November 14, 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 please tell your friends about it!

In this issue:

Welcome new subscribers! WINNER OF A HALF DAY OF ASSEMBLY PROGRAMS ANNOUNCED!
Library Smiles!
Promote Reading
Common Core
Shameless Plug –

Welcome New Subscribers! WINNER OF A HALF DAY OF ASSEMBLY PROGRAMS ANNOUNCED!

Last week I spent a couple of days at GaETC, the Georgia Educational Technology Conference and had a great time in the Bound to Stay Bound booth with Ryan Jett! I made a lot of new friends and saw a lot of long time friends. I especially liked the part when people came up and said, “You’re the Thursday Newsletter guy! I read every issue!” Thanks! It’s very affirming to know that people are reading this!

We did the drawing and the winner of a NO STRINGS ATTACHED FREE half day of assembly programs is… (drum roll please)…

.
.
.
.

Ann Godfrey, Media Specialist at Hamilton Crossing Elementary in Cartersville, GA! Ann call or e-mail me and let’s schedule your visit!

Library Quote/Smile –

“Doing research on the Web is like using a library assembled piecemeal by pack rats and vandalized nightly.”

Roger Ebert

"School libraries help teachers teach and children learned.  Children and teachers need library resources--especially books--and the expertise of a librarian to succeed.  Books, information technology and school librarians who are part of the schools' professional team are basic ingredients for student achievement."

First Lady Laura Bush

Promote (From the “Themes and Events” Section of 45 Ideas in 45 Minutes)

(Last issue we discussed making lists of “Readalikes” to encourage readers to broaden their selections. This week at GaETC, a media specialist stopped by the booth and in our conversation, she mentioned NoveList, a feature of Galileo, that will help you with making your Readalike lists. If you come up with a list or two you want to share, let me know and I’ll post it on the blog so others can benefit from your hard work and generosity!)

16. Host a WRAD – Write and Read All Day – once a year. Have guest readers and select quick reads for the kids to read for each grade level.

WRAD is a fun event that can involve business partners, parents, local celebrities (mayor, school superintendent, football coach, etc. This is a fairly complicated event, so if you are interested, e-mail me and I’ll type it up for you.

Common Core Connection

Do you Pin? Are you a Pinterest junkie? There is a LOT of helpful Common Core information one a HUGE variety of boards, and one I have had a lot of fun reading is http://www.pinterest.com/weareteachers/common-core-101/.

Here’s one idea I found that I just have to share!  

Common Core Standards Bookmarks! After a lesson about developing reading skills, hand out these bookmarks to students to remind them of what you talked about. It’s a free download for joining Teachers Pay Teachers. If the idea of printing and cutting out bookmarks seems tedious, get a design savvy teacher in your school the content and ask them to design the bookmarks and save them as a hi-res .pdf. Then send the images to www.gotprint.com and have 500 printed for just $30.00, including shipping. As a matter of fact, if you are interested in having them printed, let me know and I’ll design them and leave room for you to insert your school’s name and mascot on the bookmark for you to use. I will include instructions on how you can convert the bookmark from a Word document into a .pdf, and you will be ready to go! If there is interest, I’ll provide a link in the next newsletter to the document so you can use it anytime! (If you want to get them printed, but don’t have the money, I’ll bet there is a local business that would be glad to make a $50 donation to get the bigger size bookmarks printed with a small “Thank You” to that business on the bottom of the bookmark!)

Shameless Plug

Recently I had the pleasure of leading a Family Literacy Night program at Mimosa Elementary in Roswell, GA. This is the school my kids went to and where I performed my first educational assembly program. My presentation was a 60 minute workshop for parents and kids that included a little bit of magic, a couple of puppets and a TON of ideas about how to encourage your child to read. It went really well, and I am happy to offer it to other schools. Let me know if you are interested and I’ll send more information!

