Here I Go Again!

Because life is not busy enough or exciting enough or whatever enough, it is time again to embark on the next big venture!

Drumroll please....I applied for, and received, an Education Foundation of Baltimore County grant for a research project with my 3rd through 5th graders.  We will be studying the past and present of our community and making predictions about the future. Also known as authentic research based learning.

Specifically, the 3rd graders will be creating a visual timeline of our community's past using images from our school archives and community archives.

My 4th graders will be making predictions about the future of our community.

And, lastly, the 5th graders are going to be conducting oral videotaped histories of our community.

Oh, and did I mention that this all has to be completed by May?  Piece of cake! (which may be the only part of the cake left after I finish my stress eating)

So far since the beginning of 2017, I have:

-met with the amazing Fran Glick (Office of ODL), Alex Wolf (also ODL) and my principal to discuss technology needs and implementation and timeline
-met with Amy Farrell (librarian at Sparrows Point Middle School) to plan how the middle school can help with 5th grade editing of interviews
-attended the Sparrows Point High School Alumni Association meeting to get their support and approval to use their archive center to gather materials (oh...and I became a lifetime member of the alumni association but, proudly, did not volunteer to complete any additional projects - YAY ME! Although I may attend more meetings because I dearly do love being the youngest person in a room-made me feel like I was fresh out of high school!)
-arranged to speak at the North Point Peninsula Council Meeting on February 2nd
-gave the amazing Mrs. Brewin (my first every library volunteer!) a contact list for boxes (you will read more about these in a bit)
-ordered our new TV studio equipment to be used for the interviews (yipee!)
-met with Geri Otto from the Office of Social Studies to see what type of support her office may be able to provide
-arranged for Mindy Basara (reporter from WBALTV) to bring a camera man and speak to the 5th graders about interviewing (thanks to my principal Jennifer Lynch for arranging this awesome opportunity)
-ordered official reporter notebooks for 4th and 5th graders (shhh---there are just bulk mini notepads from Staples but they are super excited!)

-arranged to visit the high school archives and meet with a historian at the Dundalk-Patapsco Neck Historical Society and Museum to see if they have resources they can offer for our project

Student Progress So Far:

3rd Grade - Given project overview and beginning to explore school archive photos

4th grade - read overviews of 5 geographical areas in our community and completed a Google Doc indicating their preferences.  As a whole, they voted that they wanted to have representation of all 5 geographical areas in all of the 4th grade classes rather than each class having 1 or 2 groups that the other classes know nothing about. Students signed up for Edmodo groups for their assigned area and completed their first postings.  Side note - they were thrilled to see that our assistant principal, Mr. Winaker, had posted in their groups!

5th grade - began to learn about questioning and interviewing techniques

To Do:

You know what, I have not the time to list the pages and pages of notes I have.  Just take my word for it and know that every time I cross something off, I add 2 more things.  I promise to type up a list to give you a future peek in a future post.

Until then...enjoy!

Al Roker and I Should Be BFFs!

I have been writing this post in my mind for well over a month.  I keep thinking "Today's the day I sit down and type" and time keeps rapidly progressing.  I have a SUPER HUMONGOUS PROJECT this Spring that I will share more about in a future post because I need to document the process and this is the best way for me to do it.

Anyway...on to my mind ramblings about Al Roker - my unknown BFF.

Let me start by saying that I watch the TODAY show every morning while I am getting ready for work.  I have spent my mornings with Matt, Katie, Savannah, Meredith and Al.  (I love them all and have this reoccurring fantasy that involves me being asked to hang out with them for a day!)

But today is all about AL!  Al is like the librarian of the Today show :-)  I know...I know...you think I have lost my mind.  But bear with me and you will see the genius.

Al's role is weatherman.  He is supposed to get 3-5 minutes each hour to tell us what to expect weatherwise and then send it off to the local station for a look at "what's happening in our neck of the woods." If something runs over, Al gets cut.

Librarians, particularly in elementary schools, get 50 minutes to do a lesson, book check in and book check out. If a meeting, that a librarian is supposed to present at, runs long then the librarian gets cut.

But Al is soooooo much more than a weatherman.  Let's look closer.

Al is arguably the most techy of all the Today show gang. He tweets and snaps and instagrams and vines was the first on the show to do so. He has the cool phone and the cool techy toys. Librarians are the most techy people in the school. We guide the rest of our school into the 21st century whether they want to be there of not!

But Al is much, much more than a weatherman. Al cooks!  He does cooking segments and even has written a cookbook (or two).  Librarians help cook up unique learning opportnities by giving teacehrs ingredients they need to be successful. (OK, that is a bit of a stretch.  The rest will get better.)

Al covers the red carpet!  He is fab at those celebrity interviews. He even got President Obama's First Interview and a handshake from Vice President Biden. (In case you missed it!)  Librarians are expert interviewers as well.  We interview reluctant readers, veracious readers and even adults who aren't sure what book they really need to teach a skill.  (Admit it.  That was better!)

