This week, I created a screencast giving the directions on how to create the avatar and posted it in Kidblog. I want the students to start looking in Kidblog for directions for the day, and I know that students will complete tasks at different times. Having video lessons available helps me manage the different stages of a project students are in.
My favorite avatar building site is Build Your Wild Self, created by New York Zoos and Aquariums. Students can create their own avatar with human characteristics, plus throw in a few animal characteristics for fun. I use this activity in the beginning of the year as part of my digital citizenship lessons. We talk a lot about how we don't give out our personal information or post pictures online without parent permission. To really hit this message home, we create avatars to use instead. I have the students save their avatars in on their computers so they always have it when they need a picture for a profile, such as in Kidblog. This week, I created a screencast giving the directions on how to create the avatar and posted it in Kidblog. I want the students to start looking in Kidblog for directions for the day, and I know that students will complete tasks at different times. Having video lessons available helps me manage the different stages of a project students are in. How have you used "Build Your Wild Self?" Please share in the comments below!
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I had a great time hosting a "Back to School" photo booth this fall. Since I was new to this building, I wanted to meet some families and encourage everyone to visit the library! First, I printed out these wonderful signs from SkipToMyLou.org and purchased these props from Amazon. Next, I set up some little scenes in the library, opened the library doors, and let the fun begin! I posted the photos on our school library site so families could download them later, and had a printed QR code to make it easier for them to find it.
I was able to introduce myself to many families (although, don't ask me any names, as my head is still swimming), and got people into the library during Open House. I can't wait to do this again next year! How have you used photo booths in your school? Please share in the comments below. Last week, I had the privilege to present at the North Dakota Library Association Conference. With help from my good friend Brenda Beiswenger, we created this symbaloo webmix highlighting our favorite digital tools. Next, we compiled some student work samples in this presentation. We highlighted the role of the classroom teacher and the role of the media specialist in each of these projects. Typically, the media specialist contributes to the project at the beginning stage, during the research. Then, the media specialist supports the project at the end during digital publication. What are your favorite digital tools? Share in the comments below.
I'm just going to come out and say it. . . I dread decorating. Even my house looks like I just moved in, seriously, there are picture frames on the wall with the cheesy models that came in the frame. I can't commit to theme or color, and I struggle to piece things together that look nice. Decorating a library overwhelms me. This year, I started at a new library, so the decorating process began all over again. I don't want something that is going to require a lot of maintenance. Luckily, I had pinterest on my side, so I think I got a good start! My favorite new decoration, is the giant beanstalk I put over the fables and fairy tales section. I found the directions online and I had my great friend Vickie help me to get it looking right! Then, I found my favorite vendor at the street fair this weekend! He cuts books into letters, making a cute shelf decoration. I should have bought more saying "magazines" and "reference" for other sections of the library! I don't have bulletin boards (insert sigh of relief here!), but I do have many low books shelves that need displays. So, I decided to create a mix of fiction and non-fiction displays on certain topics. I started with cars, sports, and dinosaurs. You can download the template for this display here, and add your own topics.
What easy tips or ideas do you have for decorating your library? PLEASE share in the comments. I need help!
I am in love with Kidblog! Kidblog has been around for while, but it is still a great tool for classrooms because it engages students in collaboration, but in a safe digital environment. Teachers have many settings to control who sees the blog (password protected or not) and can set whether or not the teacher has to approve the posts before they appear. It doesn't require student's personal information and it is super easy to have students enroll themselves in your class (saving you some work!). Here is a great tutorial from Adam Bellow. I love Kidblog because it has endless possibilities! Students can write like a normal blog, or they can upload pictures, videos, or audio. Additionally, students are able to easily embed creations. Which means, you can have students share the Wordles, videos, Voki's, animations, VoiceThreads, Google presentations, Prezi, etc. WITHOUT printing them or having each kid stand in front of the class to present them. This makes Kidblog a great place to "catch" and share all digital projects. Plus, students are more engaged in others' work when they are expected to provide feedback. As a media specialist or teacher, Kidblog is great because you can have different classes or groups of students. Students can be enrolled in one or many of your classes. I've used this to easily create a blog for all my classes, Kidblog bookclubs, and special interest blog groups. You can toggle between classes easily. How are you using Kidblog in your library or classroom? Share in the comments below!
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AuthorMisti Werle is the newly hired Library Media Systems Innovator in Bismarck, North Dakota. Archives
June 2015
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