Library News
Fall 2013
#MostPopularPlaceInSchool
We have had a very busy start to our school year with students and staff working in the library from 7:15am-3:45pm everyday. If you haven’t brought your class to the library yet, please don’t be shy! We’d love to work with you!
Here’s what’s been going on in the library:
classes during September = 88
classes during October = 86
classes during November (so far) = 66average use per day (those not with a class) = 152 students
Conferences
Lindsey also attended the EdCampKC conference at the Nelson Atkins Museum. This conference follows the "unconference model" where attendees lead the sessions and share their ideas. If you're interested in the EdCamp concept, considering attending EdCampKS August 2 (Lindsey is a cofounder!) or EdCampKC next fall.
Between both conferences, we have a lot of great ideas to share with you! Check out some of the tech tips below.
All that Shift!
We have been so impressed by the number of teachers embracing the KCCR standards in their research endeavors. Sophomore and senior ELA teachers altered their previous writing assignments to match the rigor of our new curriculum. These classes used to require students to write persuasive essays, but have now been making claims, providing evidence, and following their arguments through to the end! Way to go!
Are you also ready to make the shift happen? Do you need resources to support your new curriculum? Let us know what you need, and we will support you any way we can!
Mystery Question Answered: Rick Sabath
Author Visits
November was a busy month for avid readers in the area.
Liz and a few ELA teachers were fortunate enough to attend Pat Conroy’s author event at The Unity Temple. Conroy's most notable books include The Prince of Tides, Lords of Discipline, and The Great Santini. If you are interested in finding out about future visiting authors through Rainy Day Books, subscribe to their weekly email by clicking here.
A few days later The Reading Reptile hosted an author event in conjunction with Friends of the Library at the Plaza Branch of the Kansas City Public Library. This event was sold out because young adult authors Jacqueline Woodson (Feathers), Rainbow Rowell (Eleanor and Park), and John Green (The Fault in Our Stars) gave some amazing presentations. Several Southwest students attended the book signing at the end, as they “absolutely love John Green!”
Tech Tips
Vodcasting/Podcasting - Have a lot of students absent? Flipping some lessons? Consider recording your lessons using some of these tools.
YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/upload) - broadcast or record a Google Hangout
Skype (record the call)
Google Hangout (record the call)
iPadio.com
Audioboo app - instantaneous podcasting app saves your voice directly to a link
FlipGrid - Ask a discussion question and students respond through short videos. Students can hear each other’s answers and flip through them.