Blog Posts - 6/17

The first blog post that I would like to write about is from the School Library Media Blog. The post is titled "How Are You Preparing for Common Core?" When I saw this in my Google Reader I was immediately drawn to it because I am enrolled in a course for three days next week given by RPDC on how to transition to the Common Core Standards. This is something that I'm anxious to learn more about, yet nervous about it as well. I have looked at the expectations for the Common Core Standards and in my opinion, they are pretty high! I do think that a common nationwide curriculum is necessary. I will be sure to let everyone know how the course goes next week!

I was reading the Free Technology For Teachers blog and there was a post about a site called "Class Blogs". This is a blogsite specifically for teachers and students. I have been thinking quite a bit lately about how I can incorporate blogging in my reading class and I think this site is a wonderful opportunity. I signed up to be sent a an access code for an invitation to use the site!

When I was browsing through the recent postings on Free Technology For Teachers I came across another post that caught my attention. I love using technology in my classroom. I have been fortunate enough to always have at least 10 student computers in my classroom, which makes it so convenient to use technology. I have to say, if I had to go to a computer lab, or check out laptops every time I wanted to use technology, I probably wouldn't incorporate it near as often as I do. I also feel some pressure to lead the way in incorporating technology in the classroom because my eMINTS trainer (now our assistant superintendent) is always talking about the great things I do. I don't really look at them that way, I just look at them as a way to better engage the students and make learning fun, but it does make me strive to live up to her perception! Anyway, I came across the post titled "77 Web Resources for Teachers to Try This Summer". Several resources on the list are familiar to me, but many are not. I am looking forward to exploring some of them this summer and perhaps trying some out in my classroom!

The Adventures of Library Girl blog posted about her summer reading list that has grown longer than she'll be able to complete. I am glad that I am not the only one that does this! I have a stack of books sitting on a shelf in my spare bedroom that have been waiting for summer to be read. I also have several titles on my Kindle waiting to be read. Many of these titles were ones that I intended to read while on maternity leave this past winter. Have I picked up any of them yet? Nope. With two classes, teaching summer school, and having an infant, where can I find the time to read for pleasure? Maybe once July comes and summer school (as a teacher and as a student) wraps up, then I'll find some time to read! In the meantime, I'll keep dusting them off and I'll keep carrying my Kindle around in my purse, just in case I have a free few minutes!

While I was visiting The Adventures of Library Girl, I also enjoyed reading her post titled "When Life Hands You a Lemon..." I, too, promote the state readers' award nominees and sometimes you do come across a title that doesn't have much publicity to go along with it. What a wonderful idea to make a book trailer! I think that is a great way to get students engaged and excited about reading!

I'm doing one extra today because I had already written about 5 blog posts when I came across Doug Johnson's Blue Skunk Blog posting titled "Not your mother's library school"! The change in libraries forces a change in library schools. We must be prepared for the technology and the collaboration and the library as a learning commons. When I first chose to pursue my degree in LIS, my husband kept teasing me that all I was going to learn about was the Dewey Decimal System. Believe me, I am constantly sharing how much more there is to is than that! Librarians must lead the way in web 2.0, so no, it is not your mother's library school! :)