Videos and QR Code in the Library

YouTube

While touring some videos posted by school library channels, I came across a couple of channels that posted some videos that were both fun and helpful! The first channel I looked at is from bbmsmedia. They have a wide variety of videos that address several topics. One of the videos that struck me as super creative was Luke Skywalker has Overdue Books. The other video I chose was eResources @ BBMS. This video introduces the electronic resources available through the library. This video would be helpful for students as they learn how to access and navigate the digital resources provided. Of the two videos I chose, I definitely think the students would like the Star Wars themed video better. It presents the message in a funny, light-hearted way! While the eResources video presents needed academic information.

YouTube: Star Wars 

YouTube: eResources

I also chose two videos from the channel pikesvillehslibrary. This website is geared toward older students, so the topics presented differ from the ones shared on the bbmsmedia channel. I chose the videos PHS Financial Aid Workshop and pikesvillehslibrary FAFSA. I chose these videos because students are required to complete a FAFSA before they graduate. These videos would be helpful as reminders and sources of information for students and parents! Of the two videos, I think the PHF Financial Aid Workshop video would be the more helpful. The pikesvillehslibrary FAFSA is more of a witty reminder to keep your eye out for the upcoming FAFSA application!

pikesvillehs FAFSA 

PHS FAFSA Workshop

Utilizing videos through YouTube would be a fun way to involve students in library activities! We want our students to feel like they have ownership in the library and its collection. What better way to do that than including them in the day-to-day tasks!

Many campuses have morning news crews that deliver the upcoming activities and important announcements of the day. Recruiting members of the news crew to help create fun videos related to the library would be an awesome way to present the information to the student body! News crew members are already comfortable with being on camera, so the opportunities to be creative are endless!

Book Recommendation!

 

In Jennifer L. Holm's New York Times bestselling, Newbery Honor winning middle grade historical fiction novel, life isn't like the movies. But then again, 11-year-old Turtle is no Shirley Temple. She's smart and tough and has seen enough of the world not to expect a Hollywood ending. After all, it's 1935 and jobs and money and sometimes even dreams are scarce. So, when Turtle's mama gets a job housekeeping for a lady who doesn't like kids, Turtle says goodbye without a tear and heads off to Key West, Florida to live with relatives she's never met. Florida's like nothing Turtle's ever seen before though. It's hot and strange, full of rag tag boy cousins, family secrets, scams, and even buried pirate treasure! Before she knows what's happened, Turtle finds herself coming out of the shell she's spent her life building, and as she does, her world opens up in the most unexpected ways. Filled with adventure, humor and heart, Turtle in Paradise is an instant classic both boys and girls with love.

I recently finished reading a wonderfully funny book titled Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm. I encourage you to follow along as Turtle meets her family from Key West, participates in the Diaper Gang’s daily rounds, and sets out on an adventure that promises an incredible ride! Scan the QR Code provided to check out the book trailer! Enjoy!

 

QR Codes

QR Codes are a quick, convenient way to give the community access to the school library and its information! Here are some ideas for sharing helpful QR Codes with patrons!

·       Using the URL, create a QR Code that provides easy access to the library collection! Creating posters and placing them throughout the campus will allow students, teachers, and parents to access what’s available in the library!

·       Creating a QR Code to present new arrivals in the library is also a fun way to share the latest acquisitions with the community!

·       Need recommendations? Create a QR Code that directs library users to your survey!

·       QR Codes are also an excellent way to tally attendance for upcoming events! Need volunteers to help with the book fair? Providing a poetry night as a community outreach? Students and parents can sign up using the unique QR Code you created!

  

bbmsmedia. (2017, Oct. 23). eRources @ BBMS [Video]. Youtube.             https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ht7cv39Vbr4

bbmsmedia. (2018, May 18). Luke Skywalker has overdue books [Video]. Youtube.             https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivht6CPe1Ek

pikesvillehslibrary. (n.d.). Pikesvillehighschool FAFSA [Video]. Youtube.             https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVyIaw40neY

pikesvillehslibrary. (2013, Dec. 16). PHS financial aid workshop. [Video].             https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esKCAk_t6v0&t=605s

 

 

 

 

Critique of Infographic Sites

          Using infographics to present data and information is a new skill for me. I spent some time working in three different websites that offer the opportunity to utilize an infographic as a form of presentation. I would like to share my experiences with these sites with you, so you might be able to choose the right one for your needs. Before I discuss the steps in my journey, I think it is important to provide a strong definition for what an infographic is and why they might be used.

