pinned dozens of times at least.

NONE of these are my original boards - I have created variations of some of these but mine are not pictured. Here's to early August and getting up those boards!

STEM-TACULAR Picture Books

 

This will be our third year as a STEM school at Edmondson. The language is coming more naturally, the expectations are growing, and STEM is becoming part of our every day learning.

As far as building a "STEM" Library, the timing could not be better for me. Publishers are creating lists faster than we can purchase and the Common Core has a strong STEM focus. Here are some of my favorite STEM picture books that we have added to our Library.

By no means is this a comprehensive list - the hardest part is just sticking to my list that I jotted down during the spring.

By Andrea Beaty

By Andrea Beaty

By Candace Fleming

By Jessie Hartland

By Brenda Z. Guiberson

By William Kamkwambe and Bryan Mealer

By Alison Formento

By Laurie Lawlor

By Alan Madison

By Mary M. Cerullo and Clyde Roper

By Mary M. Cerullo

By Kathleen Krull

By Jon Scieszka

By Corey Rosen Schwartz

By Margaret McNamara

By Margaret McNamara

By Dr. Phillip Lars Manning

Senior Pictures - No Pressure Thanks to PicMonkey!

My oldest daughter will be a senior this fall. For the last few years we have had our eyes on Senior Pictures, thinking about what she wants. When did this phenomenon happen? This is intense - the photos must be beautiful, unique, on location - to name a few!!

That sounds like something best left to professionals until you check out the pricing. The average in Northern Colorado ran 150 for booking fee, an extra 175 for location fee, portfolio (printing) fee of 425. Aye! - and that's before we order prints for family.

My daughter and I made a deal: we would try them ourselves first. If we were not happy we would hire a pro. The first batch was easy breezy! The outside scenery and lighting did most of the work. Looking at them now I may have been a little too excited about the "sun" feature - but the cool thing is I can change that whenever I want.

The second round (the basketball group) were scary horrible. Cranky, what were we thinking, call a photographer, make room in the budget NOW bad. This is where PicMonkey saved the day.

I really almost gave up - then on a whim I uploaded one to www.picmonkey.com. I cropped first, then adjusted the shadows which darkened the ugly sheet we used and turned it into the stylish background we imagined. After adding the spotlight feature I could not believe we had the same picture! Here are some before and afters:

I

 I should mention that I pay the 4.99 per month subscription fee at PicMonkey - I am not sure whether some of the editing features I used are part of the subscription. I use PicMonkey all the time but this by far has been my favorite project - and the biggest money saver!

Real Gel Nails that didn't break the bank - PERFECT for my Librarian Friends

True confession time. I am from Texas and as stereotyped as it sounds, it's hair and nails, nails and hair. To this day the first thing I notice about a woman is her nails. Consequently, too much of my waking time is devoted to thinking about my own nails. This can be confirmed by visiting my Nails, Nails, Nails Board on Pinterest.

When I started working in the computer lab before the library, the nails went short after two days. In the Library, they have stayed short. I admire my friends who can keep a nice mid length nail but it is not happening for me (shelving books, keyboards - enough said).

About two years ago my husband bought a UV light for me to speed to process of weekly manicures. It was amazing! But my nails still chipped, no matter which process I used (and I feel I have tried them all).

And, cue Pinterest! I LOVE how Gel Nails look and I was totally sold on the claims of three week manicures. Too good to be true? The price was killing me. The LED lights I saw online ranged from 65.00 to over 150.00. The actual polish is not ultra expensive at about 12.49 a tube but when starting it is an investment.

Gel Nails can also seem tricky in the beginning, so I searched and searched  posts and tutorials. This, by far, was the most comprehensive blog I found on Gel Nail application.

http://www.luluandsweetpea.com/2013/01/diy-gel-nails-at-home.html

Sally Beauty Supply had the Gelish Mini LED Lamp on sale for 34.99 when I went by. (*note that the power cord was an extra 14.99 but which of us doesn't have a drawer full of extra cords?) MUCH BETTER than 65.00 plus! This is the mini and I cure four fingers at a time with the thumbs going last for the third round. At 45 seconds a piece I can handle that for sure. One feature I really like about this lamp is that it shuts off after 45 seconds. I don't have to even keep track of that!

