beccablog, teacher-librarian

With the new school year, we are again revisiting our norms, vision, and goals from last year to update for this school year.

Smart Goals for 2008-2009

1. By the end of 2008-2009 school year, the library media specialists will integrate 21st Century Skills into 50% of the lessons collaborated.

Initiatives: Training for teachers
New knowledge of 2.0 tools
Integration strategies

2. By the end of 2008-2009 school year, the library media specialists will develop and implement assessment for learning strategies for the library curriculum and reading assessment indicators for 50% of the school population in communication arts, social studies, and science courses.

Initiatives:
Create database of 9th & 10th grade students with indicators
Use the database as AFL tool

3. By the end of 2008-2009 school year, 80% of students will indicate that they have a greater appreciation of literature.

Initiatives:
Semester Surveys
Funds provided for literature
Web page promotion of books
Involve Johnson County Public Library
Podcast/Vodcast – BV West Reads
Novelist resource

4. By the end of 2008-2009 school year, 50% of students utilizing the library will have completed a rigorous research project and utilize specific reading strategies.

Rigorous – research not reports

Initiatives:
Utilize and further enhance Essential Question Guide
Collaborate with classroom teachers
Utilize various databases (ProQuest, Gale, Ebsco, etc.)
Integrate technology effectively to further enhance engaging projects

5. By the end of 2010-2011 school year, all parents/community members will have greater awareness of library resources provided to the BV West community.

Initiatives:Parent Night
Newsletters

Ideas for how to make these better are always appreciated. Thanks!

I wasn’t able to go to NECC - but I saw this link on a blog about the presentation of the many librarians.   I plan to take a look at this when time permits. 

http://necclibrarians08.wikispaces.com/

I was able to be a part of teaching our teachers how to use and incorporate 2.0 tools into their curriculum.  Each participant began feeling overwhelmed, but as they were able to use the tools, you could see their excitement building each day.  It was a fun experience.  To see the blog and list of participant blogs, go to http://bluevalley.edublogs.org.  The Blogroll has a list of resources including a delicious link to all 2.0 tools discussed.  

Last week, my plan was to post our annual report and provide a link to our updated BV West Reads page.  However, my parents’ house was hit by a tornado in Manhattan, KS and we just got back from the clean-up.  I posted some photos on Google Picasa and thought I would embed here. 

Im Voting
http://www.imvoting.org
At the end of this school year, a group of students began promoting the upcoming election by creating a website and video.  The Election 08 class next semester will continue the project. 

My colleague, Amanda Davis, and I presented at the Kansas Library Conference this year.  Our presentation, Power of Publishing, addressed how publishing students work through Web 2.0 tools can motivate students and truly impact their learning.   Information from the presentation was posted to a wiki http://power2publish.wikispaces.com/ .  If anyone uses these tools, please let us know - we would love to hear any feedback.

Thoughts on KLA:   

1.  There were so many wonderful presentations this year & a lot of us are incorporating 2.0 tools.  For me, the presentations that showed examples of students using these tools captured my imagination.  Just like students, a good model of how something can be done is inspiring and motivational. 

2.  I always feel like this at most conferences, but it would be great if everyone could bring a laptop or conference provided  laptops or labs.  The presenters could have everyone log on to the site(s), try them out, have online discussion, etc. 

3.  I enjoy going every year.  What a great opportunity to learn from each other!

At the KLA conference last week, Don McMillan was our closing keynote speaker.   He was funny and engaging as he discussed technology and libraries.  However, during his presentation he describes what “not to-do” when using powerpoint.  See the video below, Death by PowerPoint.  Compare his funny version of what “not to-do” to the handout I use with students -  powerpoint.  Which do you think is more engaging with students?  Yes, the funny one.  It got me thinking of how I could do a better job of using humor during instruction.

Download Video: Posted by zztoppers05 at TeacherTube.com.

I saw this  on Joyce Valenza’s blog & had to contribute - I love to see what others are passionate about in our profession.  I have to say - I couldn’t just use one picture - so I combined a few.  AND of course, it took me forever to think of the “one thing” I am most passionate about student learning.  So, here goes my quilt….

Here are the directions…
*Post a picture from a source like FlickrCC or Flickr Creative Commons or make/take your own that captures what YOU are most passionate about for kids to learn about…and give your picture a short title.
*Title your blog post “Meme: Passion Quilt” and link back to this blog entry.
*Include links to 5 folks in your professional learning network or whom you follow on Twitter/Pownce.  

Great video - click here.

KSU 84, KU 75

Great article  in the Kansas City Star today - Wednesday, January 30, 2008. 

From the article:  “The better we do our jobs, the more invisible we become,” said Seidl after a screening of her documentary “The Hollywood Librarian” last month.

I haven’t seen the documentary yet, but it brings to light many of the things we do and the common perception the public has of our jobs.  He even mentions his high school librarian by name - saying she was very welcoming.  I hope our students feel the same. 

If he could only add how we are teaching/educators/promoters of life long learning.  Happy reading!

http://www.kansascity.com/278/story/466704.html