Following Up
Today was a half day at my school so I took the opportunity to do the follow-up visit to Charles Ellis Montessori Academy to see how they were progressing with Animoto. The teachers had several questions. The second visit was very beneficial for the participants because they had been working with the program and were more familiar with the process. I am embedding one of the teacher's videos made with Animoto. This particular video showcased a literacy event held at the school called "Book and a Cookie".
Total Hours: 2 hours
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Saturday, November 14, 2009
November 12, 2009
Bookfair!
I returned to Charles Ellis Montessori Academy this evening to assist with the bi-annual Media Center Scholastic Bookfair. It was family night which was scheduled to coincide with the PTA meeting. There was also a special event called "Book and a Cookie" where parents were invited to enjoy refreshments as they read a book to their child. It was a very successful event. Unfortunately, I cannot see putting a bookfair on at the Johnson High Media Center. I think the time it would take away from running the media program would not be worth it.
Total hours: 3 hours
I returned to Charles Ellis Montessori Academy this evening to assist with the bi-annual Media Center Scholastic Bookfair. It was family night which was scheduled to coincide with the PTA meeting. There was also a special event called "Book and a Cookie" where parents were invited to enjoy refreshments as they read a book to their child. It was a very successful event. Unfortunately, I cannot see putting a bookfair on at the Johnson High Media Center. I think the time it would take away from running the media program would not be worth it.
Total hours: 3 hours
Sunday, November 8, 2009
October 6, 2009
Collaboration is Key
This week I have been working with Brenda Smith's class to finish up the collaborative lesson that we developed. The students read "Uncle Tom's Cabin" in this U.S. History class to deepen their understanding of the growing tensions between the regions and to see how literature can have a profound effect on history. The students read the book individually and wrote a report to present their understandings. In addition, they were directed to find primary source images to create a multi-media presentation of the book using Animoto.com. This web-based program was taught to the class as a whole and I have been working with individual students this past week as they complete the project. I have been monitoring their progress through the common educator account in Animoto and am pleased with their results. Today the class came to the Media Center to watch the film version of the book and will write a brief comparison of the film versus print version. This collaboration has been a great experience for the students as well as the instructors.
Total hours: 8 hours
This week I have been working with Brenda Smith's class to finish up the collaborative lesson that we developed. The students read "Uncle Tom's Cabin" in this U.S. History class to deepen their understanding of the growing tensions between the regions and to see how literature can have a profound effect on history. The students read the book individually and wrote a report to present their understandings. In addition, they were directed to find primary source images to create a multi-media presentation of the book using Animoto.com. This web-based program was taught to the class as a whole and I have been working with individual students this past week as they complete the project. I have been monitoring their progress through the common educator account in Animoto and am pleased with their results. Today the class came to the Media Center to watch the film version of the book and will write a brief comparison of the film versus print version. This collaboration has been a great experience for the students as well as the instructors.
Total hours: 8 hours
Sunday, November 1, 2009
October 29, 2009
Progress by Committee
Today I worked at Johnson High Media Center. There were several classes visiting for research on recipes. The Consumer Science teacher is working on a project with her students based on a cookbook series called "Loook and Cook". The students will find recipes, research the main ingredient, take pictures of the equipment needed, photograph each step of the process and complete a visual recipe as the final product. I think it is a unique approach. I must admit that I really love working with this teacher. She embraces new technology and likes to collaborate.
After school I attended the first meeting of the 2009/10 Media Committee. The members of the committee are:
Total Hours: 9 Hours
Today I worked at Johnson High Media Center. There were several classes visiting for research on recipes. The Consumer Science teacher is working on a project with her students based on a cookbook series called "Loook and Cook". The students will find recipes, research the main ingredient, take pictures of the equipment needed, photograph each step of the process and complete a visual recipe as the final product. I think it is a unique approach. I must admit that I really love working with this teacher. She embraces new technology and likes to collaborate.
