Hello, friends!
I have a few things I want to share as summer vacation ends, and we all prepare to start another school year.
7 Questions Principals Should Ask When Hiring Future-Ready Teachers
I really enjoyed reading this online article that one of our assistant superintendents shared with me. This is worthwhile reading since it uncovers many skills that teacher librarians can be modeling and helping teachers accomplish in the classroom. Give it a read, and start thinking about how you can help teachers become future ready!
Colleen Graves- Master of Making
Colleen Graves (@gravescolleen) recently spoke at the Arkansas Association of School Librarians conference in Little Rock. I really enjoyed learning about how she uses blackout poetry with Makey Makeys and Scratch.
Have you seen her new book called 20 Makey Makey Projects for the Evil Genius?I just got a copy, and I can’t wait to dig into it and share it with our learning community!
Padlet
I’ve written about Padlet before. Since I have so many new subscribers, I want to share it again. This free tool allows participants to post “digital post it notes” to a virtual wall that you create. This is a great way to get students engaged. Think about becoming savvy with Padlet, and share it with your learning community. Take time to model how it can be used in the classroom for others.
Notetaking Tools
Have you tried Google Keep for taking notes or making “to-do” lists? This tool has changed our lives in the library. Take a look at the article near the bottom of this page to learn more. Give Google Keep a try! Better yet, show your students how to get organized with it.
Check out Microsoft OneNote if you want to try a free note-taking product that will get you organized. You can create digital “notebooks” that allow you to write with a digital pen, collaborate with anyone, and use easily with other Microsoft Office apps. I just started experimenting with it, and I love it! Show your students and teachers.
I still use Evernote to take notes when I attend conferences. It allows me to take photos and organize all the sessions I attend. This is another free tool that students and teachers need to know about.
What I’m Writing
The editors have completed a book I contributed a chapter to in late 2016. It should be published in the fall. I’ll share more information when it is available.
I have been invited to write my column for ABC-CLIO’s School Library Connection again in 2017-2018. I’m very grateful to the publisher and editors for allowing me to share my voice for another year! Consider subscribing to the magazine!
I hope you enjoy this newsletter program. If you like it, feel free to share it with someone. Take care until next time.
