Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Free posters, bookmarks and stickers for your library.




will send you free A3 posters, plus bookmarks and stickers.

Have a look at the book trailers on videos on  the NEW Ford St Publishing's channel  on YouTube.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Change is coming but help is needed!!

 I have a message to share form a fellow TL who is very excited about the change being offered to her.

Please spare a minute to offer your 
much sought after advice.


I have just been given the chance to organise the library borrowing/usage as I want, with consultation of course. 

I will have no RFF and was  thinking of having set a borrowing time (1/2 hour) for K to 2 with  flexible timetabling for 3 to 6 and a drop in and borrow slot for 3 to 6. 

The executive have asked me to gather information from other TLs who are  using this formula or something similar.  

Does anyone use this in their  library?  Is it successful and were there problems implementing it  especially as the library has been used for at least 9 hours of RFF and  the rest of the school a 1/2 hour borrowing. 




I am excited about having  team teaching in the library.

 Regards Lorelle Byers
lbbyers@optusnet.com.au

A must read for all Aussie Teacher Librarians!!!

 If you have not yet had a chance to read this post by Maralyn Parker you really should.



"WE can only hope someone knows what to do with that “state of the art’’ library, courtesy of the Rudd Building the Education Revolution, coming to your primary school soon. And more importantly that they have the time to do it."  Maralyn Parker





"The government is on the right track, I believe, in aiming for a
21st century library 
 in every Australian primary school. 
But the buildings, technology and furniture 
are only part of it." 




"...not one state or territory in Australia can promise their fabulous new primary school libraries will be run by people qualified to do the job."  
Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

High school literacy game and science scams !!!

Smokescreen is a thirteen-part web-literacy game requiring players to uncover a mystery on a fictional social network site. As they unfold the plot they learn about the real dangers inadvertent but indiscrete information sharing can expose people to. 

For the Science of Scams Channel 4 Learning have recruited Derren Brown to host a new web show which seeks to expose some of the tricks used by so-called paranormal practitioners while his co-host Kat Akingbade explores the science at work behind such seeming mysteries as telekinesis, ghosts and psychic ability.

Check http://inspired.futurelab.org.uk/ - for other great resources.

Thanks to
Sue Spence
Curriculum Manager, Senior Secondary Reform
Curriculum Services
for this advice.

Monday, November 30, 2009

Literacy Resources-Winner Edublogger Competition 2009

Well worth checking out Literacy Resources, Devon Learning and Development Partnership.

Chifley Public School are seeking 0.6 TL for 2010

 I am sharing a message from Rachael Bryant, Teacher Librarian, Chifley Public School (with her permission).



Dear Colleagues,

I will be leaving my 0.6 Teacher Librarian position at the end of this year - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. I would love a trained TL to move into the role (as I understand, it will be casual/temporary and then be advertised for permanent). Chifley Public School (near Matraville in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney) is a gorgeous little school of about 220 students. The staff are fabulous and the community very supportive. There are very few behavioural issues and on the whole the students love the library.

The library is being refurbished at the end of this term, which means, although it may be a little messy to begin with, anyone moving into the position will have a chance to put their own stamp on the place from the beginning. I really am sad to be leaving.

If you are interested, or know anyone who may be, please email me off list or alternatively, call me or the Principal, Andrew Fielding, on ph. 02 9661 3014

Kind regards

Rachael Bryant



Sunday, November 29, 2009

Looking for the best blogs? Try this latest list.

Karenne's EduBlogs Nominations for 2009

asked by Edublogs to submit nominations for the 2009, Edublogs Awards.



The list provides a smorgasbord of  educational blogs 
across a wide range of categories.

 

reBlog from Audrey Nay: Coffs Harbour TL's Network and Beyond

Due to the abundance of information and "misinformation" there is a vital need for students to be guided by trained Teacher  Librarians to assist students to develop

essential "information literacy skills". Audrey Nay, Coffs Harbour TL's Network and Beyond, Oct 2009

The petition has been forwarded to Julia Gillard but your signature is still sought. The more signatures the stronger our message:


Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Game consoles in the library? in the classroom?

