College Readiness

I am proud to announce that I am featured in a new column by School Library Journal called, "College Ready" The magazine covered my work with my high school students using Pinterest as a tool to engage deeper understanding. http://www.slj.com/2015/02/opinion/college-ready/promoting-college-readiness-via-pinterest-college-ready/

Black History Month On Pinterest

For over a year I've been working very hard to maintain a Black History Month board on Pinterest.  Normally I provide my teachers with a handy Black History Month Pathfinder, but I thought I would kick it up a notch.  So far, my teachers really enjoy using this resource along with the district's African-American Studies Curriculum.

Personally, this has been a really facinating experience for me as I have learned so much while adding content to the board.  As a result of the Black History board, I created a Black History Firsts board that celebrates the many groundbreaking achievements of African-Americans.

You can follow the board two ways:
Pinterest.com/boydk or
Pinterest.com/auslwpahs

Enjoy!

NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK @CHICAGO STATE UNIVERSITY

Recently I gave a presentation at Chicago State University which was hosted by the College of Education.  This event was a celebration of National Library Week 2014.  It was really great to hear presentations about the new Archives and Record Management concentration  offered by the Department of Information Studies.  Below is the a copy of my presentation and a description:

Archiving Academic Culture & Building Community Presence on Pinterest

The Wendell Phillips Academy High School Pinterest page has been active since the fall of 2013. The page/account was established as a result of the numerous pictures, videos that have been created over the last four years by staff and students. This curation tool has been very helpful in several ways.
First, it provides students, teachers, community and interested stakeholders with a portal for information about events taking place at Phillips. Academically, the boards have served as a teaching tool during Black History Month, Women's History Month and Poetry Month. Students and teachers are able to access organized links to articles, pictures and videos are a variety of subjects. Through our history board, visitors of Wendell Phillips Academy High School are able to learn more about our illustrious history within the Bronzeville community and contributions to the city of Chicago. Lastly, the boards support all things positive at Phillips high school!
Follow us today at: http://www.pinterest.com/auslwpahs/.

Archiving Academic Culture & Building Community Presence on Pinterest from Chicago Public Schools

Mouse Squad Digital Meet-Up Presentation

Yesterday's presentation for the Mouse Squad Digital Meet-Up was a great experience!  Here's the YouTube recording...Enjoy!

Mouse Squad Digital Meet-Up

I will a presenter for tonight's Mouse Squad Digital Meet-Up.  Topics discussed will be the integration of social media projects for the Behind the Paws students news program, Phillips social media presence and digital projects.

If you would like to learn more about Mouse Squad and/or listen in on today's Google Hangout, register here:  http://mousesquad.org/DigitalMeetUp_4-8-14

FAQ's About the Mouse Squad Digital Meet-Ups

WHEN:     
The live meet-up will be held at 5pm EST on Tuesday, April 8th.

HOW DO I JOIN?: 
This meet-up will be held over Google On-Air. Fill out the short registration form below, and you'll get an email shortly before the meet-up begins with a link to join via your Google+ account.

WHAT IF I DON'T HAVE A GOOGLE PLUS ACCOUNT? 
You can create one here, or you can come back to this post and the YouTube livestream will be embedded above (you just won't be able to join the conversation). Please fill out the registration form below to get a reminder email before we begin.


WHAT ELSE? 
If you can't join us during the meet-up you'll be able to watch a recording later on YouTube. This post will be updated with the link to the recording after it's over.

Register for the Mouse Squad Digital Meet-Up
http://mousesquad.org/DigitalMeetUp_4-8-14

Pinterest and Black History Month

While watching Dr. Henry Louis Gates encore presentation of 'Many Rivers to Cross', I decided to create a new board on my Pinterest account.    The Black History Month Pinterest board highlights the achievements of African-Americans in American history and abroad.  You will find pictures, articles, school lessons and videos on this page that celebrates African-Americans.  There's also a little humor along with little known facts about people and events.

