Final Reflection

Final Reflection-Digital Technology for School Librarians

This semester I took 3 classes, and this was the class that I was worried about the most.  The new technology and the quick turnaround made me nervous.  However, it turned out that I loved the class, and I was always sharing my new learning with my colleagues at school.  

For this class and another class, I started Facebook and Twitter accounts.  I will continue to use Facebook to follow what Dr. Lesesne and Dr. Perry are reading each month.  I don't think Facebook really helps a library.  Twitter is wonderful for educational purposes.  In Dr. Lesesne's class, I had my first live Twitter chat.  It was a great experience.  I also like following authors and librarians to get new ideas.  For information ethics, I learned that if there might not be so many problems on an elementary campus, but if I move to a high school campus I might see problems with students trying to "hack" and cause harm to computers.  During our educational technology assignment, I learned more about makerspaces.  I hope that the library that I get a job at will have a makerspace!  Students have access to film-making, arts and crafts, coding, robots, and Legos. I enjoyed doing Flipagram.  I made two quick videos.  I did one to follow our class meeting on how to walk correctly in the hallway and another as a motivational tool for the STAAR test.  Next, I would like to use it to do selfies about what books students are reading.  It is so easy to do, and I love that you can add music.  I felt like a "rockstar" when I made a screencast.  I had never seen these until last semester.  I couldn't believe, that I could actually make one without any tears being shed!  I think that when I am a librarian, I will use these to teach my staff new technology.  It is a time-saver and then teachers can review them as necessary.  I was very excited learning about QR codes.  I think that my library should use them on their Horned Toad Tale books.  They would have book trailers on each code.  I can't wait to try this when I'm a librarian.  I think kids and teachers will be clicking on everything and it will really create excitement about reading. Once again, I felt like a "rockstar" when I made a book trailer using Animoto.  I had seen so many of these book trailers on YouTube, and I couldn't believe how easy they are to make.  I think that students would be excited to make a trailer and share with their class and/or other classes.  This is what makes kids want to read books! I also like making comics.  Comics is not my style, but I was happily surprised with all of the different types of lesson ideas that the sites already had programmed.  I used MakeBeliefComix with my fifth graders.  They wrote about themselves and wrote narratives.  Next, we are going to use the comics during our Multi-sensory grammar lessons.  I didn't like making the podcasts personally, but it is an activity that students will enjoy.  I think podcasts are great educational tools for all subject areas.

The lesson that I felt most uncomfortable about and I feel that I did not do very well was infographics.  When I saw everybody's product and read their comments, I felt that I must have been the only one who struggled with this.  It made me feel inadequate.  

In the article that we were given "Food for Thought," I would have to remember that I serve a community with over 60% of students who are economically disadvantaged.  I have a library budget of $2200.  My students love to come to the library, and I have to do everything I can to encourage them to read and make reading progress.  My students might not have home computers like other students in wealthier parts of our school district, but they have phones.  I can teach them how to use a phone to help them use technology.  I need to work collaboratively with the teachers, so they know the new technology.  Our whole school is being remodeled this summer.  We are getting new paint, carpet, shelving, and furniture.  This fall will be a perfect time to welcome the families into the library.  They need to know the importance of reading every day at home.  If they have time during the week, they can volunteer.  We can have translators to make sure everyone feels welcome and validated.

Media (is) The Message?

Media (is) the Message?

Technology can be a great tool for learning.  

I have always been a classroom teacher at a Title 1 school and we have never had BYOD, Bring Your Own Device.  My youngest son is in 7th grade and his math teacher will send out a Remind 101 when they can bring their phone or iPad to class for a special project.  My middle son, is a freshman at a private school for students with emotional problems.  Most of his classes are on-line.  This can be positive because he has trouble with handwritten work and he can work at his own pace.  The negative is that he can feel that he is not as connected to his peers and some teachers.  

I found a great article about BYOD titled, "9 Strategies for Managing BYOD in Classroom." Just as I was taking some notes, I realized that they mentioned my school district Cypress Fairbanks ISD, saying that high school students can bring three devices to school.  Here are the 9 strategies:

1.  Provide teacher training.  Popular teacher items are Google classroom and PollEverywhere (whole class responses).

2.  Provide buying guide for parents.

3.  Provide school devices for students who don't have one.

4.  Have a code of conduct.

5.  Require use of school network.

6.  Allow text and social media between classes.

7.  Use classroom management software

8.  Provide expert technical support.

9.  Remember that devices are tools.

Librarians can help support using technology by providing resources to teachers.  Teachers are very busy and appreciate librarians who can suggest apps, websites, or e-books that match their curriculum needs.  

Budget constraints are always a factor with technology.  It is very expensive, and it quickly becomes outdated. Sometimes, the quality of the technology is not high enough and teachers and students become frustrated.  Also, there needs to be expert, technical support so teachers feel that the technology is reliable.  

In Meyer's Mobile Computing article, she makes this important statement, "Regardless of what happens with BYOD in the classroom, it’s important to keep the focus on education rather than technology. "

Meyer, L. (2016). 9 Strategies for Managing BYOD in the Classroom. T H E Journal, 43(6), 24.

