Middle School Library Newsletter
December 2017
History Day Resources
History Day Libguide
SPPS Virtual Library
Destiny Library System
Destiny is the online library catalog system used by all SPPS schools. Students can use Destiny to locate books to support their research. It, too, is accessible as an app on each student’s iPad homepage, from mylibrary.spps.org, and as a link on the SPPS Virtual Library page.
Resources Available through the Saint Paul Public Library
Library Go: Through the Library Go program, students can use their Library Go account numbers to check out up to five physical resources (books, DVDs, etc.) from any Saint Paul Public library to support their History Day research.
On the Library Go home page for students, there is a link to History Day Help. This page includes information about upcoming History Day Hullabaloos (gatherings at libraries where students can get extra help on their History Day projects), along with research resources.
Students may also use the “Research” tab to explore other databases not included in the SPPS Virtual Library.
BookClubs in the Twin Cities
Hey readers! Here are the author visits that are happening in the Twin Cities during December. Check it out! #Read #AuthorVisits
Red Balloon: Girls Read Book Club
Meetings held every 2nd Monday, 6:30-8:00 pm
Calling all girls in 6th - 8th grade! Grab your mom (or some other book-loving adult) and come to Red Balloon’s Girls ReadBook Club. Meet other girls and share the fun of reading. Girls Read meets on 2nd Mondays at Red Balloon.
Call the store at 651-224-8320 for more information and to sign up.
Next Meeting: Monday, January 8, 6:30 pm, discussing Unbecoming by Jenny Downham
Red Balloon: Teens Read Book Club
Meetings held every 3rd Monday, 6:30-8:00 pm
Do you want to read something new? Really new? Not-even-available-to-the-public new? Then join Red Balloon Bookshop’s Teens Read Book Club, open to teens in 8th-12th grade!
Teens Read Book Club is currently full, but please call or email to join the waiting list. 651-224-8320 or email Amy at rbbteens@gmail.com.
St. Paul Public Library: Start a Series Book Club
The Eighth Day
Saturday, December 23, 2017
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Hamline Midway Library
1558 W Minnehaha Ave.
Join us each month as we discuss and explore the first book in a series. Recommended for grades 6-8.
This month we will be discussing Dianne K. Slarni's The Eighth Day, the first book in the Eighth Day Series.Tech Corner
December 4-10 was Computer Science Education Week. Continue learning about CS at home!
Create Your Own Google Logo
Use Scratch, a block-based programming language, to make the letters dance, sing, or even run on Google’s Hour of Code activity. Create an account to save your work and tweak it later.
DIY & Maker Ideas
Unplugged coding games to play at home:
- Cody Roby: Download your free CodyRoby kit and make a perfect gift in a few minutes (watch the video tutorial). The kit includes 40 cody cards, a cody-card box, a chess board, and 5 Roby pieces.
- Kodable FuzzFamily Frenzy (pdf): Write a program for your “robot” to follow.
Get Involved at the Public Libraries
Library After Dark
A teens only program available after the Library closes. Come play games, watch movies, or just hang out.
Friday, Dec. 15, 2017
5:30-7:30 PM
Sun Ray Library
3M Community Room
Maker Break @ the Public Libraries
Beat Boxing
Explore the different ways you can use your body as an instrument to tell stories with rhythmic sound. Learn create vocal percussion sounds using your mouth, lips, tongue, and voice. Beat boxing is one of the elemental skills used in hip--hop. Learn the basics and compose your own beats alongside a SteppingStone teaching artist.
Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2017
3:00-4:30 PM
Rondo Community Library
Teen Programming Room
Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017
3:00-4:30 PM
Rice Street Library
Meeting Room
Registration begins Friday, Dec. 1, 2017 at 8:00 AM
Puppetry & Mask Making
Rod puppets, shadow puppets, finger puppets and masks - the possibilities are endless! Learn how to bring these characters to life. Become a master of different forms of puppetry and be creative with different materials. With the help of a professional teaching artist, explore the magic world of puppetry with voice, movement and 3D construction.
Friday, Dec. 29, 2017
1:00-2:30 PM
Sun Ray Library
3M Community Room
Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017
2:00-3:30 PM
Rondo Community Library
Homework Center Overflow
Stage Makeup
Learn special skills to transform your face into a different character with make-up. Explore different styles of makeup (old age, fantasy, animal, zombies, cuts, and bruises) with hands-on experience with professional stage make-up through shadows, fades, and highlights. Drop-in.
Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2017
3:30-5:00 PM
Arlington Hills Community Center
Homework Help Centers @ SPPLibraries
Arlington Hills
Mon-Thurs, 4pm-7pm
Dayton’s Bluff
Mon-Wed, 4pm-7pm
Rice Street
Mon-Wed, 4pm-7pm
Sun, 1pm-4pm
Riverview
Mon-Wed, 4pm-7pm
Rondo
Mon-Thu, 4pm-7pm
Sun Ray
Mon-Thur, 4pm-7pm
Sun, 1pm-4pm
smART Pass
Searching for Performances
To find a performance, use your library card barcode and PIN. Search by date or date range, name of organization, place, city location, type of event, and additional search options such as family friendly. Using “all” for search options will give you more. Remember to use them so they don’t go to waste!
Reservations
Once you make a reservation for free admission, you will not be able to make another one. You can have two active reservations at a time. Keep track of your reservations on the "My Reservations" tab.
Note: If you reserve admissions in the future, you cannot take advantage of new offers that might be added to pass listings. It is often better to reserve in the immediate future and only one date at a time to avoid problems.
Picking up Tickets
It is important to follow directions for each offer carefully. For example, some theaters may require you to call the box office so that they can assign you a reserved seat. Some will hold your tickets at Will Call and ask to see your printed smART pass voucher. You may be asked to show I.D. when you arrive, as smART pass admissions are not transferable. See SPPL website for terms of use and frequently asked questions.