Smart Librarians

January 29, 2015

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 www.smartlibrarians.com. And please tell your friends about it!

In this issue:

“You can quote me on that!”

Here’s an idea!

Common Core Tip

Shameless Plug

Words of Wisdom

“When I look back, I am so impressed again with the life-giving power of literature. If I were a young person today, trying to gain a sense of myself in the world, I would do that again by reading, just as I did when I was young.”

Maya Angelou

“I cannot live without books.”

Thomas Jefferson

Encouraging reading – from 45 Ideas in 45 Minutes

From the Promote Your Media Center section

1. Post your Media Center stats and update them every week or so. From an office supply store, get a sign board with changeable letters and share at least the following information:

SO FAR THIS YEAR, WE HAVE CHECKED OUT

765 items to staff and faculty

2,376 items to students

For a total of 3,141 items!

This is a 17% increase over last year!

Way to go, Bobcats!

If you can’t spend the money on a permanent sign, print it out on a brightly colored piece of paper and post it near the door!  People need to see what the media center is doing and how valuable it is!

Last week I discussed getting grants and have heard from a few of you that you have applied. Way to go! Here is a BONUS MONEY IDEA – If your Partners in Education are under-utilized, get permission to ask them for a contribution for books or equipment. Businesses become business partners so they can help. Not using them is a wasted opportunity. Think what you could do with four $250 donations!

Common Core Tip

The Developmental Studies Center (www.devstu.org) has a wealth of Common Core resources, including a Tip Of The Week (TOTW) section. Explore the site and find resources, ideas and answers for your teachers (and your media center program!).

Here a quick tip from a previous TOTW:

Getting Started with Opinion Writing

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.K.1 - This standard reads: Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to compose opinion pieces in which they tell a reader the topic or the name of the book they are writing about and state an opinion or preference about the topic or book (e.g., My favorite book is…).

The following activity is based on one of the new supplemental activities available to our program users on our website. While the activity was written for Kindergarten, I think it could easily be adapted across the grades, using the continuum of learning outlined in the standards for each grade level. It’s also one that can be repeated several times throughout the year.

Draw and Write About Books

Show the covers of a few books you’ve been reading and read each title aloud. Briefly discuss what the students liked about each book, and then display it where everyone can see. Tell the students that one way they can let others know about a book they especially like is to write about the book. (For the rest of the article, click here.)

Shameless Plug

If you are in the Atlanta or northeast GA area, I still have Tuesday, March 3 (Read Across America Week!) available during the day. I will be in Royston that evening. Don’t forget that EOT readers get a 10% discount

Here’s what your colleagues have to say about the programs I offer:

“You have found your calling! In eight years as a media specialist I have seen a lot of good assembly programs. Yours was the best!”

Sarah Chancellor, Heritage Elementary School, Macon, GA

“I have already heard from several teachers that we have GOT to get you back for another assembly visit!”

Charlene McAleer, Burdell-Hunt Magnet School, Macon, GA

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

Encouraging kids to read, I am

Tommy Johns
Educational Entertainment Specialist
tommy@tommyjohnspresents.com
Call (770) 640-6509 or Toll Free at (866) 490-READ
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Call (770) 640-6509 or Toll Free at (866) 490-READ