tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5026397948426130572024-02-20T00:42:28.878-08:00Pleasant Valley LibraryPleasant Valley Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09421948195047311734noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502639794842613057.post-65718168499098463992010-03-30T08:53:00.000-07:002010-03-30T08:55:32.719-07:00Poetry MonthWith poetry month just a few days away, the Pleasant Valley Library is busy with activity. Nearly every grade has read, performed, written and reflected on poetry. Our display of library books about poetry and rhyming books is nearly gone. Tongue twisters are a particular crowd favoriate!Pleasant Valley Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09421948195047311734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502639794842613057.post-82790158879688614012010-03-03T08:37:00.000-08:002010-03-03T08:41:27.435-08:00CERF and NettrekkerI have finally had a chance to explore CERF a bit and I have found it to be a very useful tool. I checked out their website to get some general info (<a href="http://www.cerfinfo.com/">http://www.cerfinfo.com/</a>) which clearly explains what a great product it is. Just this week the kids at PV experimented with Nettrekker and they truly enjoyed it. I have had 3 teachers come up to me after their lesson and tell me how much the kids enjoyed it and how easy it was for students to use. Has anyone used CERF with their students? I would be curious to hear student reaction.Pleasant Valley Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09421948195047311734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502639794842613057.post-53926354178272187462010-01-26T07:06:00.000-08:002010-01-26T07:07:05.377-08:00School Librarian Name ChangeSchool Librarians are now back to their original name: School Librarians. Recent students and survey have found that the general public is confused by media specialist and teacher-librarian. The American Association of School Librarians approved changing the name to School Librarians officially in all future publications.<br /><br />When I think about the other teachers within my building all of them have “teacher in their title”- Art Teacher, Phys Ed. Teacher, Music Teacher. Since we do so much teaching in a day I think that Library Teacher is the best way to describe what we do. Check out the article:<br /><a href="http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6715763.html">http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6715763.html</a>Pleasant Valley Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09421948195047311734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502639794842613057.post-73248185019247111492010-01-21T11:16:00.001-08:002010-01-21T11:16:49.066-08:00Caldecott and Newbery Winning booksWith this weeks announcement of the Caldecott and Newbery Winning books I have been reading articles and reactions in regards to the winners. <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/19/books/19newbery.html">http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/19/books/19newbery.html</a> is a great article that talks about the books, argues that the judges for the Newbery this year do seem to be in tune with what students are actually reading and that this years winners are truly worthy of the award. This article is a great look into this years’ winners.Pleasant Valley Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09421948195047311734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502639794842613057.post-59134463272989562282010-01-11T10:46:00.000-08:002010-01-11T10:49:44.254-08:00"Memorization wrong path to proficiency in spelling" articleA recent study argues that the real key to learning how to spell is the teach students how to understand the mechanics of language and words rather than straight memorization of spelling words. Some school apparently have even suspended spelling tests. Check out this article which details the whole debate and sheds lights on the subject:<br /><a href="http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/outlook/6802371.html">www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/outlook/6802371.html</a>Pleasant Valley Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09421948195047311734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502639794842613057.post-48504736487576097482009-12-15T10:32:00.000-08:002009-12-15T10:33:27.583-08:00Blogging for studentsAs a teacher I am always looking for innovative ways to get students more involved in their own education. Blogging about classroom activities, content learned and questions they have would be a great way to get kids involved in their own learning while growing as 21st century learners. Plus it would be a great way for parents to find out about what their students are learning and to get to know their child as a student even better.