Florida Media Quarterly
Spring 2018 Volume 43 No. 3
FMQ Disclaimer
Florida Media Quarterly is the official publication of the Florida Association for Media in Education, Inc., and is published at least four times annually: Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer. Interested persons are invited to submit material for publication. For special information on articles and advertising, visit our website at www.floridamediaed.org. Text submitted becomes the property of FMQ and is not returned. FMQ is not responsible for the accuracy of material, including references, tables, etc., and for obtaining necessary releases. The opinions expressed in Florida Media Quarterly are those of the authors and not necessarily those of FAME. Articles are the property of the authors indicated, and any use rights must be sought from the author. FAME is not responsible for the accuracy of text submitted; contributors are responsible for the reproduced for non-commercial purposes provided full acknowledgements are given and FAME is notified. All members of FAME have access to the FMQ via the webpage of the FAME website at www.floridamediaed.org.
Nancy Mijangos, FMQ Editor
Kathy Lancaster, FMQ Contributing Editor
A Letter from our President:
by Andrea Parisi, FAME President
Can you believe that spring is right around the corner? This school year seems to be passing by so very quickly and we want to make sure that you don’t miss out on any opportunities that are blooming around us!
We have already started the New Year off with our FAME@FETC breakfast. Heather Lister gave a wonderful presentation on how our roles as library media specialists have evolved over the years. We are constantly growing and changing, both personally and in the roles each of us has on our campus. We are flexible; we take on duties as assigned; we learn; we encourage; we lead; we adapt; we advocate; we innovate; we communicate; we resonate. We touch each student, teacher, staff member, and administrator on our campus. I wish to take a moment to thank each of you for all you do and for being the special and unique individual that you are!
The Committee on Legislation has visited Tallahassee and with all that is going on in Florida right now is working overtime with our Lobbyist, Vern Pickup-Crawford. In case you didn’t know the updates we receive from him each week are posted on the FAME website: https://www.floridamediaed.org/legislative.html. Michelle Jarrett, our committee chair, and her committee has put together a Call to Action. In case you missed it, we’ve included it below. Session ends on March 9, so it is imperative that you contact your representatives on issues that impact us, our students, and education. Bit.ly/2HDDxE3; let your voice be heard. After the recent tragedy on 2/14/18 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, teens around the state and country have rallied using social media so that their voices are heard. Consider doing the same by advocating for whatever you believe is needed by calling; emailing; visiting; posting on social media and tagging your representatives at both the state and federal levels.
Our committees are working hard following through with goals to support FAME’s Strategic Plan. In order to continue progressing, they need some more information from you. We are also gathering information as we plan for upcoming events and initiatives. The newly developing ad hoc committee on Diversity is looking for members, and so is the soon to be formed ad hoc committee on Sexual Harassment as the #MeToo movement has impacted the Kids Lit world. The Committee on Membership is in the midst of updating the FAME databases so that they could reach out to Districts around the state; share our mission; our goals; and build our membership. These are just some of the reasons why it is so very important that we receive input and feedback from each and every member. We are asking that you please take 5 minutes to complete our survey. Instead of multiple surveys we have tried to roll everything in to one. I want to personally thank you for taking the time to do this and encourage you to please respond within the next week, so as not to delay the important work that needs to move forward. https://tinyurl.com/FAMEMemberSurvey
There is lots going on in the coming months. Be on the lookout for a survey from the Committee on Nominations, as it is already that time of the year to nominate yourself or a fellow library media specialist for any open positions. Dig down deep; consider getting more involved, as we are only as good as our volunteers! Co-chairs, Kris Smith and Michelle Jarrett, have submitted an article with a bit of information to pique your interest in our 46th Annual Conference-The Future is Now: Innovate. Communicate. Resonate.
