Thing 26: MakerSpaces "How To Books"

Thing 14: News Literacy

    

   Now more than ever, the skills encompassed in News Literacy have become monumentally important. The flood of information that is being disseminated on a daily basis can be intimidating for most adults, let alone our students. By instructing our students on the importance of analyzing news sources for the agenda of who is writing the article, where they received their information and deciding which articles can be trusted and which cannot. 

       As we’ve seen in recent years, disinformation and opinion articles with no basis in fact can be catastrophic. By learning how to ignore false news and properly educate themselves on current events and trends, our students can not only safeguard their own well-being but that of our society as a whole.

Thing 2 : Photo Fun

 

photos posted on PixaBay: Silvia & Frank  •  Eschweiler-Engelskirchen/Deutschland

 

There are some people that either have a natural talent for this or lots of time to fiddle around with the tools necessary to create masterpieces out of photos. I am not one of them. This exercise reminded me of what it was like to first use a computer or learn how to use Publisher or PowerPoint. It may become intuitive after a few more(or many more) attempts but right now it is just frustrating. I'm going to give it a try in the library though, as I'm sure the kids can teach me how to do this in a heartbeat!

Thing 1: Blogging

Thing 1: Blogging

I work as a librarian in the Rochester City School District .  By using the blogging tools described in the article, such as “Blogger” and “Tumblr”, I could not only develop a multitude of collaborative classroom projects but I could encourage the students to pursue their own interests outside of the classroom as well. I found that “Blogger”, an interface that merely requires a Google account, provides users with a simple process to design their blog, share it with the world and even monetize their efforts through advertising. This is an incredible educational opportunity, giving our students the ability to track their own progress through their journaling and share what they’re doing in school with family, friends and the entire world.

Thing 09: Databases & Search Tools

  Databases: Explore a database that you’re not an expert with yet. Find out how it works, what features are available. Consider how you might use it with your classes.
Our district subscribes to the online database WorldBook Online. I explored the Early World of Learning tab and found the leveled readers. There are six books at each of four different reading levels. The books have printed text and a read-along feature. I'll be using them in the next few weeks with an enrichment group of first graders I work with.

Search Tools: Pick a tool you don’t know well and explore it. Is it appropriate for the students you work with?
The title KidRex appealed to me as I'm sure it was intended to. Just as grocery stores put the sugary, brightly colored cereal on shelves that are eye level with children and high fiber cereal at eye level with the colonoscopy crowd, I was drawn in by the crayon drawings and red palm tree.

Look a bit closer and you can see that it is a "Brent Media Site", who's stated mission is to "prove—through sound scientific research—that liberal bias in the media does exist and undermines traditional American values.
http://www.mrc.org/
Further exploration into MRC's home site finds:
https://info.mrc.org/mrc-2nd-amendment-petition.html
https://info.mrc.org/planned-parenthood-shocking-cover-up.html

We need to be very careful about going a several steps beyond what search engines look good to find which ones actually are good and present facts...just as search engines for children should. Opinions should be left on the opinion page.

Thing 26: Makerspaces

As a former first grade, kindergarten, and art teacher, I know full well the power of hands-on activities in a classroom. The kids are engaged in their own constructive learning and they 'feed off of each other'. A student directed classroom is a powerful thing to participate in. MakerSpaces present opportunities for this environment to swell. I already have weaving, bookmaking, sewing, painting, plaster molds, and a variety of other beginning makerspace activities. I have recently added a sewing machine to the library and will be planning more materials to add in the fall.