          Merriam-Webster (2022) defines infographic as “…a chart, diagram, or illustration (as in a book or magazine, or on a website) that uses graphic elements to present information in a visually striking way.” Taking information and presenting it so it is easy to read and visually appealing. For me to create an infographic of my own, I needed to see some examples. I was able to locate those examples through three different websites that offer templates for users to access. It was through using one of the available templates that I was able to successfully create my own infographic on the social media platform, Twitter.

          The first infographic website I visited was http://infogr.am/. Once I created an account, I was presented with the various options for subscriptions. I chose the basic account which is free of charge. This option allows for the creation of 10 projects with up to 5 pages per project. It also provides access to object animations, thirteen map types, and thirty-seven chart types. Initially, I chose this website to create my infographic assignment. However, after working for quite a while, I found that the website was not the most user-friendly when it came to adding information and altering graphics. I had difficulty with text manipulation and deletion. After spending quite a bit of time trying different ideas, I decided to check out one of the other websites offered.

          The second website I visited was https://piktochart.com/. I created an account for with Piktochart using my school email account. This website also offers an option for a free account. Included in the account are 5 visual projects, 2 downloads, and 20 minutes of video. Immediately, I was very impressed with the templates available on this site. They have a wide variety of designs to choose from. Also available are templates for posters, reports, flyers, presentations, and social media. Custom projects are also an option. This website will be a useful resource when creating any type of infographic. Before making a final decision though, I wanted to tour the last infographic website offered.

          Finally, I visited the infographic website https://www.easel.ly/. For this subscription, I used my google account to create a profile for a free trial. There are pricing options for students, teachers (individual), and businesses. The monthly charge for access to the website seems reasonable at $4 per month. Included in the individual plan is access to 320 templates, exporting of PDF’s, JPG’s, and PNG’s, 30 free student accounts, and over a million photos and icons. Sounds like the perfect plan for me! After watching the tutorial video, I quickly realized that the website has been updated since 2013. On my dashboard, I located the new design option. Once I gathered the data needed for completing my infographic, I started my project. I found this website quite user-friendly when creating my assignment. I could navigate without any issues, and I could edit the templates without any trouble. I am very pleased with the final product! Take a look at how it turned out! Of the three websites visited, I definitely recommend the Easelly website for creating infographics!

References

Easelly. (2022). Retrieved on June 24, 2022, from https://www.easel.ly/

Infogram. (2022). Retrieved on June 24, 2022, from https://infogram.com/

Merriam-Webster, Inc. (2022). Infographic. Retrieved on June 24, 2022, from           https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infographic

Piktochart. (2022). Retrieved on June 24, 2022, from https://piktochart.com/

 

Social Media and the Library? A Good Match?

Growing up before the introduction of social media had its pros and cons. Without it, I feel like we, people in general, were able to be in the moment in a much more genuine way. Life wasn’t about posting pictures of your breakfast or the new pair of shoes you just bought. However, my thoughts recently have changed. I see the positive aspects of it now. Social media creates connections personally, professionally, and academically.

The social media platforms I am speaking of include Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. I am the most familiar with Facebook. I probably utilize that platform at least once a day. I think it’s safe to say that most students and families utilize Facebook also. That makes it a powerful tool in education. More specifically, it is a very useful resource for school libraries.

As I toured some of the pages created by school libraries, I noticed several things. First, utilizing Facebook pages can be a vital way of providing information to the community. The ability to send out a message or share a post with the masses with just one click is a time saver for librarians! Promoting the school library collection, its upcoming activities, book recommendations, and its needs is so much easier using social media platforms like Facebook. While perusing library pages, I saw book recommendations, book trailers, author information, upcoming social meetings in the library space, book reviews, and new technology available. That is advantageous because families are not always on campus physically. So, signs, announcements, and/or fliers that are shared at school will not be available to them.  

I do see some disadvantages with using Facebook as a social media platform though. Facebook’s popularity has been dwindling as new platforms such as Twitter and Instagram have come on the scene. Students and parents have subscribed to those platforms because of their capabilities. Therefore, a school library may reach more members of the community by utilizing more than one social media platform. That improves the chances of information reaching the most people as possible.

Since I just recently created a Twitter account, I wanted to see what those who are knowledgeable about library technology were saying. The first educational technology leader I checked out was Kathy Schrock (@kathyschrock). I was excited to see that she posted several of her ed tech websites for easy access! I was particularly drawn to her blog and the technology tool, Lucidspark, discussed at https://blog.kathyschrock.net/. Utilizing a whiteboard, teachers and students can collaborate on ideas. There are resources for the planning and organization of projects. Teachers from various grade levels could participate in collaborative planning. While students could work together on research projects.

