Interesting Links to check out

Below is a weblink that will take you to a range of interesting sites that may be of some use, or may get your students involved.  Check out the archive that goes with it and see what leaps out at you.  As a science fiction reader, I found the 'Future Past' site fascinating - all the predictions made about what our world would be like in the 21st century and what have we got? Check it out under the History section in the archives.

http://apps.exploratorium.edu/10cool/index.php

New Series on the Shelf

For those who loved the 'Hunger Games' trilogy, we now have the 'Divergent' series on the shelf and ready to be borrowed.  The movie of the first book has just been released to mixed reviews, but as it is going up against the wildly popular 'Hunger Games', that is probably not all that much of a suprise.

Below is a brief review of the first book:

 In the dystopian Chicago setting of Roth's novel, the population is divided into five factions. Upon declaring allegiance to one of them, 16-year-old Beatrice will decide her future. Beatrice and her brother, Caleb, grew up in helpful, unassuming Abnegation, always putting others first. During her aptitude testing, a simulation probes her suitability for Abnegation, Amity, Candor, Dauntless, and Erudite. Rather than getting a clear reading of her strengths, Beatrice's result is disturbing and dangerous: she is Divergent. At the choosing ceremony, the teenager impulsively joins Dauntless, the tattooed "hellions" whose value is bravery, and who protect the community. Beatrice, now called Tris, finds she feels brilliantly alive in Dauntless, even during the brutal training. She enjoys seeing her muscles harden, testing her courage, protecting the underdog, and working her way up the ranks of recruits. Making both friends and enemies, she moves through simulations tailored to trigger her Fear Landscape. Gradually, her Divergence shows itself, allowing Tris to see that the faction-dominated world isn't as wonderful as she has been told.

The follow on books in the series, 'Insurgent' and 'Allegiant' are also available to borrow as well. 

Random Stuff



A big thank you to Miss Mckenna and Ms McDonald along with Miss Jeanny who have taken over the display board this week.  Looking good ladies. 

Each week there should be a 'new' book on display under the 'Book of the Week' label.  These are not necessarily new books, but ones that I think are well worth taking the time to read.  And with a number of our students reading their way through the Library, especially the series, it seems like a good method of introducing them to authors/genres that they may not  come across otherwise.  This weeks offering was 'Slice' by Steven Herrick, which was borrowed almost as soon as I put it out and next week will be 'Obernewtyn' by Isobelle Carmody, which should satisfy the series lovers in our midst as there are another six books there to be read.



 

This cartoon tickled my librarian sense of humour when I saw it.  But really so true.  Does anyone remember the story? 

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend and make sure you spend lots of time relaxing and READING!!   Now carry on being your awesome selves.

Weblinks

Just a few weblinks that may be of interest to staff.  There is probably (definitely) a bias on the subject of QR Codes, but that is mainly because I find them a really good hook to get kids involved. It has worked really well here in the Library and also in scavenger hunts for Guides. (A useful way of using those phones they are always attached to)

http://www.crickweb.co.uk/links-literacy.html   
(Activities and games with a literacy theme)

http://www.edudemic.com/7-fun-ways-to-use-qr-codes-in-education/  
(Pretty much as the title says)

http://www.fractuslearning.com/2012/02/20/qr-codes-in-education/  
(Ideas for using QR codes in classrooms)

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/213921051020118190/
(A Pinterest board with lots of QR Code ideas for use in an educational setting)

https://www.spectronicsinoz.com/blog/apps-and-mobile-learning/qr-codes-what-are-they-and-how-can-i-use-them-in-my-classroom/
(General article about the use of QR codes in teaching and learning)

