Melvin Dewey, Meet Tagxedo

This time of year people start (excitedly) reminding me "Only 39 days!" Which instantly turns into wait, that means I only have 7 days left with some groups in the library. 7 days to teach them all they need to know about being literate library users and lifelong readers. And, now, to share this in a technologically forward way with the world.

Really, the only kids I stress about this way is the 4/5 group. Those 5th graders will be in middle school in a flash.... library will be a distant memory and they will probably start asking people where "submarine" and "war" and "spy" books are with glazed looks in their eyes.

Not on my watch, right? haha... So in a panic, every year I ramp up the Dewey Decimal lessons and activities. I feel like every year I am "reteaching" the same thing. This year I saw Wordles used on Pinterest in a hands on demo.

Kids split into groups and each group was assigned a non fiction case. Their job on the first day was to compile 8-10 SUBJECTS that are covered in their case. Not titles, I am not interested in How to Talk to Your Cat. I think I saw some lightbulbs go off when they realized that we can find SUBJECTS in a designated place. Have they been that attached to titles?

The next day I had the kids each group hit the computer lab and created a Tagxedo with their subjects. This was a cool way to relate that some cases are more full of subjects...in Tagxedo and Wordle, the more a word is entered, the more prominent that word becomes in the graph. We would have used Wordle but our MacLab needed a Silverlight update and the kids love the shapes of Tagxedo anyhow.

After all of the graphs are printed, the groups will mount and present their findings. The most comprehensive will be laminated and mounted on the cases. Hopefully the subject connection will continue among the lower grades.

If you have not used tagxedo or wordle, I recommend them. Last year 4/5 used Wordle to create their shelfmarkers and used their favorite reading subjects as text. It was cool for me to learn about students and have that visual reminder each week about what they love to read.
 

Tagxedo website

Wordle Website

42 into Testing the Ice

One of my daughters is a history buff through and through. When she saw the trailer for 42 this weekend, I was dragged into the living room to watch. And watch it again. The ad on TV is a goosebumper, for sure. I instantly remembered the text Testing the Ice by Sharon Robinson. I love this book because it introduces the issues of Negro Leagues, self control, prejudice and mid century America in ways kids can access.

Because of our PBLs owning February I did not get to much Black History this year so I was thrilled to be able to pull this title and show the trailer. I led with the trailer and 4/5 was fascinated. The movie is PG-13 the kids and I went through the whole speech that their parents will obviously decide whether this is appropriate for them. (And this is where I routinely hear that all kids I know have seen more foul and inappropriate movies than I can imagine).

This was an impromptu lesson that came together .... and I was pleased to introduce this hero and generate interest in the biography and nonfiction sections. Plus, I am still waiting for any kids to recognize Indiana Jones!

Spring Break Student Stampede

Finally, accessible ebooks for our students!

A fantastic email came through my box a few days ago: Overdrive is up and running for Thompson School District. I love it! Last year I piloted an ebook "shelf" from Follet and while the interest was great, the application was clumsy and could only be used on Apple products.

Since last year the percentage of our kids who have e readers and tablets has sky rocketed. Love it! Getting the kids to bring both their library card AND device to me so I can help them download from the library has been a challenge...usually one or the other makes it, or the Kindle app has not been previously downloaded and there goes our 15 minutes of time.

This is a perfect fit! FREE, QUALITY titles available to our students with their login info. Right now the collection has 300 titles but I expect that to grow.

Even if I wasn't at a STEM school I would be thrilled with this support from our district. Simply, this is where our kids are going and I love that we are meeting them with such great options.

Reporter Herald Covers LEES PBL process

The Reporter Herald was here last week interviewing students about our PBL (Problem Based Learning) units. Shelley Wildham spoke with a 5th and 3rd grader, our principal and a 3rd grade teacher.

On top of seeing the entire PBL process, I loved seeing the kids relate their perspective of the process. Kids always go above and beyond and really rise to any occasion. That is part of the PBL outcome, also: kids who can communicate their learning and relay it with confidence.

Check out the article in the RH:

http://www.reporterherald.com/news/education/ci_22785904/edmondson-students-engage-problem-based-learning-come-up

Leprechaun Traps arriving in Library!

Every year, we have the same problem in March: pesky Leprechauns turn the library upside down with their mischief and pranks. Some days entire book shelves are upended, our shelfmarkers have been misplaced, and once or twice fiction books have been in non fiction! (#library problems, right?)

2nd grade used to do an entire unit planning and designing Leprechaun Traps and the library would be full of intricate cages and ladders. This year 2nd grade had a PBL that zapped most of their time but I still wanted to have the Leprechaun magic over here. Next year they come back as older, wiser 3rd graders who just give me The Look.

We have been researching the little elves and even though they are sneaky and private, we have found that they enjoy gold and sweet treats. We wonder if that is the key to getting their attention. I will keep you updated on what we find, I LOVE the traps the kids are doing on their own and bringing.

Cute Lorax Bulletin Board - thanks, Pinterest!

Nothing makes a month speed faster than realizing I need to change bulletin boards. Even though we have a Cricut (love/ hate relationship, anyone else?) some months I do all I can to avoid words. And as I type that I do realize how crazy that sounds in the library.

While scouring Pinterest for RAA and Dr. Seuss ideas, this super cutie caught my eye. Talk about easy, he was up before bus duty! What I really love is how much the kids love him! Squeals when they spot this instantly recognizable guy.