Smart Librarians

January 16, 2014

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:

·         Library Smiles

·         Podcasts to promote reading

·         CONTEST Continued!

·         Shameless Plug  

Library Quote/Smile –

“If one reads enough books one has a fighting chance. Or better, one’s chances of survival increase with each book one reads.” — Sherman Alexie

“Reading is the sole means by which we slip, involuntarily, often helplessly, into another’s skin, another’s voice, another’s soul.” — Joyce Carol Oates

“There is no friend as loyal as a book.”  – Ernest Hemingway

Promote (From the “General” Section of 45 Ideas in 45 Minutes)

14. Include book reviewers on the news or have students/faculty record podcasts for the media center webpage. Encouraging students to read and critique a written work helps those students in many ways. Recording or broadcasting their work allows their thoughts to be shared with a larger audience. Making him or her “famous” is one way to make the work worthwhile. You may want to let them freestyle it or guide them toward the elements of a good book review. Having the chance to share their ideas with the “world” can motivate them to do their best.

The program I use for recording audio is Audacity. It’s free, very intuitive, easy to edit and most school systems will allow it to be downloaded to school computers. Find it at http://download.cnet.com/Audacity/3000-2170_4-10058117.html.

Contest Continued!

The holidays were busy and in retrospect, I should not have run this contest during the busiest season of the year. I only got ONE response (and it was a good one!).  So I am carrying this over for one more edition and the winners will be announced in the next issue.

When I was at GaETC this year, I met a couple of amazing teachers who have created a company called “The Curriculum Divas.” I was impressed when I talked to them and got their literature, but was blown away when I joined their website (www.CurriculumDivas.com) and began exploring the resources they have to offer. This section of EOT usually contains a paragraph to help you cement your position as the Common Core Super Hero in your school. Exploring this website and sharing it with your teachers will earn you your cape and fancy superhero boots! Take a look at these resources and see what I mean!

As a matter of fact, I am so impressed with this resource, I am going to do the first ever Every Other Thursday contest. Send me an e-mail (tommy@tommyjohnspresents.com) and tell me in 25 words or less why you should win this contest. I’ll read all entries and will award a one year membership to www.CurriculumDivas.com to three entrants. (Just so you know, they are not paying me to do this, nor are they giving me the memberships. I really believe in this dynamic duo!) 

Shameless Plug

Did you know that TJP offers two science programs for elementary schools that encourage kids to read? “Go Wild!” covers the scientific process and life sciences and “Work Smarter, Not Harder!” is all about simple machines. If your school is having a science night this spring, ask about “The BEST Science Night EVER” deal!

Here’s what one of your colleagues had to say about having a TJP program at her school:

“Everyone loved Go Wild! (the science and reading program) and want you to come back!  I have let other schools know about the AWESOME show my students saw.  I tell them how well you manage and control student behavior, and how much the kids learned.  They were sorry when the show ended!”

Patty Krezinski, Media Specialist, Diamond Lakes ES, Hephzibah, 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 
www.TommyJohnsPresents.com 

Call (770) 640-6509 or Toll Free at (866) 490-READ
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PS – Don’t forget to enter the contest!