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! 

My Entrepreneurship Spirit

I will be a panelist at the upcoming Jump$tart Coalition National Educator’s Annual Conference on Sunday, November 4th at 9:00 a.m. The panel discussion, “Teacher’s As Entrepreneurs” will investigate how successful teachers have incorporated personal experience into teaching personal finance.  I will be sharing my personal story about students, blogging and entrepreneurship.  This panel discussion will be moderated by Susan Beacham, founder and CEO of Money Savvy Generation.  Wish me luck!

The Jump$tart Coalition is devoted specifically to Pre-K-12 classroom teachers to assist them in advancing curriculum that focuses on personal finance.  Throughout the conference, educators will have an opportunity to see, learn about, and try educational resources that can be integrated immediately into current lesson plans.  Educators will also attend informative workshops under three different strands—advocacy, curriculum/content, and personal development; to meet with leaders from finance and education; and to network with colleagues from across the country.

Now you are probably wondering how did I get involved with Financial Literacy.  About five years ago, I met Susan Beacham through a ten minute phone call to my office.   During this conversation, she spoke with passion about the importance of financial literacy for kids, and her SAVE-SPEND-DONATE-INVEST Money Savvy Pig. You can say the rest is history.  Since then, Chicago Public School Librarians have been at the forefront implementing and driving this program that have educated thousands of students about finance.  This program provides a ton of materials that can be used with students K-12th grade on their website, Money Savvy Generation.  So educators start planning now for Financial Literacy Month in April and order your materials today.

Relating to Tyrell

Yesterday was extremely hectic:  1st day of Homecoming Week at Phillips.  While enjoying 'pajama day,' a freshman reading class visited the Library Media Center and discussed Coe Booth's "Tyrell."  The discussion was lively and justified the need to providing books for teens that they can relate to.

Enjoy!

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

My Co-Workers

I appreciate the generosity of my co-workers.  The Phillips Refocus Room Manager, Mr. Brown attended a festival over the weekend with his family.  During this festival, he won a hardback copies of "The Hunger Games Trilogy," and donated them to the Library Media Center. 

Thank you Mr. Brown!!!

The Hunger Games Trilogy on display.

These books were checked out during the first lunch period.

iPads and Gaming

iPad 2 @Phillips High School

My students lining up after using
the iPads during lunchtime gaming.

Recently I’ve been criticized for allowing my students to participate in Lunchtime Gaming at my school.  While searching for language besides my very colorful array of words to share in a formal response, I found this cool list compiled by Library guru Doug Johnson.  Some items on the list I have either tweaked or added content, but the idea is totally his.  Visit his Blue Skunk Blog to read more about Library Science related topics and enjoy the pictures/captions below.

• Gaming keeps teens busy, engaged and reinforces responsibility.

These young ladies are wiping the fingerprints off of their iPads screens

• Gaming gives teens practice learning strategy and logic.
• Gaming teaches and emphasizes content.
• Gaming builds reading and math skills.
• Gaming builds research skills when looking for information about games strategies or solutions to puzzles.
• Gaming get teens into Libraries who might not otherwise go there, increasing the likelihood of book check out.  (THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME!!!)

• Gaming serves as a relaxing medium for teens that are under stress.
• Gaming gives teens practice with social skills especially when they work in teams
• Teens love the interaction/stimulation that gaming provides.
• Girls are more active participant in gaming activities.

These Junior level gamers are regulars in my Library Media Center

• Gaming builds inter-generational conversations and relationships.  (many of these games are used as a primary source of entertainment for some teens)

Teacher Ebony Rose competes  with teens on the popular
'Temple Run' game during the lunchtime gaming period.

• Gaming encourages teens that are otherwise withdrawn, introverted or shy to socialize with other teens within their peer group.
• Gaming encourages teens to seek careers in Video Game Design and Production.
• Gaming creates a safe, friendly environment for competition among teens.

Here's a student's high score on Temple Run

Donations Please!

Recently I posted a plea to my Facebook page for donations of gently used Street Literature books. Thank goodness I have generous friends and colleagues. This morning I picked up 37 books from my friends at another local Chicago Public School! The ladies that are teachers at this school enjoy reading the books within the genre and wanted to make 'room' on their bookshelves at home.

For those of you that are reading this post and are not librarians, I'm going to take you through #BookDonationProcessing mini training.  No, I don't have a library aide and yes, this process can be time consuming.   This is why many Library Media Specialists spend a considerable amount of time behind their circulation desks!  Please try to understand.

I've got to go now because I need to process these books before the students come in during lunch.  Have a good day!

Thank you ladies!  My students and I REALLY appreciate the donation!

Using my district's automation system SOAR, I enter information about the book into the system.
I include the title of the book, author, publishing house, copyright date, call number, collection and price.

Next I add the Phillips barcode label.  This barcode number is assigned to this specific book and allows me to scan
the book for checkout.  This feature comes in handy when I have a line of students during class or lunch periods.