Book Review

Slice: Juicy Moments from my Impossible Life!
Author: Steven Herrick

Genre:    Humour

My name is Darcy Franz Pele Walker.
Ignore the middle names.
I do.
My Dad is a football nut and he figured if he named me after his two favourite players, I’d turn out just like them. At the age of five, I’d stand in the backyard wearing baggy blue shorts and a Brazilian jersey watching the clouds, the trees, birds tilting overhead on the breeze.
Dad would shout, ‘Ready, Darcy?  and roll the ball temptingly my way.
‘Just kick it with all you’ve got, Son.’
I’d look at the coloured panels on the ball.
‘Just swing your foot, Darcy.’
Arms extended, I’d obediently sway my right leg like a ballerina stretching.
The football experiment stopped at age eleven. Years of frustration got the better of Dad and he belted one, straight at me. Bloodcurdling screams rent the suburb.
Not from me, from Mum.
I lay on my back, a warm ooze of blood trickled down my face.
People say I look better with a broken nose.
It’s a slight lump.
You can hardly notice it.
Dad was distraught. Mum shouted at him for hours, bad language bouncing off the kitchen walls. 
Dad said I’d never have to play football again.
I almost hugged him, but I didn’t want to get blood all over his clean shirt.
Pele is some Brazilian dude, the greatest player of all time. When he retired he became the Minister for Sport in the Brazilian government. Franz is Franz Beckenbauer - the only person to win the world cup as player and a coach. In his heyday, he had a haircut like a laughing clown, curls framing an amiable round chubby face.

Darcy can cope with parents, parties and punch-ups.  He can handle his crush on the beautiful Audrey, spending quality chess-time with his nerdy mate, Noah and even the dramas of kayaking on a school excursion.  After all, he is a teenage boy - he can handle it.

Now, if only he could learn to keep his mouth SHUT!  

Harmony Day & World Poetry Day

Harmony Day

Harmony Day 21 March is a day of cultural respect for everyone who calls Australia home – from the traditional owners of this land to those who have come from many countries around the world. By participating in Harmony Day activities, we can learn and understand how all Australians from diverse backgrounds equally belong to this nation and enrich it. 
Belonging is what makes us want to be a part of something greater than ourselves. What does belonging mean to you? After almost 15 years of Harmony Day, maybe it’s time to find out.
Check out the link below to see what others are saying, to make your comments or just to find out what is happening in your area.  Here in Tennant Creek, we have the Barkly MultiCultural Food Festival happening on Saturday the 22nd March.  This will be held at the Civic Centre from 6.30pm. 

http://www.harmony.gov.au/

World Poetry Day (21 March each year) celebrates and promotes the reading, writing, publishing and teaching of poetry worldwide. The day was declared an official observance day by UNESCO in 1999.
You could celebrate World Poetry Day in your school by learning about poems from different cultures, including from pupils’ own cultures. Or investigate different forms of poem, such as the Japanese Haiku or the Arabic Ruba’i.
Check out the link below for more information about this day.

http://www.un.org/en/events/poetryday/

International Listening Awareness Month

Just thought I would share the information with you all that apparently March is designated as International Listening Awareness Month.

And today is also World Read Aloud Day. 

Doesn't this sound like something we should be celebrating??

Blogs for Educational Resources

Below are links to some educational blogs that may be of interest to some.  These have been provided by the Yarra Plenty Regional Library and cover a wide range of areas.

8 blogs for educational resources

  Explore new learning models, thought-leadership and practical solutions for teachers with TeachThought
  For well researched ideas on the emerging movements in education you can't go past Granted and…thoughts on education
  Big Think sources big ideas from experts in many industries and explores their application in the real-world
  The Journal chronicles the latest applications of technology in education
  Mind Shift is a well-researched source for ideas and the application of learning trends
  Explore how digital media is impacting education and civic engagement at DML Research Hub
  For short explanations of a range of concepts explore the youtube channel ASAP Science
  The TED-Ed Blog keeps you informed of the latest TED talks and lessons related to Education

If these have been of some use or interest to you, you may like to check out the following link to see what else is on offer:   http://the-e-list.tumblr.com/
Enjoy.