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/

I Blew My Book Budget!

I absolutely love this time of year!  I log onto the I Love Libraries website and listen with thousands of other librarians  across the country. You're probably wondering what are we listening to? Well it's the American Library Association's, Youth Media Awards, the librarians equivalent to the Oscars.

Sadly I have never attended one of the early morning ceremonies.  I've always listened online and screamed with delight when some of my favorites are recognized for their efforts to provide great reading books for children and young adults.

I spent about an hour online ordering books that either won awards or were related to books that I have not read this past year.  Yes, I blew my book buget for the month!  The following is a list of books that I ordered during that first hour after the ceremony.  I'm too embarrassed to tell you how many more books I have ordered since then. 

Here's the actual video from the awards ceremony.  Enjoy!

2015 American Library Association Youth Media Awards Press Conference:
http://youtu.be/M-ruMCY0EFQ

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!

Popular Library Memes

Here's my Thursday round up of librarian memes.  Some are humorous while others focus on our ongoing advocacy efforts.

I also included an original meme featuring one of my freshman athlete students and I.  Creating your own memes are a great way of encouraging students to pick up a book and read and they promote your Library Media Center.

Enjoy!

Chicago Needs Elementary School Librarians

Reposted from WBEZ - Chicago
It’s no secret that when funding goes for a elementary school, one of the first affected areas is the school library. A school with a dedicated library could end up with only a shelf in a classroom. And then there are other cases, where the school supports the library and kids have an active role in reading, not to mention just more exposure to ideas, to topics, to the world.

Listen Here: Interview - Chicago Needs Elementary School Librarians 

Terri Grief, President of the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), a division of the American Library Association (ALA)

Megan Cusick, Chicago Public Schools Librarian and Chair of Chi School Librarians

Chicago Needs More School Librarians

The struggle continues for CPS librarians.  I just pray that more positions will open back up for this fall.  Chicago Public Schools students deserve to receive the service of a credentialed librarian and discover books in the school's central library collection.

Chicago Needs More School Librarians

What I'm Reading Now

Just received my copy of Sharon Draper's "Stella By Starlight"  Family stories are precious and should be shared.  I'm really looking forward to reading about the story of Draper's grandmother, Estelle.  Draper's book arrived just in time, the weather in Chicago lately is horrible and I need a great book to read.

Late Post: Behind the Paws

Here's a very late post and a good one.  My students were mentioned in an article published by DNA Info Chicago. They featured members of the Phillips Behind the Paws Student News Program and our 2014 Phillips Wildcats Football Champs.  I'm so proud of all of these kids!

Wendell Phillips Football State Finalists Featured on YouTube Show

Here's the actual video that was mentioned in the story.

What An Honor

I'm mentioned in the Black Caucus of the American Library Association's Fall Newsletter, pg. 25.
BCALA News - Fall

Easy Like Sunday Morning: Can You Say Hectic?

Today's post is going to be a compilation of several posts from eight days, some #late and some very current.  I was so busy posting on my other blog, I totally forgot about this one.  In addition, I have four papers and a presentation I need to hammer out this week.  Here we go!


Chicago Public Library's:  Bam! The Power of Comics and Graphics
October 21st
This conference was needed in my life as I am now running a Anime/Manga Club.  Besides the awesome keynote address, my favorite presentation was by CAKE.

Making Mini-Comics

Book Donation

Thank you Lydia Breiseth for the donation of much needed books.  Lydia is the Manager of the Learning of the Media Department at WETA Public Television in Colorin, Colorado.   She read about the Phillips Library Media Center and generously donated books for my avid readers.  On behalf of my students, many-many-many thanks!

Pictures from the School Library Journal Leadership Summit

October 24th-26th

St. Paul, MN

Attending this leadership summit has inspired me greatly.  I am so glad I attended and had the opportunity to meet so many leaders in the school library world.  I can't wait to attend next year!

The Plane

The beautiful hotel

My mother accompanied me on this trip
There I am, talking about the importance of speaking up.

Listening to 'Mr. Minnesota', Dr. Doug Johnson

My friend Karen Latrice made the beautiful cards.
I'm pictured with Dr. Joyce Valenza, Dr. Doug Johnson and
School Library Journal's Librarian of the Year, Michelle Coulte

My mother, SLJ's Executive Editor, Kathy Ishizuka and I

Listening to a presentation

Anime/Manga Club Elections

I am so glad the voting and elections are over with.  The student speeches were a trip!

Turning in their ballots

The Strangest Things Take Place In the Library Media Center

Have you ever really took a look inside of your student's bookbag?  Normally you will find chips, a water bottle, books and other teen items.  One of my students Cameron carries a lint brush everywhere he goes.  Always concerned about his appearance, 'he wants to look good'.

Students Helping Each Other:  

Cameron gives Orlanda a lesson on ironing dress pants with a crease before she heads off to work.

See, you do it like this!

Make sure the iron is set at the correct temperature.

Lunch Periods in the LMC:  Peer Tutoring, Socializing, Computer Access and more.

Social Time

Time for Math XL 

Mistakes Are Made

Why did I say I have a new Galaxy Note 4?  Here you see the children decided to take selfies...with my phone.  

This was taken Friday at dismissal.

Thank You Jesse Sharkey

Jesse Sharkey

    Last night, Chicago Teacher's Union Vice-President Jesse Sharkey appeared on Chicago Tonight, a public affairs program on Chicago's WTTW television station.  During this segment, he supported Chicago Public Schools teacher-librarians by emphasizing the importance of a professionally staffed library, the instructional program and the maintaining a curated collection.  I've provided the minute mark below so you can listen to both comments, just click the link below.  

http://chicagotonight.wttw.com/video  

4:27 minute mark

7:57 minute mark

Jessie Sharkey with Chicago Tonight's
Brandis Friedman

Easy Like Sunday Morning: Calendars

It's Sunday morning, time for me to reflect and think about the past week.  I listen to my iTunes gospel mix, power up my computer and write before I go to class.  This morning I want to share with you my struggle with organization.  I fail miserably at this...but I'm pleased to inform you that I'm improving!

A Circulation Desk Selfie

My e-calendar is my best friend....the challenge for me is to STOP and enter what I'm supposed to be doing on the calendar.  Between working with my students, doctoral studies and family, my mind is all over the place.   My calendar helps keep me focused and on task.  My calendar also  informs me through email pop ups and chimes what I need to be doing and where I need to be.

My memory is poor.  I have a hard time remembering ideas, website addresses, names etc.  I saw this meme last week and it help me put it all in perspective:  I'm a liar.   I have to write things down, plain and simple.  As a result of this, I've gone 'ole school' and started using journals like the one below.   I have them everywhere:  next to my bed, in my office, in the car, at the circulation desk and in my backpack.  Since I work with so many Mac products, the Notes feature is also a handy e-tool for me.

I found a box of these blank page journals hidden away in a office at my school.

I'm Easy Like Sunday Morning!  That's all for now.