 

When I was at Sally's Gel Paints were BOGO, another score!! I was able to get Gel Base, Gel Top Coat, and two colors for 24.50. I was thrilled walking out of Sally's having spent 60.00 for everything I needed to get started with my Gel Nails.

I could NOT BELIEVE how easy the application was and how AMAZING the results were. That gel is not going anywhere!  Like I read time and time again, I changed colors because of regrowth.

The downfall of Gel Nails is taking me some time to adjust to: when people say removing them is a pain, that is the UNDERSTATEMENT of the YEAR. This post is the method I am using right now, and know that it takes at least 25 minutes. My hope is I will get better at this and decrease that time.

FINALLY! Good Bye, Oak Cabinets

Ok, I know this blog is about how STEM fits into Media and the state of school Libraries today. This post today is about the state of this Librarian this summer. And today I am MUCH more calm and pleased with life than even three days ago.

Three days ago, my kitchen looked like this:

 

We bought this house ten years ago and had a rate locked in that was fantastic. We needed a house that was almost ready to go and this one was - complete with the horrible oak cabinets.  I have hated them for years and years! Fortunately, life is so crazy fast that this detail was on the back burner. But Pinterest has changed that. Blog after Blog shows us how easy this is. This summer painting our cabinets was my number one goal.

In the spring I grabbed a few of the free Valspar paint samples from Lowes and painted the back of some cabinets so we could all choose a color. Hands down, English Tea Party from Valspar won.

When it came time to get going I checked out more blogs and decided to go with Denatured Alcohol for stripping/ cleaning/ degreasing. I had used Binz Primer before and knew what a great product this is, so I did not have many decisions to make.

This is the part where I start to think I am crazy - and my husband is already done with this project!! It was a great chance to finally go through drawers and clean them out, so no one complained when that was done.

My 17 year old daughter was my partner in this and she killed it! Were it not for her I would still be in the garage covered in paint and primer. 

We removed all doors and drawers, degreased, and applied one coat of primer. We just used foam brushes for the primer and it was great for the thick primer. It doesn't sound like a lot, but that was all we got done in day one. People like to eat and do other stuff around my house, unfortunately.

Day two was the day for paint. I hit the corners and details with a nylon brush and my daughter came behind and used a foam roller for cabinets. We tested and the roller was by far the best finish.

In our CO air our doors dried within 90 minutes and were ready to be flipped. By 3:30 our last coat was almost dry and it was time to think about re-assembly.

Honestly, this was the hardest part. We were totally "done" with being together for so long and ready to have the kitchen back (I know, after two days!!) The doors were tricky and took some time to adjust so everything was level and flush.

*I purchased some Minwax Finishing Paste that I intended to use after the semi-gloss paint but I did not like it. I felt like it clouded the surface and got "gunked up" in the details of the cabinets. I am thrilled with the finish right now so I am going with nothing on top.*

  

Primer 1 quart Binz 9.98

Paint 1 gallon Valspar Semi Gloss 32.99

Brushes 22.00

Denatured Alcohol 9.98

Pizza for my Partner 5.50

Total Cost 80.45

READING AFTER WIMPY KID (it DOES exist!!)

I finally snapped the other day. For about the 800th time I listened while a third grader explained to me that yes, his AR zone is 3.1 and yes, The Third Wheel is a 5.6 but HE UNDERSTANDS ALL OF IT. Forget that the he nailed a 40% on the AR Quiz. HE SHOULD BE READING WIMPY KID.

This time I was not patient. This little guy did not even get to finish before I was tearing through the chapter shelves, practically throwing books on a table. This, and This. HAVE YOU READ THIS? THIS is your zone and this is HILARIOUS! This may be TOO GROSS for you, but whatever. This, I KNOW you have not read this.

He was late for Computer Lab and I may have startled him a little but when my tornado settled I had a large-ish pile of Wimpy Kid type books staring at me.

There is NO WAY I am the only Librarian/ Teacher/ Parent who faces kids who a. insist on "reading" WK when it is simply out of a reader's reach. The style, humor and reputation prove irresistible for young chapter book readers, especially those who struggle. b. refuse to consider other titles after completing the series - after all, Jeff Kinney's last joke was the last one the world heard. Right?