They are also thrilled to announce that the Call for Presenters is now open: http://website.eventpower.com/18FAME/Call-for-Presenters. The Jim Harbin committee is welcoming the top videos from each District as they come in https://www.floridamediaed.org/jim-harbin-student-media-festival.html and the Committee on Communications conducts Twitter Chats the first Monday of each month, with our next one Monday, March 5, at 7PM #FAMEChat. BTW they also do an awesome job of running all of our social media sites. Ways and Means is gearing up for a fantastic fundraising season; keep an eye out for their announcements. Our Intellectual Freedom committee is accepting essays from seniors until March 30 for their Intellectual Freedom Scholarship Essay Contest: https://www.floridamediaed.org/intellectual-freedom-scholarship.html. The Awards committee is accepting nominations until May 1 for the Amanda Award; Principals Advocacy Award (both Elementary and Secondary), and the Administrators Advocacy Award. Visit https://www.floridamediaed.org/awards.html for more information. Last year we didn’t have any entries for the Sandy Ulm Scholarship Award, so our Scholarship committee wants to make sure that we find a candidate for this year, https://www.floridamediaed.org/sandy-ulm-scholarship.html; the deadline to apply is June 30. Finally, voting has opened for each of our state book awards: SSYRA Jr.; SSYRA3-5; SSYRA 6-8; and FTR. Yesterday was the last day to register to vote, and if you did, you should have received a link today. If you have any questions contact ssyravote@gmail.com. We are super pleased with everything our committees are doing for our organization; our members; and our students, and hope that you are taking full advantage of the opportunities they are offering!
Before closing out, I just want to say that Diana Haneski is one of the bravest members I know. She has been a role model and advocate for change; a spokesperson we could all be very proud of! FAME has put out a letter of support for MSDHS, which was sent to both her and her principal, Ty Thompson; you can read it below. Teachers returned to campus earlier this week and students returned just yesterday. Diana would like to help them to not only move through their stages of grief, but also help them to move on; to feel empowered, rather than to be defined by this incident. Let’s join together to help her by curating a list of books related to these topics; as it is important for the library to continue to be their safe haven. Should you so choose, please feel free to add titles to this list: https://tinyurl.com/BookListDianaHaneski. We’d also like to thank FAME members Rebecca Radic and Elizabeth Zdrodowski for starting a Go Fund Me page to help raise Funds for Diana to be able to purchase these items and materials for her students. If you are so inclined to donate, here is the link: https://www.gofundme.com/friends-of-fame-for-msdhs-library.
Life is too short; please take time for yourself and your family, as none of us knows what tomorrow will bring.
Will it be Well with my Soul?
by Margery Keller
Will it be well with my soul?
When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Horatio Spafford (1828-1888)
Is it possible to believe to find peace in incomprehensible pain and loss? The answer to that has to be yes. Diana Haneski, media specialist at Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school has shown me that.
In 1873, Horatio Spafford penned the words to this hymn after the tragic loss of all five of his children. These words came to mind my mind on the afternoon of Monday, February 19th, at Coral Springs City Center. I was in attendance at a community discussion on gun violence in the aftermath of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting organized by fellow media specialist, Diana Haneski.
The discussion included members of the Everytown for Gun Safety organization, survivors of Sandy Hook and students from Stoneman Douglas. It was informative in practical ways I can reach out to elected officials and I dare say it was encouraging. The strength and grace that Diana and those involved have is inspiring. Most impressive were the students that spoke.
Each speaker although overwhelming sad and angry spoke of their desire for change in a concrete, positive way.
I believe that as each of us move forward we need to draw on the strength and courage of Diana and all survivors to promote a message that student safety and a loving, caring, positive school environment are paramount to our children and community. As media specialists, we see the importance of maintaining the media center as a hub of protection for our students. Now we need to take that message and share it with our local communities, families and legislators.
No loss of life can ever be explained or returned but from an extraordinarily, sad situation change can occur. It is up to us, the living, to remain vigilant and not waste a life or a tear by remaining silent -- you have voice use to express what you believe and make it well with your soul.
Diana, the students of Stoneman Douglas, the parents and community are going to need a lot love and support in the long and short term. We can do that -- we can call -- call each other, call people we know who have been hurt, call be people we don’t know and by all means call our legislators.
It is well with my soul, make it well with your soul.
