Monday, March 17, 2014
March....Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!
What better way to celebrate Read Across America Day/Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss Day than to incorporate Dr. Seuss books into the day! I chose a class that I thought would enjoy a little fun with Seuss activities and invited them to the Media Center for a day filled with Seuss-related activities! I also wanted to involve the entire school, and not just the "lucky" target group, so I gathered some of the famous quotes from the loved Dr. Seuss books and conducted a "Quote Vote" for ANYONE that visited the Media Center. One of my favorite parts of the day was the visit from our Guest Reader. She came with her "furry" companion, Freckles, to read a Dr. Seuss book. Of course, I loved meeting Freckles! I made a new friend! What a fun day!
February....The AR Ice Cream Celebration...Finally
The AR Ice Cream Celebration for the top 50 students with the highest AR points was scheduled for January 28th. We had to reschedule becasue we got word that school would dismiss early due to inclement weather. We had no idea that some of us would wind up staying the night. Ha! We were finally able to have the long awaited celebration in February. Finally! Thank you to Mrs. Hopper, our volunteer, for making this happen!
February...The Fun Begins
I reached out to the Atlanta Humane Society back in December. I am, and always have been, an animal lover. My GOAL is to use my role in the Media Center to contribute to the needs of animals, and involve students in helping animals since they aren't old enough to volunteer at most shelters. I think this is a wonderful way to teach students about compassion and responsibility. The students love participating in the activities that we have planned to help out "furry" friends!
February...I think
I can't recall if I started the upkeep of our website in January or February, but it was exciting to see my name on the webpage!
February...It's Black History Month!
More action on the Spotlight Computer...
I set up a collage of youtube videos hyperlinked to a Power Point available on the computer. Fact Monster was also ready to be toured to learn about many famous contributions Black African-Americans have made in our lives. This was great access for the many teachers that were working on related projects this month.
I set up a collage of youtube videos hyperlinked to a Power Point available on the computer. Fact Monster was also ready to be toured to learn about many famous contributions Black African-Americans have made in our lives. This was great access for the many teachers that were working on related projects this month.
January 28th...Have You Ever Spent the Night in a Media Center?
WOW! I haven't even been here at SSCMS for 2 months and..... Snow-Mageddon hit!
I never imagined spending the night at school. I stepped-up to wear many hats thanks to being snowed-in. I helped serve snacks and meals to our hungry middle-schoolers. I even boxed chicken nuggets with Dr. Massey and other members of the admin team. The 6th and 7th grade girls were housed in the media Center for the night, and they were an awesome group. I got to know many of the faculty and staff at SSCMS. Although, I would rather have been home with my family, I now have an additional story to tell.... That's not even counting the story about driving on the hills of Pride Place. What an experience!
I never imagined spending the night at school. I stepped-up to wear many hats thanks to being snowed-in. I helped serve snacks and meals to our hungry middle-schoolers. I even boxed chicken nuggets with Dr. Massey and other members of the admin team. The 6th and 7th grade girls were housed in the media Center for the night, and they were an awesome group. I got to know many of the faculty and staff at SSCMS. Although, I would rather have been home with my family, I now have an additional story to tell.... That's not even counting the story about driving on the hills of Pride Place. What an experience!
January... Spelling Bee...Something to Buzz About
Look at these CUTIES!
Congrats Isha Perry (Spelling Bee Champion) and Tyler Quillen (Runner-UP) on their awesome spelling!
I was called upon to assist with my first Spelling Bee at SSCMS! I helped set up the Media Center for the event, and I was asked to take on the role as a judge. It was fun. The students were all such spectacular spellers. They were well-prepared for the Spelling Bee. It was tough watching them miss the word that ended their participation, but the students were quick to applaud their peers when their time came to an end. I was awed by the compassion in the students. In the end, there was a winner and a runner-up cheered on by all!
Congrats Isha Perry (Spelling Bee Champion) and Tyler Quillen (Runner-UP) on their awesome spelling!
