Food, Family, and Fun... Lyman Hall Elementary Welcomes Families to a Book Fair Picnic!

What is better a grilled hot dog or a good book?  Families at Lyman Hall Elementary had the chance to enjoy both October 1^st and 3^rd at a book fair picnic.  Principal, Claire Blanchard, greeted parents and children as she helped to hand out hot dogs.  Several teachers volunteered to distribute lemonade and snacks.  Even Clifford the Big Red Dog was on the scene for hugs and line dancing.  Media Specialist, Diana Anderson, facilitated the event and was pleased to have over 500 picnicking readers on the scene! 

Liberty Elementary is Awarded a Target Grant!

Students at Liberty Elementary will be brimming with excitement to read and develop their literacy skills!  Media specialist, Kristi Craven, applied and won a grant from Target Department Stores for a sum of $2000.00.  The awarded funds will be dedicated to providing students with rich media experiences such as, special reading events, guest speakers, and book donations! 

Students have always looked forward to the fall Pajamboree at Liberty Elementary.  For years students have come to school the evening of the event dressed in their cozy pajamas to read with their families and enjoy cookies and milk.  In addition, this event has provided students a chance to quiz their comprehension of the books using the Accelerated Reader program. 

Now with the new funding, every student attending the Pajamboree will be receiving a free book and additional events will be added to the calendar for Liberty Elementary students!  Magician, Chad Crews, will be visiting students to kick off the week-long celebration of children’s literature in November.  Mr. Crews’ performance will highlight the importance of reading and inspire students to use their library even more!  Another literacy event now possible with the Target grant will be a guest visit from author/ storyteller/historian, Annette Laing for the fourth grade students at Liberty Elementary.  Dr. Laing, a former Georgia Southern University professor, will share stories and artifacts supporting the Common Core curriculum. 

With 97% of the students at Liberty Elementary participating in the Accelerated Reader comprehension program, it is easy to see they are excited about reading!  The additional events and visitors will only increase their desire to read!  The goal is to see 99% of the students participate in the reading comprehension program and for the level of students earning an average of 85% or high on their quizzes to reach 60% of the student population!  

Liberty County School System's Media & Technology Showcase

Each year media specialists from around the southern portion of Georgia gather at the Liberty County Board of Education to explore new media and technology related products.  The showcase drew over 110 media specialists from the following counties: Appling, Bacon, Bryan, Bulloch, Camden, Charlton, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Long, McIntosh, Pierce, Ware, and Wayne.

In addition to the variety of vendors present, attendees enjoyed two workshop sessions.  The sessions offered a variety of topics for all levels!  Melissa McCallar, one of Bradwell Institute's media specialists, was assisted by Nikki Lukkarinen, another of Bradwell Institute's media specialist, as she presented on the topic of blogging with students. She conducted two full sessions, one directed toward the elementary level and the other focused on the secondary level.  Scholastics Book Fair's Cookie Kushner and Osborne Books & More's Naomi Havens instructed participants on how to organize a family literacy event to remember.  Tommy Johns of Tommy Johns Presents shared ideas for making your school's media program indispensable!  Britannica Online's Vicki Brock shared valuable tools available through GALILEO for meeting the demands of the Common Core.  Susy Dalton of Mackin Educational Resources explained the complex world of ebooks.  Alegra Goulbourne and Ellen Gadberry of Renaissance Learning showcased the new app Subtext! The day was full of media and technology related possibilities to grow and learn!

Traditionally the showcase is held toward the end of September.  If you would like to attend next year, please contact Jaime Rearley at jrearley@liberty.k12.ga.us.

Common Core and the Media Center

Teach me your trick!  What is the secret?  Show me the key to solving the Common Core puzzle!  I am eager to find out just how much I do NOT know.  I wonder if other media specialists share my feelings?

I  have attended workshops, investigated the Internet,  read articles, wrangled the DOK wheel, studied standards, and examined text complexity.  However, I still feel like I do not know the mystical secret to mastering the Common Core. Am I totally ignorant or do I know more than I am realize?  You be the judge!

If you had to create a word wall illustrating the most important concepts dealing with the Common Core, what would be on your wall?  I think mine would look something like this:

Text Complexity Rubric- Lexiles- NoveList 

Informational Text- Galileo

Research- Destiny (OPAC), databases, websites

Effective communication and writing skills- video production and presentation

Project-based- Georgia Student Media Festival- backward design

Technology integration- Web 2.0

Multiple information sources- information literacy- Big 6

Graphic organizers- summarizing 

Active Learning- DOK level four

Collaboration

AASL's Standards for the 21st- Century Learner- self-assessment

College and Career Readiness Standards

If I had to amass a list of resources and tools for media specialists to help with implementing and supporting the Common Core, my list would look like this:

Crosswalk of the Common Core Standards and the Standards for the 21st-Century Learner- http://www.ala.org/aasl/guidelinesandstandards/commoncorecrosswalk

Media specialists have a vested interest in teaching to the standards.  The AASL's Standards for the 21st-Century Learner are closely aligned with the Common Core Standards.  This site is a wonderful planning tool.  When collaborating with teachers, stop and visit here first.  See which standards work together best. Check out the available lesson rubrics and template, too!  You might just find a lesson you can use!