FAME: Legislative Call to Action
FAME – DIVERSITY COMMITTEE
It all began when I attended the 2016 ALA Conference in Orlando. Excited about the prospect of attending a National Conference in my profession, so close to home. I couldn’t help, but to observe and assess the experience. As I recall, I enjoyed the opening session; meeting and getting books signed by a number of authors including Representative John Lewis and Michael Eric Dyson. I made a concerted effort to attend sessions that were suited for education, but we all know, “How difficult it is to attend and do it all.” The exhibit hall was overwhelming—the books, the lines, the vendors, “Oh! My!” And like a needle in a haystack—the one session that inspired me the most was a session featuring a panel of authors and bilingual books. It’s personal, because until that very moment—I couldn’t remember being read to, but I could remember clearly—that my mother was a reader. I’m sitting in front of this stage, sort of frozen, self-analyzing my reaction to this presentation and then it hit me, “They are reading to me—the child I was; the youth I miss; the Hispanic culture and heritage that claim me, but in many ways, has departed from me.” For the remainder of the conference, I couldn’t help, but be super aware of the faces around me. I left the conference with one very simple premise in mind, “Lose yourself in a book, but don’t lose yourself.”
So, what does this boil down to? Diversity. I learned that ALA had a Diversity committee, so I wondered about FAME and made it a point to ask and get involved. Here is what I discovered, it’s complicated on many levels. Maybe I knew this, but I wanted to be part of a movement that would make it a little easier to embrace. I grew a little impatient and it wasn’t until this year--when I was asked to chair the Diversity Committee (Ad hoc) that I’m coming to grips with some elements that challenge the person I am and the profession I’m in. The current social climate and surrounding politics weighs heavy on my heart and mind. Still, I’m convinced that it would be better to do something, not just anything to help elevate our profession and to demonstrate to others that we can make a difference. Believing that together, we could rise above it all, because diversity matters.
This past November I had the opportunity to attend the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) National Conference in Phoenix, Arizona. I decided early on to focus on AASL Standards and made every effort to balance my professional learning in other areas. Still, I couldn’t help, but observe. I saw so few people of color and it was difficult to determine if diversity was a consideration at any level. So, I took upon myself to open-up a conversation with another individual. On the second day of the conference about a dozen of us were linked—not one of us knew each other, but we all asked the same question. On the third day, we all agreed to meet. Without going into any major details, they were from all over the United States; private and public institutions; and the various levels in education. The experience confirmed a few things for me and I’m hoping to learn more, share more, and do more with other FAME members.
Our past FAME President Elizabeth Zdrodowski did a wonderful job of kicking-off this initiative at FAME 2017 by putting together a panel of diverse authors headed by Jason Reynolds, (All American Boys, FTR 2016/17). During this session members were asked to complete, “A More Diverse FAME” survey. Eighty-one members completed it. I recently followed up with members that expressed some interest in contributing to this effort. I’d like to reach out to others did not complete the survey or simply missed the opportunity. My goal is to have a Diversity committee created by mid-March with each of the areas of concern and state geography represented equitably. If you are interested, please complete the following by March 2, 2018: Contact information: https://goo.gl/forms/W1jZL8lXfuTfp9dl2
I’d like to thank FAME’s past President Elizabeth Zdrodowski and current President Andrea Parisi for giving me this opportunity and for their support in this endeavor. I’m looking forward to your collective emails and the promise of working collaboratively and cooperatively with you to achieve a more diversified FAME.
Enthusiastically yours,
Maria G. O’Brien
Deltona High School - Media Teacher
Digital Learning Teacher Leader
FAME Diversity Committee Chair (Ad hoc)
#metoo Movement Hits Children’s Publishing Industry. Is FAME Prepared?
By Lucretia Miller, FAME Past President
I recently saw the movie The Post, about the time period in the early 1970s when the New York Times, Washington Post, and other major papers fought for our First Amendment rights by publishing the classified Pentagon Papers in order to educate the public on the progress of the Vietnam War. I was prepared to see the circuitous route of history repeating itself and looked forward to the parallels of print media fighting for its constitutional right to inform and influence. What I was not prepared for, and what struck me the most from the movie was the very accurate portrayal of the suppression of women’s rights and the role of women during that time period.
The portrayal of women as subservient is not a major theme in the movie, yet in viewing historically accurate scenes of the wives retreating to the parlor while the men remain at the dining table to discuss business, the sea of white male faces in the Board room and newsroom broken up occasionally by a lone female figure, the perpetual “mansplaining” each time a woman paused for a thought, or the internal battle Katherine Graham fought between her societal duties and business decisions was a punch in the gut for me. This was just one generation ago; déjà vu swam through me as I was transported back to my mother’s dinner parties, her constant conflict in being “just a housewife” with a Harvard law degree since law firms were not hiring women and women in the south stayed home to raise their babies. One generation ago, this was not a choice; it was the expectation.
