Classroom Libraries

In an effort to help once again...I've created another board on the school's Pinterest page.

Wendell Phillips Academy Classroom Libraries Pinterest Board

http://www.pinterest.com/boydkc/classroom-libraries/

The Classroom Libraries Pinterest board provides teachers with a virtual guide for setting up a marvelous library in their classroom.  Teachers can see creative physical spaces, gain decorating ideas, download helpful signage/labels and read more about how the classroom library feeds into the central library within the school.

Now I know those of you who are teacher-librarians really take a hands off attitude about assisting with the classroom libraries.  Like you, my library budget has been cut in several schools so that the classroom libraries can receive the financial support....ouch right?   Years ago, Chicago Public Schools librarians were instructed to provide a teacher overview of how to set up classroom libraries.  After the presentation, the classroom teachers received a set of books across the genres for their libraries.  Librarians did not receive books but did receive a heartfelt thank you.  That really stung.  Okay, I'm being a little snarky here but that really angered many of us.   In addition, I refuse to re-org my library by genre, lexile or whatever new reinvention of the wheel that they come up with.  When libraries are re-orged, it hurts the students because there's no transfer of knowledge when they visit libraries that are organized by Dewey.  Let me stop my rant now.

Teacher-Librarians Are Leaders!

Returning to the 'positive', there are some benefit I see in supporting my fellow teachers in providing advisement on setting up classroom libraries .  Also, if you have any additional benefits, please share them with me!:

1.  Classroom teachers are often 'lost' when it comes to setting up their libraries.  They request my support because I am the trusted and reliable reading/book/literacy expert in the building. 

Book display in the  Library Media Center

 

2.  I read the books (really I do!!) and can connect them directly to the curriculum.  Teachers use me as their 'go to' person in the building.

3.  I share with classroom teachers which books kids will actually read (not just enjoy) and those they will put down.  When shopping at those half-off and discounted stores, teachers will be a little more selective in their purchasing decisions.

4.  Books in the classroom libraries can provide just a taste for reading, but the school library will satisfy a hunger for reading.

5.  Because the classroom library is an 'unbalanced collection' and does not represent all interests, beliefs and cultures students will use the school library as a greater and expanded resource of information.

6.  Students will see that the classroom library and school library do compliment each other and both encourage the love of reading. 

One of my fav book displays I pulled off of Pinterest

All roads lead to the school library right?  The main key to making this work is school libraries must receive financial support to purchase books from the school budget.  They shouldn't have to rely on grants, donations or other means to maintain a healthy collection that serves the entire student population.  No program should be deemed more important than the other.   Face it, no classroom collection can duplicate the depth of a great school library collection....not one. 


Source:
The Ultimate Classroom Library:  Your School Media Center
by Buffy Hamilton
http://www.aasl.ala.org/aaslblog/?p=438  

Meme - The Four Roles of the Teacher-Librarian
http://tl-ng.wikispaces.com/The+Four+Roles+of+the+Teacher+Librarian 

Marketing Your Library!

I'm wearing a Krazy Kreations
original T-Shirt

Marketing Your Library! from KC Boyd

My friend, Sabrena
aka Super Library Girl

Yesterday was the Chicago Public Schools annual Back to School Professional Day for Teacher-Librarians.  It was great seeing all of my librarian colleagues but also sad because many have lost their positions due to funding.  My prayer is positions will open up and these librarians will be able to return back to their librarians.  Please say a prayer for them.  Below is one of two presentations I gave.  Enjoy!

Marketing Your Library!

We know that you know all the wonderful things going on inside your library, but does everyone else?  View the steps in promoting your program to your students, administration, staff, and community. Highlights of this session will include free resource you can (and should) use, clever ideas for promoting your program, and how you can use this to document your professional growth and portfolio. 

https://sites.google.com/site/spreadthewordthelibrary/sessions  

Digital Literacy Video

I cannot wait to use this video in a Digital Literacy lesson!   This is absolutely great!

Classroom Bulletin Boards

In an effort to help my co-workers, I created a new board on my school's AUSL WPAHS Pinterest page.  Each year I see some of my colleagues struggle with creating an interesting theme that will highlight their program of study.  The compiled Bulletin Board pins will hopefully assist them and make life just a little bit easier.

I also have some cool pins for school libraries!
School Library Displays - http://www.pinterest.com/boydkc/library-displays/

Wendell Phillips Academy High School Bulletin Board Ideas http://www.pinterest.com/auslwpahs/bulletin-board-ideas/

Culture, Dignity and Identity

It's here!

Chicago Public Schools has finally launched the Interdisciplinary African and African-American studies program.  This new program was developed to heighten students’ understanding and awareness of African and African-American history and culture, while also fulfilling CPS’ commitment to ensuring that students are 100 percent college ready and 100 percent college bound.   