Also, it’s not too late to climb aboard the Arctic Express! This amazing reading program encourages kids to read while teaching them about many of the wonderful winter celebrations enjoyed around the world! Pick up the phone and call today or click “reply” and schedule a visit today!

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

“You were so easy to work with.  You did exactly what you said you would do.  You were prepared and on time!  Awesome!”

Betsy Simmons, Media Specialist

Oglethorpe Point Elementary

St. Simon’s Island, GA

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.

October 31, 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 please tell your friends about it!

In this issue:

• It’s our anniversary!
• Author Neil Gaiman on the importance of reading fiction!
• Promote Reading with Readalike lists
• Common Core – Imagination and critical thinking
• Shameless Plug – GaETC next week and a NEW evening program!

It’s Our Anniversary!

On November 1, 2012, the first issue of Every Other Thursday was sent to 126 media specialists, and 9 of them immediately unsubscribed! In the past year, the number of subscribers has risen to over 300 and it’s still growing! Thank you for the referrals and kind comments. I have learned a lot in the past year and am looking forward to continuing to learn together!

Now, where’s the cake?

Library Quote/Smile –

“Fiction has two uses. Firstly, it's a gateway drug to reading. The drive to know what happens next, to want to turn the page, the need to keep going, even if it's hard, because someone's in trouble and you have to know how it's all going to end … that's a very real drive. And it forces you to learn new words, to think new thoughts, to keep going. To discover that reading per se is pleasurable. Once you learn that, you're on the road to reading everything.”

Author Neil Gaiman talks about fiction

To read Mr. Gaiman’s full speech (which is wonderful!), click here. Expect to see excerpts from the speech here several times in future issues!

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

15. Make a list of Readalikes. Amazon does it. Barnes & Noble does it. Why shouldn’t you? If you look up a book on the aforementioned booksellers’ sites, they will always provide you with a “You might also like…” list. Your media center can use this as an effective way to encourage students to discover some of the hidden treasures buried in your collection. Use flyers, brochures, posters, or the media center webpage to publish the list.

Several samples of suggested “readalikes” can be found online, but a more valuable resource may be for you to get YOUR READERS to suggest the books to be listed. Readalike lists can be book specific (If you liked Hunger Games, you might like The Maze Runner by James Dasher) or thematic (Girl Power!, Gamers Rule!, etc.) I especially like readalike flow charts, like the ones you would see here. 

Common Core Connection

One of the key ideas in Common Core is encouraging critical thinking skills. One way to do this is through reading. Again from Neil Gaiman’s speech:

“I was in China in 2007, at the first party-approved science fiction and fantasy convention in Chinese history. And at one point I took a top official aside and asked him Why? SF had been disapproved of for a long time. What had changed?

“It's simple, he told me. The Chinese were brilliant at making things if other people brought them the plans. But they did not innovate and they did not invent. They did not imagine. So they sent a delegation to the US, to Apple, to Microsoft, to Google, and they asked the people there who were inventing the future about themselves. And they found that all of them had read science fiction when they were boys or girls.

“Fiction can show you a different world. It can take you somewhere you've never been. Once you've visited other worlds, like those who ate fairy fruit, you can never be entirely content with the world that you grew up in. Discontent is a good thing: discontented people can modify and improve their worlds, leave them better, leave them different.

“And while we're on the subject, I'd like to say a few words about escapism. I hear the term bandied about as if it's a bad thing. As if "escapist" fiction is a cheap opiate used by the muddled and the foolish and the deluded, and the only fiction that is worthy, for adults or for children, is mimetic fiction, mirroring the worst of the world the reader finds herself in.

 

“If you were trapped in an impossible situation, in an unpleasant place, with people who meant you ill, and someone offered you a temporary escape, why wouldn't you take it? And escapist fiction is just that: fiction that opens a door, shows the sunlight outside, gives you a place to go where you are in control, are with people you want to be with (and books are real places, make no mistake about that); and more importantly, during your escape, books can also give you knowledge about the world and your predicament, give you weapons, give you armor: real things you can take back into your prison. Skills and knowledge and tools you can use to escape for real.