Blog 22-27

Saint Anything

Dessen, S. (2015). Saint anything. NY: Speak. Sydney's world has turned upside down when her older brother, the golden child, has been put in prison for drunk driving and is responsible for putting a boy in a wheel chair.  Sydney feels that her family does not see her and she switches to a new school to help save the family money.  At a pizza restaurant, she meets and becomes best friends with Layla. Layla's family welcomes her into their home and she is attracted to Layla's brother Mac who is supposed to be off limits to Layla's friends.  Sydney has to deal with her feelings of guilt over her brother's accident, avoiding the family friend who gives her the creeps, and her growing feeling for Mac.  Readers will like this story of family, friendship, and love. I like the way the author incorporates humor by having Sydney be the pizza whisperer.  She can guess who orders the pizza that she and Mac deliver together. I kept wanting to scream at Sydney's parents to wake up and help Sydney.  This book from the Best Fiction for Young Adult list teaches many lessons for the young adult.  

7 Reasons to Read Saint Anything: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/teen/7-reasons-sarah-dessens-saint-anything-is-a-must-read/

Other books on this topic: 

https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/books/saint-anything-by-sarah-dessen/

Everything Everything

Yoon, N. (2015). Everything everything. NY: Delacorte Press. Madeline is trapped in her house because she is allergic to the outside.  Everything changes when Olly moves in next door.  She convinces her nurse to let Olly come over and that leads to Madeline realizing that she is not going to settle for this kind of life anymore.   Madeline and Olly run away to Hawaii.  When readers will think they have the end figured out, there is a huge twist to the story.  Madeline was never sick!  I was so caught up in this love story.  Then I was more that furious with Madeline's mother when I realized that Madeline's illness was all a lie!  Readers will not want to put this book down!  Madeline is a strong character that we root for throughout the book.  Readers may connect with having an illness or Olly's dysfunctional family.  This is a book that will make you feel sadness, happiness, and anger.  This book is on the Best Fiction for Young Adults list and it's a must read!

Book Trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnfLcocbz3s

Other books to read:

None of the Above by I.W. Gregorio  – This moving novel is about the experiences of an intersex teen.

Extraordinary Means by Robyn Schneider – This book is about the bittersweet romance between two teens dealing with a deadly illness.

Kristan thinks Everything, Everything will appeal to Rainbow Rowell fans and also recommends:

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli – This witty glbt romance features stylized emails and other flirty banter similar to Everything, Everything.

I think you’ll also like:

Say What You Will by Cammie McGovern – This emotional read features different types of disability experiences and some romance.

The Last Leaves Falling by Sarah Benwell  – This is my current read, and while I haven’t finished it yet I think it fits here. It’s about a Japanese teen with a fatal disease. He’s isolated somewhat like Maddy and strikes up online friendships.

Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel by Sara Farizan – This humorous lgbt romance also features strong supportive friendships.

Skink 

Hiaasen, C. (2014). Skink. New York: Ember.  Richard befriends an ex-governor, who everybody believes is dead, named Skink.  Skink was defending sea turtles when they met.  Richard quickly needed his help when he learns that his cousin Malley is in danger.  Richard and Skink go to find his cousin who is with an older, dangerous man who she met on-line.  Readers will like the references to Florida turtles and birds, similar to Hiaasen's other books like Hoot. There is a lot of action combined with humor as they fight with alligators to stay alive.  I liked that an old man like Skink could take on young con-artist/kidnapper and all the problems found in a swamp.  Maybe some kids won't be tempted to find a boyfriend on-line. Readers will like going on this adventure with Richard and will be cheering for the good guys all the way!  This book is on the Quick Picks list.

Video with author telling about book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0_8lyBeX2Q

Related reading topics:

https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/books/skink-no-surrender-by-carl-hiaasen/

Eleanor & Park

Rowell, R. (2013). Eleanor and park. NY:  St. Martin's Griffin. In this Printz Honor book, Eleanor comes from an abusive home and the kids at school make fun of her red hair and secondhand clothes.  Park is from a nice, middle class family and befriends Eleanor on the bus by sharing his comics and music.  They end up falling in love.  Readers will be rooting for their friendship and love story.  It is wonderful to see Eleanor getting to have some normalcy in her life when she visits Park's family.  When things go bad with Eleanor's stepdad, the reader will be crying along with Eleanor and Park.  As soon as I finished reading this book, I wanted to read it again.

Reading Group Questions:

http://us.macmillan.com/static/eleanorandpark/pdfs/Eleanor%20%26%20Park%20Reading%20Group%20Questions.pdf

Book Trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IicYOZyKqxw

Looking For Alaska

Green, J. (2005).  Looking for alaska.  NY:  Penguin.  Away at boarding school, Miles meets a girl named Alaska.  She is the leader of some crazy school pranks.  Alaska gets drunk and dies in a car crash.  Miles and his friends try to find out if it was a suicide or an accident.    Readers will like living vicariously through Miles and his friends as they are living in a boarding school, doing crazy pranks, sneaking cigarettes and booze, and still trying to pass their classes. The book goes from funny, when they get a stripper to pose as their annual speaker, to sad when you learn how Alaska's mother died.  In this Printz Honor book, John Green, the author of The Fault In Our Stars, captures the relationships in young adulthood. Miles and his friends have a great friendship because it is them against the "rich" kids. Miles and his roommate are a "nerdy" cool because Miles knows famous last words and Colonel knows capitals and populations. 

