One for the Record Books
November 2020
Veterans Day
By Thanya Montemayor
Veterans Day has always taken a more significant meaning to me. There are many generations of veterans in my family and it has always held a special place in my heart. I did a lesson this week involving reading Veterans Day books like The Wall, America’s White Table, Hero Mom, and Hero Dad with all my library classes. I also engaged the students' artistic side by doing a guided drawing of poppies and explaining their significance.
Battle of the Books SA3 Team Member Spotlight
Mili Reynoso is a 2 year veteran team member. She loves reading dystopic adventure books. She has already read Scythe by Neal Shusterman which is one of 5 pre-selected titles. She also read the two other books in the trilogy to Scythe -Thunderhead and The Toll. The SA3 Battle of the Books team practices daily during lunch and weekly with team sponsor Nicole Cruz.
Chromebook Prep at North Junior High
by Darvin Koenig
Mr. Koenig spent much of his time in October prepping the latest shipment of Chromebooks to be distributed to students who were still using Chromebox Kits, or who had decided to use their personal devices until the shipment arrived. The day the photo was taken was “Team Up Against Drugs” theme day for Red Ribbon Week, so Mr. Koenig was also sporting his Minnesota Vikings jersey since he is originally from North Dakota.
Virtual Library Lessons
by Zulema S. Bewley
We continue to meet every challenge during this pandemic. Through the generosity of some publishers, librarians can obtain permission to read aloud in a virtual world. Mrs. Bewley shared Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal (Candlewick Press) in both English and Spanish with her lower grade students. It is always a joy to share stories with young readers.Padlet Figurative Language
by Samantha Wheat
Ms. Wheat introduced 4th grade students to the online collaborative tool Padlet. During class, students compared two types of figurative language, similes and metaphors. Students were presented with different pictures. Working together students brainstormed a metaphor or simile that would go with the picture. After creating the simile or metaphor students discussed what was actually being said using figurative language. During the next class, students were grouped into break out rooms through Google Meets. Students were asked to create a simile or metaphor to go with the picture as a team. After brain storming, students came back and presented the simile or metaphor their group created together to the class. Padlet was a different and fun way to bring figurative language to life.
Rattlecast Is Born
by Wenndy Pray
I’ve long been intrigued by podcasting but felt trepidation with finding the right tools and curriculum to implement it with my junior high students. I learned about Synth after listening to Allie Cornejo, MLS, at the 2019 Region One Fall Media Fair. She shared this awesome tool and how one can use it collaboratively, to showcase, or to communicate in the classroom or the library. I loved it! This year, I launched Rattlecast, our new podcast, with our book club. I have big plans. This is our first podcast episode: Meet The Club. I look forward to slowly building my curriculum and showing our students how to share about things that are important to them through podcasting.
JHS Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
by Monica Silva
For Hispanic Heritage Month, we read Alma and How She Got Her Name in English and Spanish. The character, Alma Sofia Esperanza Jose Pura Candela, had a very long name. She turns to her father to learn the story behind her name and discovers the history and connections to her family members. This was a great opportunity for our students to go back and learn about where their name originated from. As an extension activity, students were encouraged to participate in a Flipgrid activity to share the story behind their name.RD Martinez Book Club
by Oneida Aleman
Librarian, Ms. Aleman, is excited to begin our first online book club. Students were eager to begin discussing and combining learning and fun.College Thursday @ Pioneer High School
by Elizabeth Moreno
Pioneer High School Librarian, Elizabeth Moreno enjoys promoting College Thursday, by wearing her favorite university t-shirt. More importantly, this day provides PHS staff an opportunity to make students aware of higher education and encourages students to pursue their academic dreams.Pumpkin Decorating Contest
by Jose Guerrero
Students continued to show their love of reading even during this time of social distance by participating in the Pumpkin Decorating Contest. Students had to decorate a pumpkin as their favorite book character. I received several entries from all grade levels. From the pictures I received I can see how much students are still connected with children books and love of reading. The library thanks all Bentsen students and parents for participating and making this event a successes.Jessie Jensen Recognizes Readers
Jensen 1st & 2nd Six-Weeks Top AR Readers and Incentives for students that met their Second Six-Weeks AR Goals! They will receive a goodie bag with a cupcake, bottled water, bookmark, and a scholastic pen. Top Readers will also get an AR t-shirt.
