September 19, 2013

Every Other Thursday, you’ll get this short, fun, relevant newsletter.  It will contain a quote or smile about the library and those who love it, an idea you can use to promote your library or reading in general, a Common Core implementation idea and a shameless plug for the programs I offer.  Enjoy! 

In this issue:

• Quotes about busting library and librarian stereotypes
• Using the school news to promote reading
• Common Core Lesson Plans for the NY Times Ed team
• I’ll see you in Hinesville and Macon!

Library Quote/Smile – Stereotypes Broken!

"It's funny that we think of libraries as quiet demure places where we are shushed by dusty, bun-balancing, bespectacled women.  The truth is libraries are raucous clubhouses for free speech, controversy and community.  Librarians have stood up to the Patriot Act, sat down with noisy toddlers and reached out to illiterate adults.  Libraries can never be shushed."

-- Comedian and author Paula Poundstone

National spokesperson for Friends of Libraries U.S.A.

 "As a general rule, librarians are a kick in the pants socially, often full of good humor, progressive, and naturally, well read.  They tend to be generalists who know so much about so many things that they are quite the opposite of the boring old poops they have been made out to be.  Most of them are full of life, some even full of the devil."

Bill Hall, editorial page editor, Lewiston (Idaho) Tribune

Promote (From the “Promoting the Library and Its Value to the School” Section of 45 Ideas in 45 Minutes)

2. Use the news as a propaganda tool. Many of you are in charge of the morning news at your school every day. Even if you are not, you can use the news to promote reading! Film students and teachers sharing book talks, do genre overviews, show off new books the media center has added, recruit volunteers, reward readers, offer search tips or even do training snippets to increase media center usage and awareness. You might as well use it to promote YOUR agenda. And who can argue with promoting reading?

Common Core Connection

Over the last several days, I have enjoyed reading some of the amazing CCS information available from the education team at the NY Times. Wow! There are lesson plans, ideas for standard alignment, defense of the Common Core and so much more, and there is helpful information for every grade from K to 12^th. Forward this link:

http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/category/lesson-plans/common-core/

to your teachers and encourage them to scan the page for ideas. I think you will find one more way that you can become the school’s curriculum super hero!

Shameless Plug

There are two great professional learning opportunities (and a chance to hang out with other cool media specialists!) coming up soon and I will be at both of them!

The Liberty County Media and Technology Expo is Friday, September 27^th in Hinesville, GA, and I will be leading one of the sessions, “Becoming Indispensable - Convincing the rest of the world that a well stocked media center and a well trained media staff are essential for student success. It’s free and is a great opportunity for idea sharing and training. Find out more at http://www.mediamatterslcss.blogspot.com/.

I will be at COMO (in Macon, October 10-11) in the exhibitor hall, teaming up with Ryan Jett of Bound to Stay Bound. We will be giving away a half day of assemblies and a library program. Stop by and register to win!

I know I have readers of EOT who are in other states. If you’d like to have me come to your area to do teacher training, let me know!

Let me know how I can help! See you in two weeks!

Encouraging kids to read, I am

Tommy Johns

Educational Entertainment Specialist

www.TommyJohnsPresents.com

tommy@tommyjohnspresents.com

Call (770) 640-6509 or Toll Free at (866) 490-READ

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Your peers appreciate your advice about quality programs. Please tell them about your experience working with us. Our best sales people are our many loyal clients.

September 4, 2013

Every Other Thursday, you’ll get this short, fun, relevant newsletter.  It will contain a quote or smile about the library and those who love it, an idea you can use to promote your library or reading in general, a Common Core implementation idea and a shameless plug for the programs I offer.  Enjoy! 

If you are new to EOT or have missed any previous issues, you can read them all at http://smartlibrarians.blogspot.com/. And tell your friends about it!

In this issue:

·         Library Quote (includes a bonus quote!)

·         Promoting reading through BIG events

·         Helping colleagues with Common Core

·         What is your theme for the year?

Library Quote/Smile

“Never judge a book by its movie.”

J. W. Eagan

"At the moment that we persuade a child, any child, to cross that threshold, that magic threshold into a library, we change their lives forever, for the better."

President (then Senator) Barack Obama

 

Promote (From the “Encouraging Readers and Non-Readers to Read” Section of 45 Ideas in 45 Minutes)

8. Celebrate milestones often. Recognize progress along the way. We all know the importance of recognizing those who finish first at the end of the year, but recognizing progress along the way minimizes attrition and keeps enthusiasm high. My own children, who were highly motivated readers, would often see the person who got an early jump on the AR points as impossible to beat. And since first place was the only important spot, they would stop taking tests or tracking minutes, making the success of the program hard to assess. Constant encouragement and a chance to start over every 3, 6 or 9 weeks can keep kids from giving up. Consider helping your readers set short term as well as long term reading goals. Everybody (especially the students) benefit from the sustained motivation!

Common Core Connection

I am a big fan of The Teaching Channel (www.teachingchannel.org). The content is solid, the videos well done and the information is understandable. They offer this as a fee service if you sign up. I get an e-mail from them about once a week and can usually find something worthwhile in every one.

This week I got an e-mail that takes you to a page called “Ask the Experts” where you or your teachers can ask a question of a panel of CC experts and get answers via e-mail. The web address is https://www.teachingchannel.org/ask-the-experts. You can see some of the questions that have already been asked and answered at https://www.teachingchannel.org/questions. Spend a few minutes and learn something about this major nationwide curriculum shift and become the expert your teachers rely upon as they make their own adjustments!

Shameless Plug

Three plugs this edition –

1.    Special pricing for September only – go to http://smartlibrarians.blogspot.com/2013/08/august-22-2013-were-back-and-youreback.html for details and save big!

2.    Elementary Media Specialists should have already received the new TJP brochure of all our current programs. If you don’t have yours, let me know and I’ll drop one in the mail to you right away!

3.    Whatever your theme for the 2013-2014 library media center emphasis, I probably have a program that supports it! If I don’t have a show that fits the theme, I can always adapt “I Love to Read!” with a costume and books that will support your emphasis for the year!

Let me know how I can help! See you in two weeks!

Encouraging kids to read, I am
Tommy Johns
Educational Entertainment Specialist
www.TommyJohnsPresents.com
tommy@tommyjohnspresents.com
Call (770) 640-6509 or Toll Free at (866) 490-READ
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Your peers appreciate your advice about quality programs. Please tell them about your experience working with us. Our best sales people are our many loyal clients.

You are receiving “Every Other Thursday” because you have attended one of my workshops, invited me to your school, or registered for a free half day of assemblies at a conference. If you’d like to unsubscribe, simply click reply and let me know.  Have a WONDER-Filled Day!