Pinterest is a social website where users can create, share and categorize images found online.   Users 'pin' items that are of 'interest' to them; this is why its named:  Pinterest.   Watch this cool tutorial video about the popular social media application here:  Pinterest Tutorial.    If you are still on the fence about Pinterest, access their Frequently Asked Questions page learn more about this site.  To fully enjoy the website, you must register and join which takes less than three minutes.

Like many, when I first joined Pinterest I merely viewed popular pins.  Eventually I because more comfortable with the site and began to create my own boards and re-pin items that were of interest to me.  Some of my boards are more developed than others, mainly because I'm enjoying other people's pins.  The one thing I enjoy about Pinterest the most is it serves as kind of a online locker for my interests and I can access them at any time.  Here's a screenshot of my board below.  There are over 200 pins about the subject of Black History.  Enjoy!

www.pinterest.com/boydkc/black-history 

@PhillipsLMC Instagram Page

I'm gaining more followers on my LMC Instagram page.  Follow Me @PhillipsLMC

Proud Moment - Part II

     I live in Chicago, I mean #ChiBeria.  This year's snowfall was painfully brutal along with the sub-zero temperatures and windchill.  I especially wasn't happy when my beloved 4x4 truck decided it did not want to start for four days.  In my 'Tamar voice', "Hash-Tag....Frustrating.com"

 

     Now that I have vented and put my woes to the side, I have some great news to share!  I was recently quoted in an article about Chicago Public Schools Embracing Social Media.  Below you will find the link to the article.  I'm really proud of the social media work I have done personally and for Wendell Phillips Academy High School.  Social Media is fun and it's here to stay.  As educators we need to embrace it and use it to it's fullest capacity to meet the specific needs of our students.

Enjoy the article! - CPS SCHOOLS EMBRACE SOCIAL MEDIA

CPS Schools Embrace Social Media

Follow Me On IG

Just a quick blog post. 

The Phillips Library Media Center now has a offical Instagram page.  Follow @phillipslmc to view posts from this busy library in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood.

Schoology @Phillips HS

Yes, my school is a Schoology school!

     Schoology is an online learning, classroom management, and social networking platform that improves learning through better communication, collaboration, and increased access to curriculum and supplemental content.   Teachers in my building use this website heavily and the students love it.  Many students have downloaded the app on their Android/iPhone devices and enjoy completing their classwork and homework assignments with greater ease.

     Below is a video highlighting how my co-worker, Ms Decker effectively integrates Schoology into her daily lessons.   Library Media Specialists:  This is another way you can support the curriculum at your school. Videotape your peers teaching lessons that successfully integrate technology and share it with other teachers.  Maybe just maybe, videos like this will inspire teachers to try integrating more technology in their classroom.

     Sorry for the shaky camera work.  I had the flu when I shot this video.

If you would like to learn more about Schoology, play the video below.

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.

Visit from Saddleback Publishing

     Today my teachers and I were treated to a very special guest.  Tim McHugh of Saddleback Publications attended the Phillips High School 'Back to School PD."  He fit right in with my co-workers and participated in the ice-breaker activity!  The theme for today's PD was Media, Literacy and Tech. Savvy Day and his contribution was ON POINT.  He gave a really insightful presentation on struggling readers and shared Saddleback's long history/commitment for providing quality reading material for K-12 education.  Content shared really encouraged the teachers to work harder to connect students to reading material that they can relate to.

Here's a couple of pictures from the day.

Tim McHugh, Saddleback Publications

Cool Presentation!

Phillips teaching staff

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

Phillips Wins!

     Wendell Phillips Academy High School has been awarded the 2013 Chicago Public Schools 'Spotlight on Technology Award'!  The award was given during the CPS Leadership Technology Summit is the ”Spotlight on Technology” Award.  This year’s award honored four exemplary school-based educational technology programs in Chicago Public School. The schools were recognized for visionary leadership to support program development, use of educational technology to promote standard-based learning, innovative uses of technology for instruction and assessment, documented student engagement and motivation, adaptability to meet the needs of all students, high levels of replicability and sustainability, and connections beyond the classroom. 

