The Library & the Librarian
I am truly happy that I made the decision to join the Portage Team! Despite my delayed start, great things are beginning to happen in the library and classrooms. To help you be part of the fun, here are a few things I would like you to know.
- The librarian doesn’t own the library. You and your students do. You can recommend materials and have a voice in the library policies. Feel free to share suggestions! Book suggestions can be made here: https://goo.gl/WmyWli
- Planning is a good thing. I will do my best to get what you need as quickly as I can, but the more time and details you give me, the better.
- The library provides books and so much more. Although books are one of the more important things you can find at the library, I want to remind you about the library website. We currently have a subscription to many databases that support your classroom themes. The online catalog is available so you can find books and other resources. I would love to help you and your students find the best resource possible for your lesson planning and projects!
- You can check out resources even when I am not there. Near the circulation desk is a clipboard labeled Staff Check-Out. There is a chart located on this clipboard where you would fill in your last name, the date, title of the book, and the barcode number located on the front of the book. This way you can check something out even when Mrs. Scruggs and I are not available.
- The best resource in the library is the librarian. I want to help you plan a project, co-teach a lesson, share new technology tools, find professional research, give insight into an ethical problem, or answer a reference question. And if I can’t do it, I will help you find someone who can. I can also provide materials through inter-library loan for upcoming themes or lessons.
- The library can help meet your student’s reading and learning needs. The library curriculum helps to promote literacy and exploration. I do my best to keep your students “hooked on reading” by recommending reading material that is appropriate for them. I also find challenges that encourage students to take risks and explore STREAM concepts.
- The librarian will be your partner when trying new things. If you need somebody to share the glory or the failure of a new unit, activity, or methodology I would love to help!
Today is International Dot Day!
Mrs. Sims' art classes plus all the 6th graders are joining in with nearly 4 million people from 115 countries to celebrate their ability to 'make their mark' on the World. Sixth graders were able to check out Quiver, an augmented reality app after watching The Dot. Mrs. Sims' art class gets to skype with author and illustrator, Timothy Young, today. They will create their stained glass inspired dots on Wednesday. Feel free to stop by the library and see what's happening! (Periods 1-2-3-6-7)
Office 365
Many of you have connected your laptops and ipads to Office 365 OneDrive already. You now can sync your files...meaning you can access your files easily from any device, anywhere, anytime. If you would like to get set up, please let me know what prep you have. I'll swing by Thursday or Friday and help get you started!
Featured Website: Destiny (Online Library Catalog)
Destiny is a tremendous resource not only for students but you as well! Starting with the home page, you will now find a Symbaloo with links to databases and useful websites for students. Near the bottom right hand corner, you will find a Teacher Resource link that I'm currently building to help you with lesson planning, etc. Login to Destiny (use your Novell login and password = media). You can create lists of books and websites for your own reference or for your students' to access. Websites? That's right! Webpath Express will search for websites that are hand selected by educators, so you do not have to worry about the spammy sites you find on Google. Want to learn more? Just ask!
Jenn Brower, Library Media Specialist at Portage Middle School
I can help with...
- iPads - anything from trouble shooting to app suggestions
- Tech integration / Tech support for lessons
- General tech troubleshooting
- Library books - including inter-library loan
- English novels / book club choices
- Research Support
- Curate online resources using symbaloo
- And more!
Email: jennifer.brower@fwcs.k12.in.us
Phone: 74477
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/portagemiddleschool
Twitter: @cybrarianjenn