Depth of Knowledge- http://dese.mo.gov/divimprove/sia/msip/DOK_Chart.pdf

Rigor, rigor, rigor!  The Common Core wants students to synthesize information to create research based products. Students need to be asked to read from a variety of sources, collect information, organize information, write effectively, and present information.  When you are beginning a collaborative lesson, visit this site.  Use the wheel to check and write your objectives! Aim for level four on the wheel of possibilities!

Moreillon, Judi. "A Matrix for School Librarians: Aligning Standards, Inquiry, Reading, and Instruction" - http://www.schoollibrarymonthly.com/articles/Moreillon2013-v29n4p29.html

What could the Common Core and AASL's Standards for the 21st- Century Learner look like in action?  Do you want to read a narrative that can guide you in the most effective way to plan?  This brief article can guide you.  Don't forget to check out The Alignment Matrix! 

Mrs. Sanchez's Class- http://www.sanchezclass.com/reading-graphic-organizers.htm 

It is not always easy to teach students how to think!  There might be better methods out there.  I am not the foremost expert, but I do know this can work.  Teach students how to analyze, sort information, and take notes using graphic organizers. Mrs. Sanchez's Class has some of the best organizers I have seen for reading comprehension for elementary students.  



Novelist K-8- http://www.galileo.usg.edu/express?link=zknl

The Common Core requires teachers to use more literature than ever!  A lot of it is informational, but not all of it.  Teaching content using themes is also present in the Common Core.  If you need help matching teachers up with literature that addresses certain themes, literary devices, and the appropriate Lexile band, check out this tool offered to your by Galileo! NoveList is also available through Galileo for more mature readers.

Teachers: Where Teachers Come First- http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/graphic-organizers-reading-comprehension

You can find more graphic organizers on Scholastic's page.  They are not as cute as Mrs. Sanchez's Class, but effective. 

The Big 6- http://big6.com


Where would I put my professional learning energy next year?  The BIG 6!  Years ago my district invested in a professional learning workshop for our media specialists.  The session taught the process of solving an information problem from the very beginning steps all the way to the synthesis and self-evaulation process.  This screams COMMON CORE and the MEDIA CENTER!

The Georgia Student Media Festival- http://www.gsmf.us

Design with the end in view, according to Judi Moreillon's article "A Matrix for School Librarians: Aligning Standards, Inquiry, Reading, and Instruction". The Georgia Student Media Festival provides a great scaffold for beginning with a technology-rich product.  It also requires students to understand the Fair Use Guidelines.  Give your students a chance to be a winners, and take on the media festival!

Web 2.0: Cool tools for Schools- http://cooltoolsforschools.wikispaces.com/

Do you want students to try new and exciting online tools which will inspire and allow for more creativity?  You only have access to the Internet and do not have a lot of fancy equipment?  Not a problem, visit this blog to see a wealth of web-based and free production tools.  Get your students researching and synthesizing with some of these fun tools!


I am not an expert!  I am still learning, just like you. You might not agree with my word wall or list of resources.  I might still be missing the magical key ingredient to getting the Common Core right.  I do not profess to have all the answers.  Please feel free to share what you know.  I want to learn from you also!  Post your ideas and thoughts too!

Children's Book Week Celebrations in Liberty County

What a difference a good book can make, especially for a child!  In 1913 Franklin Matthiews, a librarian for the Boy Scouts of America recognized how important literature was to the development of children.  It was his idea to celebrate children’s literature, and in 1919 with the help of the American Bookseller’s Association, the American Library Association, and the Boy Scouts of America Good, Book Week was held.  The event evolved in 1944 to be called Children’s Book Week and was organized by the Children’s Book Council.  The council held the event in November until 2008, when it was moved to May.  The celebration is the longest running literacy celebration in the United States!

Many of the schools in Liberty County continue to celebrate children’s literature in November.  Lyman Hall Elementary will celebrate in May.  Please read below to learn of the events to come next week.

Button Gwinnett Elementary:

• ·      Each classroom will decorate their door to compete for dress down days!
• ·      Students are challenged to earn 100% on 400 Accelerated Reader quizzes during the week to earn a dress down day.
• ·      The media center will hold a trivia contest.
• ·      Third grade students will present their Reading Fair projects Nov. 16 in the lunchroom.

·      Each day of the week beings a fun dress down focus.

o   Nov. 13- Wear camouflage to get lost in a good book.

o   Nov. 14- Wear cozy pajamas and curl up to listen to a special guest reader!

o   Nov. 15- Wear your hair as craaaazy as you can to celebrate “hair raising” success with Accelerated Reader!

o   Nov. 16- Dress as your favorite book character and join the Book Character Parade at 8:30AM.