After school I attended the first meeting of the 2009/10 Media Committee. The members of the committee are:
- Juanita Harper (Administrator)
- Zyon Smiley (History)
- Kathryn Sukkestat (Science)
- Jason Buelterman (International Baccalaureate)
- Michelle Kilbourne (Language Arts)
- Cynthia Hall (Technology/Media Specialist)
- Susan Smith (Media Specialist)
Total Hours: 9 Hours
Thursday, October 22, 2009
October 20, 2009
A Change of Scenery
Today I spent the day working in the Media Center at Islands Elementary School in Savannah, Georgia. This is a relatively new media center that serves a population of Pre-K through 5th grade students. There are six student computers and a multi-media station. The media specialist is Susan Hill. I spent my time correcting class assignments and adding new students to the online catalog system. This was necessary because of the reshuffling of staff after the initial school start-up. In addition, I created shelf/marker library cards for several classes who were visiting the media center today. There was also a great deal of shelving to do.
The school was having testing so the media center was not very busy on this particular day. However, several classes visited. The first graders were checking out books for the first time. It was very interesting being in the media center at an elementary school. There is much more class interaction and much less individual interaction and research. I also saw much less collaboration and teacher interaction than at Johnson High School. It may have been because of the testing.
Total Hours: 7 Hours
Today I spent the day working in the Media Center at Islands Elementary School in Savannah, Georgia. This is a relatively new media center that serves a population of Pre-K through 5th grade students. There are six student computers and a multi-media station. The media specialist is Susan Hill. I spent my time correcting class assignments and adding new students to the online catalog system. This was necessary because of the reshuffling of staff after the initial school start-up. In addition, I created shelf/marker library cards for several classes who were visiting the media center today. There was also a great deal of shelving to do.
The school was having testing so the media center was not very busy on this particular day. However, several classes visited. The first graders were checking out books for the first time. It was very interesting being in the media center at an elementary school. There is much more class interaction and much less individual interaction and research. I also saw much less collaboration and teacher interaction than at Johnson High School. It may have been because of the testing.
Total Hours: 7 Hours
Monday, October 19, 2009
October 19, 2009
Fall in the Media Center
Today I changed out the bulletin boards in the Media Center. I ordered the Teen Reed Week banner which meant crawling up tall ladder to hang it over the circulation desk. We put up a table with "spooky" tales for all those teens that love a good scare. I included the "hooks" like the Twilight series and the Sweep series and the Blue Blood series. To keep me happy, I also included Bram Stoker's Dracula, Edgar Allen Poe, and The Ledgend of Sleepy Hollow.
Friday was the district "in-service day" where the media specialists were charged with the task of delivering the NetSmartz.com curriculum to ALL students at the school. The material is very current and vital to today's students. I set up an appointment with the principal to decide how to best accomplish this. I then stepped through the presentation to become familiar with all the cues (it's scripted). It will be interesting and definitely addresses our standards.
Total hours: 8 hours
Today I changed out the bulletin boards in the Media Center. I ordered the Teen Reed Week banner which meant crawling up tall ladder to hang it over the circulation desk. We put up a table with "spooky" tales for all those teens that love a good scare. I included the "hooks" like the Twilight series and the Sweep series and the Blue Blood series. To keep me happy, I also included Bram Stoker's Dracula, Edgar Allen Poe, and The Ledgend of Sleepy Hollow.
Friday was the district "in-service day" where the media specialists were charged with the task of delivering the NetSmartz.com curriculum to ALL students at the school. The material is very current and vital to today's students. I set up an appointment with the principal to decide how to best accomplish this. I then stepped through the presentation to become familiar with all the cues (it's scripted). It will be interesting and definitely addresses our standards.
Total hours: 8 hours
Thursday, October 15, 2009
October 12, 2009
A New Setting
Today I spent a day at Charles Ellis Montessori Academy. This school serves a student population that ranges from Pre-K to eighth grade. This is a bit of challenge to keep the upper school materials out of the hands of the youngest patrons. Age appropriate content is a concern. The materials that are restricted to sixth grade and above are placed in a special area and labled accordingly. This media center has self-check-out. Assistance is often needed, however, the students really enjoy the ability to check out on their own. My familiarality with the middle school chapter books really helps out when suggesting books for the children.
The Accelerated Reader program is a real factor in the middle and lower grades. I am not sure about my feelings toward this program. However, the media specialist here seems very enthusiastic about the program and its impact on circulation.