The curriculum is also grounded in the Common Core State Standards as well as other national, state, and local standards.  It is aligned directly to the CPS Content Area Frameworks.  The Illinois House Bill 2859 and ISBE mandate that every public elementary school and high school include the instruction of a unit of African-American studies.

CPS teachers can access additional materials
through the Knowledge Center.

The four hour training session for CPS teachers was held at the historic Du Sable Museum.  The museum was founded in 1961 by teacher and art historian Dr. Margaret Burroughs and other leading Chicago citizens.  This museum is one of the few independent institutions of its kind in the United States.  Developed to preserve and interpret the experiences and achievements of people of African descent, it is dedicated to the collection, documentation, preservation and study of the history and culture of Africans and African Americans.   

  

The training session began with greetings from Pemon Rami, Du Sable Museum's Director of Education and Public Programs educating the audience about the importance of students receiving universal lessons about learning about oneself.   There was also a discussion about Dr. Burroughs famous poem, "What Will Your Legacy Be?" and challenged all teachers and administrators to celebrate the importance of culture, dignity and identity through the curriculum.

Chicago Public Schools Knowledge Center

The 157 page curriculum guide includes lessons plans and websites for study.  Additional material can be accessed by CPS teachers through the Knowledge Center where there are tons of downloadable materials.  

Discussion about the Montgomery Bus Boycott

The keynote address was excellent!  The presenter provided a 'sample' lesson of how to tie in multiple events in African-American history to produce a successful lesson that the students would enjoy.   Using the Montgomery Bus Boycott as an example, the presenter discussed how so many 'quiet' activists played a major role during this important event in American history.  It was really interesting to connect the names with the faces of the tireless activists and hear about their stories of courage.  

The first break out session was delivered by King High School's, Angela Davis.  Her presentation about 'Africanisms in America' provided attendees with an in depth view of culture and how it influences us as individuals and people.   She modeled a short lesson that used music, the black church, art and architecture as examples.  One thing I would like to note is the book list she provided for attendees is excellent and I hope it will be shared so that all CPS students can access it and enjoy.  

The next breakout session was supported STEM education and was just plain fascinating.   CPS teacher, Kwadwo Oppong Wadie discussed how students can use tools and technologies developed in Africa to investigate the Earth and Solar System.   It was fascinating to learn how stellar bodies, their characteristics and attributes are integrated into African cosmologies. 

While listening to the lectures today, I downloaded 'The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks' by Jeanne Theoharis. The book highlights Parks' great personal, financial and psychological sacrifices she made in her personal life. In addition, it was interesting to learn that her grandfather and Malcolm X father were both Garveyites and active members of the movement.   

Overall, this is one of the best professional development session I've attended this year.  If you are a CPS teacher, you can access the copyrighted curriculum designed by CPS teachers at the Knowledge Center.  Within a couple of months, the Latin American Curriculum will be released.    Stay tuned!

                                      

Blogging: NASA All-Stars Program

Check out some of my blog posts from the NASA All-Stars Summer Program.    

K.C. Boyd's Blog Posts

Citations Citations Citations!!!

 Every day at the NASA All-Stars Summer program is an adventure!

There is an old saying, 'You learn something new every day." Well, that statement is so true.  Today my colleague Ms Wetzel had a interesting conversation with  NASA All-Stars program director, Dr. Don York, about citations.   During this conversation she learned something very interesting:   Astronomers use their own citation style.  Yes, there is a citation style used specifically by Astronomers!   Interesting right?  After a little research, she found the American Astronomical Society's website and found a guide sheet to assist the students with their citations.

The video below is a short iMovie I created that kind of represents the type of day we had.  It's just for fun!



 By the way, since I'm on the topic of citations, here's a cool article about citing Tweets posted on Twitter I found a couple of months ago:  

'How to Cite Tweets in an Academic Paper'
MLA and APA prepare for the future of the academic citation.
http://www.edtechmagazine.com/higher/article/2014/02/how-cite-tweets-academic-paper?utm_content=bufferc1913&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Source Citation
AAS Journal Reference Instructions | American Astronomical Society                                                                                          

http://aas.org/authors/aas-journal-reference-instructions

Quasars

Check out my Animoto short video about Quasars
Quasars

Monday Morning Library Humor

Sidereus Nucius

What an experience!

Yesterday the NASA All Stars participants visited The Regenstein Library on the University of Chicago Campus. I had the opportunity to read a first edition and rare book called, 'Sidereus Nucius' (Starry Messenger) by Galileo.  This book was published in 1610!

