November 28, 2011
Book Talk Tuesday
I
have been searching the web for a great place to post book reviews for
librarians and teachers to use in the classroom. Well, I am going to
try hosting my own Book Talk Tuesday! I invite teachers and librarians
to link to a recent book talk or book review that can be used by others-
to help purchase new books, learn about new books and to help give us
book talk ideas.
My rules?
1. All content must be appropriate for children in grades kindergarten through eighth grade. NEW 2. Please link to your original content, not the content of others. 3. Websites that you link to must be child friendly since lots of kids visit this site and if they click on your link, I want it to be appropriate for them. 4. Positive reviews only, please... we only spread love here at The Lemme Library! 5. Books must be available in The US. (you are welcome to link to ARC reviews)6. I reserve the right to remove any reviews that don't meet criteria 1-5.
In the link title field, be sure to include the title of the book you are reviewing and your site name. In the URL field, please link to this specific post that contains the book review (That way people don't have to scour your blog looking for it!)
My rules?
1. All content must be appropriate for children in grades kindergarten through eighth grade. NEW 2. Please link to your original content, not the content of others. 3. Websites that you link to must be child friendly since lots of kids visit this site and if they click on your link, I want it to be appropriate for them. 4. Positive reviews only, please... we only spread love here at The Lemme Library! 5. Books must be available in The US. (you are welcome to link to ARC reviews)6. I reserve the right to remove any reviews that don't meet criteria 1-5.
In the link title field, be sure to include the title of the book you are reviewing and your site name. In the URL field, please link to this specific post that contains the book review (That way people don't have to scour your blog looking for it!)
****
For
newcomers & visitors: Definition of "Book Talk" from Wikipedia: "A
booktalk in the broadest terms is what is spoken with the intent to
convince someone to read a book. The booktalker gives the audience a
glimpse of the setting, the characters, and/or the major conflict without providing the resolution or denouement.
Booktalks make listeners care enough about the content of the book to
want to read it. A long booktalk is usually about five to seven minutes
long and a short booktalk is generally thirty seconds to two minutes
long.
****
I
never posted last week and I apologize... time got away from me and
then at 10:00 on Tuesday, I remembered and didn't want to post... if I
post that late, we get very few links. So please, link 2 posts this week
if you like- or save one for the future!
We
put up our Christmas Tree last night. Leah managed to break 2 Hallmark
ornaments... I smiled and told her it was okay even though I was sad!
Later that night, she wrote a letter to Santa- telling him that she was
still awake and that, although she may have been naughty, she is good
now. When I tucked her in, she said "I need to get sleep for Santa."
Little sweet thing! She thought Santa was coming today. She looks so
dejected! How do you kick off the holiday season? Any traditions you are
looking forward to?
November 24, 2011
Leah's Brush with Fame
I checked on my YouTube comments today and found a message from one Mr. Eric Litwin... author of Pete The Cat. It wasn't for me though, it was for Leah!
November 23, 2011
Fire is Catching!
I can't believe I haven't posted the character posters for The Hunger Games! Instead of posting them separately, I put them into a collage in Picnik. Enjoy!
Keep Calm and...
Super Student Addy shared this with me today! Boy does she know me!
This may be printed and hanging in the library on Monday!
November 22, 2011
Turkey in the Straw!
Look at the cute little turkeys that showed up in my library this morning!
I have posted a Smartboard file that I used to walk the kiddos through the process. Usually so many pieces of paper and scissors and glue are crazy... This helped a lot! Click on the image to download the file at SMART Exchange.
November 15, 2011
Kickin' It Old School
Found this in a book that was discarded... those were the days. '88 I was a freshman in high school.
How You Doin'?
Have
you ever had one of those mornings? Ok, these are lucky problems-
nothing that I SHOULD complain about. I have a job, food, a house,
healthy kids... I don't complain very often, but thought I would give it
a shot today! I present the last 3 hours in photos:
Getting the kids out the door in one piece is a chore I do not enjoy.
So, when I drove past Starbucks and saw no line at the drive through, I
had to go. My day was looking up- especially when I get a venti because
they were out of grande cups. (Don't let a good Starbucks day throw you
off your game!)