I also looked at Gwyneth Jones’, AKA The Daring Librarian, Twitter posts (@GwynethJones). She is not only a librarian, but also a blogger, an archivist, and a notable keynote speaker! Some of her ideas for the library include printables, book recommendations, and raising awareness for banned books. I like that Ms. Jones thinks outside of the box!

Jim Lerman also had some great content on his Twitter account (@jimlerman)! Even though I do not own a Kindle, I do think his post regarding tips and tricks will be helpful to those who utilize that device. I think the best post I saw was the video clip of John Dewey. What a cool clip to share!

Linda Braun (@lbraun2000) shared a few posts that discussed academic studies completed on how to service families in crisis through the library and the effects of Covid 19. It was interesting to hear that data. Finally, she shared an article that discusses how the brain functions while creating art. All while keeping the efforts of promoting Future Ready Libraries at the forefront!

I did checkout the Twitter account for the ALA (@ALALibrary). They post a wide variety of information and add content quite frequently. Everything from White House data regarding Covid 19 to book banning to articles available through the American Libraries Magazine website. l appreciate having access to information that I normally would not have if I was not following them!

Overall, I think Twitter as a platform is incredibly useful for school libraries. It’s a popular free platform that offers many options for searching, posting, and sharing. It’s also user-friendly, so families will be able to navigate it. I think it’s great for posting quick messages, but also good for retweeting articles and information the community would be interested in.

Instagram is the last social media platform I joined. I feel this option is not as user-friendly. However, it is free and readily available on any mobile device or computer. Accessibility is paramount for library users! I was able to locate several users that have an account related to library science. Some of them discuss books while others share library displays and potential curriculum. This platform would be a great tool for sharing student work with their families. I also think it would be a good source of information related to the classroom. Teachers can share photos and activities completed during the school day!

Please take a look at my Instagram account! I have a few posts available to view! https://www.instagram.com/lookingatwordswithmrszellers/

 

Feed Readers – The Right Fit!

Want the most current feeds from your favorite websites? Do you need a way to organize all the feeds you follow? Then this helpful blog post is for YOU! There are so many choices out there when it comes to feed readers. Here is some information on a few of the options available. Which feed reader will best fit your needs?

Feedly - https://feedly.com/i/welcome

Feedly is an impressive option for locating and organizing the information available on your favorite feeds. This tool presents a unique way of filtering out the unwanted information that may run across your feeds, and allows you to focus specifically on what you truly want to know! Leo, Feedly’s AI engine, will search out the most important information from the web regarding the topics of your choice. Leo can simultaneously remove irrelevant items as well! Talk about a time saver! You can also share your feeds with others if you so choose! Feedly does offer a free trial with the following pricing if continued.

The Pro Plan is $6 per month with up to 1,000 feeds. Premium fonts and support are also available through this plan. Leo, however, is not an option. The Pro + Plan is $8.25 per month with up to 2,500 feeds. Plus, Leo the AI engine is available! The Enterprise Plan allows for the most options with 7.500 feeds. A free trial can be requested along with the estimated pricing for this plan.  If you are looking for easy management of your feeds, and you are willing to pay for the extras available, this may be the option for you!

Good News - https://goodnews.click/

Good News is the feed reader that I use! It is another tool that offers multiple options for keeping your feeds organized! You do have the option of personalizing your home page, so the information is presented to you in your preferred format. There are twelve different design options available. Your design is easily edited should your tastes change! The Pulitzer Story design works best for me. My feeds are organized with a newspaper likeness. Some general suggested topics are listed in the left-hand column to help guide your searches. Good News is free of charge to its users. It also available is several languages. The site provides user privacy and is quite user-friendly! Take a look at my homepage for Good News!

NewsBlur - https://newsblur.com/

NewsBlur is one more of the feed reader options. This site can be used on the web and on a tablet. It is also accessible using a mobile device such as an iPhone or Android. One of the unique characteristics of NewsBlur is the feeds still maintain their original webpage style. Sharing your feeds with your friends is another useful option offered. Separating your feeds by category is a way to organize your feeds for easy access. This service is free of charge for up to 64 sites. There is a premium plan that can be purchased for $36 per year. This plan includes access to premium searches and more frequent updates to the site. As well as the ability to create folders and tag stories to keep your feeds more organized.

Which blogs do I follow? I am so glad you asked!

With so many blogs floating around, which blogs have caught my attention? Here are some of my favorites! All of these blogs are related to literature somehow. As you probably know, once a literature major, ALWAYS a literature major!

Your Daily Dose of Shakespeare - https://www.tumblr.com/blog/view/dailyshakespeare-blog

This blog shares a daily quote from William Shakespeare. The quotes shared are either lines from one of his sonnets or dialogue from one of his plays. This blog feeds my Shakespeare obsession!

