PHS Media Center
PLAINFIELD HIGH SCHOOL MEDIA CENTER NEWSLETTER
January, February & March 2020
Third 9 Weeks
Welcome!
First Semester Statistics
Top 10 Books - Fall 2019
NCTE Position Statement on Independent Reading
If you haven't yet taken a look at the National Council of Teachers of English position statement on independent reading, it is worth a look.
For a quick summary: "Independent reading is a routine, protected instructional practice that occurs across all grade levels. Effective independent reading practices include time for students to read, access to books that represent a wide range of characters and experiences, and support within a reading community that includes teachers and students."
"Independent reading leads to an increased volume of reading. The more one reads, the better one reads. The more one reads, the more knowledge of words and language one acquires. The more one reads, the more fluent one becomes as a reader. The more one reads, the easier it becomes to sustain the mental effort necessary to comprehend complex texts. The more one reads, the more one learns about the people and happenings of our world. This increased volume of reading is essential (Allington, 2014)."
Copyright reminders
- To access copyright free images using Google Images: once you click on Images, then click on Tools, Usage Rights, Labeled for Noncommerical Reuse. This will allow you to use the appropriate images without being in violation of copyright laws.
- Use one of the copyright free sites from the Library page.
- If you find a good image or meme online that you want to turn into a poster, a good reminder is that if you can purchase it, you can't make it on the poster maker for free.
- Try making your own posters at www.canva.com. Easy to use!
- Always give attributions (credit) to whoever created the content.
Visual Timer
The 12 Books of Winter - Shared in December 2019
In case you missed the 12 Books of Winter, below is a link to the student and adult list.
Student List - https://sites.google.com/plainfield.k12.in.us/12daysofwinter/home
Adult List - https://sites.google.com/plainfield.k12.in.us/adult12daysofwinter/home
Professional Development Library - Online Library Catalog (DESTINY)
Professional Development Library - Print Resources
- Launch by John Spencer - Use design thinking to boost creativity.
- Empower by John Spencer - Students can own their learning.
- Ditch That Textbook by Matt Miller - Create activities and experiences using online tools and student experiences.
- Design Thinking in the Classroom by David Lee - Includes teacher tools to foster creativity, innovation, and potential in students
- The Innovator's Mindset by George Couros -- Bring out the talent and creativity in learning in your students.
How can you and your students use the media center?
- Need a change of view? Come to the media center with your classes for a day. Teach near a large window or have more space! We've got great spaces where the chairs can easily be moved to fit your needs.
- Do you have a student or two who gets done early with homework? Send them to the MakerSpace to create something.
- Working on setting up differentiated groups for your students? The space in the media center is perfect for group settings.
- Lael DuBois can provide instruction on a variety of topics: library online catalog and ebook usage, research tools, technology projects -- really anything that you can think of! Plus the tech students are also in the media center for extra tech support.
I would love to have the media center filled with students coming in and working on assignments, projects and research. Please think of the media center as an extension of your classroom with a teacher who can assist you.
BreakoutEDU
BreakoutEDU is an immersive learning games platform. These critical thinking games are similar to the Escape Room scenarios. Breakouts incorporate the 6 C's and Design Thinking.
The BreakoutEDU kit allows for the facilitation of games where players use teamwork and critical thinking to solve a series of challenging puzzles in order to open the locked box. Games are available for all ages and content areas.
If you would like any of your classes to participate in a BreakoutEDU learning game, please schedule a time to meet with Lael DuBois. There is quite a bit of pre-planning involved.
Sending Students to Media Center (also includes tech help)
- Write each student a pass to the MC (use yellow pass).
- Student will then sign in at the MC circulation desk.
- Student will checkout books, print, meet with tech expert students, etc.
- When finished, student will sign out at the MC circulation desk and get his/her pass stamped with date and time.
*Please let Lael DuBois know if there are any issues.
Media Center Online Sign In/Out
- Access the online media center sign in/out at: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1TIczNfdwjB2SAJgFS_xpCJwqQi2c3kUt7qf9A5HuRrA/edit?usp=sharing
- Save the link on your desktop: All you need to do is right click on your desktop, choose NEW and then SHORTCUT. Copy and paste the url address from above then click NEXT. Type in a name for shortcut and click FINISH. The new link should then be on your desktop.
Scheduling
Goal(s) for the 2019-2020 School Year
1. Working with teachers on co-teaching/individualized instruction of students in the media center learning environment.
2. Maintain an inviting learning environment that promotes individual learning with 1:1 technology.
* The PHS Media Center Goals were developed by consulting with students and staff members.
Past PHS Media Center Newsletters
PHS Media Center on Social Media
Instagram: phsmediacenter
Facebook: phsmediacenter
Goodreads: Lael DuBois
Lael DuBois
Email: ldubois@plainfield.k12.in.us
Website: http://www.plainfield.k12.in.us/o/plainfield-high-school/page/media-center--3
Phone: 3178397711
Facebook: facebook.com/phsmediacenter
Twitter: @plainfieldmc