I get to school and several teachers are stressed out because the
electricians rewired their Smartboards. Only a teacher finds this
stressful... but trust me, they do. They work so hard every night to get
ready for the next day and when things are messed up- they feel it...
deeply. I help them get things back to normal and find this picture on
my desk... drawn for me by my loving 8 year old child. What does is
mean? Does she think I am a bad witch and this is her way of telling me
to make a change? I am really reading into this... and this chick's eyes
are just burning into my soul!
I love it... well, I loved it. Now it sits there staring at me... mocking me. (Keep reading).
Look
at the picture below. Yes, it is a Smartboard. It is "my" Smartboard. I
love it. I worship it. I treat it like royalty. Look at the picture
again... do you see the hole? Yes. actually, 2 holes in my Smartboard. I
am sure that it was an innocent mistake by the electricians and they
probably didn't even know that it happened. Jeff at physical plant came
right out this morning to look at it. Scott Electric will replace it for
us, eventually.
So I look above my computer and read this sign.
And then I look to the right and see this sign,
And I look to my left and I see this guy.
So- do I "Keep calm and carry on" and try to save the world from maniacal evil... or is my goose cooked?
What would you do? What would Perry do? That's what I though. Thanks for listening. : ) Kelly
November 14, 2011
2 for 2
I am 2 for 2 in the awesome video realm today. Check out Jimmy Fallon (as Jim Morrison of The Doors) singing the theme from The Reading Rainbow. It doesn't get much better than this, friends.
And if you've been hiding under a rock for the last 2 decades, here is the original theme song!
And if you aren't as old as me... here is a clip of the original Doors performing
HELLO I LOVE YOU
Book Talk Tuesday (Hunger Games Trailer Edition)
I
have been searching the web for a great place to post book reviews for
librarians and teachers to use in the classroom. Well, I am going to
try hosting my own Book Talk Tuesday! I invite teachers and librarians
to link to a recent book talk or book review that can be used by others-
to help purchase new books, learn about new books and to help give us
book talk ideas.
My rules?
1. All content must be appropriate for children in grades kindergarten through eighth grade. NEW 2. Please link to your original content, not the content of others. 3. Websites that you link to must be child friendly since lots of kids visit this site and if they click on your link, I want it to be appropriate for them. 4. Positive reviews only, please... we only spread love here at The Lemme Library! 5. Books must be available in The US. (you are welcome to link to ARC reviews)6. I reserve the right to remove any reviews that don't meet criteria 1-5.
In the link title field, be sure to include the title of the book you are reviewing and your site name. In the URL field, please link to this specific post that contains the book review (That way people don't have to scour your blog looking for it!)
My rules?
1. All content must be appropriate for children in grades kindergarten through eighth grade. NEW 2. Please link to your original content, not the content of others. 3. Websites that you link to must be child friendly since lots of kids visit this site and if they click on your link, I want it to be appropriate for them. 4. Positive reviews only, please... we only spread love here at The Lemme Library! 5. Books must be available in The US. (you are welcome to link to ARC reviews)6. I reserve the right to remove any reviews that don't meet criteria 1-5.
In the link title field, be sure to include the title of the book you are reviewing and your site name. In the URL field, please link to this specific post that contains the book review (That way people don't have to scour your blog looking for it!)
***
For
newcomers & visitors: Definition of "Book Talk" from Wikipedia: "A
booktalk in the broadest terms is what is spoken with the intent to
convince someone to read a book. The booktalker gives the audience a
glimpse of the setting, the characters, and/or the major conflict without providing the resolution or denouement.
Booktalks make listeners care enough about the content of the book to
want to read it. A long booktalk is usually about five to seven minutes
long and a short booktalk is generally thirty seconds to two minutes
long.
***
I just showed The Hunger Games trailer to a group of 6th grade students! Wow! Goosebumps! Have you read the trilogy? What do you think? Who would you recast? I am thrilled with what I have seen! Anyone who doubted Jennifer Lawrence's ability to portray Katniss should be feeling much better! I only wish I would have seen Woody Harelson as Haymitch a little longer...
November 10, 2011
Finally!
It is so nice to finally get the recognition I deserve! The school secretary brought this to the library today and said "I assume this is for you?" Thank you to the library secretary at Southeast Jr. High (Marilyn Thompson) for making my day!