In his blog, EdTe.ch, Tom Barrett write about his experience of using game consoles in the classroom. It is one of my favourite things.



Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Have you read these yet? Advocacy is important for TL's.

ASLA have sent a
 Letter to Federal Minister for Education, 
Julia Gillard, calling for a

Do you know what recent measures have been undertaken 


by ASLA National?          If not, click here








Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Early bird notice! The 12th Annual Tooth Tally Project begins soon!



Cheryl Hill is looking for Australian schools 
that would like to join this 
INTERNATIONAL project.
The excitement of counting, graphing, reading and writing about losing teeth is beginning again next February. So get in early and get ready to join the fun!!

Our year 1 classes really enjoyed this
 TOOTH TALLY unit 
last year and I would like to do it again for year 1, 2010. 
I really recommend this project .


Check out Tooth Tally Project which includes great lesson plans.  
There are also downloadable resources including 
Australian NSW DET Teachers:The Tooth Tally Project Lesson Plan 

OVERVIEW



The Tooth Tally Project integrates a common event 
in the life of a first year student –losing a tooth 
– with reading, maths, writing, HSIE and technology.


Using "lost tooth" data collected in the classroom               
year one students will practice counting skills and 
collecting data. 
 
They will learn to make and interpret graphs,
develop map skills, increase word processing ability,
use a scanner and communicate online using a wiki site.
   
It's a wonderful opportunity for children to realise that  
in spite of many differences 

                     children all around the world have many similarities, too.





Key ICT Subject Area
Computer Operations & Concepts: CO.1, CO.3, CO.4, CO.8
Word Processing: WP.1, WP.2, WP6
Graphics & DTP: GD.13, GD.14, GD.16
Internet: IN.4, IN.11, IN.15
Technical Objective To use a range of technology applications in research,
communication and publication of data collected from around
the world.
Related KLA Outcomes
English: TS1.1, TS1.2, WS1.12
Mathematics: NS1.1, WMS1.12, DS1.1, MS1.2,
Science & Technology: INVS1.7, ICS1.12, UTS2.9
PDHPE: GDS1.9,
HSIE: SSS2.7, ENS2.5
Software Internet Explorer, Word, Excel, Google Earth, scanning
Timeframe 8-10 x 45 min. lessons, spread across Terms 1 & 2   


Visit the Teachers page on the tooth tally website 
for lots of downloadable resources, including the tooth shape marker.



Registration is now open,
please register at the TOOTH TALLY website,



Cheryl Hill
Tooth Tally Project Coordinator









Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Thursday, November 26, 2009

In the 21st century, what does a school librarian do?



You know you're a 21st century librarian if . .



Manifesto for 21st Century School Librarians


By Joyce Kasman Valenza

Great Libraries of Learning:Is your library answering the needs of your students?

Great Libraries of Learning:Is your library answering the needs of your students?

Updated OASIS stocktake manual is here! 2009 version!!

School Libraries and Information Literacy



Updated stocktake manual is here! - The updated OASIS Stocktake Manual is available at the bottom of the FAQs - Stocktake page, under the question

How can I get assistance and advice on stocktake?


You will also find Stocktake hints by Sandra Jackson when you scroll down to this question .

Maralyn Parker, Daily Tele, supports our cause

In case you missed this article:

Maralyn Parker, Daily Tele, supports our cause

Well worth a few minutes reading time!!

Book Reviews which embeds technology nicely.

Hot Dog Book review on "It's not easy being a bunny."
Here is our latest Hot Dog book review from a third grader.
 Hot Dogs write a review, draw a self portrait, and then we animate the review with their voice.


Find more videos like this on TeacherLibrarianNetwork

Here is another 3rd and 4th grade book review.
The reviews are posted on Glogster for the school to use.
Glog Book Review "The Clouds Above."