Women then struggled with getting their foot in the door, their voices heard, and the right to have a choice of whether to work within the home or not. Now that the doors are open, women today are struggling with how we are treated while seated at the table and for the choices we make. Our mothers, many having lived with expectations that their role was as a support system for men, told us children, “You can be anything. Dream and I will support you.” Now grown up and experiencing the dynamics and often unwanted consequences of infiltrating a system formerly dominated by men, we find ourselves telling our children, “You can tell me anything. Speak and I will believe you.”
The #metoo movement has brought to light this past year the many unwelcome instances of women being harassed, manipulated, or taken advantage of in the entertainment, sports, and business industries. This month the movement has hit the children’s publishing industry as women who have been victimized begin to speak out. Anne Ursu wrote an excellent essay on the topic in Medium based on a survey she conducted of those in the field (https://medium.com/@anneursu_10179/sexual-harassment-in-the-childrens-book-industry-3417048ccde2). She describes various forms of harassment people have experienced in children’s publishing, whether at conferences or in trying to get a book published, getting to the crux of the issue no matter whether the harassment was intended as a joke or was blatant sexual abuse: “But when you believe you are a professional and someone informs you they see you as a sex object, it can shatter your sense of self and your sense of safety.”
Ursu refrains from naming names in her article, however many voiced the names of their abusers in the comments section of School Library Journal’s article on sexual harassment in the children’s publishing industry (https://www.slj.com/2018/01/industry-news/childrens-publishing-reckons-sexual-harassment-ranks/). Many of the names are ones we as librarians are very familiar with as we promote their books, invite them for author visits, and seek them for our conference. One’s first reaction may be, “But he writes such profound books and he was so gracious to me at the author signing! He has a family! He was so charming at our author event at conference! I’ve known him for years! He can’t possibly…” But remember, even if someone was not offensive or abusive to you, it does not mean he or she was not offensive or abusive to someone else. Even if he writes so convincingly and authoritatively from a teen girl’s tormented perspective, it does not mean he is empathetic outside the pages of his book. The publishing business is no different from the entertainment or sports industries- young or new authors, editors, or illustrators trying to break into a very competitive field rely on networking and mentors to guide them, advise them, inspire them, and help them get their foot in the door. Some abuse this power. Those starting out are hesitant to say anything for fear of being blacklisted, fear of appearing foolish, doubts of self worth, doubts of whether errant behavior is standard in the industry. We are in unprecedented times of women in the workforce, and yet even though a woman indeed can be anything she wants to be, often policies have not been put in place or enforced stating what is acceptable behavior now that women have equal status.
Author and educator Donalyn Miller has beseeched professional organizations to develop codes of conduct, explicit sexual harassment and abuse policies, and reporting procedures. FAME, as the professional association for Florida school librarians, should follow suit. Although we are not directly in the publishing business, as librarians, we work closely with the industry. As conference attendees and organizers, we need to be proactive in stating what are the appropriate boundaries and behaviors regarding our annual conference, meetings, and business in general. We want our members, attendees, authors, and vendors to know that we offer and expect a safe environment for all. FAME will be forming an Ad Hoc committee to address this and work with the Governing Documents committee to formulate a policy. If you are interested in serving on this committee, please contact FAME president, Andrea Parisi (andrea.parisi@ocps.net). We can still fangirl and fanboy over our favorite authors and illustrators, but in a respectful and non-threatening way, and expect the same from them in return.
FAME 18: Conference Update
Michelle C. Jarrett
Library Media Supervisor
Past-President Florida Association for Media in Education (FAME)
FAME Legislative Chair
Kris Smith
Atlantic High School
Media Specialist
By Michelle Jarrett and Kris Smith
2018 has just begun but your 2018 Conference Committee is already gearing up to plan this year’s conference. The theme: "The Future is Now: Innovate, Communicate, and Resonate" is sure give you and your team a variety of opportunities for meaningful professional development. Mark November 28-30th on your calendar and circle it with bold highlighter--this is a conference you won't want to miss! This later conference date will be just the catalyst you need to march toward the second semester.