November 8, 2011
November 7, 2011
Waiting... All Day Every Day
No words needed. I know that every librarian in Iowa City can feel the pain of this video.
More Keyboarding Sites
Keyboarding. Typing. Whatever you want to call it, it has become something I think about a lot. Who teaches it? How do you teach it? Who should be taught? How often should they be taught? What are the goals and objectives? How can we be expected to run online games when our internet speed is slower than molasses in January? Until I get any of those questions answered, I will continue to post keyboarding games, hoping that one of them will magically teach my kids to type properly and will load instantly. If you have any answers to my questions, I 'd love to hear from you!
These typing sites might not thrill kids- there are n bells and whistles. But, this is good if your computer lab can't handle 30 kids running Dance Mat Typing.
Keep it Simple- this game might be the best choice for my overloaded computers: Big Brown Bear Learn to Type (and why are all of the best literacy sites coming out of The UK? Hmmm?)
Another simple and effective game from Big Brown Bear Learn to Type Simple graphics and it corrects the typist when he makes an error.
Another very, very simple touch typing program is Doorway Text Type. I like that this program shows the % correct as the student types.
November 6, 2011
Book Talk Tuesday (Very Early)
I
have been searching the web for a great place to post book reviews for
librarians and teachers to use in the classroom. Well, I am going to
try hosting my own Book Talk Tuesday! I invite teachers and librarians
to link to a recent book talk or book review that can be used by others-
to help purchase new books, learn about new books and to help give us
book talk ideas.
My rules?
1. All content must be appropriate for children in grades kindergarten through eighth grade. NEW 2. Please link to your original content, not the content of others. 3. Websites that you link to must be child friendly since lots of kids visit this site and if they click on your link, I want it to be appropriate for them. 4. Positive reviews only, please... we only spread love here at The Lemme Library! 5. Books must be available in The US. (you are welcome to link to ARC reviews)6. I reserve the right to remove any reviews that don't meet criteria 1-5.
In the link title field, be sure to include the title of the book you are reviewing and your site name. In the URL field, please link to this specific post that contains the book review (That way people don't have to scour your blog looking for it!)
My rules?
1. All content must be appropriate for children in grades kindergarten through eighth grade. NEW 2. Please link to your original content, not the content of others. 3. Websites that you link to must be child friendly since lots of kids visit this site and if they click on your link, I want it to be appropriate for them. 4. Positive reviews only, please... we only spread love here at The Lemme Library! 5. Books must be available in The US. (you are welcome to link to ARC reviews)6. I reserve the right to remove any reviews that don't meet criteria 1-5.
In the link title field, be sure to include the title of the book you are reviewing and your site name. In the URL field, please link to this specific post that contains the book review (That way people don't have to scour your blog looking for it!)
***
For
newcomers & visitors: Definition of "Book Talk" from Wikipedia: "A
booktalk in the broadest terms is what is spoken with the intent to
convince someone to read a book. The booktalker gives the audience a
glimpse of the setting, the characters, and/or the major conflict without providing the resolution or denouement.
Booktalks make listeners care enough about the content of the book to
want to read it. A long booktalk is usually about five to seven minutes
long and a short booktalk is generally thirty seconds to two minutes
long.
***
Pro-Cras-Ti-Nation. That is an ever present thing for me. If it wasn't for the last minute, I wouldn't get anything done. Seriously. Book Talk Tuesday, for example. Last week, I knew it had to be done, but I waited and I waited- and before I knew it, I was 24 hours late. Then, I felt guilty. Then I had to apologize to all of my loyal readers who missed it. Then I ended up with 8 lovely posts (lovely as they were, it was only 8.) That is what procrastination does to me on a daily, hourly basis. Then, today, I saw this video. This video explains that we procrastinate because we don't care about our future selves- so what if future Kelly has to bust her but to get Book Talk Tuesday posted tomorrow- present day Kelly is havin' a blast. The video explains that you have to fight the urge to blow off the future you- and feel bad for her (or him) so that you might actually get things done before you have to. I am going to work very hard at thinking about thinking this week- and trying to NOT procrastinate. I did the dishes early today (before dinner) and I am posting BTT now, 2 small steps for mankind, 2 huge steps for me.... future Kelly. Watch this video and let me know your reaction. Do you procrastinate? How do you avoid it?