“As JRR Tolkien reminded us, the only people who inveigh against escape are jailers.”

Hooray for fiction reading!

Shameless Plug

Two things:

1.       I will be at the Georgia Educational Technology Conference (GaETC) next week in the Bound to Stay Bound booth. We will be giving away a half day of assembly programs, so stop by and register to WIN!

2.       Last week I had the pleasure of leading a Family Literacy Night program at Mimosa Elementary in Roswell, GA. This is the school my kids went to and where I performed my first educational assembly program. My presentation was a 60 minute workshop for parents and kids that included a little bit of magic, a couple of puppets and a TON of ideas about how to encourage your child to read. It went really well, and I am happy to offer it to other schools. Let me know if you are interested and I’ll send more information!

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

"Go Wild makes learning FUN - the students recall words from the presentation for weeks following.  This is the BEST educational show I have ever seen thus far.  The students were learning plus entertained.  Well worth the cost!"

Sue Ensley, Media Specialist, Morris ES, Lake Worth

 

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.

October 17, 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 please tell your friends about it!

In this issue:

·         Hollywood big shots talk about the library!
·         Welcome new subscribers
·         Promote reading using high quality video – for free!
·         Common Core idea – Sentence Frames
·         All Aboard the Arctic Express!

Library Quote/Smile – Let’s hear from three big time celebrities!

"My mother and my father were illiterate immigrants from Russia.  When I was a child they were constantly amazed that I could go to a building and take a book on any subject.  They couldn’t believe this access to knowledge we have here in America.”

Kirk Douglas, actor

"When I was a kid and the other kids were home watching Leave It to Beaver, my father and stepmother were marching me off to the library."

Oprah Winfrey, actor, talk-show host

"I used to go to the library all the time when I was a kid.  As a teenager, I got a book on how to write jokes at the library, and that, in turn, launched my comedy career."

Drew Carey, comedian, game show host

Welcome New Subscribers!

I had the pleasure of seeing a lot of folks at COMO last week! I enjoyed spending time with Ryan Jett of Bound to Stay Bound and will be joining him at his booth at GAETC in November! Several people signed up for “Every Other Thursday” and registered to win a half day of assembly programs. We welcome our new subscribers and look forward to visiting with you EVERY OTHER THURSDAY! Congratulations to Karen Hickey of Flowery Branch who won a half day of programs!

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

13. Ask the local high school video technology teacher to assign booktalks or reading promotion as a video assignment. Got an idea for a great video to promote your reading emphasis or special event? You’ve got trained, creative, enthusiastic and equipped students at your high school who can help. One of my elementary school clients in Alabama convinced the video technology teacher to assign booktalks as a project and the results were terrific!

Common Core Connection

This two minute video is worth sharing with your ELA teachers (and probably those who teach ANY subject that requires writing!). It is about using sentence frames to get students to write their ideas and what they have learned. It is a great way to encourage readers to respond to what they have read and this exercise encourages critical thinking.  I love what the teacher says about how a sentence frame “takes PART of the job of writing away from the student so they can focus on the content.” This could be especially helpful for struggling readers and writers.

https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/jumpstart-student-writing?fd=1

Shameless Plug

The holidays are just around the corner and one great way to promote reading AND celebrate the season is to treat your students and faculty to Arctic Express! a program that’s trainloads of fun, filled with puppets, magic, storytelling, music, and audience participation. This imaginary train ride magically takes kids around the world to learn about winter holidays like: Diwali, Thanksgiving, Kwanzaa, Solstice, Chinese New Year, Hanukkah and of course, Christmas.

Yes, the program is educationally significant, and yes, the program strongly encourages children to read. But don’t think for a minute that the show is anything less than sheer delight for everyone, including teachers and staff. When you hear the sleigh bell ring at the end of the show, you won’t be the only one to wipe a tear from your eye.