I love the following list of titles I gathered in my craze - it spans 2nd through 7th grade and accommodates readers of all levels in between. This list goes from easy for those  aspiring to WK and grows beyond for the WK Graduates.

STINK Series, Megan McDonald. These gross/ funny/ comic like books feature 2nd grade Stink and all of his friends who love trouble as much as he does. These begin at a 3.0 AR and only go to the mid 3's. The money I spent on this entire series is some of the best spent this year in the Library. This is my go-to Character for my younger kids who really are not ready for WK.

The Notebook of Doom Series, Troy Cummings. This four book series ranges from 3.2 to 3.4 which makes it another perfect choice for my kids bummed that WK is ALL checked out.  This was a featured title in the Scholastic Book Fair Video this fall - it sold out at the Fair and I can't keep them on the shelves now.

Geronimo Stilton Series. This is the only series I have purchased in paperback SO that I can afford more. These clever books range from 3.1 to 4.2ish and involve time travel, prehistoric animals, and trouble in all situations. The full color throughout the book makes the comic style even more appealing to WK fans.

 Billy the Kid is Not Crazy, by S.F. Guerra. This is actually the only "stand alone" book on this list - wow! This book is not AR leveled but I have been happy with the reviews and interest my third graders have given me. I would happily pass this to fourth graders if it was available.

Captain Underpants Series, Dave Pilkey. For years this was the only "companion" book for WK. And I still get phone calls from parents who are less than thrilled this was sent home. So not everyone is a fan but Elementary School boys are and those are my customers!! These books are surprisingly higher level but are here because some of the Uuk and Gluuk and SuperBaby titles start even in the 2.9 area. For the most part these books are in the high 4s and low 5s.

Spaceheadz Series, John Scieszka. If you have not had a chance to read John Scieszka, why are you reading THIS? He is unique, hilarious and a smart, smart writer for all age levels. This four book series ranges from 4.2  4.6 and is a must have addition for all lK fans out there.

Origami Yoda Series, by Tom Angleberger. This series sees shelf time even less than WK. Aside from the I Survived Series OY has my longest hold lists. The comics are great fun for the readers and the stories are empowering. The AR level ranges from 4.6 to 4.9 for the entire series, a perfect suggestion for those kids almost at that WK level.

The Dork Diaries Series, by Rachel Renee Russell. I don't think I am supposed to tell anyone this but lately most of the kids checking out DD have been boys! There was a little hesitation at first but all kids love this series. My girls wait for the new copies to make their way to them and the boys grab it right off the shelf. This series ranges between 4.1 and 5.3 and engage those reluctant and struggling readers with the illustrations.

Return of the Jedi Series, by Jeffrey Brown. The first book in the series comes in at a 3.8 level and I can't find a level on The Return of the Padawan. I don't know if the title is too new or not AR leveled because of too many "cartoons". Either way, readers in this range will tear through these books. Another book that follows a kid  while he follows his personal strengths against some crazy challenges.

Big Nate Series by Lincoln Peirce. Along with Captain Underpants, BN was one of the first WK cousins. This is another series that makes me grit my teeth only because the level is actually solidly high (5.1 and up) but the comic styling and illustrations lure the younger readers. This book is more for the kids who have read WK and want more of the same-ish.

Totally Lame Vampire Series, by Tim Collins. I really am happy to have this three book series in our Library. Each book comes in at 6.7 and has been wonderful to offer my higher level readers who are still KIDS and enjoy the goofiness these books offer. Kids love werewolves, vampires and zombies - this series is proof that there ARE kid appropriate higher level books.

STANZA - Fun Intro to Poetry Month in the Library

The ideas out there for Poetry Month amaze me every time I search! I have compiled a group of activities that I am enjoying greatly with every grade. I plan on posting those soon, but for now I wanted to share one of my favorite books - and it is a bonus that it is a perfect intro to Poetry Month!

STANZA, written by Jill Esbaum and illustrated by Jack E. Davis is the engaging story of a dog who learns to follow his true self. Who can not relate to listening to others' voices before their own? The actual poetic devices used in the book are a bonus when discussing poetry.

I am also pulling out Science Verse by John Scieszka to use in our STEM school - click here for the post from last year - I still love it as much!!