Winding down the school year…
May 20th, 2012 by Cathy Jo Nelson
On the school front, we’re pushing the public library’s summer reading program for teens. It sounds so cool and I love their logo so much — i soooo want a tshirt. Too bad I don’t qualify. I think I’ll crash their kickoff party anyway to see if I can score a shirt. After all I am evangalizing it for the kids!! Check out the logo. Can’t you just see me sporting this on a tshirt? I am afterall, a tshirt kinda girl.
For our own students, we are sponsoring a “Rock the Drop” free book give away activity. We are promoting it as a kick off to teen summer reading too, and we had planned to launch it tomorrow (Monday, May 21!) Some of our eager readers though actually “listen” to the announcements. You see I had the promo announced Friday, and went out to hide my books around 2:00PM. I had 5 kids come in right after school showing me their book, posing for a pic, and getting their name IN the drawing for the Barnes & Noble gift card. I am thinking we may have to go back out and add some more hidden books. See the hiding places. Maybe next week I can share shots fo the winners.
We have been closed more lately than open, MUCH to the chagrin of our students. You see, “End-of-Course” testing is an online adventure for several Science, Social Studies, and Math classes, and so because the library has enough access for up to two classes at times, we have been transformed into the “testing zone” with strict instructions to preserve a testing environment. We are not alone. Every lab in the building is scheduled for EOC. This all began Wednesday of last week, and it lasts through Tuesday. The EOC is essentially these classes’ exams. I hate that we are used in this way, but I can’t argue supporting the school program, and doggone it, EOC’s are a less than pleasant part of it. Other than helping a class start, and staying with the ones mazimizing their EOC time (students get to take as long as they need for the most part) I’ve not had a lot to do. So we have worked on inventory, end of the year reports, making orders ready for July 1, and more. Here is one of those reports. I’m not sure I’m done tweaking it, but I’m thinking it is ready. One goof already noted. See if you can find it.
There is much more to do, as I’ve got a full June to look forward to as well!! My own district is sponsoring a summer PD opportunity for teachers on June 5th called Tech Infusion, and I’m slated to do three one-hour workshops:
- Oh Please, Not Another PowerPoint
Get some tips and tricks for teaching students skills to improve their design ability in programs from PowerPoint to Prezi. Your students will be creating interesting, engaging, and effective presentations in no time. - Web Evaluation: Where’s the App for That?
Learn some tricks to “filter” out the misinformation and how their own skills at detecting misinformation. - Words 2.0h!
Learn of tools that make working with words, vocabulary, writing, networking or presenting interactive and fun. Engage learners through play using worlds in a more 2.0 way
I submitted these titles and descriptions some time ago in April, and when the sheet came out for teachers to choose, somehow my titles were slightly different and the descriptions were modified some too. Oh well, I will go in with the same plan as before.
I’m also slated for a few at the Upstate Technology Conference in Greenville, SC, June 12-13. They are as follows:
- For the Win: AASL’s Best Websites for Teaching and Learning
Come learn about the AASL’s Best Websites for Teaching and Learning. See the winning sites, how they might be used, and get great ideas for implementing these free online tools, some 2.0, to make your class engaging and relevant for today’s students. (Too bad I have to use LAST year’s list since this year’s list hasn’t been revealed yet. That happens at ALA this summer!) - Frame It for Learning
Learn some tricks and tips for making images that do the work for you! Teach students to create visual booktalks, announcements, and signage, just to name a few–use websites and school provided sotfware to showcase student work and more.
Last, I’m heading out to Anaheim, CA to attend the American Library Association’s annual conference. As an AASL Best Websites for Teaching and Learning Committee member, our big reveal of the 2012 Best Websites for Teaching and Learning is going to be a bigger deal this year, so I’m excited to be a three year serving committee member in my first year. WHAT an adventure!! I’m also trying to see if I can swing on down to San Diego to attend some of ISTE, which overlaps a bit, especially since it IS within driving distance.
As you can see, even though school is almost done (our kids have four more days!) my year and work is far from over. I hope to get some much needed rest in July.
