Back in 1991, I started my teaching experience at Broughton High School, working with ninth graders. From that point, I worked in Currituck County teaching 7th grade social studies and language arts, Lenior County (7th grade social studies), Pitt County (6th grade science and language arts), Henderson County (7th grade science), and Johnston County (7th grade science, social studies, and language arts).
When I received my Master's of Library Science in 2006, I found myself working at the elementary school level. Although I had never pictured myself working with young children (as opposed to adolescents), I am truly an adaptable person and loved my job.
Now, I am about to begin the job I have hoped for: the media coordinator at a high school!
Leaving my current school is bittersweet: you never know how much you will be missed until you are leaving. This week I have had a lot of different things happen. Some highlights:
...A kindergarten student drawing a picture of his favorite thing in the library drew...me! He even made sure he drew the flowers on my glasses and, happily, told me he was making sure he gave me legs and feet...
...A third grader has made sure she has come in every day to give me "one more hug" before I go...
...My broadcast crew insisted I stay away from the broadcast room because they wanted to show me they could do it all by themselves...and naturally they did a phenomenal job...
...Several parents came in to tell me how much I've meant to their children. One father, especially, talked about several different things that have happened over the years and left me with the statement that the school has been made better by my working there...
I am very touched by all of the warm wishes and sweet gestures.
On the flip side, I have received messages from some staff at my new school welcoming me! January 2nd is right around the corner and I'll be in my new media center!
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Craziness with Technology
Over the summer, our school changed from one type of log-in, using Windows XP, to Active Directory and Windows 7. Upgrading took the technicians a lot of time, but once it was completed everything should be running smoothly.....
Most computers are working well, and fifth and third graders are busy with science research projects. A few each day, and it varies which ones they are, have decided not to be cooperative! They take 30 minutes or more to allow students to log in or they take 30 minutes or more after the student logs in! Hopefully this problem will fix itself (or with the help of our technicians) soon!
Most computers are working well, and fifth and third graders are busy with science research projects. A few each day, and it varies which ones they are, have decided not to be cooperative! They take 30 minutes or more to allow students to log in or they take 30 minutes or more after the student logs in! Hopefully this problem will fix itself (or with the help of our technicians) soon!
Thursday, October 9, 2014
Book Buddies!
I think one of my favorite library activities is the introduction of the book buddies to kindergartners. Due to a generous donation of beanie babies by my mother-in-law years ago (by way of my children who played with them first), I have a large basket filled with book buddies.
Because the children have not yet learned enough words to truly read a book, and since many are still working on how to sound out letters, I begin with a word-less book: Deep in the Forest By Brinton Turkle. This wonderful picture book turns Goldilocks and the Three Bears around as a bear cub enters a house and eats the food, messes up the chairs and beds, and falls asleep.
Once the story has ended, we talk about how you can use the pictures to tell the story. Students check out their books and the fun begins! Each child is randomly given a book buddy to whom they tell their story. Several students in each class get very into it, making sure the book buddy has a view of the pages and then talking to them as they turn the page. Other students need a little more encouragement before they get the hang of story-telling.
Naturally, they always ask if they can keep "their" book buddy.
Because the children have not yet learned enough words to truly read a book, and since many are still working on how to sound out letters, I begin with a word-less book: Deep in the Forest By Brinton Turkle. This wonderful picture book turns Goldilocks and the Three Bears around as a bear cub enters a house and eats the food, messes up the chairs and beds, and falls asleep.
Once the story has ended, we talk about how you can use the pictures to tell the story. Students check out their books and the fun begins! Each child is randomly given a book buddy to whom they tell their story. Several students in each class get very into it, making sure the book buddy has a view of the pages and then talking to them as they turn the page. Other students need a little more encouragement before they get the hang of story-telling.
Naturally, they always ask if they can keep "their" book buddy.
Monday, September 22, 2014
Where Has the Time Flown?
My goodness! It's already the fifth week of school? Time is flying by!
So far, kindergarten has done a great job learning library rules, how to respect books (care for them), and how to choose a book. First graders are learning how to come without their classes for open circulation. Second grade, however, has learned they will learn more about the library than any other grade! They have already learned self-checkout, and they are learning about the Dewey Decimal System, the online catalog, and accessing our shelf of e-books!
Third and fourth graders learned a powerful message: you don't have to choose between being an athlete and being a scholar...BE BOTH! Spend equal time on reading as you do on practicing your sport, and it will show. (Thank you Malcolm Mitchell of the University of Georgia Bulldogs and ABC News!)