Al is up for anything!  Seriously.  We have all seen his luge footage with Matt. He's been hypnotized.
He even played Urkel in this year's Halloween skit.  Librarians will do ANYTHING to get someone to read or be motivated.  Case in point.  (DO NOT SHARE THIS PHOTO WITH ANYONE!!)  Meet Agnes who came to the library without her travel books and needed the 2nd graders to fill in their passports with information about Africa.

I think I am still trying to get that nasty dollar store orange lipstick off!

Al is always in the middle of horrible situations - hurricanes, tornadoes, snow storms - you name it, he's covered it. He does the hard things, gets knocked down and keeps on going! Librarians do the same.  We do bus duty, cafeteria duty, concert duty and detention. And we do it all with a smile!

And, as if that were not enough, Al used to have a book club on the Today show. Seriously??!!  Show me a librarian who does not run a book club in their school (or dream of the time to start one).  I dare you to find one!

So Al, if you are ever in Baltimore stop by.  Or if you have a few minutes to spare in NYC, let's hang together.  I'll do the weather.  I'll cook with you.  We can talk books.  I am only a train ride away!

It's December

It's December and everyone is in the mad holiday rush to get decorations up, gifts wrapped, special foods made, party attire ready and the list goes on and on.  Add to that sick kiddos, sick teachers, worn-out-need-a-break-when-will-this-end feelings far and wide and you have the perfect storm for a whole lot of bahumbugs and very little fa la la which results in grumpy teachers and sad students.

So here is my list of why December is off to a good start:

1. The library is decorated (and so is my house-mostly!)and some kids actually realized that my tree was supposed to be the Abominable Snowman.
2. My collection was uploaded with 100% accuracy so I am ready to have it analyzed and get my allotment to spend on books. (I already have a super duper list of can't wait books!)
3) I received an Education Foundation Grant for a project I want to do with 3rd, 4th and 5th graders (choosing to focus on the positive instead of the WHAT HAVE I DONE?!)
4) Next week is the Winter Concert! <3 any assembly in the month of December!
5) It's HOUR OF CODE week.  I LOVE this week.  My kiddos LOVE this week.  Teachers LOVE this week (Indoor recess activities that Mrs. Bixby has already taught them to use and will keep them engaged.  That is what I call a win-win because it really makes me look good!)

And how about you? Are you feeling Grinchy?  Can I make a suggestion?  LIGHTEN UP!  Read that again.  I'll write it bigger and bolder for you to see:

LIGHTEN UP!

It will be okay if you don't make 48 types of different cookies.  The world will not end if you don't fold your napkins into Christmas tree shapes. (Have you seen this video???) It's ok to keep teaching your curriculum to minimize the craziness and it is okay to step out and, GASP, read a book to settle your kids down (even those big 5th graders who act so tough like to have a picture book read aloud to them from time to time). 

Elementary school teachers/librarians get a tremendous gift at this time of year.  We get to see little people who are excited and filled with magic and wonder.  Let's embrace that and remember it.

Ways to make your December get back on track:

1) Watch a cartoon holiday show.  My favorite, in case you need a suggestion, is "The Year Without A Santa Claus"  In fact, this is my ringtone every Christmas. Turn your cellphone off. Grab a cup of cocoa.  Stop the distractions and just enjoy the cheesy timelessness of it all!





2) Watch a classic holiday movie.  Pick your favorite.  I'll suggest my favorites (I have a tie!) - "White Christmas" and "Miracle on 34th Street" (the original version)  Again, turn off the computer and phone!!! 

3) Read a book.  It can be your favorite children's story or adult one or one you haven't read in quite some time.  Remember reading "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry for the first time?  No.  Read it again.  How about "The Little Matchgirl" by Hans Christian Andersen? When was the last time you READ "Twas' the Night Before Christmas" by Clement C. Moore or "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens? Want something lighter?  Try "Auntie Claus" by Elise Primavera or "Santa Kid" by James Patterson (LOVE THIS!) or "Herschel and the Hanukkah Goblins" by Eric Kimmel. 

4) Eat a cookie! or some fruitcake or drink some eggnog!  You are only going to get grumpy if you try to be the food martyr.

5) Drive around and look at the Christmas lights with the music blaring in the car.  Sing along.  No one can hear you except the people who already know what you sound like.

6) Wear the stupid light up pin, jingle bell necklace, goofy sock/ties or ugly sweater to school.  The kids will only be distracted for a few minutes and their smiles will be worth it.

Feel free to share out some ways to deGrinch.  I promise to read them after I bake my cookies, wrap the presents, grade the projects, buy the holiday party White Elephant gift, make an appetizer...maybe I need to reread this post. 

A Tale From the Library Shelves

This past Friday was elementary school conference day.  This is a great day for me to work on straightening, weeding and planning for upcoming lessons and units.

As I was working, I found some books that told a unique story.  Read with me :-)


Once upon a time, a dead president (and I don't mean the kind you can spend to buy cool shoes) was still alive and well on my bookshelf.

