Keeping+Current+Gems

The Big App: New York’s libraries take homework help mobile—with a little help from their friends School Library Journal 12/01/10 by Linda W. Braun This article discusses a new website (HomeworkNYC Apps) that provide around-the-clock homework help to the estimated 1.3 million children and teens served by the libraries of New York City. The app works with Facebook and other social media resources to reach as many students as possible.

Are There Any Volunteers?: A pain-free approach to getting the very best out of parents School Library Journal.December 1, 2010. Lauren Barack This article discusses the constraints that are being placed on libraries due to budget issues. The article places emphasis on using parents and students as volunteers. And the different ways of managing them.

Summer Reading Programs Boost Student Achievement, Study Says School Library Journal. November 1, 2010. Carole Fiore and Susan Roman This article discusses the importance of Summer reading as a study has shown that reading over the Summer boost student achievement. The study quotes, "In fact, we found that kids who participate in these programs are 52 Lexile points ahead of their peers who do not. Summer reading programs are also an antidote for learning loss."

Stemming the Tide of Plagiarism: One Educator’s View Library Media Connection, October 2010 Issue. Kathy Lehman. This article discusses how wide spread cheating is in schools and shows that many students don't believe they are cheating. The article provides many ways for the teacher to help stop cheating.

**"One-upping the Web: Finding our place in Bloom's revised Taxonomy"** by Christopher Harris. School Library Journal, November 1, 2010. @http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/slj/printissuecurrentissue/887284-427/one-upping_the_web_finding_our.html.csp Harris discusses Lorin Anderson's work which revised Bloom's Taxonomy for current times. Anderson stresses the fact that we as teachers should not be working so much on having students memorize things, rather work through them using the electronic tools available today.

**"Meeting Readers Where They Are: Mapping the intersection of research and practice”** by Carol Gordon. School Library Journal, November 1, 2010. http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/slj/printissuecurrentissue/887308427/meeting_readers_where_they_are.html.csp This article discusses seven of the most prevalent beliefs about reading examined in the light of previous research. It describes the ways that reading is changing due to the digital environment and how we might address the seven areas discussed.

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= = ====**"An Author in Every Classroom: Kids connecting with authors via Skype. It’s the next best thing to being there"** School Library Journal, 05/01/2010, online. http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/slj/printissue/currentissue/886352-427/an_author_in_every_classroom.html.csp==== This article discusses Skype and its growth in recent years in schools and media centers. Skype allows librarians and teachers to connect via video conferencing software to authors and experts throughout the world. School Library Journal explains that this method is beneficial due to cost and the ability of the author to get students excited about their work; therefore, boosting a students desire to read.

====**"Young Learners Need Librarians, Not Just Google"** Multimedia and Internet at School, courtsy of Forbes magazine, 03/22/2010, online. **[|http://www.forbes.com/2010/03/22/moran-librarian-skills-intelligent-investing google.html?partner=email]**==== This article discusses the importance of librarians in current times. Librarians are still key to learning and searching as children are unable to evaluate information themselves. The article discusses the many areas that the internet has effected student learning.

This article discusses the trend towards digital textbooks and technology in the classroom. It describes how implementation of a digital textbook program will require training the teachers, some are depending on their tech savvy students to help with implementation. Last, the article discusses the school media specialist as the "digital resource provider" and states that the content with be open which will provide an optimal opportunity for librarians to help in this area. She also states, "“It’s time to change the rules of the game. We can remind people: look, we are the ones who can help you connect with pieces of open content. We are the people who can help build meaningful activities based on this content.”
 * "Turning the Page: Forget about those bulky backbreakers, digital textbooks are the future" -** School Library Journal. October 1, 2010 @http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/slj/printissue/currentissue/886880-427/turning_the_page_forget_about.html.csp

Cox, Helen. __ Boy Story: Do you really want guys in your library? __ School Library Journal. September 1, 2010 @http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/slj/home/886354-312/boy_story_do_you_really.html.csp

This is one woman's story of how she transformed her run-down little school library that practically no kids set foot in to such a busy library she can hardly keep up with check-outs. She has some great universal tips to remember like:

· It's not about you, it's about the them. · Have consistent expectations. · If you give them the best materials and teach them how to take care of them, they will respect them.

Crew, Rudy. (2010). Four Competencies for a 21st-Century Education and How to Implement Them. MultiMedia and Internet @ Schools Online. Posted on September 1st, 2010. Retrieved October 21, 2010.@http://www.mmischools.com/Articles/Editorial/Features/Four-Competencies-for-a-21st-Century-Education-and-How-to-Implement-Them-5bAvailable-Full-Text2c-Free5d-69721.aspx This article discusses the notion of revitalizing our educational system based on four different competencies that our students should gain while in school. The competencies include academic,occupational,civic and personal competencies. The article also notes that it is the role of parents and the community to help foster our children future.

10/28/10 LM_NET "articles showing worth of school libraries" From: Barbara Braxton Sat, 23 Oct 2010 This discussion was between two librarians, one looking for documents that show the worth of school libraries and the other who provided the document below. The document is an excellent resource that we all should read. The article, School Libraries Work! discusses a variety of organizations and findings from nearly two decades of empirical studies that cite the measurable impact school libraries and library media specialists have on student achievement. @http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/LM_NET/2010/Oct_2010/msg00935.html