Fifth graders are about to embark on an intensive investigative science project...Museum in the Schools! Next week they will begin choosing topics and start the investigation.
Whew!
So far, kindergarten has done a great job learning library rules, how to respect books (care for them), and how to choose a book. First graders are learning how to come without their classes for open circulation. Second grade, however, has learned they will learn more about the library than any other grade! They have already learned self-checkout, and they are learning about the Dewey Decimal System, the online catalog, and accessing our shelf of e-books!
Third and fourth graders learned a powerful message: you don't have to choose between being an athlete and being a scholar...BE BOTH! Spend equal time on reading as you do on practicing your sport, and it will show. (Thank you Malcolm Mitchell of the University of Georgia Bulldogs and ABC News!)
Fifth graders are about to embark on an intensive investigative science project...Museum in the Schools! Next week they will begin choosing topics and start the investigation.
Whew!
Friday, September 5, 2014
Bulldog Adventures with a Guest Blogger
Today's story is provided by guest blogger, Susan Hewett, who is chaperoning our International Bulldog's adventures in Vietnam.
Ahhhh…….A nice trip to the jungle. That is what the bulldog thought. It would be relaxing to get away from the
city.
Once he arrived in the jungle, however, he wasn’t so
sure. Looking to the right and the left,
all he saw were huge trees and plants.
As he wandered in the jungle, he began to get scared. Finally, he saw what looked like a good place
to rest.
“On this piece of bamboo, I don’t have to worry about the
bugs or snakes,” thought the bulldog. “Plus, maybe I can rest here and just
take in the sights.”
Resting on the bamboo, the bulldog decided that he was in a
good place.
Soon, the bulldog became bored on the bamboo. “There is nothing to do here,” he
thought. “I need to go and explore some
more. Maybe I’ll be safe.”
Leaving the safety of his log, the bulldog continued to
explore the jungle….
He saw all sorts of interesting things. 
His favorite spot was the river. There he could watch people and look at the sky. It was calm there, except for the bugs.
The bulldog decided that the city wasn’t so bad after all!
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
New Ideas! New Projects! New Library Adventures!
One of the best things about a new school year is the opportunity to start off with some great new lessons for the library! At my school, students come to the media center as part of their "BEP" or "Specials". (After 8 years, I still cannot find out what "BEP classes" stand for so I have decided it means "Beautiful Excellent and Phenomenal classes.")
This year, I am excited about so many new things. Our 5th grade project for Museum in the Schools, where the students present their research projects at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences, has some exciting new topics and changes. The research projects are going to have quite a bit more investigation and experimentation. Our library assistants will be having some new duties, and I will get to have one kindergarten, one fourth grade, and one fifth grade class come in every 8 days for a special media class! Once the school year gets underway, library centers will be established too.
This is going to be a great day!
This year, I am excited about so many new things. Our 5th grade project for Museum in the Schools, where the students present their research projects at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences, has some exciting new topics and changes. The research projects are going to have quite a bit more investigation and experimentation. Our library assistants will be having some new duties, and I will get to have one kindergarten, one fourth grade, and one fifth grade class come in every 8 days for a special media class! Once the school year gets underway, library centers will be established too.
This is going to be a great day!
Monday, August 18, 2014
When Technology Is Needed...
Technology is wonderful. The use of chromebooks at our school has been implemented in several classrooms although the media center uses older Dell mini laptops during classes. We love our technology.
Now that all that is said, I have learned a very important fact regarding the CHARGING of approximately 100 chromebooks for a teacher training session: be careful where you plug in all the carts! Last week I made sure all the large and small carts were plugged in so they would be fully charged for a Monday training. I double checked the "orange lights" showing they were charging and then...well, I never thought about checking them on Friday. It seems that too much of a good thing (like Chromebooks) can cause all the outlets on one media center wall to blow a circuit so none of the devices actually got charged.
Ooops.
Thankfully they only take about an hour to charge so the teacher training went off without too many hitches once the carts were spread among the remaining wall circuits in the media center. We DO love our technology!
Now that all that is said, I have learned a very important fact regarding the CHARGING of approximately 100 chromebooks for a teacher training session: be careful where you plug in all the carts! Last week I made sure all the large and small carts were plugged in so they would be fully charged for a Monday training. I double checked the "orange lights" showing they were charging and then...well, I never thought about checking them on Friday. It seems that too much of a good thing (like Chromebooks) can cause all the outlets on one media center wall to blow a circuit so none of the devices actually got charged.