Frank Long Elementary:

• ·      Each classroom will be working to win the Accelerated Reader points and percentage goal for the week.  Classrooms, which make their goal, will celebrate Friday with a movie.
• ·      Each day of the week beings a fun dress down focus.

o   Nov. 13- Wear crazy socks to show you are crazy about books!

o   Nov. 14- Wear pajamas to the Read’in Lock’in and enjoy the special guest author visit!  (Remember to follow the Children’s Book Week dress code.)

o   Nov. 15- Show it is cool to be a good reader and wear your shades to school. 

o   Nov. 16- Wear your favorite hat to school because it is Hat’s Off to Reading Day! 

Jordye Bacon Elementary

• ·      During the week long celebration, the top Accelerated Reader point earners in each grade level with an 85% average will earn a special lunch in the Media Center with their teacher!
• ·      Each class is challenged to earn the most AR points and maintain an average of 80% during the week to earn a special treat party!
• ·      Each day of the week beings a fun dress down focus.

o   Nov. 13- Wear your favorite sports’ team attire to Team Up with a Good Book!

o   Nov. 14- Wear camouflage because you Can’t Hide your Love for Reading!

o   Nov. 15- Wear your favorite hat to celebrate Hat’s Off to Reading Day!

o   Nov. 16- Dress up in what you would like to be when you grow up to celebrate Oh, the Places You Will Go with a Great Book!

Joseph Martin Elementary

• ·      Remember to attend the Children’s Book Festival in Savannah November 10^th!
• ·      Students in grade 3-5 will be buddy reading with students in grades K-2 during the week. 
• ·      Students listen for the morning book trivia questions each morning on the JME News!
• ·      Each day of the week beings a fun dress down focus.

o   Nov. 13- Wear your craziest socks to celebrate Sock it to Me with a Good Book Day!

o   Nov. 14.- Wear your favorite hat to celebrate Hats Off to Books Day!

o   Nov. 15- Wear camouflage and get lost in a good book!  Michael White, children’s book illustrator, will inspire students during his class presentation!

o   Nov. 16- Dress as your favorite storybook character for the annual school parade!

Liberty Elementary

• ·      Students will be challenged to read 5,000 books during the week.  If the goal can be met, Mr. Anderson, the LE principal, will dress up like a turkey!
• ·      Each hallway will be competing to see who can earn the most 100% scores on Accelerated Reader quizzes.  Each 100% will earn the hallway a feather for their hallway turkey!  Who will earn the most feathers for a dress down day?
• ·      Students will grab their favorite book and join the reading train Nov. 13. 
• ·      Come to school dressed as your favorite book character Nov. 15.
• ·      Students will gather together at the school-wide Don’t be a Turkey- READ! Assembly Nov. 16.

Taylors Creek Elementary

• ·      Students will be working hard to earn 1,000 Accelerated Reader points by Thursday to have a Reading Rally Nov. 16.
• ·      Each day of the week beings a fun dress down focus.

o   Nov. 13- Wear your shades to show you are too cool with books!

o   Nov. 14- Fix your hair as crazy as you can for We’re WILD about Books Day!

o   Nov. 15- Come to school dressed as your favorite book character.

Waldo Pafford Elementary

• ·      Remember to visit the Savannah Children’s Book Festival Nov. 10 at Forsyth Park!
• Come to school Nov. 13 with your hat to celebrate “Hats off to Books!”   You will earn double Accelerated Reader money when you pass a quiz.
• ·      Get ready to “Read and Relax” Nov. 14 because everyone is wearing pajamas and slippers to do fun reading center activities.  Parents are encouraged to sign up to be a guest reader!  Please contact Mrs. Lee in the media center (912) 877-4916 or your classroom teacher. (Street shoes must be worn to and from school).
• ·      Wear your camouflage Nov. 15 and get “Lost in a Good Book!” Get ready to say, “I love AR” when you pass a quiz to earn TRIPLE AR money!
• ·      Nov. 16 will be the Book Character Parade!  Make sure to dress as your favorite character and bring your book to walk in the parade!
• ·      At 1:15PM Nov. 16- Waldo Pafford will welcome the Long County Walker Middle School Cheerleaders to lead the school in a Reading Rally!  Then the race is on!  The class in each grade that has earned the most 100%’s on their Accelerated Reader quizzes from Nov. 13 to Nov. 15 will get to see their teachers compete in a scooter race across the gym!

Lewis Frasier Middle School

• ·      School staff and students will be sharing book reviews on the morning LFMS News all week!
• ·      Students will have the chance to create new book covers for their favorite books and join the poster contest!  Winning covers will be converted to wall posters and displayed in the media center.

Midway Middle School

• ·      Students will enjoy a visit from Local author D.M. Paul, courtesy of the Live Oak Public Library!
• ·      Students will participate in a community read featuring Ninth Ward by Jewell Rhodes, courtesy of Share Our Books. Org.

Snelson Golden Middle School

• ·      Students will participate in the Guess Who Was Caught Reading? Contest throughout the week.
• ·      Nov. 15 students will want to create a sash illustrating their favorite book and wear it to school!

Get ready for a week full of fun and good books!