Find more videos like this on TeacherLibrarianNetwork

Generating OASIS calendar 2010

Are you looking for the NSW DET Master dates to generate your new 2010 dates for the calendar?
Click here


Monday, November 16, 2009

Free- Open access Educational Journals

100 Excellent Open Access Journals for Educators

100 Excellent Open Access Journals for Educators
Just like physicians, the best educators stay informed with the latest developments in their field.
Luckily, it doesn’t take anything more than time to have access to quality journals for educators.

The following open access journals provide top-notch scholarly information available at no cost.

Most of these journals are published just once or a few times a year, so subscribe to several
so you can keep up-to-date on the latest research coming out of the field of education.






 
Different types of peer-reviewed research journalsImage via Wikipedia

Of particular interest to Teacher Librarians:
School Library Media Research.
Learn about evaluating and implementing successful school library media programs with the articles here.
Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Monday, November 9, 2009

DIGITISATION of the SMH & ARGUS Newspapers

Message from: Sharon McGuinness
Teacher Librarian


The Sydney Morning HeraldImage via Wikipedia
 1. Sydney Morning Herald

The first digitised issues of the 

Sydney Morning Herald are now
available.  We have started from

the first issue 1831 and are 
making our way forwards to 1954.

The first 20 years (18,000 pages) are 

now available as follows:

Sydney Herald 1831-1842
Sydney Morning Herald 1842-1852

Issues from 1852 - 1954 will be 

made available each week from now on
through til early 2010. In early 2010 

The Sunday Herald 1949-1953 will
also become available.
  

We would like to acknowledge the financial contribution of the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation who have
given $1 million dollars towards the digitisation of this title.

2. The Argus (Melbourne)

The Argus  (and its previous title the Melbourne Argus) from 1846 - 1945 are now completed and available. 

The remaining 10 years (1945-1954) of the Argus will be made available in 2010 (mid to end of year).


Please circulate this message or its contents wherever appropriate.

Click to access the Australian Newspapers service:





Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Bring dogs into the library...help kids learn to read...



Therapy dogs in libraries 
can help kids 
become more comfortable with reading.

Children who are just learning to read often feel judged or intimidated by classmates and adults.

But reading to a dog isn't so scary.
It won't judge, it won't get impatient, it won't laugh or correct if the child makes a mistake.

In a nutshell, dogs are simply excellent listeners.
And for shy kids or slow readers, that can make all the difference.

In America there is a nationwide program called R.E.A.D. -- Reading Education Assistance Dogs. It has been noticed that there's another benefit of reading to the dogs that they didn't anticipate: confidence.

The volunteers see the kids light up and see how excited they are with their success. They see all these changes in the students that they just weren't able to make as beginning readers before.

Check out more on this program @Learning to Read? Try talking to a dog
Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Great timesaver... and great resources available.

A special message from :
Lizzie Chase
School Libraries and Information Literacy Unit
 
Find out when a new resource is added to 
School Libraries and Information Literacy Website 
and exactly where to find it.
 
To bring news of our website updates to you, the School Libraries and Information Literacy team have set up an RSS Feed  which you can click to subscribe to.
 
It will send a message straight into a folder called RSS at the side, within your DET Outlook email inbox. 
 
They will let you know when new DET workshops have been placed online for you to register OR direct you to hidden goodies on their website...
 
 
For example - the first RSS feed they have set up is at and lets you know that there are some brand new teaching resources, if you SCROLL DOWN to the bottom of the nominated page!! 
 
Lizzie would certainly recommend the revamped Information Skills teaching ideas to any new teacher librarians...
 

Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Inter-school exchange of thoughts about learning in the 21C



Have you got a school twitter account?
TwitterImage via Wikipedia

Are you interested in discussing learning in the 21C with other schools using twitter and Twitcam?







The learnover will be held over 24 hours, and for 48 school

- one scheduled for each half hour using GMT

in as many different countries as we can muster.
 Click on the image above to find out further details.

Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Have you visited Mathtrain.tv yet?


 "Kids teaching kids."
 A little computer info/information literacy..... A teacher created video

What is a url?

