Thursday Thoughts on Tech Goals

1) Evernote: Well, so far ... all I've really accomplished there is linking my Skitch (screen grab and picture annotations) account. Which actually has turned out to be helpful but is not yet where I want to be.

2) iPad: Hmmm. Every time I suggest a lesson teachers pick a different topic. But I will persist!

3) SMART Notebook: Have actually made some progress on this one. Certainly using the board more (at least when it works properly ... A POX ON WIRELESS CONNECTIONS and on dumb architects who build classrooms without walls and force us to have something sitting out in the middle of everything where kids and staff alike knock it and get it off kilter five times a day) and the kids are enjoying it.

Late Breaking Update ... the TCEA presentations that weren't accepted in July? They've asked for two of the three after all. So ... you may be hearing about e-readers, e-books, and e-bookclubs as well as QR codes in the library. But classroom applicable as well. ;]

"Think of a way

I can help you organize your area over here because the mess is driving me crazy."
--spoken by well-meaning albeit more than a little tactless volunteer

Reaction #1 "It drives me crazy, too, buddy."
Reaction #2 "What business is it of yours?"
Reaction #3 "Sigh. If I knew what to tell you to do I'd have done it a long time ago."

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nkeppol/5824776984/sizes/z/

This is not even my style but isn't it nice and neat? No visual clutter. First one I found on Flickr that was CC. This person can probably find what they want when they want it. I am SURROUNDED by mess and haven't the foggiest idea how to get rid of it. Especially when I can't even stay after school to get things cleaned up ... the after-school care comes into the library and they keep talking to me and teachers come in and ask me things and I don't want to be rude but with all the noise I still can't concentrate and I give up and go home.

Don't get me wrong. I'd go nuts if it was silent all day. I love the noise of kids learning and asking each other about how to use a database or did they know this fact or hey you have to come see this book. It's the noise of constant hallway traffic headed elsewhere and teacher redirection and parent conversations and upset kids headed into the office or nurse. That drives me bonkers and I set things down and two seconds later can't remember where.

HP Quotes

Two posts in one day! No post tomorrow, though, and maybe Wednesday so does that make up for it? I loved the words and the art so much I had to try and combine the two.
What do you think?

See the credits page for the talented artists. Leave a comment if you liked 'em and want to see more. And go buy your own copies of the clip art and frames if you REALLY loved them. Then create something yourself. Would love to see it!

What Are You Reading Monday

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journeys. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It's also a great chance to see what others are reading right now… who knows, you might discover that next “must read” book!

Our Kid Lit to YA version is hosted by Teach Mentor Texts.
GREAT IDEA! Check out all of the What Are You Reading? participants for title ideas.


This is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Yep. Love this one, too. It's just similar enough to I Want My Hat Back to be funny (and it would be funny w/o that ... I just like the similarities together) and different enough to not be an annoying copycat.
#teambigfish #bowlersarecool #thoughIcannotpullthemoff

Awesome Autumn by Bruce Goldstone
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Love the colorful photographs. And the collection of information about the season.
Only the kids that "study" seasons? The little ones? They couldn't read this. And it skips around too much in topic to really read aloud. :/
Still like it, though. Next time ... maybe separate it into a couple smaller books ? Or do the "5 senses" for all of the seasons. Or "shapes." Or "animals."

Horseplay by Karma Wilson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Great candidate for checking out of the library. Not one where I HAVE to own a personal copy.
Funny. A few of the rhymes are just a little forced.

The Hueys in the New Sweater by Oliver Jeffers
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Will definitely watch this series as O.J.'s sense of humor is quirky fun. :)
But it's not my new favorite by him. Not yet, anyway.

Fall Mixed Up by Bob Raczka


Once you get the hang of the fact it's all wrong it's quite fun!



