Resources & Weblinks from Edutopia

Below are some weblinks from the Edutopia site.  This is a USA based site, but it has some interesting ideas and activities that look good for classes.  I am not teacher trained though - so I just put them here, and let the experts (all of you) rifle through for anything useful.  

Take a look when you have a little spare time and check them out.  I have also mentioned it on the Blog List on the main page, so you can check them out for yourself. 

https://www.edutopia.org/article/7-clever-teacher-tested-tech-hacks

https://www.edutopia.org/article/engaging-students-community-based-projects

https://www.edutopia.org/article/using-origami-teach-children-about-endangered-animals

https://www.edutopia.org/article/building-sustainable-future-one-classroom-time

Digital Citizenship Week - Lessons & Ideas

Digital Citizenship Week is coming up in October - and although this is primarily an idea from US - a lot of the ideas and lessons can be aligned with our classes here in Australia.  

In today's world, ruled by Social Media - these are probably good skills for our young ones to have.

Below are a couple of weblinks - two from the US, and one from NSW Education with some hints, tips and ideas.  

https://nearpod.com/blog/digital-citizenship-week-free-lessons

https://www.digitalcitizenship.nsw.edu.au/

https://www.commonsense.org/education/digital-citizenship-week

More ideas on Picture Books

A few further thoughts on Picture Books from authors and readers:

Here are 12 reasons why picture books are important.

Little kids love them
Big kids love them
Adults love them
They make us laugh
They make us cry
They make us think
They help us understand the world
They help us understand each other
They stay with us
They are fun to talk about
They are fun to give as gifts
They smell good

http://inkygirl.com/inkygirl-main/2013/11/7/why-picture-books-are-important.html

http://www.tanglewoodbooks.com/tangled-up/15-reasons-why-we-will-always-love-picture-books/

https://www.writersdigest.com/guest-columns/picture-books-are-not-just-for-children-10-reasons-why

What are your reasons for loving them?

Unusual Improbable Libraries

Libraries just don't seem to be dying out despite all the predictions otherwise.  In fact, they seem to be popping up everywhere in all sorts of places and styles.  

Check out the link below for some of the more 'improbable' libraries seen around the world. This has been taken from a book with the same title by English journalist Alex Johnson.  

It all goes to show that the Library is a very adaptable artefact that apparently has no intention of being killed off any time soon - and is a definite testament to peoples ideas and ingenuity.  

http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/latenightlive/the-world%E2%80%99s-most-improbable-libraries/6483292

Enjoy the long weekend - only one more left in the year after this one so make the most of them. Judging by the weather, a good book or two and a great coffee or hot chocolate would probably be the way to go.

Ideas for the Library

As mentioned at the start of the year, a revamp of the Library has been discussed - especially after the carpet got flooded and needed to be removed. And it still smells damp and soggy in here! 

I have spent a little time playing with floor plans and ideas just lately - although we are still waiting for floors to be done, so we can move on.  Hopefully this will happen during the July holiday break.  However I am getting quite fond of the rustic cement flooring look, I have to admit. 

Anyway, it has occurred to me that maybe the question I really should be asking is: what do people actually WANT in this space?  Print? Digital? Space for classes? Other ideas? Do you even need a 'Library' as such - or could it possibly be reborn in some other way? Maybe you have some radical thoughts for a vibrant learning space?? 

Lots of resources in here are rarely used and often just seem to be taking up space or helping to create corners for students to lurk in - so maybe there is another way to utilise this area, as well as the resources, that will work for everyone ... and really, I can't always see the forest for the trees.  

There are some awesome ideas out there in the Pinterest world - although I suspect that we may also need a bucket of never ending cash to make some of them a reality.  

So ....... input and ideas please??

2016 - Welcome back!

Welcome back to everyone - and an extra big welcome to our new staff - looking forward to getting to know you all ... and don't listen to anything that the other staff tell you about me!  It is all exaggeration and untruths, I swear!! 
Hope you all had a wonderful break - lots of relaxing, and lots of reading happening.  

For the new staff - and a reminder for some of our previous staff - below is a list of some of what we can help you with. I put this list up each year, so if you go back through the posts, it is all there. 
Anything else? If there is something that you think we can help with, just come and have a chat. We are reasonably good at pulling rabbits out of hats and challenges are always interesting.

• Looking for a particular book or resource? Come and talk to us. We can organise an Inter-library-Loan or help you find where to purchase it.
• Resources: Books, DVDs, Magazines and Newspapers, iPad sets, Digital Cameras, Video Recorders, Computer Mice sets, Data Projectors, Teacher Reference, Board games, Chess sets, Kits........
• IWB area and a bank of computers, as well as laptops that are available to be booked for classes.  The Library laptop trolley is only to be used in the Library area, however.
• Help with research, proofreading of assignments, suggestions for books to read - we are your people.
• A place to display your amazing class work.
• Collation of websites for subjects/classes
• Booking sheets for: Library areas, F Block Laptops, Headphones, Ipads.

Students have a 2 week borrowing period while staff have a month. For most of the resources, we can adjust the loaning period for whatever is needed - at least till the end of term. However, this doesn't include the AV materials - that is a 1 week loan period only.

I am always looking for ideas or ways to use this blog with teachers and students - so if you have any suggestions, please see me.

The e-list Site

http://the-e-list.tumblr.com/

Some of the recent lists that have appeared on this site include:

• 4 tools to save your notes, resources and for inspiration
• 9 Youtube channels to keep you informed
• 4 one-app wonders - all your apps in one app
• 4 ways to store your documents securely in the cloud

The link is above so take a few minutes and have a look around.  You may find something that is of use to you.

Have an awesome day.

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.