Into the Stacks - https://www.tumblr.com/blog/view/intothestacks

This blog discusses everything library. From fun facts to the shared experiences of school librarians, this blog is humorous while also informative. I follow this blog because it sheds light on the reality of running a school library!

All Jane Austen All the Time - https://www.tumblr.com/blog/view/alljaneaustenallthetime

This blog contains all things, Jane Austen! From quotes taken from her novels, to personal quotes made by Austen, to clips from film adaptations, new posts containing Jane Austen and her work are added all the time. This blog speaks to my love for British Literature. I love it – most ardently!

Jane Eyre Quotes - https://www.tumblr.com/blog/view/janeeyrequotes

This blog shares quotes from Charlotte Bronte’s novel Jane Eyre. THE BEST NOVEL EVER WRITTEN! Every single time I read it, I find something new! It is perfection! This blog also shares illustrations and photographs from the film adaptation.

Librarian Problems - https://www.tumblr.com/blog/view/librarianproblems

This blog shares some funny posts related to school librarianship. I follow this blog purely for the humor! You just can’t take life too seriously!

Checkout my new blog!

Where would you go on vacation? Which book character would you visit?

https://www.tumblr.com/blog/view/lookingatwordswithmrszellers/686730821683544064?source=share

 

                                           Book Review for Millions of Cats by Wanda Gag

1.                1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Gag, W. (1928). Millions of cats. New York, NY: Coward-McCann. ISBN 978-0399233159

 

2.                2. PLOT SUMMARY

When a lonely older couple decides they want a cat to keep them company, the husband sets off to find just the perfect one. Upon reaching the location, it just becomes too difficult for him to choose only one. They are all pretty! When he returns home with trillions of cats, they are surprised at how the cats have taken over everything! After deciding to only keep one and allowing the cats to choose for themselves who gets to stay, they finally end up with the perfect cat for them!

 

3.                3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Gag’s story of an elderly, lonely couple starts out with a happy, encouraging tone. Once the husband sets out on an adventure to locate the perfect cat for them, the storyline speeds up rather quickly. There are parts of his journey that are predictable once the scene has been set. The ultimate surprise is the trillions of cats he brings home end up eating each other alive! That may be a bit much for small children. Therefore, parents may be hesitant to share this book with their children.

 

Considering the period in which this book was written and illustrated, the pictures are as expected. Purely black and white with occasional extra detail. Color would have made the illustrations much more interesting. However, since the story is an easy one to follow, so the two make sense together.

 

There are sections of this book that are repetitive, so children will be able to participate in the read aloud even if they are not able to read yet.

 

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS

John Newbery Medal, 1925, Honor Award

Finalist for Indies Choice Picture Book Hall of Fame, 2017

Reviewed by School Library Journal: “This Newbery Honor winner is distinguished by innovative design and a strong storyteller's cadence.”

 

      5. CONNECTIONS

* This book can be used to teach the necessity of humility and being selflessness.

* This book can also be used to teach writing with adjectives and text structure as well.

* Our books available by Wanda Gag:

The Funny Thing – ISBN 9780698206762

Nothing at All – ISBN 9780765108593

                                        Book Review for The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Keats, E. (1962). The snowy day. New York, NY: Puffin Books. ISBN 978-0-14-050182-7

2. PLOT SUMMARY

A little boy named Peter wakes up one morning and decides to play in the snow. Throughout the day, Peter has his own little adventures in the snow. As the day winds down, he tries to save the snow in his pocket for the next day. When he wakes, he realizes that the snow has melted, but brand-new fresh snow has fallen!

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Keats creates a young character that experiences one of the most thrilling, yet free experiences nature has to offer. Set in an urban environment, Peter is a character that exemplifies diversity. His excitement about playing in the snow reminds adults how fun it is to try new things! “Crunch, crunch, crunch, his feet sank into the snow.” Keats’s use of imagery and onomatopoeia only add to the realness of this happy, little book!

Keats’s illustrations throughout the book are imperfectly perfect! The bright colors and geometric shapes draw the reader into Peter’s world. The arts and craftiness of the patchy illustrations makes the book even more charming!

This book encourages the reader to enjoy the simple things in life. To live each day full of excitement for what the day might bring!

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS

Winner of Randolph Caldecott Medal, 1963

100 Best Children’s Books of All Time, 2015

Reviewed by Children’s Literature: “Having just gotten up from the dinner table and looked outside, I was shocked to see the ground covered with snow. No thrill for an adult who has to drive a car. But what a contrast when you read about a little boy named Peter who awakens one morning and discovers that snow has fallen overnight.”