After school I met with six teachers to deliver my staff development lesson. The participants voiced satisfaction with the new program. I taught an introduction to Audacity and Animoto. To improve the lesson I would split the lesson to teach these two programs separately.
Total Hours: 8 hours
Today I spent a day at Charles Ellis Montessori Academy. This school serves a student population that ranges from Pre-K to eighth grade. This is a bit of challenge to keep the upper school materials out of the hands of the youngest patrons. Age appropriate content is a concern. The materials that are restricted to sixth grade and above are placed in a special area and labled accordingly. This media center has self-check-out. Assistance is often needed, however, the students really enjoy the ability to check out on their own. My familiarality with the middle school chapter books really helps out when suggesting books for the children.
The Accelerated Reader program is a real factor in the middle and lower grades. I am not sure about my feelings toward this program. However, the media specialist here seems very enthusiastic about the program and its impact on circulation.
After school I met with six teachers to deliver my staff development lesson. The participants voiced satisfaction with the new program. I taught an introduction to Audacity and Animoto. To improve the lesson I would split the lesson to teach these two programs separately.
Total Hours: 8 hours
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
October 7, 2009
Classes...classes...classes!
Today we had back-to-back classes in the Media Center. There was barely time for a quick bite for lunch. We had two classes in for instruction on searching data-bases (GALILEO in particular). We prepared special bookmarks with handy passwords for online research, including the latest GALILEO password, to give out. We had another class in for research on the periodic table. Another class came for instruction on the new multi-media station and an introduction to the presentation programs. This did not include the other small classes that came to utilize the extra space while we were instructing.
We have had a major push to get the students and teachers to sign in. We are trying to present accurate figures monthly to show how much the media center is used by the faculty and students.
I prepared and submitted two large book orders. After running the Titlewave analysis at Follett, I am concentrating on reference and the math and science sections. In addition, I am beefing up the section that appeals to the reluctant readers. We are really having success in that area. The Bluford High and Drama High series have really boosted circulation to those readers.
Total hours: 8 hours
Today we had back-to-back classes in the Media Center. There was barely time for a quick bite for lunch. We had two classes in for instruction on searching data-bases (GALILEO in particular). We prepared special bookmarks with handy passwords for online research, including the latest GALILEO password, to give out. We had another class in for research on the periodic table. Another class came for instruction on the new multi-media station and an introduction to the presentation programs. This did not include the other small classes that came to utilize the extra space while we were instructing.
We have had a major push to get the students and teachers to sign in. We are trying to present accurate figures monthly to show how much the media center is used by the faculty and students.
I prepared and submitted two large book orders. After running the Titlewave analysis at Follett, I am concentrating on reference and the math and science sections. In addition, I am beefing up the section that appeals to the reluctant readers. We are really having success in that area. The Bluford High and Drama High series have really boosted circulation to those readers.
Total hours: 8 hours
Saturday, October 3, 2009
October 2, 2009
A Quiet Day
Today was very quiet in the Media Center. Because it was Homecoming Day, our principal put the school in lock down mode. This meant that unless there was an overriding need, students were not issued passes to leave their classes. That kept the individual visits to a minimum. I did, however, have four classes scheduled for the Media Center. These were 9th grade classes scheduled for orientation and short story book check out. I used the quiet time to work on cataloging and placed my magazine subscription order for the year. In addition I submitted the collection for analysis through the Follett Titlewise service. I only submitted the reference section and modified the parameters so that it would give me a comparison to the Wilson collection percentages. I realize that Titlewise is designed to analyze the full collection for percentages, but I thought that it would be interesting to analyze the reference section in the same way. I began the process of building a consideration list for the reference section.
I checked the sign-in log and found that we still had over 100 visitors to the Media Center. I think this is rather impressive for a lock-down day.
Total Hours: 8 hours
Today was very quiet in the Media Center. Because it was Homecoming Day, our principal put the school in lock down mode. This meant that unless there was an overriding need, students were not issued passes to leave their classes. That kept the individual visits to a minimum. I did, however, have four classes scheduled for the Media Center. These were 9th grade classes scheduled for orientation and short story book check out. I used the quiet time to work on cataloging and placed my magazine subscription order for the year. In addition I submitted the collection for analysis through the Follett Titlewise service. I only submitted the reference section and modified the parameters so that it would give me a comparison to the Wilson collection percentages. I realize that Titlewise is designed to analyze the full collection for percentages, but I thought that it would be interesting to analyze the reference section in the same way. I began the process of building a consideration list for the reference section.