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Help put a qualified Teacher Librarian in every school in Australia.

 Please sign the online petition started by "The Hub" at the link below:

Online petition - A Qualified Teacher Librarian in Every School






















Due to the abundance of information and "misinformation" there is a vital need for students to be guided by trained teachers to assist them in developing essential "information skills". 

We can not expect students to become "Information Literate" by throwing them into the sea of information and just hoping they don't drown!!


Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

“Talk About Art” at the regional Gallery on Saturday, 31 October.

 A message from Judy Atkinson:

I hope that you might find the following event at the Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery (next door to Coffs Harbour City Library) of interest.
 
At 10.00 am Saturday 31 October John McDonald author, historian and art critic for the Sydney Morning Herald will be presenting “Talk About Art” in the Regional Gallery. John is an erudite and at times controversial speaker but he is always entertaining. Cost $5, payable at the door and this includes refreshments. 
 
For further information, please contact the Art Gallery on 6648 4863.
 
 Regards
 
 Judy Atkinson
Library Programs Officer
Coffs Harbour City Library & Information Service
Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Term 4 Coffs Harbour Teacher Librarian Network Meeting

 To all Teacher Librarians in the Coffs Harbour area please come along and join the network where you will be supported and have the opportunity to share your learnings with others. Help us help each other.


Meeting this term at
Coffs Harbour Primary School Library
3.30pm
Wednesday 11th November
We will have a guest speaker, Dan Brown, from World book, showing us around the updated World Book Web Site.
2nd on the list of course is our Christmas Dinner venue and date.

Looking forward to seeing you
Don't forget to bring something to eat with the cuppa/coffee

Lyn Howlin
Teacher Librarian
Coffs Harbour Primary School
Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Let's use cellphones for learning.


Obama's new Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, offers an enthusiastic endorsement of using digital tools like video games and cellphones in the classroom. He's a pragmatist; his attitude is that kids are on this stuff all day anyway, so why not put them to educational use?


from Rachel   A chat with Obama's new Secretary of Education




Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Many Teacher Librarians are still struggling to get adequate support..SINK or SWIM

Please help by filling out this quick survey...It will take 2-3 minutes tops.

Your support is most appreciated.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Where the Wild Things Are

 
Looking for  multimodal stimulus for some great lessons.

Watch the Trailer: "Where the Wild Things Are' directed by Spike Jonez
(be warned there is an ad before the trailer plays)

Read the article:

‘Where the Wild Things Are’

Published Oct 9, 2008
From the magazine issue dated Oct 19, 2009

View the Wild and Beautiful images.


Tuesday, October 13, 2009

"Dewey Does Decimals" from David Strempel

 David has kindly allowed me to share this work with you: Enjoy.!!


A student once asked me to write a poem on the Dewey System 
for the School magazine:

Dewey Does Decimals



Melvil DeweyImage via Wikipedia

"When Melvil Dewey was a lad,
  Books in libraries were so bad,
  They were piled up in ugly stacks,
  By which were lies and which were facts
  And which were red and which were white
  And which were large and which were slight.

  “This has got to stop,” said Mel,
  “These libraries are a living hell,
  I just can’t get no satisfaction.”
  And then he had an inspiration.
  “There’s got to be a better system.
  I’ll think it through, and then I’ll list ‘em.”


  It took him days and weeks and years,
  He went through paper, ink and beers.
  It took long walks with his dog Bluey,
  And then it came to Melvil Dewey –
  A way of finding books so fast
  “This is the way, hooray, at last!”





  “I’ll put all books in ten main classes,
  I’ll write that down, now where’s my glasses?
  Then each class into fields I shall divide ‘em,
  And then each field and subfield and so on ad infinitum
  For more specific things, I’ll use some decimal places,”
  Whispered Mr. Dewey, hitching up his braces.

  Mel used the lowest numbers for generalities,
  Like mysteries, computers, journalism, bibliographies.
  The 100s were for noble ideas and thoughts of philosophy,
  And thoughts of thoughts and logic and psychology.
  He set aside 200 to two hundred ‘n’ ninety nine
  For ideas of the supernatural and of the divine.


