Rachael M. Ali Library

March 2018

When Adults Don’t Read, Kids Lose!

I read about reading. That sounds very meta, but it is true. I follow librarians, authors, and educators on various platforms. One of my favorite people to follow is Jennifer LaGarde aka Library Girl. Back in October she and Todd Nesloney wrote an article for scholastic about reading. This particular article about reading resonated with me on many points. The picture to the right is part of an infographic available in the article. The Infographic is hanging in my office as a reminder to share what I am reading with students. Here are a few of my take aways.

1. We as adults need to model reading. This can be as easy as mentioning an article, book, or newspaper that we are currently reading. Make it part of the class routine, and randomly ask students what they are reading for pleasure. Have a few recommendations ready to go.

2. “We prioritize what we value.” Do we truly value reading? Not just reading a textbook or materials for class, but reading to learn more about the world around us. Reading creates empathy. The world could use more empathy right now.

3. We know that reading a variety of subjects, styles, and formats had led us to be the educators that we are today. Some of us are magazine readers, some of us love the classics, some of us love fantasy, and some love biographies. Students need all of us because they will connect with one of us as a reader, and then they have an adult to discuss what they are reading without judgment.

Click here for the article.

What have I read recently?

Heavy Titles

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Nonfiction

My reading goal this year is more nonfiction. This was an interesting look at Victorian society and how they were obsessed with murder. Very well researched and well put together.

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Wow

Jason Reynolds is amazing. This book is about a young man trying to do what he thinks he needs to do after his brother is shot. The bulk of the book takes place in one minute. The book is in verse and is incredibly powerful.

Click here for a video of Jason Reynolds talking about the book and why representation matters in literature.

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5 Stars

This book is not a feel-good story. I am not giving it 5 stars because I want to read it over and over. I am giving it 5 stars because it is important. The book is an honest look at teenage drinking and sex, it examines rape culture, toxic masculinity, poverty, and violence.

This is a book that will make you think and make your heart hurt.

Lighter but still important

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If you could have a superpower?

This book was good and I will recommend it to the students who are looking at the Stranger Things display. It has that gritty and dark vibe that Stranger Things has. Jacob is given a superpower without any explanation. He and his friends are trying to figure out its limitations and how to use it to help the world. Sometimes the lesson is that all power comes with a cost.

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My Favorite Superhero

I love Batman. He has had many origin stories and this one is about Bruce meeting a young criminal in Arkham Asylum while he is doing community service. I enjoy Marie Lu’s writing style and she has told a unique story for preBatman Bruce Wayne.

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Next up

I have owned this book for about a year and have yet to schedule it into my reading time. Norse mythology is one of my favorite pantheons. This is by Neil Gaiman and I always enjoy his books or short stories.

Teen Tech Week Libraries are for Creating

March 5-9

3-D printer will be in action throughout the week.

What tech do you wear? Use your wearable tech to keep track of your steps. Post your daily step count in the library. The first step turn in will be Tuesday morning and the last turn in will be Friday morning.

Digital scavenger hunt and survey will be posted Monday on the library resource tile.

Lunch and Learn- Bring your lunch and meet with Mrs. Boyle in the Anime/book club room.

Tuesday- using Adobe Spark to create a book trailer, club promotion, or cause video. Please download the Adobe Spark Video app before arriving.

Thursday- Trivia contest. Download the Kahoot app before arriving.

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My New Favorite Tool For Organizing Digital Materials

Google Keep!

I need to keep track of articles for newsletters, library planning, personal interest, and things that I find for teachers or students. Google Keep is an app for your device or is available through the Google Suite on a computer. When you find something to keep- tap the share icon and scroll to keep (the first time you may have to access through more). Keep will prompt you to create a note. The notes can be arranged, pinned, tagged, and color coded.

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