How are YOU Celebrating on January 27th?

Family Literacy Day 2015

When is it?  
Tuesday, January 27th, 2015

What is it?
"a national awareness initiative created by ABC Life Literacy Canada in 1999, and held annually to raise awareness of the importance of reading and engaging in other literacy-related activities as a family."
By reading, talking, drawing and playing with children you are helping them develop skills they will use forever.

How do I participate?

Check your school and public library for ready made activities and programs.  Sign up for one (or more).

Host your own event.  Invite family and friends or enjoy with those already in your household. Activities can range from fundraisers, book drives and children’s reading circles, to literacy-themed games, anything you can think of!


Ideas For School Libraries:

• Ask families to send  a "selfie" of themselves engaged in a literary activity ~ reading the newspaper, playing Scrabble, etc.

• Host a dress up day where primary kids dress up as their favorite BOOK character - a sort of Halloween for books.

• Host a family reading time.  Invite parents in to read with their children.  Try pairing it with juice and muffins before school or during nutrition/lunch breaks.

Ideas For Home:

You don’t have to participate in a formal event to be a part of this initiative. Family Literacy Day can be celebrated by simply setting aside 15 minutes of family time to do an activity together.

• Read together

• Listen to a book on CD

• Write a letter.  Write a round-robin story.

via bilingualmonkeys.com

• Play word games such as crosswords, Boggle, Scrabble or other brainteasers

• Cook together using a recipe and following the steps as a team; write down step by step preparations for a favorite family meal.

• Have children read to the cat or dog.  Animals are great reading companions especially for children who may not be strong readers. They don't correct or get impatient with your children reading style.

post-gazette.com

Easy Remembrance Day Crafts

1) Finger Print Poppy Painting
Paper, red, green and black paint and some willing fingers!

2) Paint a poppy.   Use sponges, potato stampers or bingo dabbers to paint red poppies.  The cut them out and mount or frame with another colour.

3) Remembrance Day Lantern  Instructions from dltk-holidays.com are here.

4) Use your hands.

5)  Mixed Media Poppies.

Open up your craft box and see what you can come up with.  Use these ideas from Pinterest as inspiration...or try them out yourself.

Great project by thatartistwoman.org.  Here are the instructions.

Remembrance Day Huichol Yarn Painting. Again from thatartistwoman.org.  Some newspapers, yarn in shades of red, modge podge, and black beans (or use dry pasta painted black)

 Find the instructions here. 

End of Year Book Returns

One of the busiest times for school libraries occurs as the school year comes to an end.  It is a time to resolve overdue book issues and return books to the shelves before the great summer exodus.  It is important to start early and be visible and tenacious.

Most of us make use of  reminder slips, announcements and notices on the school websites and newsletters.  But what else can we do to make returning books to the library an adventure for students, rather than a chore?

1)  Instead of relying solely on boring lists of missing books, create a game where students can help locate them.

Found on schoollibrarydisplays.blogspot.com

Some of my schools hold a Great Barcode Hunt on the last days of classes.  Students search the classrooms, lockers and all over the school for books with barcodes to return to the library.

2) Host a contest with a prize (pizza, ice cream or popcorn party, a special viewing of a movie in the library, extra computer free time, extra gym/outdoor period, etc) for the class that gets all their books back to the library first. I like to include teachers in the contest since teacher resources are one of my highest losses. Maybe issue certificates to post on the doors of classes:

via pinterest.com

3) Have classes create their own WANTED posters and post them throughout the school.  There are so many ways to do this.  They can create fictional characters who have left their books, draw missing book posters, create book outlaws.

from randomhousekids.com

4) Make library reminder announcements interesting.  
A 5-part Dr. Seuss-style poem has been adapted in most of my schools.  The kids actually stop and listen to it and are eager for the next installment. It's a chance to use your creative writing and speaking skills.  Here is a tiny excerpt from the poems:  

