Next week is my spring break from my first semester at TWU. I have spent this semester learning how to juggle my time, because I do enjoy staying busy!
I have survived! Not only am I surviving.. BUT.. I am learning. I recently had homework that required me to observe a library. Now, that doesn't seem like it would be to hard..right? I mean.. I know how a library works? I am JUST KIDDING! I am part of an awesome elementary school that has a wonderful and helpful librarian. I am part of a community that has great resources to go along with the libraries. I am also connected with librarians from all over the globe who are doing the most amazing things!
What I learned from this observation... I don't know anything! In the big scheme of things I understand that the library is a big piece of a community (I think this one of the biggest draws for me to go into this profession) but I didn't realize all that my local libraries were already doing. I spent my afternoon observing the South Irving Public Library What a great observation it was. I knew that they offered programs for children, but I didn't realize how much more they offered! I have already marked a few more things on my calendar to join in. I might or might not have also picked up a volunteer application while I was there.
I am thankful for all the librarians that are changing how the community interacts with libraries. I am even more thankful for all the librarians near and far that are doing amazing things! I am watching and taking notes!
About half way done with my first 6 hours... 30 more hours to go? I am excited about one of the big events coming up, the North Texas Teen Book Festival! I am very excited that this year they are offering a day before that has sessions for librarians and teachers. I will be missing the main event due to heading to Austin for an ATPE event. Excited to learn even more in my next courses.
Saturday, March 12, 2016
Sunday, December 27, 2015
New Adventures #librarianintraining
I received the tentative email that I was accepted into the TWU program to gain another masters. This masters would be in Library Science. I hit social media (because I follow some AMAZING librarians) and asked where was the best place to start for a list of books to read.
NOW.. Librarians are SO much more than knowing what books to read! BUT.. I don't start school until the 19th of January. That is a long time away. I hit up the library yesterday and picked out 5 books (3 picture and 2 YA) As I devoured these books in one day... I remembered why I LOVE reading. I can get lost in the pages of a book so quickly and be transported to another time or place. On my main blog I will be writing about my upcoming goals for the year.. and one of them is to spend less time on the social media and more time in the crafting, making, reading and learning.
I have been in education for 14 years. 11 of that was in a self contained special education classroom and I am currently an Instructional Technology Specialist. I LOVE my job.. I love being able to work with teachers and students and help them gain new understanding of various ways to increase their instruction with technology. But, I also know that I am a Busy Bee and am always looking for a new way to grow and learn. As I have watched and learned from my librarian friends I see the meld of technology, libraries, and overall learning. After I posted my need for a good list of books to read I had a great friend send me a message about how librarians are so much more than reading. "The MAIN point being that the library is of course, as you know, is supposed to the HUB for all things and therefore sharing books becomes a fraction of what one would expect from a "school library"" Thanks Sue Levine!
I started a Goodreads account I have a new Instagram account and of course this new blog. I also have a pinterest board that I am adding information too (this of course might change as I learn more.
I have LOTS to learn.. and am thankful for all the people that have already helped me on this journey.. and I know that I will be asking for a ton of help!
The Books I just finished-
The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend (by Dan Santat)- Super cute read about an imaginary friend who goes to find his human.
Ideas for the classroom: Have students create their own imaginary friends- maybe create want ads for the imaginary friends.
The Way to the Zoo- (by John Burningham) Easy read about a little girl who finds a secret door that leads to the zoo.
Ideas for the classroom: This could easily be used for various sequencing activities. Extension activities could also include collaborating with other classrooms to build a virtual zoo.
Blizzard- (by John Rocco) This was my favorite of the 3 books (although Adventures of Beekle was a CLOSE runner up!) It might have been because of the current weather. This book tells of an adventure of a boy during a blizzard.
Ideas for the classroom: The illustrations lead so many extension activities. From the day of the week embedded in each page (have students create their own sequencing) to the map of the town that folds out. Students can create their own map of the town and schedule of what would happen if this happened at their school.
