BTP Holiday Show

     Here's the latest episode of my students news program, "Behind the Paws".  This is a fun show where the students have the opportunity to capture holiday greetings from the teachers and staff members of Phillips High School.  This show is shot on iPads.
     I'm so proud of my students and the hard work demonstrated last week to produce this show.  Make sure you check out the segment produced by my two students Myiah and Rosalini.  The students used the iMovie app to create the Nelson Mandela tribute.

Behind the Paws S2 E2 6 from WPAHS Video Page on Vimeo.

Pinterest & School Librarians

Pinterest is my relaxing 'after work' activity.  Simply put, Pinterest is a tool for collecting and organizing things you love.  In my case it can range from libraries/reading to make-up and anything pink...it just depends on what kind of mood I am in.  

I began using Pinterest last year after attending the CPS iPad Academy Technology Conference.   I met some teachers from Wisconsin who were heavy 'pinners' and they encouraged me to try it the popular site.  I've been hooked ever since.  I have this app on my cell phone, iPad and desktop computer.  

The really cool thing is that there is a large school library community on Pinterest.  This has been extremely helpful to me because I'm always looking to expand my Personal Learning Network beyond blogging.  This year, Pinterest has helped me improve my library displays.  Check out two of my boards, Library Displays and Library Bulletin Boards on my Pinterest page.  These pages influence the displays and bulletin boards below.

That's real popcorn glued to a piece of paper

Very simple displays, baskets from the dollar store

People often think I'm only familiar with Street Literature.  Not true!

School information infused with e-cards

My alma mater Southern University and A&M College in Louisiana

Making use of my wig stand from home!

My students love the Chicago Bears

This display is important.  Some of my freshman students did not have the experience of working
with a Librarian while enrolled in elementary school.  These pictures of me with popular
 authors, social media and pro library signage really helps.

I finally made use of the electronic picture frame that was given to me five years ago!!!

This is my little LOVE display next to the front door.

Featured Speaker: CPS iPad Academy

Social Media Trailblazer - Wendell Phillips Academy High School from K.C. Boyd

I will be a featured speaker at the upcoming CPS iPad Academy.  Please enjoy my presentation below.

Also log onto the #CPSiPad hashtag to view live feeds from the day's conference.

Making A Change: Twitter

Follow Me On Twitter: @Boss_Librarian

Personal Learning Networks - Part I

I love Personal Learning Networks.

PLNs give me the opportunity to connect with other like minded learners at the local, state, national and international level.  One type of PLN I really enjoy are librarian blogs.  It's facinating to hear the stories of fellow librarians.  Some of them are funny, some are cautionary, some describe triumph and some reflect on defeat.  

This type of network provides me with the needed connections to school librarians who share the same drive and advocacy that I have.  These connections are endless.  Overall,  PLNs provide individuals with learning and access to leaders and experts around the world.  These connections bring together communities, resources and information impossible to access solely from within school walls.  

I strongly suggest if you have not developed your own personal PLN, start by reading Lisa Nielsen's tips for developing a PLN.   Nielsen blogs at   The Innovative Educator.

Here are some of my favorite librarian blogs:

Mike McQueen

The Daring Librarian

The Unquiet Librarian

Blue Skunk

Crazy Quilts

Senn High School - Chicago

Lindblom Library - Chicago

Miss Mangurtens Recommended Reads - Chicago

Orr High School - Chicago

Eric Solorio Academy - Chicago

Have a great weekend!