 

 

 

He set out with a group of the most highly trained, cutting edge astronauts in the universe.

They were headed to the furthest planet from the sun.

They were hoping to finally find some answers to the most pressing questions of our time - specifically #65.

 

 

 

 

Sigh...just when you think you are doing so well. 

Where's Mrs. Bixby? (aka Where's Waldo library style)

I love playing the "Where's Mrs. Bixby?" game!  I consider it a success each time it happens.

Remember Waldo?  He's that loveable little fellow in the striped shirt that is always hiding.

 

 

 

My library is large and open and beautiful but this game could be played in any library.  Here's how it works.

 

 

1. Begin your lesson.  Set the objective for the day and give some general directions.

2. Set the students free to work independently or in small groups.  They should be able to creatively choose their seating.  (This is crucial to the success of the game. Get them out of those seats and on the floor, in other chairs and all mixed up everywhere!)

3. Move freely about the library to monitor and assist as needed. 

4. While working, students can also pause to do independent book check out.

5. Now here's the fun part.  (You never know when the game will be played so you have to be ready all the time.) Get on the floor with a student or group of students.  Pull up a chair next to them. Sit on the story steps.  Go to the stacks and help them find a book. Just BE with the kids.  (You can't be at YOUR desk or the front of the room.)

6. Wait for a grown up to come in, look around and say, "Where's Mrs. Bixby?"

7. Pop up and say, "Here I am!" or wait for little voices to point you out (or if you are feeling particularly saucy, wait a bit and let the grown up wander and look and think you have neglected your teaching duties) 

 

I love this game and  I bet you will too!



Make America Great Again

If you know me in any format, you know that I am not very political.  I never share who I vote for but I have voted in every single election that I was eligible to vote in since the age of 18.  As an American, I believe it is not only a right and a responsibility but also a privilege.

Our President-elect ran on a platform of making America great again.  This morning there has been much discussion and "Monday Morning Quarterbacking" about yesterday's general election.  Tempers have flared, names have been called, feelings hurt, hopes crushed, bad behaviors displayed and a general feeling of disappointment throughout this election process in all party lines.

But that is not what I want to share.  I want to share that I am hopeful and excited even.  Why?  (Glad you asked!)

For many years, voter turnout has been low.  I breezed in and out of my polling place that was, at most, a 10 minute wait to vote because so few people were there.  The same was true for my husband and son - and we were all there at different times.  But this year, I had to wait almost 2 hrs. to cast my vote and I was ok with that.  The lines were there all day.  Some folks waited up to 3hrs. to vote. The point is not that there was a lack of scanners or incompetence or fraud.  The point is that they waited and waited and did so peacefully.

This thrilled me.  People are voting.  People once again, for whatever reason, believe that their vote matters and that they have a voice in our government and how it is run.  The apathy that has plagued American is waning.  And it wasn't just in my little corner of Maryland but all across America.  Voters turned out in record numbers.  I watched the TV moderators sharing the significant increase in state after state after state.

I also saw children, lots of children, coming to vote with their parents.  Children seeing their parents vote for the first time.  Children seeing democracy in action.  Again, so powerful.  We know that kids reflect what they see at home.  I have strong memories of stepping inside that curtained booth and watching my mother flick levers to vote.  I have beloved memories of doing the same with my own child.   Because I live and work in the same community, many of my students saw me voting yesterday as well.  (And they let me know it in the hallways today!)  The adults in the lives of these children sent a powerful message without ever saying a word.  They showed that this is important.  This is meaningful.  This is my privilege as an American and I value that.

We have a precious opportunity today and in the upcoming days, weeks, months and years.  We have the opportunity to build upon this momentum and keep engaging our students in the political process by making sure that they understand why our founding fathers chose a democracy for our country and making sure that they understand the importance of this and the role they play in it. 

We are grooming future adults who will be American citizens who will have the power to affect change with their vote or even by running for political office.

We have the opportunity to make America great again and it has nothing to do with Donald Trump or Hilary Clinton. It starts today with every educator, parent and adult reflecting civility, compromise and hope for the future of our country and our children.

Transformations

Once again this year, the Book Character Pumpkin Decorating Contest was a big success.  Check out the photos of our pumpkins here.

In the spirit of making old things new...check out my Genre Globe!  I am pretty proud of it and I think my kiddos are going to love it!

The idea behind that globe is that every time a child says, "I don't know what kind of book to get" I will have them spin the globe and  wherever their finger lands, that is the genre they have to pick a book from that day. I am hoping, even if just for the novelty of it, this will help some students branch out and try some new genres that they wouldn't naturally lean towards.

There are also two extra special spots on the globe:  Ask A Friend and Mrs. Bixby's Choice.  If they land on one of these, their fate is in someone else's hands (cue sinister laughter).

This will be a busy week because we will be electing a new President and having elementary conference day on Friday.  Two days closed in a week certainly can wreck havoc with a teacher's schedule.  And right before American Education Week.  Whew!