Where's My Mummy? by Carolyn Crimi
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Like the art best of all. Story's decent but nothing super different or awe-inspiring.
Well. Except for the one little twist at the end. Kids enjoyed that. ;]

Goodnight, Little Monster by Helen Ketteman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fun pics ... love the mirror with the big grin and googly eyeballs. And the eyeball night light.

Captain Disaster by Jennifer L. Holm
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Squish. He's a good amoeba at heart. Not perfect but he's trying.

Play as a team. Great advice.


Geronimo Stilton #6: Who Stole the Mona Lisa? by Geronimo Stilton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

First ever actually read Geronimo Stilton.
I can see the appeal.



Geronimo Stilton #10: Geronimo Stilton Saves the Olympics by Geronimo Stilton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

All the little bits of facts thrown in are fun.



Blood Wounds by Susan Beth Pfeffer
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Well ... that was super depressing. Why did I think it sounded interesting? :[






In the Middle Of ...


Stink and the Midnight Zombie Walk by Megan McDonald

So far ... it's OK. Never actually read a Judy Moody before this. Not sure I love it?




Article 5 by Kristen Simmons

Not sure I'll love this one, either. But there is still time!





Show Me a Story: 40 Craft Projects and Activities to Spark Children's Storytelling by Emily K. Neuburger

Want to try some of the projects! May have to wait until November break, though. All you people who get a two week fall break. I'm jealous.



In Pictures and in Words: Teaching the Qualities of Good Writing Through Illustration Study by Katie Wood Ray

I NEED TO SIT DOWN AND FINISH THIS! I was enjoying it. Just got out of the groove.


Pie by Sarah Weeks

Googly-Eyed Monsters

Eyeball plates (Target or Michaels ... I can't remember which) plus some butcher paper = easy fun.

Now IF ONLY I could find all the bats and owls I cut out with my Silhouette Cameo this summer I'd be set. #thoughtIwassosmart #didsomecandycanestoo #wherearethey??????


-Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Friday Pins

Source: 25.media.tumblr.com via Angie on Pinterest

Or get mad and think you are not being helpful when you truly don't know the answer. #canthelpyouwhenIdontknow #notlikeIactuallygotanytrainingforthis

Source: someecards.com via Angie on Pinterest

Amen.

Source: everydayisacreativeday.blogspot.com via Angie on Pinterest

Wrapped up books? #thinkingahead #Ialsolovethesnowmen

Source: partywithgatsby.polyvore.com via Angie on Pinterest

Still way too stinking hot to wear this where I live.

Books Set in or About Autumn

The Dog Who Belonged to No One by Amy Hest

Technically not about autumn but has the most beautiful autumn colors and setting all throughout.




Bear Feels Sick by Karma Wilson

LOVE Bear. Love the fall colors in the illustrations. Can usually read this one with realism because in the fall my allergies kick into high gear. Fall and spring.




Mouse's First Fall by Lauren Thompson

Super cute illustrations but not much of a story. Wouldn't base an entire lesson around it but could be a nice additional selection.






Fall Mixed Up by Bob Raczka

Haven't read this one yet but it looks so cute! I am going to track it down.




Leaf Trouble by Jonathan Emmett

Ever so cute.




When The Leaf Blew In by Steve Metzger

I need to read this one again with PreK. Will I have time before winter?




Little Critter: The Fall Festival by Mercer Mayer

Little Critter was a favorite even before I knew I was going to be a librarian.






Leaves by David Ezra Stein

Another one I want to read again so I can count it on Goodreads. Love the illustrations and the efforts of the Bear.

Also ... check out this handy related post on starting graphing with the little ones!



The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z by Kate Messner

Not a picture book ... but a fun one all the same. Maybe a read aloud for ... third grade and up. If you don't live in a place with lots of different trees that lose their leaves in the fall (like oh ... TEXAS) then make sure to include some images of what a fall season with color looks like in the pre-read booktalk. The kids might not know otherwise. Plus the author is so nice. :]


Do you have any favorites?