Ooops.
Thankfully they only take about an hour to charge so the teacher training went off without too many hitches once the carts were spread among the remaining wall circuits in the media center. We DO love our technology!
Saturday, August 16, 2014
Introducing Duke and the Yet-To-Be-Named Bulldog!
Being in charge of the daily news broadcast at school has a lot of technological challenges, but those can usually be figured out with the help of tech-savvy fifth graders. The biggest challenge has nothing to do with computers, cameras, equipment, or even on-air personalities. No, the one thing that keeps me on my toes (and sometimes up at night) is the CONTENT.
That's right. Keeping it fresh for 185 days even though certain things never change. (Every Thursday is the Bulldog Book of the Week segment, for example.) This year, thanks to family members who travel a whole lot more than I do, we have not one, but TWO International Roving Bulldogs!
First, there is Duke. Duke is currently residing in Albuquerque, New Mexico with my brother and sister-in-law. They are taking him to London, to the Hot Air Balloon Festival, and many other places on their travels. Duke is very photogenic so we are looking forward to updates throughout the year on his adventures.
The other Roving Bulldog has yet to be named because the students will do that in a contest the first week of school. This lucky little dog is now living in Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City to be precise) and attending the American International School of HCMC where my sister is now teaching. So far this little bulldog has visited several places including the Mekong Delta (where it learned how to make coconut candy and drank honey tea), churches and temples, and the local market.
On the airplane from Houston to Tokyo.
Finally in Vietnam, and greeted by a familiar site!
Have a Coke and a smile! (Duong is a boy's name in Vietnam.)
That's right. Keeping it fresh for 185 days even though certain things never change. (Every Thursday is the Bulldog Book of the Week segment, for example.) This year, thanks to family members who travel a whole lot more than I do, we have not one, but TWO International Roving Bulldogs!
First, there is Duke. Duke is currently residing in Albuquerque, New Mexico with my brother and sister-in-law. They are taking him to London, to the Hot Air Balloon Festival, and many other places on their travels. Duke is very photogenic so we are looking forward to updates throughout the year on his adventures.
The other Roving Bulldog has yet to be named because the students will do that in a contest the first week of school. This lucky little dog is now living in Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City to be precise) and attending the American International School of HCMC where my sister is now teaching. So far this little bulldog has visited several places including the Mekong Delta (where it learned how to make coconut candy and drank honey tea), churches and temples, and the local market.
Here it is at the airport, preparing to leave the USA.
Starbucks really is everywhere!
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
It's looking like a FULL week of school!
It's looking like we'll finally have a full week of classes, perfect timing right before the book fair! What have we learned this week?
1. Showing Jane Goodall Institute videos to illustrate parts of a book is a wonderful idea...except for the one where the chimp constantly does somersaults through the jungle. Small children love to copy chimps doing somersaults.
2. Technology is our friend...until it isn't! Our broadcast room has not forgiven us for abandoning it for four whole days. First the computer, then the Averkey, now the teleprompter TV...
3. Never rely on free resources to remain constant until the project is finished! Our animation videos have hit a snag where the once free 2 minute videos now must be 30 seconds. Sometimes you have to use the subscription version or do something else entirely.
4.Bad luck (especially with technology) does not always run in threes. We're still trying to figure out what prime number it is. When we know, you'll know.
5. A super hero theme for the book fair is very well received by students and staff.
Friday, February 14, 2014
Book Fair Super Heroes Visit the Library
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| Six Super Heroes are here to celebrate our book fair! After all, READING GIVES US SUPER POWERS! These super heroes are here to help with our theme and as part of the fourth and fifth grade contest! |
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| Professor Plot Twist |
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| Colonel Cliffhanger |
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| Super Setting Girl |
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| Captain Conflict |
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| Admiral Attention Getter |
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| The Resolution Ranger
All of our heroes were a lot of fun to make, and a great addition to our library. They even have their own video series advertising the book fair and the student contests. These can be seen on our regular website, http://johnstoncounty.nc.schoolwebpages.com/education/components/whatsnew/default.php?sectiondetailid=62252&
Here are a synopsis of their super powers:
Professor Plot Twist
When the story starts to get a little boring or bogged down, He twists things up and turns things around!
