Thursday, February 12, 2015

February 12, 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

“You Can Quote Me On That!”
“My alma mater was books, a good library…. I could spend the rest of my life reading, just satisfying my curiosity.”
Malcolm X

“Access to knowledge is the superb, the supreme act of truly great civilizations.  Of all the institutions that purport to do this, free libraries stand virtually alone in accomplishing this mission.”
Toni Morrison

Encouraging reading – from 45 Ideas in 45 Minutes
From the Getting the Work Done section

28. Get approval from your principal to require substitute teachers to come and help in the Media Center during planning period. If you have two subs per day who will help for 30 minutes per day, you will get 5 hours of help each week. If you have set tasks for them to do so that you don’t have to stop and tell them/show them what you want, it becomes a time saver, not a burden.

Once subs get the hang of it, you have help every day! Since some of your subs are also parents at your school, you can begin training media center volunteers!

Common Core Tip
The Caldecott and Newberry Award winners were recently announced. Like many of you, I was excited to see which books were selected (and some years puzzled by the same!) for these awards.

One common misconception about these award winners (and new books in general) are their relevance to the Common Core Curriculum. Many see “the book list” used in CCC and assume that new books are not welcome. Here is an excellent article from 2013 that addresses this question/concern. Not surprisingly, it comes down on the side of “YES! Great new books have a place in the current classroom!” Enjoy and share it with your colleagues!

Read the article here - http://utahreading.org/index.php?page=childrens-literature-awards-why-they-matter-in-an-era-of-common-core-state-standards
Tommy Johns
Educational Entertainment Specialist
tommy@tommyjohnspresents.com
Call (770) 640-6509 or Toll Free at (866) 490-READ
------------------------------------
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.
Call (770) 640-6509 or Toll Free at (866) 490-READ
------------------------------------
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.



Shameless Plug
LAST CALL! 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:

“Mr. Johns came to Lane Elementary and did his evening presentation for students and parents for Literacy Night.  It was awesome.  He was so entertaining and the message was great.”
Jane Hardy, Lane ES, Macon, GA

You might not know that also do presentations for evening events that speak to and inspire the whole family! My programs are not just for kids!

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

Encouraging kids to read, I am
PS – Don’t forget to share this newsletter and blog with your colleagues!

www.TommyJohnsPresents.com 
tommy@tommyjohnspresents.com
Call (770) 640-6509 or Toll Free at (866) 490-READ
------------------------------------
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.