Tuesday, October 25, 2016
Friday, September 23, 2016
The Key to Extraordinary
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| Find the book here. |
Finding your destiny. Is our destiny just one thing we might do that is extraordinary, or the things we do in every day life that matter the most? A book to make you think!
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Making Banners
I had fun creating my own banners for the library. I can see myself making more displays with this easy to assemble set.
Sunday, September 18, 2016
Building Reading Habits
After a summer of research on motivating readers and independent reading, I will be spending much of my time helping my students build positive reading habits. I read No More Reading Without Support by Debbie Miller,
No More Reading for Junk by Barbara Marinak,
and Reading in the Wild by Donalyn Miller.
All these books have inspired some changes for my library program this year. Stay tuned!
To start the year, we are talking about building strong reading habits. Here is a survey I used to assess where my students stand now. I plan to reassess at the end of the school year.
No More Reading for Junk by Barbara Marinak,
and Reading in the Wild by Donalyn Miller.
All these books have inspired some changes for my library program this year. Stay tuned!
To start the year, we are talking about building strong reading habits. Here is a survey I used to assess where my students stand now. I plan to reassess at the end of the school year.
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Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Library Joke Bookmarks
To celebrate April Fool's Day I have invited my whole school (650+) to visit me in the library for some "joking" around. Jokes are fun, kids love jokes and we just can't get enough of them. So, instead of them pulling a "fast one" on us, let's give them a few...
Here are 24 bookmarks with 24 different corny library, reading and/or book-related jokes for any age that appreciates a fun joke. My plan is to give a set to each classroom in my school. Enjoy!
Library Joke Bookmarks Freebie!
Here are 24 bookmarks with 24 different corny library, reading and/or book-related jokes for any age that appreciates a fun joke. My plan is to give a set to each classroom in my school. Enjoy!
Library Joke Bookmarks Freebie!
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
3rd Grade Project Based Learning with Inventors and Scientist
How are your PBL's going with your elementary folks? Not sure about you, but my teachers are excited about starting PBL's but also see the need to scaffold the research involved. I've taken research steps and PBL and "married" the two in what I call "8 Steps to Becoming a Research Specialist". I sell a generic product that can be tailored to your specific research project. Click here to get the product.
How does it fit a PBL? There is a launch to get to students thinking about what they need to learn and how they will share their learning with others beyond their classroom. Students work in small, cooperative and collaborative groups during the project. Rubrics are available to help students understand what is expected at the different levels. Students have some choice in the product they create.
How is the research scaffolded? There are many methods out there to step students through the research process; IIM, Big 6, and others. The research steps are integrated throughout the project to help the students stay on target and on task for what they need to accomplish for the project. Proper research skills such as not plagiarizing, citing sources, use of databases, website evaluation, note taking and synthesizing information are enforced.
How can I tailor it to my project? Well, here is one idea I recently worked with a group of dynamic 3rd grade teachers and students...
... First you look at the standards that need to be taught. The teachers wanted to specifically teach research skills along with learning about how people have impacted the community. They chose to target inventors and scientist that have impacted the community.
... Next, look for what resources are available. This is a part that I, the librarian, love to do. I looked for books available as well as what biographies were available in our databases. I created a spread sheet with possibly people to research, marking the resources available. I sorted them and came up with a list of 40 inventors and scientists that I had at least 3 resources; book, database or a trusted website.
...Teachers picked which people to research and brought their students in for a "launch." Another part I love to lead. I created a PowerPoint for this launch. First I did a review of the steps to research, then shared with them a man that impacted our specific community; a blacksmith. Then I shared a video where I interviewed 5th graders on what they knew, or didn't know, about these people. The 3rd graders loved seeing the 5th graders struggle! Then I challenged them with the Driving Question and Problem Statement.
...The next several days, the teachers took on the research steps in the classroom with the provided resources. I also gave them a short PowerPoint on using the "Trash or Treasure" method for taking notes.
...When research was done, I went into each classroom to demonstrate the "Organizing" step. One of my favorite steps where you really get to see the synthesizing of information as the students go through and sort their notes.
...After that, the teachers really took the reigns by getting them ready for the sharing. Students created trifolds to display what they learned and the teachers set aside a day for a "Wax Museum" where the entire school and community what invited. Students were proud of what they learned!
Good luck, and feel free to email me with any questions. I love to share! melzipp@yahoo.com
How does it fit a PBL? There is a launch to get to students thinking about what they need to learn and how they will share their learning with others beyond their classroom. Students work in small, cooperative and collaborative groups during the project. Rubrics are available to help students understand what is expected at the different levels. Students have some choice in the product they create.
How is the research scaffolded? There are many methods out there to step students through the research process; IIM, Big 6, and others. The research steps are integrated throughout the project to help the students stay on target and on task for what they need to accomplish for the project. Proper research skills such as not plagiarizing, citing sources, use of databases, website evaluation, note taking and synthesizing information are enforced.
How can I tailor it to my project? Well, here is one idea I recently worked with a group of dynamic 3rd grade teachers and students...
... First you look at the standards that need to be taught. The teachers wanted to specifically teach research skills along with learning about how people have impacted the community. They chose to target inventors and scientist that have impacted the community.
... Next, look for what resources are available. This is a part that I, the librarian, love to do. I looked for books available as well as what biographies were available in our databases. I created a spread sheet with possibly people to research, marking the resources available. I sorted them and came up with a list of 40 inventors and scientists that I had at least 3 resources; book, database or a trusted website.
...Teachers picked which people to research and brought their students in for a "launch." Another part I love to lead. I created a PowerPoint for this launch. First I did a review of the steps to research, then shared with them a man that impacted our specific community; a blacksmith. Then I shared a video where I interviewed 5th graders on what they knew, or didn't know, about these people. The 3rd graders loved seeing the 5th graders struggle! Then I challenged them with the Driving Question and Problem Statement.
...The next several days, the teachers took on the research steps in the classroom with the provided resources. I also gave them a short PowerPoint on using the "Trash or Treasure" method for taking notes.
...When research was done, I went into each classroom to demonstrate the "Organizing" step. One of my favorite steps where you really get to see the synthesizing of information as the students go through and sort their notes.
...After that, the teachers really took the reigns by getting them ready for the sharing. Students created trifolds to display what they learned and the teachers set aside a day for a "Wax Museum" where the entire school and community what invited. Students were proud of what they learned!
Good luck, and feel free to email me with any questions. I love to share! melzipp@yahoo.com
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Library Super Bowl
Getting ready to motivate students, practice library skills and have a little fun! That's what I'll be doing next week. I've noticed lately my library patrons need practice with using the online catalog and/or just finding the books on the shelves. I made "football" shaped cards with search queries and call numbers to get the kids practicing. Just print the cards and get the practice started or spice it up by creating a fun "football" environment... football field made from flannel fabric, goal post and folded footballs for scoring field goals. Wear a ref outfit (mine is a white shirt with black duck tape) and I made one for my teacher friend helping out. Add a display of "Score With a Good Book". Pictures to come... but wanted to share before next week's games begin!
Library Super Bowl
Library Super Bowl
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