Colonel Cliffhanger
he keeps you wanting to turn the page so you can see what happens next!
Captain Conflict
He makes sure the characters have some interesting problems to solve!
The Resolution Ranger
Brings the story to an end, with all problems solved and no cliffhangers remaining!
Super Setting Girl
She makes sure the Time and Place fit the story and make it GREAT!
Admiral Attention-Getter
He starts the story off strong to make you want to read along!
Of course, not even they can beat the wonderful "Super Librarians" who will reveal their super powers during the book fair! (Hey, it's hard to beat a super hero in a purple sequined cape!)
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Thursday, January 23, 2014
Go Forth and...Animate!
In order to work on research with our 4th graders, we decided to implement a Big 6 Research Project with the final product being something fun and different: animated science videos! Of course, this was only possible once we received a cart of (slightly!) outdated mini laptops to use during our double library classes. (That's right! We have 2 classes at a time in the library, totaling up to 52 students at a time.) The original 20 "Media Minis" just couldn't handle the needs, but the additional 29 laptops have made a world of difference.
We chose to use goanimate.com (the free version) for this project for several reasons. Our first plan was to use studentpublishing.com and have students write and illustrate storybooks teaching their science topics. This website has had free paperback copies available to students in the past. However, the website's new policy charges $14.95 per book now. That is too expensive for our budget and for many of our students. When we looked around for a "Plan B", we decided to challenge our students creativity and thought process by having them make a 2 minute animated video teaching the topic. (That's all that is allowed in the free version.)
Throughout this project, we have learned several things:
1. Even though their usernames and passwords have not changed in over a year, some students find remembering the spelling of their names and 4 numbers very difficult.
2. Although they have step-by-step instructions for the research, specific directions for the order of activities, and very plain directions for how to make the video, students do not like to read or follow those directions! If step one says "turn on the computer", 1 of every 10 students will ask, "What do we do first?"
3. Despite spending 3 different lessons on how to make the works cited page, which is a required part of the project to teach this skill, students still are copying their notes on the page instead of the citations.
4. Some children will truly, and wonderfully, surprise you with how hard they work and how much fun they have in making a video project. The videos, despite some setbacks, are starting to take shape.
We are still helping students wade through the research process, but overall this project is finally beginning to take shape. Hopefully we will be able to watch some great videos in the future.
We chose to use goanimate.com (the free version) for this project for several reasons. Our first plan was to use studentpublishing.com and have students write and illustrate storybooks teaching their science topics. This website has had free paperback copies available to students in the past. However, the website's new policy charges $14.95 per book now. That is too expensive for our budget and for many of our students. When we looked around for a "Plan B", we decided to challenge our students creativity and thought process by having them make a 2 minute animated video teaching the topic. (That's all that is allowed in the free version.)
Throughout this project, we have learned several things:
1. Even though their usernames and passwords have not changed in over a year, some students find remembering the spelling of their names and 4 numbers very difficult.
2. Although they have step-by-step instructions for the research, specific directions for the order of activities, and very plain directions for how to make the video, students do not like to read or follow those directions! If step one says "turn on the computer", 1 of every 10 students will ask, "What do we do first?"
3. Despite spending 3 different lessons on how to make the works cited page, which is a required part of the project to teach this skill, students still are copying their notes on the page instead of the citations.
4. Some children will truly, and wonderfully, surprise you with how hard they work and how much fun they have in making a video project. The videos, despite some setbacks, are starting to take shape.
We are still helping students wade through the research process, but overall this project is finally beginning to take shape. Hopefully we will be able to watch some great videos in the future.
Monday, January 13, 2014
Sometimes librarians have difficult decisions to make as to when a book should be weeded from their collection. HOWEVER, when a book has been thrown up ON by a student, no amount of cleaning would ever make this book redeemable. We suggest holding the book with a wet wipe, scanning the barcode to weed from your collection and throwing the book away, preferably in a trash can outside of the library.
The Hungry Book Shelf...It really does exist!
Does every library have one of these? An innocent looking bookshelf that happens to devour the unsuspecting shelf marker? The first picture shows the collection of fairy books, a very popular section for our first and second grade girls! However, if you let go of your shelf marker at the wrong moment....
CRUNCH!
It's gone. Eaten by the bookshelf. Never to be seen again. And this has happened more than once! If you are interested in chapter books about fairies, please visit their new location...next to the Super Hero books. (Hopefully shelf markers and fairies will remain safe in that locale.)
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