November 5, 2011
November 4, 2011
Rock Star Status Update
In my quest to become the quintessential rock star, I have started learning how to play the guitar. The first week was awful. My fingers hurt, my wrists hurt, my ego hurt. I was ready to throw in the towel. But then I asked myself "What would The Edge do? Did he give up after 1 week? No. He kept going." So I played throw blistered fingers and tender wrists, and 6 weeks later, I can actually play. And I can sing along! It isn't perfect, but it is better than it was 6 weeks ago. Any tips for this noob? I haven't taken a real lesson- all of my learnin' has been online. Here are a few of the resources I have been using and loving:
Chordbook.com:
This is a great site that shows you exactly how to finger a chord and
then lets you strum it so you hear how it is suppose to sound. You can
add your chords to a chord book so they are always there for you. You
can change the key of your guitar if you need to. This has helped me so
much! I keep it open while I play.
Gieson.com provides a great guitar tuner. I think it is very accurate- not as accurate as a store bought, hand held tuner, but pretty close! I use this all the time too. I don't know why, but my guitar tends to get out of tune very easily. The weather? My clumsiness? This site is very convenient for someone who can't tune by ear yet.
Marty Schwartz has been my online guitar instructor. I love his style- he is funny yet serious about music. He is not condescending to a new player and he explains things in a way that I can understand. He takes popular songs and breaks them down so they aren't intimidating. He is a very talented musician and teacher. He has a Youtube page that I visit all the time and his own site- Guitarjamz.com where he offers lessons- some free, some at a small cost. Check him out!
I use Chordie.com to find my chords- very simple. You have to know fingering before you can use this site.
Learnacousticguitar.com is a great resource for players who are ready to learn some songs. It is a one stop shop for chords, tabs, lyrics and videos of the song you are learning.
The only thing that I am having trouble with is locating strumming patterns. I am still too new to watch someone play and figure out the strumming pattern. I need someone to tell me dduudd... I will get there! Post your favorite guitar links and tips in the comment section! I am only a few lessons away from becoming a real rock star... right?
November 3, 2011
Interactive Games
I have found so many great websites that provide high quality learning games for my students! I have to post them so I know where to find them... and how to share them!
GUDLI So many great games for all curricular areas, I don't even know where to begin!
ABCya.com Great learning games arranged by grade level.
Funbrain Playground Offers math, reading and just plain fun games! You can also read issues of Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Topmarks says it is "The best, free interactive interactive whiteboard sites" and it is true! Math, literacy, science, history, geography, art, music and even religious studies!
Scholastic's Interactive Whiteboard Resources: Not very well organized, but if you have time to look around, there is some great stuff here.
Smartboard Wiki: These lessons were uploaded by Library Director Christy Heins. Not just library lesson!
November 2, 2011
G-Club!
I am a Gleek. I can't talk about my love of Gleek at school, because,
well, nobody in grades K-6 should be watching Glee! But, now I can share
a little Glee love, thanks to Sesame Street! Can you recognize any of the Glee peeps in this video?
November 1, 2011
Book Talk Tuesday (Very Late!)
My rules?
1. All content must be appropriate for children in grades kindergarten through eighth grade. NEW 2. Please link to your original content, not the content of others. 3. Websites that you link to must be child friendly since lots of kids visit this site and if they click on your link, I want it to be appropriate for them. 4. Positive reviews only, please... we only spread love here at The Lemme Library! 5. Books must be available in The US. (you are welcome to link to ARC reviews)6. I reserve the right to remove any reviews that don't meet criteria 1-5.
In the link title field, be sure to include the title of the book you are reviewing and your site name. In the URL field, please link to this specific post that contains the book review (That way people don't have to scour your blog looking for it!)
***
For newcomers & visitors: Definition of "Book Talk" from Wikipedia: "A booktalk in the broadest terms is what is spoken with the intent to convince someone to read a book. The booktalker gives the audience a glimpse of the setting, the characters, and/or the major conflict without providing the resolution or denouement. Booktalks make listeners care enough about the content of the book to want to read it. A long booktalk is usually about five to seven minutes long and a short booktalk is generally thirty seconds to two minutes long.
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