Character Mock Interviews

This was a really nice project.

My co-worker Ms Henderson recently completed an interesting projects where the students conducted character mock interviews.  During the three day class period, students took on the persona of a biographical character in history.  They composed questions and answers based on what they read in their biographies and for recording a mock interview as if they were the character.

Here are two excellent projects that I would like to share.  Using iPads in the Library Media Center, the  students used the iMovie 11 app to complete their assignments.   In post production one of my students Cameron, provided the voice over at the beginning of the video introducing the projects.  I think we have a new James Earl Jones!


The WP2 Collaboration Writing Project - Nelson Mandela from WPAHS Video Page on Vimeo.
Nelson Mandela - https://vimeo.com/89641929

The WP2 Collaboration Writing Project - Chris Gardner from WPAHS Video Page on Vimeo.
Chris Gardner - https://vimeo.com/89673996

Winner of the CPS ReVITAL Grant

Singer Pharrell's song, 'Happy' is the perfect song that expresses my feelings about a recent award I have received.  My students and I are HAPPY about receiving the CPS ReVital Grant for libraries!   Last week, a MacBook Pro and ten iPads were delivered to my Library Media Center and in a couple of weeks, the ChromeBooks will arrive.

There are so many ways this technology can be used at Phillips.  The video below is just a little snippet of how we will be using these digital devices to aide in instruction and help further advance students in the digital age.   Enjoy!


ReVITAL Grant - HAPPY from WPAHS Video Page on Vimeo.

iMovie Tutorial

February 5, 2014

Digital Learning Day is about giving every child the opportunity to learn in a robust digital environment everyday, with the goal of success in college and a career.  Read more about this day dedicated to technology at:  www.digitallearningday.org.  Below is the Behind the Paws student news crew's video submission for this year's celebrations.  Junior level students Jordan and Myiah provide viewers with a descriptive hands on demonstration of the powerful app, iMovie.

Enjoy!

Phillips Students Salute Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Here's the 'Behind the Paws' salute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  I believe this is the best work the students have completed since the inception of the program.  All this work was created through the use of iPads and a MAC Book Pro.    

Please enjoy the video and feel free to share!

So Long 2013

- Taking down decorations

- Judging student foot traffic and deadlines

- The Cold Weather

- Christmas shopping

- Holiday Assembly

- Prepping for January Behind the Paws shows

Here's a couple pictures that describe the last two weeks of school. 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE AUDACIOUS LIBRARIAN!

2014 Dr King Show and Educator Resources

   Inspired by Dr King's powerful words and fueled by the Chicago Public Schools chicken patty lunch meal.  My students are Bad! They researched recited and edited their Dr Martin Luther King quotes for the King Holiday tv show.  #AheadOfTheGame  #BossLibrarianChronicles #teens #highschool #library #ipaded

Here's a listing of some of my 

2014 MLK Resources for teachers

K.C.'s MLK Educator Resource Page

Here's my slideshow I created last year that devoted to the MLK Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Washington D.C.. from K.C. Boyd

True Story by Ni-Ni Simone

My student Jada is happy to be the first student allowed to check out the new

 Ni-Ni Simone release, True Story.   Check out the author's website, ninisimone.com 

which has sooooooo many things that teen girls just love.  

Holiday Greetings from Behind the Paws

Continuing in the holiday spirit, here's another episode of the Phillips High School, "Behind the Paws" student news show. Enjoy!
Behind the Paws S2 E7 from WPAHS Video Page on Vimeo.

Preparing for the King Show

The Behind the Paws students are preparing for the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. show in 2014.  Here's a couple of pictures from today's class period.

Students wrote critiques of the current episode of Behind the Paws and researched possible quotes that will be read during the segment. 

I'm really proud of my students Myiah and Rossanli.  Both ladies are showing strong leadership and technology skills with using the iMovie app.  You will see in the picture how the girls are showing their peers how to pull images from Google and insert them into iMovie.

Enjoy!

Databases for Research

     This lesson was an introduction to using databases for my freshman and sophomore classes.  I engaged the students in a brief discussion about upcoming research based assignments for their classes.  I then introduced and encouraged the students to listen critically to a short video describing internet search engines vs. library databases.  Next, I led the students in a brief discussion about Google and Wikipedia as a respected primary source for research. 

     The lesson concluded with the students logging onto Gale Student Resources and conducting a simple search using the subject:  Chicago Violence.

Behind the Paws - S2, E2

Here's the latest episode of Behind the Paws....enjoy!

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

iMovie and Librarians

Today I am presenting at the Chicago Public Schools 'iPads for Librarians Professional Development Session'.  This journey describes by 18 month journey using the powerful iMovie app and how it has changed my job description and duties at my school.  Just click the arrow at the bottom to advance each slide.

Enjoy!

iMovie and the School Library from K.C. Boyd

Girls and Technology

INSPIRATION!
Picture courtesy of Google Images

I just love the Young Women's Academy Leadership classes at Phillips.  I just wish this was in place when I was enrolled in high school.  I'm proud of my female students, in particular with their ability to grasp onto new technologies this year.

Yes, my girls rock!  Whether it's their cell phone or a computer, my students definitely know how to use technology.  I've been quietly observing some of the class projects and assignments over the last couple of week and they look really good.  Once the grading quarter is over, I'll share some of them with you.

Until then, here are a couple of pictures of the girls in action.

Students use the Ask3 app in their Leadership Class
to post comments on a discussion thread..

I call this 'Art Meets Technology'.  A student logs onto her classroom
laptop so that she can complete a DO NOW assignment.

What would they do without their cell phones?

Two sisters these Galaxy 3 cases!

Now my girls have influenced me.  The case on the left is mine!

Apps for Research

I'm really excited.  Gale has an app for iPhone/iPad and Android for their databases.  So that I won't be repeating myself a million times after database orientation, I created a short tutorial in iMovie for the students.   I just hope they will find the mobile app to be a helpful tool when working on research papers/projects this year.