Since the books are jumbled around in the students bookbags,
I place a clear, protective tape over the barcode to further protect the label.

I repeat the process on the inside front cover of the book.

I stamp each book 3 times using the Phillips Library Media Center  stamp.

Last step, I place a call number tab and protective tape on the side of the book.
This call number tab is helpful when locating the book by author (dewey number) on the shelf.
Now the book is ready for circulation!

iMovie Fun

After attending the Chicago Public Schools iPad Academy this summer, I've become more proficient with using iMovie.  Here's a recent video I produced for my school's first assembly program.  This video is called, "We Are AUSL Wendell Phillips."  It features students, teaching staff and my Principal.  Enjoy!

We Are AUSL Wendell Phillips from WPAHS Video Page on Vimeo.

Check It Out!

Check out my new Wordle for my Library Media Center.

Time for PD!

Summer Professional Development for Phillips Academy High School teachers began Monday...summer is now officially over. Monday I had the opportunity to meet new and returning teachers in the Library Media Center. Since Phillips is now an AUSL Training Academy, it was important to provide a information session about the Library Media Center. During this presentation, I discussed the history of the Phillips library, print/electronic resources, and creative use of the center. Heavy emphasis was placed on how I can assist teachers with providing meaningful lessons that support Common Core Standards. Below is the presentation I gave to the teachers and staff. Enjoy!

WPAHS LMC Teacher Orientation from K.C. Boyd

Another iMovie...

Here's another iMovie made by one of my summer camp students, Jasmine. In this video, Jasmine wanted to discuss the senseless number of CPS students that lost their lives to gun violence.   I think you will all agree, the message conveyed by this teen speak volumes.

Enjoy!

  
Stop the Violence by Jasmine F. from WPAHS Video Page on Vimeo.

Success Using iMovie!

All of the photo/video release forms have been signed and returned!  What a relief!  As promised, here's one of the very first student produced iMovie trailers.  My teens really enjoyed telling their personal stories about the Phillips Summer Camp through iMovie.   Since they did such a good job, they are now working on the next project.   Please enjoy my student's iMovie below.

Until next time, K.C.
 
Student iMovie #1 from WPAHS Video Page on Vimeo.

See It, Hear It, Apply It!

I've been so busy with testing out what I have learned at the Chicago Public Schools iPad Academy, I forgot to upload this post.   This conference was designed to give teachers the opportunity to listen to presentations on effective implementation of iPad/mobile learning in the classroom.   I can tell you without hesitation that I learned so much during this conference and feel more confident in my use of the iPad.

CPS Librarians attend the iPad Academy

The conference began with an 'Unconference.'  (I know what you are thinking because I originally thought the same thing too!)  The unconference was really a different way of kicking off this two day event because the main goal was to start the conversation around use of iPads.   The unconference was very spontaneous and the sessions were planned by attendees.  It was also really nice to hear how CPS librarians are using iPads to support the school curriculum through their library programs.

QR Code Book Review

Also during the unconference, I met Wanda Kern and Jodie Kadonsky from Wisconsin.  Wanda,  the school's Tech. Coordinator, uses QR Codes heavily in her class.  She shared a very cool sample  book review lesson with me.  As a result of this, I'm now going to create a scavenger hunt using iPads for my freshman students in the fall.  In addition to sharing this lesson, both ladies encouraged me to create a Pinterest account.  Since creating my personal account/boards, I've been addicted to the site!

Dr. Ruben Puentedura, Keynote Speaker

Friday, day #2 of the conference, the presentations began.  Dr. Ruben Puentedura, creator of the SAMR model for selecting, using and evaluating technology in education provided the morning keynote address.   His work is quite extensive and I strongly suggest that you visit his website/weblog, Hippasus.  

As with every conference I attend, there are so many interesting sessions given within a short period of time.  Here are some of my favorite presentations from the conference where I did some session hopping:

- "My Principal Gave Me a iPad Cart and I am Scared to Death...Help!" - Kim Darche, Tech. Coordinator at Catherine Cook Elementary - hands on, practical, and energetic presentation for iPad newbies.
- Powerful Collaboration with Web 2.0 Tools by Carolyn Skibba, Tech. Coordinator at Burley Elementary - really nice presentation of the blogging website for students called KidBlog; I can't wait to share this with the teachers at my school.
- "iPads at Marine Math and Science Academy" - Matt Murphy, Tech Coordinator.  - truthful testimonials about year one iPad implementation at this high school.  After seeing his presentation, I would like to adopt a similar method of data collection to justify future purchases.

"iMovie on the iPad" - Fran Feeley, Librarian at Inter-American Magnet School, impacted me the most.  All of my dwindling questions about iMovie were answered during Fran's engaging session.  He inspired me to create this simple video above of my two cats Domino and Daisy Lee.  Since creating this video, I have used this trailer as a example for my students that I work with daily during the Phillips Summer Camp for teens.   After the students viewed my video, they created their own themed iMovie project.  Hopefully, after all of the photo/video consent forms have been returned I will be able to share them with you.


Until then, take care!