<br /><br />There are lots of great blogs out there for kids. To start check out:<br /><a href="http://onlineschool.net/2009/10/27/100-best-book-blogs-for-kids-tweens-and-teens/">http://onlineschool.net/2009/10/27/100-best-book-blogs-for-kids-tweens-and-teens/</a> a great article with loads of great links for student blogs.Pleasant Valley Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09421948195047311734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502639794842613057.post-62617558706167890782009-11-17T08:01:00.000-08:002009-11-17T08:25:28.223-08:00If America Were a VillageA companion to “If the World Were a Village”, “If America Were a Village” (<a href="http://www.kidscanpress.com/US/If-America-Were-a-Village-P3154.aspx">http://www.kidscanpress.com/US/If-America-Were-a-Village-P3154.aspx</a>) is a unique an eye-opening look at the population of the United States. Taking statistics about our country and applying them to a 100 person village it's amazing what the readers discovers. For example, did you know that 50 people in this US village would live in just 9 US states or that 3 people in this village are in education, training and the library profession? An interesting and informative read that would lend itself well to a number of follow-up classroom activities.Pleasant Valley Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09421948195047311734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502639794842613057.post-69097667634262137182009-11-06T11:13:00.000-08:002009-11-06T11:17:26.955-08:00Teacher LibrariansWhile doing a search for lesson plans today I was surprised and delighted to find <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teacher-librarian">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teacher-librarian</a> which really does eloquently explain what we do and our role and purpose and school. Though Wikipedia is a hot-button topic of discussion among many library circles its popularity cannot be doubted and I was pleased to see Library Teachers have their own listing.Pleasant Valley Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09421948195047311734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502639794842613057.post-67061612628295482132009-10-28T11:57:00.001-07:002009-10-28T12:02:46.258-07:00Jeopardy GamesI have been doing Social Studies review with 5th grade using a Jeopardy game I created which has helped students review the curriculum in an innovative and engaging way. I went online and found a bunch of other great ones to use:<br /> <a href="http://www.hardin.k12.ky.us/res_techn/countyJeopardygames.htm">http://www.hardin.k12.ky.us/res_techn/countyJeopardygames.htm</a>Pleasant Valley Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09421948195047311734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502639794842613057.post-11474424458626797922009-10-23T11:54:00.000-07:002009-10-23T11:57:43.867-07:00School Library StudiesThere have been numerous studies over the last few years that have all concluded the same thing: School Libraries work! Elementary schools with librarians have high test scores and children have better access to books.<br /><br />Want to learn more:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.nyla.org/content/user_1/Preliminary_Report_Small.pdf">http://www.nyla.org/content/user_1/Preliminary_Report_Small.pdf</a> is great report. Pleasant Valley was lucky enough to be selected to be one of the schools who got to participate in this study.<br /><br />Also, find several reports at: <a href="http://www.lrs.org/impact.php">http://www.lrs.org/impact.php</a>Pleasant Valley Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09421948195047311734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502639794842613057.post-86768694005209279482009-10-21T12:46:00.000-07:002009-10-21T12:47:11.273-07:00PV's Library CatalogPV's Library Catalog is now online. Check out OPALS at: http://snb.scsd.opalsinfo.net/bin/search/beginner which will allow you to search for books in the PV collection from anywhere!Pleasant Valley Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09421948195047311734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502639794842613057.post-73625785347837926262009-10-16T09:01:00.000-07:002009-10-16T09:06:14.858-07:00"The Mailbox""The Mailbox" is an excellent magazine which includes teacher tips and ideas, ready-to-use worksheets and unit ideas. There is one for kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd-3rd grade and 4th-6th grade. <br /><br />The PV library has begun subscribing to this magazine and started routing it around the building this morning. This magazine really is a must have for any elementary school library. Check it out: http://www.theeducationcenter.com/tec/Pleasant Valley Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09421948195047311734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502639794842613057.post-32682022669865848762009-10-14T09:03:00.000-07:002009-10-15T05:22:54.473-07:00Web ResourcesThere are so many web resources available online it can be challenging to find what is needed.<br /><br />Nettrekker is a great place to find the best websites avialble <a href="http://www.nettrekker.com/">http://www.nettrekker.com/</a>.<br /><br />A local school district also has an excellent selection of web resources organized in one place <a href="http://www.niskayunaschools.org/district/Library/k5.htm">www.niskayunaschools.org/district/Library/k5.htm</a>Pleasant Valley Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09421948195047311734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-502639794842613057.post-46572016869552143032009-10-14T08:56:00.000-07:002009-10-14T14:30:17.201-07:00Welcome!Welcome to the Pleasant Valley Library Blog! This blog will be updated often with information about our school library, current activity and pertinent library information.Pleasant Valley Libraryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09421948195047311734noreply@blogger.com1