I checked the sign-in log and found that we still had over 100 visitors to the Media Center. I think this is rather impressive for a lock-down day.
Total Hours: 8 hours
Thursday, September 24, 2009
September 23, 2009
A Good Start
Today I held the Teacher Media Center Orientation for the faculty of Sol C. Johnson High School. I presented the new policies handbook as it has been revised. I handed out their new library passes as well. I had the media center set up with display tables with themes to display various topics. One table was for Banned Book week with brochures of the challenged books for the past year, bookmarks, and a display of banned books. Another table was set up with the new Play-Away audio books hooked up to a set of computer speakers to show how they could be used in the classroom. We also highlighted the new multi-media computer workstation. This was available each block for teachers to participate during their planning period. I kept the session brief (around 25 minutes) and had snacks available. The day seemed successful.
Total time: 8 hours
Today I held the Teacher Media Center Orientation for the faculty of Sol C. Johnson High School. I presented the new policies handbook as it has been revised. I handed out their new library passes as well. I had the media center set up with display tables with themes to display various topics. One table was for Banned Book week with brochures of the challenged books for the past year, bookmarks, and a display of banned books. Another table was set up with the new Play-Away audio books hooked up to a set of computer speakers to show how they could be used in the classroom. We also highlighted the new multi-media computer workstation. This was available each block for teachers to participate during their planning period. I kept the session brief (around 25 minutes) and had snacks available. The day seemed successful.
Total time: 8 hours
Sunday, September 13, 2009
September 11, 2009
Challenges and rewards
Today was a mixed bag. I started by attempting to enter the data file of all this year's students into our OPAC system. The year begins by clearing out the students from last year. The patrons that remain are the ones that still have books or fines from last year. Then the staff and teachers are manually entered into the system. Finally, the data file is loaded with all the new students. Unfortunately, I never was able to get the OPAC system to recognize the data file. I will just have to re-tackle this on Monday. Until then I continue to check books in and out the old-fashioned way; with pen and paper.
This afternoon we interviewed candidates for the position of Media Clerk. I did not have a media clerk last year and so have not ever worked with one. I really had to research and think this through to put together the most important questions to ask in the interviews. It was comforting that I had a committee of veterans to help. At the end of the day, we had made a selection and she had accepted. I will be working hard to make sure I use my staff development skills to train the new clerk and create a team that brings our media program to the next level.
Today I collaborated with the Spanish teachers who want to use the lesson we created together last year. I will tweak it and add some new resources to freshen it up for the new year.
Our first book club meets on Monday after school and so far the participation is very encouraging. Our first book is "Jumper" by Steven Gould. I have already given out eight books and we were not expecting to give any out until the meeting on Monday.
Our enrollment is down this year but the excitement of the students visiting the media center points to a great year. I am really looking forward to it!
Total Hours: 8 hours
Today was a mixed bag. I started by attempting to enter the data file of all this year's students into our OPAC system. The year begins by clearing out the students from last year. The patrons that remain are the ones that still have books or fines from last year. Then the staff and teachers are manually entered into the system. Finally, the data file is loaded with all the new students. Unfortunately, I never was able to get the OPAC system to recognize the data file. I will just have to re-tackle this on Monday. Until then I continue to check books in and out the old-fashioned way; with pen and paper.
This afternoon we interviewed candidates for the position of Media Clerk. I did not have a media clerk last year and so have not ever worked with one. I really had to research and think this through to put together the most important questions to ask in the interviews. It was comforting that I had a committee of veterans to help. At the end of the day, we had made a selection and she had accepted. I will be working hard to make sure I use my staff development skills to train the new clerk and create a team that brings our media program to the next level.
Today I collaborated with the Spanish teachers who want to use the lesson we created together last year. I will tweak it and add some new resources to freshen it up for the new year.
Our first book club meets on Monday after school and so far the participation is very encouraging. Our first book is "Jumper" by Steven Gould. I have already given out eight books and we were not expecting to give any out until the meeting on Monday.