The Dreamer- (by Pam Munoz Ryan and Peter Sis) I picked up this book because I LOVE Pam Munoz Ryan and have ready most of her books. This book tells of Neftali who later adopted the name Pablo Neruda. Neftali was a dreamer that had a beautiful way with words. The book did sadden me, but I loved how the main character although frail and "shinbones" stayed with his dreams.
Ideas for the classroom- This would be a great story to use with a poetry unit to discuss authors. Extension would be to research more about Pablo Neruda
Space Case- (by Stuart Gibbs) This was my favorite find out of the 5 books that I just finished. This book is a great mystery that happens on the moon. It is well written, and I was surprised by the ending (don't worry.. I won't give it away!)
Ideas for the classroom: have students write their own Moon Manuals or redesign the living quarters on a budget.
I am headed to the library to get my next set!
NOW.. Librarians are SO much more than knowing what books to read! BUT.. I don't start school until the 19th of January. That is a long time away. I hit up the library yesterday and picked out 5 books (3 picture and 2 YA) As I devoured these books in one day... I remembered why I LOVE reading. I can get lost in the pages of a book so quickly and be transported to another time or place. On my main blog I will be writing about my upcoming goals for the year.. and one of them is to spend less time on the social media and more time in the crafting, making, reading and learning.
I have been in education for 14 years. 11 of that was in a self contained special education classroom and I am currently an Instructional Technology Specialist. I LOVE my job.. I love being able to work with teachers and students and help them gain new understanding of various ways to increase their instruction with technology. But, I also know that I am a Busy Bee and am always looking for a new way to grow and learn. As I have watched and learned from my librarian friends I see the meld of technology, libraries, and overall learning. After I posted my need for a good list of books to read I had a great friend send me a message about how librarians are so much more than reading. "The MAIN point being that the library is of course, as you know, is supposed to the HUB for all things and therefore sharing books becomes a fraction of what one would expect from a "school library"" Thanks Sue Levine!
I started a Goodreads account I have a new Instagram account and of course this new blog. I also have a pinterest board that I am adding information too (this of course might change as I learn more.
I have LOTS to learn.. and am thankful for all the people that have already helped me on this journey.. and I know that I will be asking for a ton of help!
The Books I just finished-
The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend (by Dan Santat)- Super cute read about an imaginary friend who goes to find his human.
Ideas for the classroom: Have students create their own imaginary friends- maybe create want ads for the imaginary friends.
The Way to the Zoo- (by John Burningham) Easy read about a little girl who finds a secret door that leads to the zoo.
Ideas for the classroom: This could easily be used for various sequencing activities. Extension activities could also include collaborating with other classrooms to build a virtual zoo.
Blizzard- (by John Rocco) This was my favorite of the 3 books (although Adventures of Beekle was a CLOSE runner up!) It might have been because of the current weather. This book tells of an adventure of a boy during a blizzard.
Ideas for the classroom: The illustrations lead so many extension activities. From the day of the week embedded in each page (have students create their own sequencing) to the map of the town that folds out. Students can create their own map of the town and schedule of what would happen if this happened at their school.
The Dreamer- (by Pam Munoz Ryan and Peter Sis) I picked up this book because I LOVE Pam Munoz Ryan and have ready most of her books. This book tells of Neftali who later adopted the name Pablo Neruda. Neftali was a dreamer that had a beautiful way with words. The book did sadden me, but I loved how the main character although frail and "shinbones" stayed with his dreams.
Ideas for the classroom- This would be a great story to use with a poetry unit to discuss authors. Extension would be to research more about Pablo Neruda
Space Case- (by Stuart Gibbs) This was my favorite find out of the 5 books that I just finished. This book is a great mystery that happens on the moon. It is well written, and I was surprised by the ending (don't worry.. I won't give it away!)
Ideas for the classroom: have students write their own Moon Manuals or redesign the living quarters on a budget.
I am headed to the library to get my next set!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)