I was called upon to assist with my first Spelling Bee at SSCMS! I helped set up the Media Center for the event, and I was asked to take on the role as a judge. It was fun. The students were all such spectacular spellers. They were well-prepared for the Spelling Bee. It was tough watching them miss the word that ended their participation, but the students were quick to applaud their peers when their time came to an end. I was awed by the compassion in the students. In the end, there was a winner and a runner-up cheered on by all!
January...eBook QR Code Challenge...Technology Combo
QR Code Challenge
Well, eBooks are an interesting topic. Students love their technology, and they are better at using it than most adults. They are 21st century learners, after all. However, the reluctant reader is probably not much more inclined to read an eBook. With that in mind, I decided to make it fun. I used a QR Code Challenge to pique their interest, and I added a treat as a reward for the correct answer. I also had a question that could be answered without a QR Scanner in the event that the student didn't have the app on their phone. In conjunction, I also decided to use a live cam of the pandas at the Atlanta Zoo. This is my way to promote eBooks. It's a slow process, but it's the direction we are headed. I feel that it's up to us to get them to read the books of the future.
Well, eBooks are an interesting topic. Students love their technology, and they are better at using it than most adults. They are 21st century learners, after all. However, the reluctant reader is probably not much more inclined to read an eBook. With that in mind, I decided to make it fun. I used a QR Code Challenge to pique their interest, and I added a treat as a reward for the correct answer. I also had a question that could be answered without a QR Scanner in the event that the student didn't have the app on their phone. In conjunction, I also decided to use a live cam of the pandas at the Atlanta Zoo. This is my way to promote eBooks. It's a slow process, but it's the direction we are headed. I feel that it's up to us to get them to read the books of the future.
January...Fine Project
We Want Everyone to Check Out Books...
Upon returning from Winter Break, I was beginning to hear about a problem from teachers and students alike. Students that owed fines couldn't check out books. I decided to revamp some old book reports (one page book report) I had created a while back to meet the academic level of the students and begin a Fine Project. I created 3 versions, and assigned them to the varied fine amounts. Students that are not able to pay their fines can now pay their fine off with book report(s). This helped them pay off their fine, but still held them accountable for the books they check out of the Media Center. Students are growing familiar with the Fine Project, and often choose to do the book reports! Regardless, more students are checking out books!
Upon returning from Winter Break, I was beginning to hear about a problem from teachers and students alike. Students that owed fines couldn't check out books. I decided to revamp some old book reports (one page book report) I had created a while back to meet the academic level of the students and begin a Fine Project. I created 3 versions, and assigned them to the varied fine amounts. Students that are not able to pay their fines can now pay their fine off with book report(s). This helped them pay off their fine, but still held them accountable for the books they check out of the Media Center. Students are growing familiar with the Fine Project, and often choose to do the book reports! Regardless, more students are checking out books!
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
December....First Project...Rewind to the Reindeer
My role as a Media Specialist at SSCMS began in December.
First Project in SSCMS Media Center~ I like to call it the "hook" of the Media Center.
I decided that my first project would be to set up a "Spotlight Computer" near the entrance to the Media Center. The idea was to use it like a "hook" as patrons entered. Since it was December, I immediately thought of the 'Live Reindeer Cam' that I had visited for years. I figured EVERYONE loves animals, ESPECIALLY ME! What better way to get their attention! Students, girls and boys, were curious about the reindeer walking around on the screen. Even the faculty and staff that entered were fascinated by the reindeer. Soon, everyone would gather around at 11:00 when Santa came out to feed the reindeer. It worked! Now everyone that enters looks to the "Spotlight Computer" as they enter the Media Center. :)
First Project in SSCMS Media Center~ I like to call it the "hook" of the Media Center.
I decided that my first project would be to set up a "Spotlight Computer" near the entrance to the Media Center. The idea was to use it like a "hook" as patrons entered. Since it was December, I immediately thought of the 'Live Reindeer Cam' that I had visited for years. I figured EVERYONE loves animals, ESPECIALLY ME! What better way to get their attention! Students, girls and boys, were curious about the reindeer walking around on the screen. Even the faculty and staff that entered were fascinated by the reindeer. Soon, everyone would gather around at 11:00 when Santa came out to feed the reindeer. It worked! Now everyone that enters looks to the "Spotlight Computer" as they enter the Media Center. :)
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