Smart Librarians

January 15, 2015

Happy New Year!

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:

Words of Wisdom from Dr. King

Need More Money?

Common Core Vocabulary Tips

Shameless Plug

Words of Wisdom

We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character–that is the goal of true education. The complete education gives one not only power of concentration, but worthy objectives upon which to concentrate. The broad education will, therefore, transmit to one not only the accumulated knowledge of the race but also the accumulated experience of social living.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Read the full speech here

Encouraging reading – from 45 Ideas in 45 Minutes

Money – there’s never enough. Here’s help!

24. Collect Box Tops for Education and Labels for Education and use funds for media center needs. Have a couple of label drives each year and reward classes that collect the most. My wife’s school collected over $1150 in BTFE and got equipment for the school using LFE. Get a volunteer to collect, sort, tally and turn in the labels. You do NOT have to do this yourself.

25. Grants. Two grants for libraries that are worth looking into are the Target grants for reading (look here for more info) and the Dollar General Grants (click here).

Common Core Tip

When I was a student, I ALWAYS passed vocabulary tests with great grades, but almost never added words I learned to my “working vocabulary.” It was not until about the 6^th grade that I had a teacher who encouraged actually USING the words we learned in conversation that I began to integrate new vocabulary words into life. One goal of Common Core is to lead students to make new vocabulary “second nature.” This article gives 11 tips for doing just that.

Shameless Plug

You can reward your readers with stuff or with experiences. One way to give students an unforgettable experience that encourages them to read is to schedule an assembly visit from Tommy Johns Presents! Take a look at www.tommyjohnspresents.com and discover which of the eight programs offered will fit your needs best.

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

“Thanks for a great show. Our mission is to educate, enrich and entertain – you certainly covered all three areas! What a great way to get children to Dream BIG! Thank you again and have a great summer.”

Mandi Cantrell, BB Comer Library, Sylacauga, AL

“Our teachers loved the show as much as the children.  They asked me to get you back to our school next year!  (You were) so easy to work with and book.  Everything exceeded expectations.”

Sherry Plant, Lynn Fanning Elementary School, Meridianville, AL

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

Encouraging kids to read, I am
Tommy Johns
Educational Entertainment Specialist

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.