Miley and Sinbad

During the NASA All-Stars Summer program, the librarians had the opportunity to give a presentation about research and citing sources.   I shared two slides with the attendees that I also use when I give library orientation for my students every year during orientation.  The message really resonated with the program attendees, because they couldn't believe that this happened!   Now going into the last week of the program, the students will be using these skills learned to create their final project, a digital poster answering the question:  What percentage of galaxies have Black Holes?  How many galaxies have Quasars?  

Jimmy Fallon Figures It Out

This is a funny meme!

NASA All-Stars Program

This has been a busy summer!  As soon as I returned from the Mouse Squad Mozilla Webmaker Summer Institute I began a new adventure.

I am currently participating in the NASA All-Star Program this summer at the University of Chicago. This program brings together earth/space, astronomy, and physics teachers and their students in a peer-led professional development workshop on Multiwavelength Astronomy.  I am one of three CPS librarians that is participating in this program.
This is a wonderful opportunity for me to introduce astronomy topics into library curriculum as well as data literacy, and provide a basis for some great collaborations with classroom teachers. Participants use the Multiwavelength Astronomy website which has a wealth of stories on the history, science, tools, and impact of astronomy based on interviews with pioneering scientists. The most exciting aspect of this program is carrying out an authentic, astronomical research project using NASA Mission Data and data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Here are some pictures from the first week of the program.

We made a Spectroscope

Experiments

Experiments

Lectures

Lectures

NASA All-Stars Program librarians hold the SDSS Plate

Learning How To Code A Meme

Early morning selfie

I've been attending the first ever Mouse Squad Mozilla Webmaker Summer Institute for the last two days.  The Webmaker Institute is being held at New York University - MAGNET located in Brooklyn, New York.  I've learned so much about coding, creating meme's from scratch, using Moziilla Popcorn Marker and digital literacy.  Mouse Squad and Mozilla Software trainers are leading each hands on activity for 15 educators that have traveled here from across the country.  Here's a couple of pictures including my first meme I created from scratch.  Overall, this has been a great learning experience and I'm glad I participated.

Mouse Squad I.D.

I coded this meme!

!

I can't wait to show my students how to use Mozilla PopcornMaker

Group share out time.

I need more practice using Thimble!

I Love Good News!

I'm sitting in a training session today and received good news from my student.   I just love how my female students have embraced technology.  This is going to be a really cool year.  

Getting Away...Jamaica

Essentials:  sunglasses, sunblock
and a iPad mini w/the Kindle app

Smooth flight!

I made a promise to myself that I would take some time to myself to relax-relate-release.  This trip was planned since January when Chicago was under several feet of snow and I had reached my patience with bad weather.  

The only place I can truly rejuvenate and rest is in Jamaica.  This school year was really challenging.  Personally I set and achieved many goals that I set.  In some cases, the tasks that had to be completed were so tedious and tested my patience (of which lately I have none!)  Overall I'm happy with the results.

Me and my new
Dr. Dre Beats Headsets

Tumeric Plant

I designated this trip as a 'total learning experience'.  I've done the excursion thing for years so I wanted to try something totally new.  

     Since arriving on June 19th, I learned from the best:  Rastafarians.  This group of often times misunderstood Jamaicans believe is natural living and healing.  Through their instruction, I've learned how to cook steamed spicy Jamaican fish with Callaloo, identify the best plants back home to remedy the common cold and learned how the Tumeric plant and coconut water used together relieves pain.  (yes, my back pain has eased quite a bit!).  Most importantly, their belief of meditation and not 'worrying' about things you don't have any control of is a life lesson.

I had to haggle with a Ratafarian
 to get a good price on this coconut

Another cool thing about this trip is I met a University professor from the UK.  It was really interesting to discuss issues as they pertain to K-12 and higher ed education in our respective countries.  I also owe her greatly because she really calmed me down after I heard about the 1,100 teacher layoffs back in Chicago.  I'm fearful for my job as well as my friends.  I swear this is really tough times!  We go through this every year in my district and it's so disheartening!

My name twin:  Kimberly!

Even though I'm on vacation, I couldn't help visiting a the St. James Parrish Public Library and visiting with a librarian colleague.  Last Friday I volunteered at the Mount Olive Basic School reading books to pre-school children and donated board books for their much needed library.  Sadly, the lack of books in both school and public libraries were dismal and in some cases reminded me of some of the libraries I've visited in the states.  

The Mount Olive Basic School is located in the hills north of Montego  Bay.   The kids were sooooooo cute!  They even sang a little song for me and some of the other volunteers. 





 
     This experience brought me back to my first teaching assignment of working with young children.   I haven't taught little ones in years so I forgot how 'wiggly' they can be.   One little boy, Wellington, grabbed my iPhone and took some of the pictures you see here.  The pictures came out great, the only problem was I had a hard time getting my phone back!  

Sarah, Wellington and I

Now if I only could meet Usain Bolt, my trip would be complete!