I don’t know about you, but this school year is flying by quicker than last year.  Here it is 12 days before Christmas and I’m just now getting to post for the first time this year!

In case you hadn’t noticed, I am now the only Librarian/Media Specialist here.  I want to say thank you to everyone who has come into the library and followed the procedures and directions I have posted, and for asking questions when you were not sure about something.  You have made my life much easier and I really do appreciate it.  Thank you!!

For those of you that haven’t noticed, things are starting to get rearranged a bit in the library.  Nothing too altering yet, but I am starting to try and make some things a little more interactive for you.  This Spring, we are going to be one of the schools piloting fiction e-books!!!  Keep your e-readers and phones ready because I’m really excited about starting to offer this format for you.   There are still a ton fo things to work out, but  if you have any

It’s hard to believe that I haven’t updated since Thanksgiving time. I guess that goes to show you how busy I’ve been in the Media Center.

The good news is that all of our book orders have come in and most of the new books are out on display. If there’s a book you’ve been waiting for, come on in and check it out!   If you don’t see it on display, as me if it’s in the back room being processed.  (We have a lot of new paperbacks.)

Have a great day!

I don’t know about you, but I am still trying to recover from our crazy Homecoming Week last week.  Between the wacky spirit days, getting our Sophomore Float ready, cheering at the Pep Rally and watching our Gryphons Chomp the Wildcats on Friday night, I think I need a few more days off.  How about you?

Thankfully, (get it??) we have next week off in preparation for Thanksgiving with our families.  Start thinking about what you are thankful for in your life.  Later this week I may ask you again for your responses.

See you tomorrow!

I hope you remembered to turn your clocks back an hour this weekend, otherwise, you’re going to be at school awfully early in the morning.  While I absolutely LOVE getting an extra hour of sleep, I really hate the fact that it gets darker earlier.  I thought it was time for my favorite TV show (The Amazing Race) to start when I looked outside, but when I looked at the clock I realized it was only 6:30pm.  Bummer.  Enjoy the rest of your weekend and I’ll see you tomorrow at school!

We are three days in to the month of November. Have you started your book yet?

NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month. The goal is to write a novel of approximately 50,000 words in one month. They even have a Young Writer’s Program if you’re interested!

I’m only 4,180 words in my novel, how far are you?  Let me know if you’re working on a novel and I’ll add you to my buddy list.  After all, shouldn’t we be helping one another?

Poetry Jam

Click the link above to learn more about the Poetry Jam at Sickles–especially if you’ve never participated in it before.  (I did use Animoto to create it.) 

Sign-ups begin on Monday, November 1.  Remember to bring your non-refundable $10 cash entrance fee and a copy of your work to leave with Ms. Thomas. 

All paperwork MUST be turned in to Ms. Thomas by November 19 or you will forfeit your spot.  All entries are on a first come, first-served basis, so make sure you get everything in on time and sign up early!

As always, if you have any questions, please see Ms. Thomas in the Media Center!

I know you’ll need plenty of time to research your person’s family tree and such, so I thought I would show you a few samples of what I will be going over briefly in your class tomorrow. 

Xtranormal:

This site is pretty neat for creating mini-movies and such.  “If you can type, you can create a movie.”  I will tell you that not everything is free.  You are welcome to spend your money to have more creative freedom, but I would think long and hard about how often you’re really going to be using this feature.  Here’s a sample of a Romeo & Juliet remake that I created this summer.  I will warn you–it took forever to create this little clip.  Be prepared to spend a few hours working on your video if you choose this option for your project.

Animoto:

I’m sure that you have all seen some of the projects that the AVID students created for the morning show.  Remember the college promotions?  Yes, they used this site to create their 30 second clips for the show.  You are able to purchase the “Pro” edition of this tool, but if you can wait for a few weeks, I should eventually have an educator’s site which will enable you to create longer videos.  (Roughly 2-3 minutes.)  Otherwise, you’re stuck with whatever you can cram into 30 seconds.  Sorry.  Here’s a short one that I created this summer of A Brief Glimpse into Me.

Glogster:

Glogs are supposed to be all the rage now in the world of Web 2.0 tools.  I know of a Media Specialist that created her library’s webpage as a glog.  Check it out here.  When I first started playing with Glogster this summer, I had planned on working it into our website because of all of the design options.  Now, I’ll probably add it to the site as a link for book choices.   If you want to create a glog, I will give you a student account that links to mine so that you can “turn in” your work virtually.  I will warn you–do not make anything that is inappropriate or it WILL get deleted.   Here’s a sample glog I created in about 10 minutes this summer.

Remember, these are just a few options of tools you can use for your Folklore Project.  If you need help using any of them, hit me up in the comments section (first name and last initial–NO full names) with your questions or come to the Media Center and ask!  See you tomorrow!

Mrs. Shaw–the Read 180  teacher, sent me a link this weekend to a really neat site.  It’s like an online version of Cliff’s Notes or SparkNotes, only it’s done in video format.    I know that many of you out there have to read the classics and are having a hard time understanding everything that is happening in each of the books you’re reading for English.  Well, the 60second Recap site will help explain things for you so that you have a better understanding of what is happening in each of the novels.

Now, I will tell you not to rely solely on this source for your assignments, tests, papers, etc. because I really do think you should read the book.  However, if you need someone to break it down for you 60secondrecap is an excellent resource for you to use.

Now quit surfing and start reading that book!

I had a fabulous day today during first, second, and third periods.  I was visiting Mrs. Fernandez’s classes and showed them all of the great features of the Media Center webpage.  (One of them being this blog.)  We also discussed EdLine a bit, and had some brave souls volunteer to show their grades to the entire class!  Whoa! 

Thank you Mrs. Fernandez for letting me come in and have some fun today with your classes!

Okay–here’s the Extra Credit opportunity for you.  (You need to answer the questions fully in order to earn it.)

Question #1: To see who was really listening…Aside from my job(s) at Busch Gardens, name one other job I have had in my life.

Question #2: Which Database Resource offers you magazine and newspaper articles and even current events  for your research needs? 

Question #3: What book are you currently reading and what do you think of it so far?  Why? (Be specific)

REMEMBER, when you leave a comment, put only your full first name and last initial instead of your whole name.  Creepers may be lurking. (Yuck!) 

You have until Friday at midnight EST (Eastern Standard Time) to leave your comments.  I can’t wait to hear what you say.

Welcome to the Media Blog here at Sickles. I hope you find it to be helpful with whatever your needs are at this moment. I’m still working on other pages and links, so don’t worry–there WILL be more!

I’ve been reading several of the Teens Read books here lately, and I’m getting excited about the Reading Rumble in the Spring. We have a title to defend (1st place in the District) and I know we can do it! After all, we’re Sickles and you all are the best!

What’s Reading Rumble?
Reading Rumble is similar to the middle school and elementary school “Battle of the Books” competitions. You work with your team to answer author and title questions about the books.

“How do I get a piece of this action?”
You have to read all 15 of the Teens Read books, take a qualifying quiz in April, and then practice with the team. You may even want to write questions for the books to help yourself remember what happened in each one.

Where do I sign up?
You just need to come to the Media Center and let me know that you’re interested. We can only take 5-6 people on the final Rumble team, but if you prove yourself able, you just might make it!

Let me know if you’re interested!