     Phillips High School was recognized for their ”Behind the Paws” student news program. This program targets the students, faculty/staff, and Phillips support community. Students, otherwise known as crew members, create newsworthy stories that document activities that take place at the school. Crew members serve as anchors, reporters, script writers, sound technicians, set designers, and video editors of this popular weekly program. These students also use a host of technologies, such as iPads, MacBook Pro, and an iPad Spark Digital Microphone, along with the LMC Promethean Board to produce this show. Crew members meet weekly to critique shows/projects and create new meaningful ones. 

Behind the Paws - S1 E14 from WPAHS Video Page on Vimeo.

     The ”Behind the Paws” crew members also provide technology assistance for classroom teachers. Crew members assist in highlighting special projects such as classroom lessons/units, assisting with service learning projects, and creating weekly public service announcements on a number of topics. The crew members are also responsible for maintaining a Twitter account, @PhillipsHSBTP.   Phillips is very proud to receive this award!

500th Tweet!

I'm so proud of the Behind the Paws crew. They have successfully completed their 500th tweet!

 

New Episode

I've been busy, busy, BUSY!

Much has been taking place and I haven't been able to upload a single post.
I have a new Twitter handle - @Boss_Librarian. You can view the feed on the right panel of this page. Here's the latest episode of 'Behind the Paws'. The students continue to get better and better. I'm so proud of them. Many thanks to my co-worker, Mr. Rose. The 'Boy Genius' created a smooth jazz intro for the show that sounds really good. Thank you Mr. Rose! Enjoy!

"Behind the Paws" S1 E5 from WPAHS Video Page on Vimeo.

Digital Learning Day @Phillips HS

Phillips High School participated in the 2nd annual 'Digital Learning Day' activities.  Digital Learning Day is a national campaign that celebrates students/teachers and shines a spotlight on successful practice and effective use of technology in classrooms across the country.   Students from the 'Behind the Paws' students news crew used Twitter to discuss and Tweet current events articles using the ABC and CNN iPad apps.  You can see some of the news articles that were discussed and Tweeted below:

Our very own crew member Tangela was responsible for Tweeting the attached pictures to the Digital Learning Day, #DLDT hashtag.  Both pictures were featured on the site as 'top photos'.

Digital Learning Day - Part II

     Digital Learning Day is almost upon us.  The "Behind the Paws" student news crew finally completed shooting all of the video needed to participate in this nationwide celebration.  Below is a video highlighting how Phillips High School utilizes digital learning everyday.  Special thanks to all of the teachers and students who allowed crew members to videotape them.   The skit at the end of the video is priceless, my co-workers have a REALLY good sense of humor.

Chicago Public Schools Social Media Toolkit

Reprinted from Chicago Public Schools Spotlight Webpage 

Social media – it's a mainstream tool in today's high-tech world. Facebook and Twitter are the preferred methods of communication for many within the Chicago Public Schools community, especially the district's tech-savvy students and parents.  In schools across the city and at the CPS Central Office, social media has been added to the list of tools that are used to connect with families and improve education.  As a result of this interest, CPS has created a new 'Social Media Toolkit' and instructional video series. This toolkit provides guidance for administrators, teachers, staff and the community when creating a social media presence for their school. There is also a handy worksheet/exercise and links to additional resources designed to help schools implement a social media presence at their school.

At Phillips Academy High School, students are learning how to use social media in a professional capacity. The students that are members of the "Behind the Paws" news crew use Twitter to make school announcements, share current events and promote their weekly television broadcast.  All social media activity is monitored by my co-worker Mr. Brown and I.

Phillips High School is also honored to be named a 'Social Media Trailblazer' in a new instructional video series produced by Chicago Public Schools!  The first video below focuses on social media etiquette and while the second video provides some instruction on how to effectively manage a school Twitter page.   

Enjoy!