Class of 2020 Grads Recruited for Alumni Snapshot Campaign
Librarian Nicole Cruz reaches out to recent Sharyland High School to promote college readiness. Class of 2020 alumni can submit a photo of themselves on their college or university campus. Military service men and women are welcome to participate as well. They email the photo to Mrs. Cruz along with permission to use it-their future career and current major of study. The photos are then enlarged into poster sized frames and hung in different buildings on campus and shared on SISD Social Media.
Canva Tool Highlights Library News and Information
by Patricia Ramos
Mrs. Ramos at Donna Wernecke library has been utilizing Canva to highlight and give information to her students. Canva has been a great tool to help create visually appealing products to encourage and support her students. She has posted these in the library Google classrooms for students and shares via schoolwide announcements.SA3 and SHS Book Club Kicks Off Snap Raise Fundraiser
The joint SHS & SA3 Book Club met recently. They are hosting a Snap Raise Fundraiser to collect funds for community service projects, book purchases, and senior scholarships. Brandon Ramirez, Snap Raise Representative, joined the meeting to share the easy step by step process of entering emails and choosing prizes.
All Hands on Deck at North!
by Darvin Koenig
Mr. Koenig has been filling in on Google Meets for teachers who have to be absent and no substitute is available. Even more so now it takes all of us working together to ensure success as we make our way through these uncharted waters!
Powerful Ring, Powerful Message
by Zulema S. Bewley
We concluded Red Ribbon Week with our traditional book character dress up day. The theme was "Show Good Character--Live a Healthy Lifestyle & Be Kind to Others".Being an Amazing Digital Citizen
by Samantha Wheat
O. Garza Elementary students learned about Digital Citizenship through out the month of October through their library lessons. All grades Kinder-6th grade learned about important skills they need when they are a part of a digital community. Some of the skills students learned were how to speak to each other, what information we should post about, and other skills to help keep students safe online. At the end of the month, students from first grade through sixth grade also began completing digital citizenship lessons through Learning.com.
Padlet Book Review
by Oneida Aleman
RD Martinez students use Padlet to review their favorite book. Student enhance their reading comprehension skills and also have the opportunity to express their opinions through writing and develop their style and voice.JHS Encourages Our Readers to "Keep Reading S'more"
by Monica Silva
Students who met their AR goals for the 1st and 2nd reporting period were rewarded with drive-by treats. For the 1st reporting period they received popcorn and a pickle for "Poppin in AR." For the 2nd reporting period, they received a S'More kit to encourage them to "Keep Reading S'More." We loved seeing our student's elated faces when they received their treats. We want our students to continue to love reading.
Pray on Books
By Wenndy Pray
I’ve just completed my second successful launch of the Wakelet Student Ambassador Program with my library ambassadors. It’s been such a great experience for them. Students learned to use Wakelet’s Flipgrid integration tool. This is what I use to record book talks. Due to time constraints, I’ve had to shorten my book talks to one minute. Keeping the talk short about books you love is difficult, but Flipgrid Shorts are helping to make it happen. I also like the board and image upload features. This helps me showcase book covers. Follow me on Wakelet, and check out my growing book talk collection on Pray On Books.
Pioneer High School Veterans Day "Here for Our Heroes"
by Elizabeth Moreno
Pioneer High School Librarian, Elizabeth Moreno participated in Pioneer High School's National Honor Society's Veterans Day "Here for Our Heroes" initiative by volunteering to write a digital letter. This virtual volunteer event was created by Operation Gratitude and encourages everyone to share a message of support and appreciation which will be sent to military around the world this holiday season. #HereForOurHeroesSHS Librarian Tech Quest Certified
Nicole Cruz, librarian for SHS, received a certificate for completing a training on Tech Quest via Learning.com. She took an exit quiz after completing the course. Now, she'll turn this training around to SHS teachers so they can assist students with their required digital citizenship lessons.
Nicole H. Cruz, SISD Lead Librarian
Email: ncruz@sharylandisd.org
Website: https://www.sharylandisd.org/departments/library_services
Location: 1216 North Shary Road, Mission, TX, USA
Phone: 956-580-5300
Twitter: @Cruz23Mac