Comb through your lockers

Bottom and top

And under the lunch

That all but the flies forgot

Look in the closets

And under the stairs

Behind all your toys

And old teddy bears

Books are so quiet

They don’t make a sound

When they get lost

 They’re not easily found

We’re missing a few Lioni’s

And some Dr. Seusses

And books about hockey

And some Mother Gooses

We’ve sent out notices

 And asked you through rhyme

 But still lots are missing

And we’re soon out of time

Each book you return is

Welcomed with a cheer

‘Cause some other student

can read it next year

Book Return Poem credited to Mr. T. Flynn

5) Create countdown signs or class counts.  Post them by the library and keep classes updated with daily announcements over the P.A.

via absentlibrarian

via pinterest.com

Makerspaces in your Elementary Library

So, just what is a makerspace?
It is a physical space for participants gather, socialize, use resources and share ideas while working on projects. The space can be a dedicated location or temporary use of a space. 

How does it work?
There are a variety of setups that can work depending on your goals. Projects can be one-time events or on-going over long periods of time. They may be organized in classes or be unscheduled and self-directed. Individuals and groups may participate depending on the project and organization of the host. Usually tools and supplies are available to use - a cost may be charged to cover consumable materials. Specific skills are sometimes taught while other times experimentation and imagination are the key skills required.

 In Makerspaces, the students define the learning.  They chose the projects, make the plans and do the work, discover fixes and navigate problem solving. 

Why a makerspace? How does that belong in a school??? Well, makerspaces are simply projects that introduce them to the principles of design thinking. They make use of math, hand eye coordination, creativity, critical thinking, physics, problem-solving, engineering..and so much more. They allow participants to learn while taking control of their own learning. Projects can be complex -using computers and tools or as simple as using duct tape and Lego.  The possibilities are limited only by imagination and in the more advanced projects, budget. Make no mistake though, there are a plethora of options for tight budgets.

We've had them for years in one form or another: arts and crafts activities, woodshop and art classes, science experiments.  In many schools these formal classes have been downsized or eliminated but the value is still there as is the student interest.  

While the media has featured makerspaces that are well funded with 3D printers and fully stocked and dedicated rooms, any library can offer a makerspace.  Small ready made kits can be purchased.  Donations of materials from the community and sponsorship from local businesses can also help to build makerspaces.

Failure IS an option!

 Makerspaces are unique in that they focus on the process of learning and doing over the final project.  The learning is experiential and the focus and joy is in the doing.  Not knowing how to use a tool, a plan that doesn't work out, parts that fall off...these are opportunities for learning.  That is what makerspaces are all about.  The point is for the participants to explore and experiment in their projects.  Don't do it for them, if something isn't working out, it is up TO THEM to find a way to make it work or decide on another method. Again, this is about the action of making and not about the product you end up with.

What type of projects could schools on a budget have in their makerspaces?

The ALA offers ideas for a variety of ages and budgets through their searchable website: makeitatyourlibrary.org, It is a fantastic site! If you are interested in hosting your own makerspace, you have to check it out.  Here are some sample projects for the under $5 per person range.

Connect projects with your library program and include Dewey Decimal games, robotic story reenactments, make bookmarks or shelfmarkers ... whatever you and your students can imagine.

Other resources:

Makezine.com: a platform for connecting makers to other makers, products and services. A great way to explore the possibilities of makerspaces.

Maker Faire: is "an all-ages gathering of tech enthusiasts, crafters, educators, tinkerers, hobbyists, engineers, science clubs, authors, artists, students, and commercial exhibitors. All of these “makers” come to Maker Faire to show what they have made and to share what they have learned" There are Maker Faires all around the world. View this listing of Faires or to find out how to start our own in your area.

Instructables.com: A place for makers to explore, document and share their creations. Visit this site to inspire and be inspired.

Pinterest also has some amazing ideas for setting up supplies as well as many budget friendly makerspace projects. 

