Showing posts with label Things That Make Me Smile. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Things That Make Me Smile. Show all posts

September 23, 2013

My Avid Reader

     This is Davion a high energy and a voracious reader.  I will never forget the first time I met him.  It was August and he was a freshman student excited about attending high school.  He came into the library media center with a laundry list of Street Lit. titles...some I had not even heard of.  It is Davion that I credit for changing my policy on students checking out adult Street Lit. books.  

    Until I met Davion, I only circulated the books to my juniors and seniors.  I wanted to guide my freshman and sophomore students into reading young adult books that they had not been exposed to in grammar school.  Davion like other students that year really challenged me.  They had read Street Lit. young adult books while enrolled in grammar school and they wanted to read the adult versions.  I couldn't tell them no, so my principal and I devised a plan for the circulation of the books with the parent's permission.

    I've experienced much criticism for circulating the adult titles to teens.  The interesting thing is the parents support the circulation and they read the books too.  Since implementing this, I've had less than a handful of parents that have rejected it.  At the end of the day, literacy is spread in the home and the student enjoys reading a good book.

     In part 2 of 'Conversations at the Circulation Desk' sophomore student Davion describes why he enjoys using eReaders, participating in the Phillips book club and shares some of his favorite books.  If you would like to view part one of the series, just click the link provided below.
Conversations from the Circulation Desk, part 1 - http://theaudaciouslibrarian.blogspot.com/2013/09/conversations-at-circulation-desk.html 

September 12, 2013

Bluford Series Go Readers!


     I just loooooovvvvve Paul Langan, author of the popular Bluford Series for pre-teens and teens. He has cleverly created a audiobook player called Go Reader.  Each volume contains five novels in the popular Bluford series and is a must buy for your library media center program.  This is great because my reluctant/struggling readers can enjoy the twenty books in this wonderful series with their classmates.  So far, the students absolutely love the Go Readers!   #BossLibrarianChronicles#libraries #librarians


August 22, 2013

Are You A Champion?

Whenever I get frustrated, I watch this Ted Talk video. The late Rita Pierson BREAKS IT DOWN! If you need to be rejuvenated, watch this video and read this wonderful tribute to this respected educator.

Rita F. Pierson, "Every Kids Needs A Champion"

May 4, 2013

The Harlem Shake...In the Library

Testing is over and my students enrolled in the 'Behind the Paws' class are tired. They have worked hard, overcome challenges and definitely deserved a break. My co-worker, Mr. Brown and I decided to allow the students to create, shoot and produce a 'Harlem Shake' video. The students made not one but two videos. Take a look at their creations below and get ready to laugh.

Behind the Paws Harlem Shake (students and staff) from WPAHS Video Page on Vimeo.

Behind the Paws Harlem Shake (students) from WPAHS Video Page on Vimeo.

April 18, 2013

A Special Project

     This week the 'Behind the Paws' student news crew shot a very interesting project in the Library Media Center.  'The Belle's of Bronzeville Prom Boutique Extraordinaire' is a dress donation program for Phillips female students who are in need of prom attire.  Eligible participants will have the opportunity to select gently used prom attire for FREE!

     Created by Phillips Language Arts teacher, Mrs. Henderson and SGA Community School Coordinator, Candice Peoples, this program will assist financially challenged students find the perfect dress for this special event.

     Some members of the BTP crew served as models while others shot video and created a 'mini' runway for the fashion show in the library!  It was really cute, all of the students and audience members had fun during the show.  My library media center has been used for many events but never something so creative and 'fashion forward' as this event.

     The boutique will open on May 18, 2013, so mark your calendars.  If you are interested in donating gently used/dry cleaned prom attire, please watch the following video for contact information for this program.

The Belles of Bronzeville Prom Boutique Extraordinaire from WPAHS Video Page on Vimeo.


March 2, 2013

A Special Interview: WGN TV's Gaynor Hall

     The 'Behind the Paws' crew recently interviewed WGN-TV assignment reporter Gaynor Hall.   During her visit to Phillips high school, the students were able to interview this Chicago Public Schools graduate on a number of topics.  

     Hall was gracious and discussed her positive experience while a student at Beasley Elementary and Whitney Young High Schools.   She also shared her rewarding work as a TV reporter and how young people can obtain the experience to prepare them in the field of broadcasting.  Ms Hall really inspired the students!  Her parting words of wisdom:  You can do anything and be anything if you just work hard at it.  


     The interview is featured in the latest episode of the 'Behind the Paws' television show along with several school wide news and announcements.  Please enjoy the video below along with pictures from that day.  


February 7, 2013

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'.


February 3, 2013

CPS Tech Talk 2013



On Friday, February 1, 2013, Chicago Public Schools held 'Tech Talk', a energizing conference that highlights technology integration in K-12 education.  During the ceremony, I was one of eight educators that was awarded the 'Ones to Watch Award.'   This is a huge honor and I am very thankful for it.  Below are two presentations that I presented with LaVonna Williams and my co-worker Reginald Brown, Jr.   Check out the Tech Talk hashtag feed, #cpstt on Twitter to view related conversations from the day. 

Please enjoy the presentations and pictures below.


January 17, 2013

So Proud!

My students continue to make me proud.  Their on-camera presence and interviewing skills continues to get better with each day.  Their camera and production work is wonderful is very precise and on point.

We needed a tele-prompter and Ariel and Kaylan created their own.

The students are looking for interesting news stories to Tweet using the
ABC and  CNN iPad app. All Tweets are posted on the Behind the Paws Twitter page @PhillipsHSBTP.
The students are interviewing Mr. Brown, Phillips High
School's Refocus Room Manager and Bowling  Coach

 

October 25, 2012

Things That Make Me Smile

When I first began teaching, my late father and CPS veteran gave me the best advice:  To be a success in the field of education you must,
1.  Have knowledge of your subject matter
2.  Patience
2.  A sense of humor

Well, the third is what I hang onto the most because it make my day go by faster and keeps me motivated.

Here are some things that make me smile everyday.  (please note:  some of the pictures are from Homecoming Spirit Week at Phillips)   Click on the picture to take a closer look.

Enjoy!

1.  My students willingness to share fashion, fun with school events and to be themselves.




 2.    My students smile/happiness when they realize they can check out books that are on the displays in the Library Media Center.



 3.    My students love of reading....priceless!

Receipt for books checked out
The student on the right is an avid reader of e-books

4.  Book donations and my growing Street Literature collection....I'm so thankful for them!!!

The most recent donation is from author, Wahida Clark


5.  My students following directions during lunchtime.


LMC Entry Sign-in-sheets
iPad Sign-in-sheets
You want to use a iPad, give up your i.d.
Thank you for removing the finger prints off of your device.

6.    My student's ability to hold strong onto their Republican beliefs....and discuss the issues in the 2012 election intelligently.


7.  Girls reading Anime/Manga!
 


8.   Students asking for recommended reads.


9.   Students discussing books!


Ms Tillman's Reading Class from WPAHS Video Page on Vimeo.


10.     Finally, a cool pic of my LMC.  Thank you Mr. Rose!