FAQ

http://www.johngreenbooks.com/looking-for-alaska/

Discussion Questions:

http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/292717/looking-for-alaska-by-john-green/9780142402511/readers-guide/

The Book Thief

 Zusak, M. (2005).  The Book Thief. NY:  Alfred A. Knopf. Liesel goes to live with Rosa and Hans Hubermann on Himmel Street when Hitler was in power.  She watched her brother die, did not know the future of her mother, and stole her first book.   Liesel's family risk their lives and hide Max, a Jewish man in their basement.  Readers will laugh, cry, and be tormented by the images in this Printz Award winning book. Liesel's character changes so much throughout this story.  At the very beginning, she refuses to get out of the car to meet her new family. However, she quickly falls in love with her new Papa as he saves her from her nightmares and teaches her to read and write.  At first, she is embarrassed in front of her classmates because she is not a fluent reader. She diligently reads to Max when he is ill.  Then, she comforts her neighbor and earns coffee for her family by reading aloud.  During bombings, she keeps everyone calm by reading to them in a basement.  There are many acts of Liesel's bravery.  For example, she gives bread to the Jews walking through town.  She purposely gets herself injured in a soccer game when they are inspecting basements. She is brave when she steals the books.  The description of the book smoking under her jacket is priceless.  What I connect to most is the friendships she made.  She didn't let her past define her future.  She made close friendships with Max and Rudy.  The friendship that she makes the mayor's wife thankfully provides her with a future.  The narration of death makes you wonder about what is fair in death. How can some people survive and others die? The setting is on Himmel Street which means Heaven.  This has an irony that readers must think of throughout the story.  There are loving families on this street, but they are starving, and in fear of bombings. After my first read of this book, I visited the Holocaust Museum in Houston with my son's sixth grade World Cultures class.  I was not able to sleep for days.  Then, I read several books related to the holocaust.  It made me think of my Uncle Nick who wanted to stop me from reading Anne Frank when I was little.  He was Jewish and didn't want me to be sad around Christmas time.  He had a love for me like Papa did for Liesel.   This is one of my favorite books, and I recommend it all the time!

Lesson Plans:

http://thebookthiefyalit.blogspot.com/p/lesson-plan-ideas.html

Discussion Questions:

http://www.readinggroupguides.com/reviews/the-book-thief/guide

Trailer and Interview:

http://www.randomhouse.com/features/markuszusak/

I Am The Messenger

Zusak, M. (2002).  I am the messenger. NY:  Random House.

Ed Kennedy is a 19 year old taxi driver who becomes a hero when he stops a bank robber.  Then, he gets a playing card with addresses.  Each one leads him to a person that needs his help.  Ed's character changes from a teenager with no ambition to a special person who has changed the lives of many with his messages.  He shows such kindness to an old lady who needs somebody to love.  He demonstrates humor when he tries to get more people to attend church service by advertising "Free Beer!"  He exemplifies bravery when he saves a wife from her abusive husband.  Readers may connect with his dysfunctional relationship with his mother.  The theme is stated at the end of the story when we find out who gave Ed the cards, "If a guy like you can stand up and do what you did, then maybe everyone can.  Maybe everyone can live beyond what they're capable of all."   This is a Printz Honor book and written by the author of Book Thief, one of my favorite books of all time.

http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/196151/i-am-the-messenger-by-markus-zusak/9780375836671/teachers-guide/

Red Queen

Aveyard, V. (2015). The red queen. NY: HarperTeen. Mare lives in the Stilts and is saved from going to war by Cal, the prince.  She discovers that she has lightning powers and assumes the role of the lost silver princess and is betrothed to Prince Maven. She joins the Scarlet Guard.  In the end, she is betrayed by Maven and she and Cal have to fight for their lives in the arena. 

You will find Red Queen on the New York Time's Bestseller's List. This book is beautifully written, so many will enjoy it's aesthetic quality.   Descriptions of the Silvers include, "a pair of nymphs sits by the fountain, lazily entertaining the children with floating orbs of water."  This book reminds me of two of my favorite books The Hunger Games and Divergent. It resembles The Hunger Games by the training scenes and each person with their own unique abilities. Also, the relationship between Mare and Kilorn reminds me of Katniss and Gale.  Both sets of characters are protective of each other and remind one another of home. The way The Red Queen is similar to Divergent is that Mare has a special quality of being stronger than red and silver combined just as Tris has  the characteristic of being divergent. Also, as I finished reading all the books, I couldn't wait to read the sequel!  Readers will want to find out what happens next to Mare!

Q & A with Author:

http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-authors/article/65625-q-a-with-victoria-aveyard.html

Book Trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UbsNfwkZwk