Whether you are investing in a high tech room or setting up a cart for your own makerspace, it is a fun way to mix knowledge and learning with creativity and innovation. Did I mention that it's fun? 
That means students will want to participate!

Movies for Earth Day... Keep the Conversation Going

Family Friendly
"Fern Gully"
This movie immediately came to mind when thinking of Earth Day movies worthy of making the top 10 best Earth Day films list. The oil monster "Hexus" and the fairies of Fern Gully along with the crazy bat hard to forget. If you have never seen this animated film I highly recommend you do.
"March of the Penguins"
Learn about the Emperor penguins of Antarctica, their monogamy, traditional breeding ground and more. Narrated by Morgan Freeman this is a fabulous Earth Day film.
"Into the Wild"
This Earth Day film represents getting in touch with nature. Based on a true story, Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch) leaves his life behind to pursue the freedom of living in the wild.
"Wall-E"
A computer animated sci-fi, this Pixar/ Disney earth day movie is the story of a future robot that must clean the waste that now covers Earth. Love complicates his mission as he follows his girl to outer space and changes the future.
"Earth" (2009)
This Disney Earth Day movie was released on Earth Day 2009. "Earth" follows the lives of three families for one year; the humpback whales, elephants and polar bears. You will see more than just whales, elephants and polar bears. This is an educational film that reminds us to be environmentally conscience.
"Oceans" (2010)
Another Disney Nature film is in theaters now and is the perfect Earth Day movie. Disney will donate to save our coral reefs in your honor if you see "Oceans" during opening week of April 22, 2010. "Nearly ¾ of Earth's surface is covered by water and Oceans boldly chronicles the mysteries that lie beneath." (Disney)
“Big Miracle”
While on assignment in a small town in Alaska, a reporter spots three gray whales trapped in the ice and unable to reach open water. Pretty soon, scores of people show up to help, including his Greenpeace volunteer ex-girlfriend and a big tycoon who wants to drill for oil.
“The Lorax”
To win the affection of the girl of his dreams, 12-year-old Ted must track down the impossible in a city where everything is plastic – a real tree. But first, he must learn the story of the Lorax, a grumpy but charming creature who fights to protect the environment.
“Happy Feet Two”
This sequel to 2006′s Happy Feet stars the dancing penguins, Mumble and Gloria and their new son, Erik, who’s struggling to find his talents in the Emperor Penguin community. But when the penguins discover a new threat to their home — global warming — it’ll take everyone working together to save them.
For More Mature Audiences
"Armageddon"
Starring a stellar cast, Bruce Willis, Ben Affleck, Liv Tyler, Billy Bob Thornton; this Earth Day film is about a group of blue collar drillers sent to NASA to stop an asteroid from colliding with Earth.
"Deep Impact"
Another all-star cast, Morgan Freeman, Tea Leoni, Robert Duvall and Elijah Wood attempt to prepare for and destroy a comet from hitting Earth to prevent human extinction. A perfect Earth Day movie and great reminder that we should not take mother nature for granted.
"Erin Brockovich"
A fitting Earth Day movie about a single mom (Julia Roberts) that lands a job as a legal assistant and soon becomes obsessed with helping to fight for victims of poisonous chromium from a gas and electric company that is not environmentally responsible.
"The Day After Tomorrow"
Dennis Quaid stars as a climatologist that must stop global warming and get to his son in New York, which is experiencing the effects of a new ice age.
“An Inconvenient Truth”
A documentary on Al Gore's campaign to make the issue of global warming a recognized problem worldwide.
“Planet Earth” Series
The series comprises eleven episodes, each of which features a global overview of a different biome or habitat on Earth: From Pole to Pole; Fresh Water; Caves; Deserts; Ice Worlds; Great Plains; Jungles; Shallow Seas; Seasonal Forests; and, Ocean Deep . At the end of each fifty-minute episode, a ten-minute featurette takes a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges of filming the series.