Our enrollment is down this year but the excitement of the students visiting the media center points to a great year. I am really looking forward to it!
Total Hours: 8 hours
Saturday, September 5, 2009
September 4, 2009
Busy...busy...
Today started with a rush. I was called to make simultaneous multi-media setups for presentations at opposite ends of the school. The Instruction Tech had scheduled a set-up in the teacher's workroom to cover the grade database program with all the new teachers. In addition, the principal needed a last minute set-up in the auditorium. All in the first 15 minutes!
Today I finished entering the staff and teachers into the OPAC system. I spoke to the Data Clerk but will not be able to get the student files to imput until after the 10th. I will have to start a manual check-out system next week. I don't want to keep students from getting what they need.
I put the finishing touches on the updated Media Center Policy Handbook and turned it over to the principal for review. I have scheduled professional development for Wednesday to present the Media Center Orientation to all staff. They will come to the Media Center during their free block. I plan to have snacks, a copyright wall poster, and the new handbook to give out. In addition, I want to preview the new listening area with Play-Away players that I have added this year. I also want to have the many professional books that I have added to the collection.
I finished labeling and shelving the new Play-Aways in preparation for the orientation on Wednesday. In addition, I weeded about 40 books from the system that I culled from the short-story collection. With the extensive weeding done last year I am definitely taking the "as necessary approach". I need to start the newspaper subscription next week. The Newspapers In Education program that provided newspapers to the school and media centers last year has run out of funding so we will just have to purchase.
I accepted two sets of reference books at the end of last school year. After examining the books, I decided to add them to the collection. Our reference section definitely needs titles and these have material that we do not currently have. I prepared the purchase order and entered it into the accounting mainframe.
Total Hours: 9 hours
Today started with a rush. I was called to make simultaneous multi-media setups for presentations at opposite ends of the school. The Instruction Tech had scheduled a set-up in the teacher's workroom to cover the grade database program with all the new teachers. In addition, the principal needed a last minute set-up in the auditorium. All in the first 15 minutes!
Today I finished entering the staff and teachers into the OPAC system. I spoke to the Data Clerk but will not be able to get the student files to imput until after the 10th. I will have to start a manual check-out system next week. I don't want to keep students from getting what they need.
I put the finishing touches on the updated Media Center Policy Handbook and turned it over to the principal for review. I have scheduled professional development for Wednesday to present the Media Center Orientation to all staff. They will come to the Media Center during their free block. I plan to have snacks, a copyright wall poster, and the new handbook to give out. In addition, I want to preview the new listening area with Play-Away players that I have added this year. I also want to have the many professional books that I have added to the collection.
I finished labeling and shelving the new Play-Aways in preparation for the orientation on Wednesday. In addition, I weeded about 40 books from the system that I culled from the short-story collection. With the extensive weeding done last year I am definitely taking the "as necessary approach". I need to start the newspaper subscription next week. The Newspapers In Education program that provided newspapers to the school and media centers last year has run out of funding so we will just have to purchase.
I accepted two sets of reference books at the end of last school year. After examining the books, I decided to add them to the collection. Our reference section definitely needs titles and these have material that we do not currently have. I prepared the purchase order and entered it into the accounting mainframe.
Total Hours: 9 hours
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
September 1, 2009
First Day of School
Today was the first day that students returned to school at Johnson High School in Savannah, GA. I spent much of the day removing patrons from the OPAC system and entering the teachers and staff for the year. I cannot enter the students until the records have become available through the data clerk and that will be a while. In the meantime, I am putting a few books on hold and we will start checkout next week. I worked with a few students to return their books from last year and pay fines for lost books.
I had two teachers bring in boxes of donated books that I put in the consideration area to be considered for addition to the collection. Books that are not added to the collection may be donated to a specific program or even added to the special lending library in the teacher's workroom.
I met with one of the English teachers to discuss the scheduling of the first book club meeting. I will work tomorrow on a bulletin board to promote the September book: "Jumper" by Steven Gould. September will feature the first book club meeting, the first media club meeting and Banned Book Week. In addition, we will have all the ninth grade classes in for orientation. All in all, it will be a busy month.