  300s were for social sciences – law and education,
Civics, sociology, customs and vocation
  400s got the Language stuff – dictionaries ‘n’ grammar as well,
  “This ain’t so hard after all,” mumbled a smug Mel.
  500s he gave to Sciences – maths chem and zoology,
  Botony, palaeontology, biol and geology.

  600s for Technology, medicine and invention,
  TV, engineering ‘n’ agriculture got a mention.
  700s – the Arts – architecture and for painting,
  And music and sculpture, photography, recreating.
  800s for Literature – poetry, and plays (like Mystery),
  900s for Geography, cities, countries and for History.

  “Well that’s it then,” said Dewey to his Great Unca Scrooge,
  If this thing catches on it really will be HUGE,
  And if it don’t, why then, I’ll use my imagination,
  I’ll do a Mao, leave libraries and go and lead a nation.”
  Fortunately it worked for him, Mel Dewey and his dogue,
  But next he had to invent the old card catalogue.


  I’m not too sure I told it all the way it really went,
  But next time to a library you go or you are sent,
  Remember Melvil Dewey, the librarian and his pup,
Who gave us all good libraries, neatly divided up.
  And spare a thought for librarians with strange looks on their faces,
  Sitting in their back rooms trying to work out decimal places."


Melvil Dewey's Decimal SystemImage by Klara Kim via Flickr

  David Strempel   Teacher Librarian



Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Where the Wild Things Went Online Project 2009



This project is open to all PreK - 6th grade classrooms worldwide.
The project dates will be October 12 to October 30, 2009.

 
 This project offers teachers 3 ideas to share with their students.


Join in the fun as we learn about
extending a story, endangered animals, and verbs.



Loxodonta-african (African elephant) at Howlet...


Resources will include Worksheets, Standards, and Links for all the ideas.

Kindergarten 5 day plan



You are also welcome to join our ning at http://projectsbyjen.ning.com to expand the project!!



Registration now open.



Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Friday, October 2, 2009

"Bear & Chook" books rap...coming soon

 Sharing a message from Ian Mc Lean (with permission) with you:
   
The book rap is  based on two picture books, "Bear & Chook",
and the newly-released "Bear & Chook by the sea",
is aimed at students in Early Stage 1 (Kinder) and Stage 1 (Years 1 & 2).

Several schools have already introduced themselves, there are some great comments turning up on the Teachers' section, and there are already things to look at in the Gallery.


This book rap will also feature participation by the author, Lisa Shanahan, and illustrator, Emma Quay. An online video, of Lisa and Emma reading "Bear & Chook by the sea" at Caddies Creek PS, and answering students' questions, will be an exciting addition to the usual teaching resources.

The rap is being coordinated by Jenny Scheffers (TL at Caddies Creek), 
"Scan" editor Cath Keane, and yours truly.
Interstate and international schools are welcome, and 
there is no cost involved in book rapping.


The rap pages on the NSW DET website are still under construction and will be open for viewing from NSW's Day 1, Term 4. 
The rap itself will commence in Week 2, Term 4,
in the week of 26 October 2009.

What is already open for viewing is the blog associated with this rap at:
http://rapblog6.edublogs.org/

You can see there the weekly tasks which students will undertake.

If you're trying to visualise the scope of the programming and planning, syllabus outcomes and rap sheets, you might like to check out previous recent raps, such as the 2008 Stage 1 "Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge" book rap, in which the discussion component was also in a blog format:
http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/raps/wilfrid08/index.htm

You can also email cath.keane@det.nsw.edu.au for further information about the rap. 




Please join us, and spread the word! 




Click here to check out the website:  Bear and Chook
"This touching story is about Bear and Chook,
two very different 
but very good friends 
and their ambitions and dreams."

Don't forget to bring your warm honey toast!       Happy holidays! 





Reblog this post [with Zemanta]