Have a GREAT Summer!

During the summer break I will not be posting as often, but please check in now and then and come back in August! Have a fantastic summer and be sure you READ!!

Advertising The Library

I have been trying to think of ways to get even more projects going on in the media center next year during our flexible scheduled time, and I think some of that is advertising. Teachers have so much already on their plate that they don't always remember that I might be able to help them plan a cool unit or teach some of the content while integrating my own. Most of all, I think sometimes teachers just don't know exactly what I do. I came across this great infographic from Joyce Valenza while I was reading another blog and I think it explains a lot of what we teach in an easy to read way.

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I found some other ideas on the same post on Mrs. Lodge's Library I found this infographic link on and particularly like the idea of using exit tickets from kids about why the library is important or why reading is important. I may try that next year!

Looking back at 2011-2012

We are starting to come to the end of our third year here at Caleb's Creek. Time has really gone by quickly! As we are passing out yearbooks and finishing off testing, I thought it might be fun to look back at some statistics from the year!

In the past year, we have:

Taught approximately 715 classes (fixed and flexible schedule)

Assisted approximately 770 classes that came just for check-out

Attended 1 state library conference

Held 2 book fairs

Created 30 Livebinders

Checked out 33,753 books

Placed 863 holds on books for students (and delivered that many LibraryGrams!)

And Much Much More.

Speaking of checkouts, let's look at the top titles for check-out this year. Here are the Top Ten Everybody, Fiction, Non Fiction, and Overall titles for the past year. I thought it was interesting that the graphic novel series Bone and Wimpy Kid almost completely took the Top 10 Overall. (Bone is a graphic novel so it has GL for Graphic Literature in the call number which is why it didn't show up in the Fiction Top Ten even though it is inter-shelved with it.)

Top 10 Everybody Titles

Top 10 Fiction Titles

Top 10 Non Fiction Titles

Top 10 Overall titles

Free Books for Reading!

Did you know Barnes and Noble has a summer reading program? Just read 8 books and complete the reading journal including title, author, and who you would recommend the book to and then take it to your local store. Then, you can choose a free book from those listed on the log. (I don't know all of them, but I saw a lot of great titles to choose from as the free choices!) The site even has suggested books to get you started. Check it out!

Also, don't forget to check and see if your local public library has a summer reading program - ours in Forsyth County does! You can count the 8 books for Barnes and Noble on your library log too.

Even if you don't participate in a summer reading program, keep reading during all those dog days of summer!

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Postcard Maker

I found this postcard maker today and thought about using it to write a postcard from one character to another, to show non-fiction information, or to write as a fictional or actual person in a historical period. Here is a sample I made. 

 

The postcard maker includes space for the usual mailing address, greeting, body of the message, and closing, but I liked that it also included space to add at the top a title and description along with a citation for a picture on the front of the postcard. This is a great mini-lesson opportunity to have kids cite an image, to talk about describing an image, choosing a picture that fits the assignment, or just adding some authenticity. Give it a whirl - it is very easy and quick!

Summer Reading

A parent came in today to talk to me about suggestions for books that her fourth grade daughter might like since she got very interested in The Ghost of Crutchfield Hall recently, but hasn't been interested in many others. I suggested books by Betty Ren Wright, the new Titanic series by Gordan Korman (since she was also interested in Titanic and I thought it combined the two), and The Westing Game. Any other title or authors anyone wants to suggest?

I am always happy to help suggest books. I love reading and it is my favorite part of my job to help kids find books that get them excited about reading. Ask anytime!

Speaking of reading, don't forget that our public library (and other public libraries in most places) has a summer reading program you can participate in. Kids, teens, and even adults can participate free of charge. You could win a $25 or $100 Barnes and Noble gift card! Check out your public libraries for information.

Most importantly - KEEP READING! Books can help you have some great summer adventures!

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Glass Giant Customized Pictures

I was working on a SMART notebook about Big 6 today and rediscovered a site I found a while back. Glass Giant has several fun ways to take a few words and make some custom pictures with them. There are rockets, cookies, dog tags, tickets, chalkboards, animated lightening, and more. It is a fun way to add some punch to a presentation. Here are some of the examples I came up with playing around with my Big 6 presentation. 

How else could you use Glass Giant pictures?