We are especially thrilled to share with you the name of our Opening General Session speaker, Jennifer LaGarde. She may be better known to you on Twitter as “Library Girl”, with those signature red glasses and her awesome online Book Club #2jennsbookclub. If you are not familiar with her work, start checking her out now at http://www.librarygirl.net.
Our biggest request is for you to step out of your comfort zone and think of a concurrent session that you could lead. This is a fabulous opportunity to grow professionally and share with other school library media specialists in Florida. Ask a friend to co-teach or brainstorm with you and your colleagues about potential topics. What subject do you feel we need to cover that hasn’t been covered during past conferences or what subject do you feels needs a fresh pair of eyes? Florida is filled with amazing school librarians and we want you to share your strengths with others in the state. Think about topics that relate to our conference theme: "The Future is Now: Innovate, Communicate, and Resonate".
Innovate- Creating, Making, and Utilizing new and engaging resources for school communities
Communicate- Fostering communities, Creating dialogue, and Advocating for programs, communities, and kids
Resonate- Embracing literacy, literature, and diversity
Our Call to Present is now available on the conference website. Start preparing now for your chance to impact others throughout Florida. If you have any thoughts, requests, or wishes, please reach out to one of us. Kris Smith, kristsmith02@gmail.com or Michelle Jarrett, michelle.jarrett@osceolaschools.net
Resources for Florida History Day
by Katrina Harkness, State Library and Archives of Florida
Do you have students researching topics for Florida History Day? Florida Memory is a great tool to help them find hundreds of historical photographs, documents, films and audio recordings related to this year's theme.
Primary and secondary resources for Florida History Day are available on Florida Memory from the State Library and Archives of Florida. Primary resources from other institutions and key secondary resources are also identified in a newly-expanded section.
Florida Memory designs online resources to serve the needs of Florida’s history teachers and their students to use in the classroom for History Day or for every day. Teachers and students testify how important these materials are in helping them research Florida’s history.
We hope these resources will help your students discover the excitement of studying history.
Katrina Harkness
State Library and Archives of Florida
UCF College of Education 20th Annual Literacy Symposium
by Vicky Zygouris-Coe
The UCF College of Education and Human Performance is inviting K-12 educators, district personnel, and school administrators to attend the 20th Annual Literacy Symposium on April 6, 2018. This year’s focus is on the power of literacy to change lives—our students’ and teachers’ lives as well as our schools, families, and communities. Join us as we celebrate and expand our collective knowledge on literacy teaching and learning.
International, national, and local keynote speakers and other presenters will share cutting-edge information on a variety of topics; sample topics include:
· Promoting and advancing all students’ literacy (preK-12)
· Strengthening students’ comprehension of informational text
· Engaging the disengaged young and adolescent reader
· Strengthening the language and literacy bonds
· Selecting quality children’s and young adult literature
· How to read and comprehend informational texts
· Literacy and socio-emotional learning
· Differentiated instruction, RtI, and MTSS
· Strengthening family engagement in students’ literacy
· Lessons learned about guided reading
· Disciplinary literacy in the content areas
· Literacy/Instructional coaching in literacy initiatives
· How can administrators support a culture of literacy in schools?
· The role of digital literacies in teaching and learning
The event will include 75 K-12 speakers and projects along with providing educators with relevant and exciting new ways to support students’ literacy. Attendees also have an opportunity to gain knowledge about proven literacy practices and resources while networking with fellow educators from around the state.
Submit your proposal to present through Friday, March 9, 2018 (see http://education.ucf.edu/litsymposium/proposals.cfm?id=3&pg=prop).
To learn more, submit a proposal, and register, visit: http://education.ucf.edu/litsymposium
For more information about the event, please contact Melissa Mitchell, Event Assistant (LitSymposium@ucf.edu) or Vicky Zygouris-Coe, Event Organizer (vzygouri@ucf.edu).
Sincerely,
UCF Teaching Academy
4221 Andromeda Loop, North
Orlando, FL 32816
Gaming the System: How To Use Engaging Technology For Metacognition
by Laura Woods and Dr. Nancy Watkins
Everyone knows gaming can work to achieve higher engagement with students. The pun in the article’s title, Gaming the System, highlights these questions: Can gaming be used to achieve academic goals aligned with our state ELA standards? Are all technology type games the same? What part can the library media specialists play collaboratively with teachers in this strategy for greater student engagement/higher achievement?