Total Hours: 6 hours
Today was the first day that students returned to school at Johnson High School in Savannah, GA. I spent much of the day removing patrons from the OPAC system and entering the teachers and staff for the year. I cannot enter the students until the records have become available through the data clerk and that will be a while. In the meantime, I am putting a few books on hold and we will start checkout next week. I worked with a few students to return their books from last year and pay fines for lost books.
I had two teachers bring in boxes of donated books that I put in the consideration area to be considered for addition to the collection. Books that are not added to the collection may be donated to a specific program or even added to the special lending library in the teacher's workroom.
I met with one of the English teachers to discuss the scheduling of the first book club meeting. I will work tomorrow on a bulletin board to promote the September book: "Jumper" by Steven Gould. September will feature the first book club meeting, the first media club meeting and Banned Book Week. In addition, we will have all the ninth grade classes in for orientation. All in all, it will be a busy month.
Total Hours: 6 hours
Monday, August 31, 2009
August 31, 2009
Ready or not...
Today is the last day before the return of the students. I spent a couple of hours assisting teachers with the new copier. It is networked with the use of passwords and queuing which is very different than the machines our staff is accustomed to using. Since there were faculty meetings for most of the morning, I set up two presentation carts with the LCD projectors and laptops. I also cataloged a stack of new books that were left from the beginning of the summer. I worked up the beginning of the year order for periodicals and requested a quote from the new vendor. I also met with the principal to address scheduling challenges in the Media Center computer lab. One of the biggest challenges in working in the Media Center is staying on task. It is easy to become sidetracked with the many requests for assistance. However, the variety keeps you interested and on your toes. I am really looking forward to seeing the students tomorrow. I hope they are just as glad to see me.
Total Hours: 6 hours
Today is the last day before the return of the students. I spent a couple of hours assisting teachers with the new copier. It is networked with the use of passwords and queuing which is very different than the machines our staff is accustomed to using. Since there were faculty meetings for most of the morning, I set up two presentation carts with the LCD projectors and laptops. I also cataloged a stack of new books that were left from the beginning of the summer. I worked up the beginning of the year order for periodicals and requested a quote from the new vendor. I also met with the principal to address scheduling challenges in the Media Center computer lab. One of the biggest challenges in working in the Media Center is staying on task. It is easy to become sidetracked with the many requests for assistance. However, the variety keeps you interested and on your toes. I am really looking forward to seeing the students tomorrow. I hope they are just as glad to see me.
Total Hours: 6 hours
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
August 26, 2009
Getting the Media Center Ready
Today I started in the media center at Sol C. Johnson High School in Savannah, GA at 7:30 am. I opened the media center and took the opportunity of a day without students to move a bookshelf that I had previously cleared near the periodicals. With the new arrangement I was able to add some soft seating and a spinner display rack to create a reading nook near the entrance. An added feature of this seating area is that it is just inside the glass entrance and gives an inviting first look into the media center. I will be stocking the area with paperbacks, periodicals, newspapers and "Play-Away" audio books.
I was called upon to set up the LCD projector in the auditorium for the principal and get her started with the beginning of the year faculty meeting Powerpoint presentation.
In the afternoon I worked on the large bulletin board outside the media center to highlight the upcoming "Banned Book Week" at the end of September. Open House is tomorrow night at 6:00 pm. I left at 4:30 pm
Total Hours: 9 hours
Today I started in the media center at Sol C. Johnson High School in Savannah, GA at 7:30 am. I opened the media center and took the opportunity of a day without students to move a bookshelf that I had previously cleared near the periodicals. With the new arrangement I was able to add some soft seating and a spinner display rack to create a reading nook near the entrance. An added feature of this seating area is that it is just inside the glass entrance and gives an inviting first look into the media center. I will be stocking the area with paperbacks, periodicals, newspapers and "Play-Away" audio books.
I was called upon to set up the LCD projector in the auditorium for the principal and get her started with the beginning of the year faculty meeting Powerpoint presentation.
In the afternoon I worked on the large bulletin board outside the media center to highlight the upcoming "Banned Book Week" at the end of September. Open House is tomorrow night at 6:00 pm. I left at 4:30 pm
Total Hours: 9 hours
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