5. CONNECTIONS

* This book presents a story that revolves around a multicultural setting. This was unusual at the time of publishing. Keats’s bravery should be commended.

* As a read aloud, this book can be used for teaching multiple skills. Such as figurative language, author’s purpose, and point of view.

* Other books available from Keats that include Peter, the main character from The Snowy Day:

Peter’s Chair – ISBN 9780670880645

Goggles! – ISBN 9780140500516

                                Book Review for There is a Bird on Your Head! by Mo Willems

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Willems, M. (2007). There is a bird on your head!. New York, NY: Hyperion. ISBN 978-1- 368-08407-9

2. PLOT SUMMARY

In this funny story, two of our favorite friends, Gerald and Piggie, discover that Gerald has some unexpected friends that move in on top of his head! As the story progresses, Gerald has more and more friends that appear on his head. By the end of the book, it is Gerald who has the last laugh not Piggie!

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Willems’s humorous story is filled with easy-to-read text and repetition for early readers. The plot moves along swiftly but strongly. Each page builds on the previous. Creating a funny and light-hearted storyline for readers. Children will enjoy this new adventure with Gerald and Piggie!

The illustrations created by Willems bring the much-cherished characters to life! The plain white background of each page contributes to the simplicity of the lines. The colorful characters are easy to see. Their purposeful expressions add to the joy of the book! Thought bubbles allow the reader to see which character is speaking.

This book would be a wonderful read aloud at home or in the classroom. The length of the book makes it a quick read. Many children are already familiar with these lovable characters, so they can sit back and enjoy the story!

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS

Winner of Charlotte Award, 2010

Winner of Theodor Seuss Geisel Award, 2008

Reviewed by Children’s Literature: “Having done a gaggle of Pigeons and a couple of Knufflebunnies, the prolific Mo Willems is now into his third easy-read book for 2007 featuring Elephant and Piggie. These two have a lot in common with Penguin in the way Willems manages to get a tremendous amount of expression into eyebrows and turns of the mouth in his just beyond stick figure drawings.”

Reviewed by CCBC: “These humorous episodes are illustrated with Mo Willems friendly cartoon-like style and pastel hues, complete with dialogue bubbles that convey Gerald and Piggie’s words and emotions.”

5. CONNECTIONS

* This book is perfect for practicing inferencing skills. Children can study the illustrations and make inferences about how the characters are feeling.

* Other teachable skills found within this book include sequencing and external character traits.

* Other Mo Willems books containing Gerald and Piggie available:

My Friend is Sad – ISBN 9781406314687

I am Invited to a Party! – ISBN 9781423106876

 

                                     Book Review for That's Not My Hat! by Jon Klassen

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Klassen, Jon. (2012). That’s not my hat!. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick. ISBN 978-0763655990

2. PLOT SUMMARY

In this humorous picture book, a small minnow takes a hat from a larger fish that does not belong to him. As he looks for the perfect place to hide, deep within the plants growing underwater, his plans do not quite turn out the way he hoped they would!

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Klassen successfully writes a witty story that contains simple vocabulary that provides repetition for beginning readers. The words used are easily decodable and contain three syllables at most. The plot is interesting and flows nicely. Suspense is created as the larger fish is seen periodically peeking at the minnow from behind. With that detail, readers are likely to use their prediction skills to guess what will happen next.

The illustrations created by Klassen maintain a dark hue which follows the tone of the story. The light colors of the fish contrast well with the dark background. The colors are easy on the eyes and not overly stimulating. The simplicity of the illustrations allows the reader to follow the action easily.

The word “stole” does have a negative connotation, so parents may see this book as inappropriate for young children. This story is a good example of cause and effect, and the reality of consequences for choices made.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS

Winner of the Randolph Caldecott Medal, 2013.

Review by Kirkus Review Journal: “Klassen combines spare text and art to deliver no small measure of laughs in another darkly comic haberdashery whodunit.”

Reviewed by CCBC: “Jon Klassen’s follow-up to I Want My Hat Back (Candlewick Press, 2011) offers more humorous haberdashery, this time set underwater.”

5. CONNECTIONS

* This book is a useful resource for teaching inferencing, cause and effect, and prediction. Class discussion could also include genre and character traits exhibited by the characters in the book.

* This book is also a useful resource for teaching theme with a moral that encourages class discussion. Background knowledge could be shared by students in the class.

*Other books the contain the same theme by Jon Klassen:

I Want My Hat Back – ISBN 9780763655983

We Found a Hat – ISBN 9783314103872