We come from two different educational perspectives: One is the K-12 public school environment, the other is college level. One involves library media specialists collaborating with teachers, the other involves teaching teachers how to collaborate when teaching using technology. We would like to share how we both found an answer to the three questions posed above that cut across our differences with equally profound results.
The Backgrounds
Laura D. Woods is Program Coordinator, Library Media Department, Pinellas County School District. Pinellas County School District is the seventh largest district in Florida with 150 schools including magnets, career academies, adult education centers and our own virtual school program.
Dr. Nancy A. Watkins, Ed.D, is a Professor of Elementary Education, St. Petersburg College of Education. St. Petersburg College is a state college in Pinellas County, Florida. It is part of the Florida College System.
The similar challenges we both face in varying degrees include how to engage students more in 1) reading for deeper meaning, 2) critical thinking/problem solving, and 3) finding textual evidence to support answers to rigorous, textually complex questions. These issues are all typically at or near the top of college and career readiness goals or school improvement goals across the country.
A Game is not a Game is not a Game?
There are many gaming options out there, but, the particular option we employ and describe here has a few unique twists that make it a perfect practice tool for higher level critical thinking, finding text based evidence and practicing for FSA testing (read short passage – answer rigorous questions with more than one right answer - find evidence to prove the most correct answer.)
An SSYRA/FTR Solution That Is Highly Engaging and Effective
Pinellas County School District has been successfully using an academic gaming vehicle called Cranium CoRE (Community of Reading Engagement) for years. This website, www.craniumcore.com, uses higher level thinking questions in a team oriented framework and gives extra points to teams that can defend a correct answer using the author’s words or illustrations as proof.
St. Petersburg College of Education has been using this same academic gaming vehicle to show pre-service teachers how to engage students in metacognition through the use of technology. Many of these pre-service teachers find teaching positions in Pinellas County School District and have the advantage of knowing how to incorporate this gaming technology into their curriculum.
One of the nicest things about this academic gaming website is that it helps support the use of the SSYRA and FTR titles by all the students. Last school year Pinellas County School District used Cranium CoRE for the secondary school level Battle of the Books (B.O.B.) finals’ competition to better align our B.O.B. efforts with the FSA ELA standards. It worked well enough last year to utilize Cranium CoRE this year with all the K-12 B.O.B. finals in Pinellas County School District.
Paradigm Shift
There is a paradigm shift with this new Cranium CoRE B.O.B effort in Pinellas County School District as well as the way it is used at St. Pete College of Education to teach pre-service teachers that helps address two challenges almost every school district that does Battle of the Books faces:
The questions in the B.O.B. type games tend to be mostly literal in nature, not textually complex and rely more on memory skills than critical thinking skill.
The percentage of students who are involved in the B.O.B. type events is low and those who do participate are already readers. The students who are non-proficient readers, are generally speaking, not involved in most school districts that do B.O.B. type events.
To address point number one above, Pinellas County School District uses games by chapter for the SSYRA/FTR titles. Anyone can go the Cranium CoRE website and sign up for the Free Subscription to allow them to look up the SSYRA/FTR titles for the last two years, including the SSYRA Jr. titles, and then check out the game’s questions to evaluate their textual complexity.
To address point number two above, we read aloud the first chapter of the SSYRA or FTR books while the students follow along with the text. This is a very non-threatening way to entice the students to be involved in the Cranium CoRE academic gaming process because immediately after the read aloud/along, we play an academic game. The class is divided into teams of three players on each team and plays the game for the text we just read. It involves an “open book” process for the team members to look in the text and critically think through the questions collaboratively.
The teams have three chances to answer correctly with depreciating point values on each question for successfully answering per chance: i.e. Correct on the first chance equals 100% point value, correct on the 2nd chance = 50% point value, correct on the third chance equals 25%. Interestingly, this process stimulates the students to take the time to think through the words used in the questions looking for the text to help answer them. It motivates the players to collaborate.
The last part of each of these question answering processes can include giving extra points for teams that support the correct answer with the author’s words. This meta-cognitive process is spot on to practice for the state tests.
