A Short Update
News for BPS School Libraries
A Fond Farewell
It is with mixed emotions that I get ready to say goodbye to BPS and the BPS Library Team. While I am excited for my new position, I will truly miss working with all of you. As I said in my email, I have been honored to get to know all of you on a professional and personal basis. You are an incredibly dedicated and inspiring group of educators and I admire the work you do each day. Thank you for making my past 4 1/2 years at BPS such a rewarding experience.
I wish you all the best. Please contact me if I can answer any questions or provide additional information. I can be reached after December 12 at amy.short@hotmail.com.
January Library Team Meeting
BiblioBoard Library Content Now Available Statewide
From the Massachusetts Library Association:
MLS is delighted to announce that BiblioBoard Library content is now available statewide via geolocation. BiblioBoard Library is one component of the Commonwealth eBook Collections (beta), the next chapter in our efforts to strengthen statewide access to eBooks. Simply point your browser to library.biblioboard.com to access all the content from BiblioBoard Library.
For more information about the Commonwealth eBook Collections program including an overview presentation, an FAQ and title lists for the included products, visit guides.masslibsystem.org/ebooks
GOT AN HOUR? GOTTA PARTICIPATE IN DECEMBER'S HOUR OF CODE!!
BPS teachers and students are encouraged to join the worldwide movement called Hour of Code 2014 that will take place the week of December 8-14, 2014. This international campaign, designed to promote computer science education, is easier than you may think! BPS teachers are already signing up at http://hourofcode.com/us to commit to teaching 1 hour (or more) of programming with students during that week. Activities can be done with or without technology and can be as complex as programming in Java, or as simple as teaching kindergarten students pre-programming skills using Bee-Bots. Many resources, including ready-to-use lessons, are provided on the Hour of Code website http://hourofcode.com/us If you need help, please reach out to Haruna Hosokawa from OIIT for assistance.
If you are planning to participate in this year's Hour of Code, please let OIIT know by filling out the following Google Form. Thank you!
Contact: Haruna Hosokawa, hhosokawa@bostonpublicschools.org, 617-908-6045
BPS Hour of Code Survey
Museum of Science STEAM Institute
The Museum of Science, Boston is currently accepting applications for What Do You Mean by STEAM? a free institute for K-12 educators exploring the rich overlap between science, technology, engineering, math and fine arts. This three day institute will take place at the museumTuesday February 17- Thursday February 19, 2015 from 8:30am-3:30pm
Using the Museum's resources, we will highlight methods for fostering student creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking through this cross-disciplinary approach to learning. We'll engage in activities incorporating a range of media, including, but not limited to, performance, visual arts, writing, movement, and music to engage with STEM curriculum in relevant and authentic ways. Collegial discussions will help participants reflect on these experiences and begin to imagine connections to their own curriculum and teaching practice.
Participants will be selected by a competitive application process. Applications will be accepted through January 12, 2015. Participants will receive 18 Massachusetts PDPs upon successful completion of this professional development program. Free parking will also be provided to all participants.
More information about the workshop, including registration information, can be found on our website at http://www.mos.org/professional-development/what-do-you-mean-by-steam You can find information about all of our upcoming professional development opportunities athttp://www.mos.org/professional-development
Reminder: Letters About Literature
All students in Grades 4 through 12 are invited to participate in the Letters About Literature program, sponsored by the Library of Congress and its affiliated state centers. This year's guidelines may be found at the MCB website. Deadlines are December 15, 2014 for Grades 9 to 12 and January 15, 2015 for Grades 4 to 8.
#MSLA Twitter Chat
AASL Blog All About Collaboration
Contact
Email: amy.short@hotmail.com
Website: bpslibraries.org
Location: Boston Public Schools
Phone: (617) 838-5782
Twitter: @amyshort2