Here is a recent short review from a Palm Beach County School District elementary school library media specialist who uses Cranium CoRE:
“I find the Cranium CoRE's gaming format exceedingly entertaining while engaging the highest thought processes of students. I was ever so delighted to see such enthusiasm and focus from even our most academically challenged students. Seems like the perfect formula to build a supportive, nonthreatening classroom community of learners. Loved the constant, immediate, and meaningful feedback, along with the requirement to justify responses using text evidence. Certainly right on target with the State Assessment requirements. I would definitely recommend this product.”
Doreen Malbog
Media Specialist
Gove Elementary (561)993-8700 PX88717
Encouraging Teachers to Collaborate with Library Media Specialists
At St. Pete College, there is a big benefit of introducing these academic gaming best practice classroom teaching methods in conjunction with the Florida award books to our pre-service teaching students. It gives very solid support to literacy goals in a collaborative framework for teachers and library media specialists (the first reading teachers) to utilize together with something already high profile in Florida, these K-12 award titles.
Because the Cranium CoRE gaming process parallels so closely the FSA testing procedures, it is a very engaging and relevant way to practice for these tests and thereby increase test scores for all the students, lowest performing to highest performing, engaged in the practice sessions.
A Time To Think Critically and Collaboratively
Another best practice piece of this meta-cognitive, academic gaming process is the complete control of the game clock by the game show host (teacher). One of the goals with this thinking process is to shift the focus from the “hurry up and beat the clock” mentality to the “take your time, think interdependently with your teammates, look through the text and make the right choice first” mentality.
Since the teacher (game show host) controls the game clock, he/she can stop the clock immediately with each new question and allow the students however much time is needed for them to find the correct answer. This is particularly helpful with the Level I and II students you are introducing to this new way of thinking while reading. It is also great for ESE students, among others.
If you have a group of higher level thinking students, bring the clock into the fray as needed as you scaffold the challenge over time.
What Is The Practical Result In Our Respective Settings?
St. Petersburg College of Education.
While teaching how to use these gaming methods we prepare our pre-service teachers to use technology in an authentic and relevant way that totally pulls in even the most “challenging to motivate” students. A picture of this is worth a thousand words.
Beneath is photo of a group of students playing a Cranium CoRE game for the book, Charlotte’s Web. They are talking to each other and looking in the text for the answer to the question currently on the game screen in the background. Also, notice the iPads on the desks to answer the questions. This is what high engagement learning looks like using technology in a relevant, authentic and magical way.
Pinellas County School District
The use of this type of academic gaming will engage more students to become in-depth readers. Although the shift to Cranium CoRE gaming for our B.O.B. is a great start, we want to expand beyond just the students involved in B.O.B. and involve all students, particularly the Level I and II students.
A quote from one of our Library Media Specialists at Belleair Elementary School sums up the high engagement factor very well:
“When using Cranium CoRE the students become completely engaged while working collaboratively, using higher order thinking skills and having fun. In fact, after a session with a group of second graders one of them, Kayleigh, quite honestly and innocently said, ‘I didn’t even know I was learning.’”
The Cranium CoRE website provides features that make it easier to enlist the support of the teachers. When you visit the Cranium CoRE website start with the “Research Tab.” The pull-down menu options under this tab provides support for the ELA K-12 FSA Standards as well as the Marzano and Danielson domains.
The best way to experience the value of the many best practice methods woven into the fabric of this website is to see it work with students.
In Closing
This web-based academic gaming vehicle we use in our school district and our college goes way beyond B.O.B. and support of the SSYRA/FTR titles. We highly recommend our library media specialist and teachers in Florida consider utilizing this very engaging, very effective learning tool to collaborate with and support their school’s educational goals using this alluring academic gaming technology.
We welcome questions if you have any, so, please contact us if needed:
Laura Woods woodsl@pcsb.org (727) 588-6345
Dr. Nancy Watkins watkins.nancy@spcollege.edu (727) 341-4719
NOT TO BE MISSED:
BAM: Festival of Music and Books
Looking forward to seeing our FAME members at BAM! Festival of Books and Music. Downtown West Palm Beach March 3. http://bit.ly/2E7sznX
Intellectual Freedom Scholarship Opportunity
Please share this scholarship opportunity with all seniors in your schools and district; the deadline is March 30. This is a wonderful opportunity for their voices to be heard and to earn some scholarship money at the same time. See last year's winners and the submission guidelines here.
Jim Harbin Student Media Festival
The Jim Harbin Student Media Festival is accepting entries through April. This is a great opportunity to let your students shine, and there are many wonderful categories for video creation (animation, book trailers, comedies, PSAs, and more)! Please contact Marie Masferrer at Marie.Masferrer@sdhc.k12.fl.usif you have questions. Here's a list of guidelines, and check out our Jim Harbin Student Media Festival pages for info and past winners!
FLA (Florida Library Association) Collaboration
FLA has been amazing about reaching out to FAME since last year and the partnership is continuing to evolve. They have invited every FAME member to attend their conference in May at the FLA member’s rate. Here is information to register, and here is conference highlights!
You are being invited to participate in a survey being conducted by the George A. Smathers Libraries at the University of Florida.
The purpose of this survey is to better understand the perceptions, needs, and experiences of K-12 faculty regarding 3D printing, its use in curriculum, and the helpfulness of the UF 3D Printing Lesson Plans Repository. The survey should take about 10 minutes to complete, and can be accessed here. (Consent to take the survey will be required; there are no immediate benefits or foreseeable risks to participate beyond normal internet usage; responses are collected anonymously). If you have any questions about the survey, please contact Rachael Elrod at relrod@ufl.edu
EDCAMP IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY
April 7, 2018 --- Edcamp Hillsborough at Spoto High School in Riverview, 8:00 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Job Opportunity in North Florida
St. Johns Country Day School, a small independent PK-12 school in Orange Park, FL, is hiring for a School Librarian and Information Specialist full-time position. The job listing is found on the Employment Opportunities page of the school website: https://www.sjcds.net/about-us/employment-opportunities. All resumés and cover letters should be directed to Holli Kennedy (hkennedy@sjcds.net). If you have any questions, feel free to contact Lucretia Miller (lmiller@sjcds.net).
A Question of Copyright
Q. What is a public performance license? If our school is licensed to show a particular movie, can we stream it for students from Netflix or a similar subscription-based DVD service?
Natasha Godwin, MLS
Santa Rosa District Schools
A. The showing of entertainment videos, outside of a home setting, is considered a public performance. The Copyright law provides some exemptions from the requirement to obtain a public performance license for a particular showing/viewing of an entertainment movie, when that showing is directly related to instructional objectives and is part of a lesson plan. Movies shown to stimulate interest, motivate, reward, entertain or other non-instructional purposes require a public performance license.
You mentioned that your school is licensed to show a particular movie. Possibly you have obtained a license for an individual movie title or taken out a blanket license to cover the showing of video titles covered in the blanket license representing a number of production companies. The main agency, providing such a blanket license, in the educational and non-profit agency market, is Movie Licensing USA. Individual titles are licensed by Swank Motion Pictures, which actually owns Movie Licensing USA.
If, in fact, your school has either a blanket license covering a number of video production companies, which include the video title of your interest, or you have obtained a public performance license for an individual title, the license agreement is a contract. Contract law supersedes Copyright. Therefore, you would have to visit the terms of the license to determine if a showing of the movie can be made by streaming from an Internet source or subscription DVD service, instead of being played from the original source DVD. In addition, you would need to determine, even if playing back from the original source DVD, if it was permitted to transmit the movie over a closed circuit TV system, rather than shown by stand-alone equipment in a single classroom, if that was your desire.
In the absence of any license for the title you desire to use, Netflix and similar DVD subscription services have a required User Agreement when you subscribe to their services. These agreements, for the most part, restrict the use of movies to personal use only, not in a public setting such as a school. Once again, the User Agreement is a form of Contract for which the users are obligated, contractually, to follow the requirements stated in the agreement.
As individuals, we are used to viewing movies, from various sources, at home or on tablets and portable devices for our own, viewing pleasure. However, any display or
showing outside of the home or personal viewing environment, constitutes a public performance and does require a public performance license.
A “Question of Copyright” is an ongoing column authored by Gary H. Becker, national Copyright law consultant and retired, public school system, technology administrator. If you have a question, pleased send it to gbecker@beckercopyright.com. You will receive an individual response and your question may appear in a future edition of FMQ. Requests to withhold names will be honored.