Call or e-mail today and reserve your spot for this inspiring program!

Here’s what one of your colleagues had to say about having a TJP program at her school: “WOW!  Tommy Johns is fantastic!  Through magic, puppets, games, music and lots of volunteers from the audience, his enthusiastic personality encourages students to be READERS.” 

Janie B. Vaden, Ed.S, Media Specialist

Varnell Elementary

Dalton, GA

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.

October 9, 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 please tell your friends about it!

In this issue:

·         Librarians vs. Google
·         Welcome new subscribers!
·         Promote reading with posters – FREE Templates!
·         Common Core Connection - Lexiles
·         Special COMO/EOT Pricing for school visits!
 

Library Quote/Smile –

Librarians are there:

To help, aid, assist. To teach, collate, enthuse. To catalogue, index, arrange, organize. To find, discover, promote, display. To interest, intrigue, amuse and amaze. To instill wonder. To help children, adults, old people, the underprivileged, the rich, the poor, those with voices and those without. To protect resources, to archive them, to store them, to save them for the future. To provide differing viewpoints, to engender thought, conversation, research, fun. To provide the best answer possible, to match the answer to the enquirer, to provide just enough information without overwhelming the user, but enough to always help. To better a local community, a company, a school, a college, an organization, a country, the world.

Google is there:

To make money.

from http://philbradley.typepad.com/phil_bradleys_weblog/2011/06/what-librarians-google-are-for.html

Check out his blog for some really GOOD stuff!

Welcome New Subscribers!

Two weeks ago, I had the privilege of leading two workshops at the Liberty County (GA) Media Showcase. I presented Making Yourself Indispensable, a session on being your own best advocate and educating decision makers about the importance of a well-trained media staff and a well-equipped media center as it applies to student and school success. About 45 people attended the two sessions and 28 of those present signed up to receive Every Other Thursday! Welcome aboard! We have almost 300 subscribers now!

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

9. Design and print READ posters for top readers, classes, administration, and staff with favorite books. I have designed a series of READ type posters you can use for your top readers and others in the school. I usually print these 11X17 so they are big enough to see, but affordable. Most big office supply stores run specials so that an 11X17 color copy of one of these posters is less than $2.00. Always ask for a teacher/school discount or if they have a coupon in the current ad! You can download the templates at http://tommyjohnspresents.com/posters.htm. You’ll find Million Dollar Bills to celebrate million word readers, posters to promote the library and posters in the style of the ALA’s READ posters. Enjoy!

Common Core Connection

I did not really understand what a Lexile was and how it was different from the traditional reading level until I spent some time reading and watching videos on www.lexile.com. Many of your teachers (and I suspect that MOST of your parents) don’t understand this new important way of assessing readers and matching them with appropriately challenging material. You can glean a lot of good information from the website to help teachers and parents better understand why Lexiles are being used in Common Core and how they are a better tool than the “old way.”

I found this 6 minute video very helpful as an introduction to Lexiles. You may want to provide a link to it in your next newsletter!

Shameless Plug

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

Also, if you stop by the booth to schedule a visit (or if you contact me before October 15 by phone or e-mail by that date) and say, “I want the COMO/Every Other Thursday special!” you’ll get 10% off your booking! (If you don’t say it exactly as I wrote it, you can still get the discount! I’m pretty easy!)

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 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!

August 22, 2013

We’re back! And you’re back! And they’re back! Welcome back!

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:

Quote from Carnegie

Promoting reading through BIG events

Helping parents with Common Core

Media Specialist Training workshops

Library Quote/Smile

“There is not such a cradle of democracy upon the earth as the Free Public Library, this republic of letters, where neither rank, office, nor wealth receives the slightest consideration.”      ~ Andrew Carnegie

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

#27. One way to promote reading is to kick off the school year with a big event. I have seen pep rallies complete with cheerleaders and athletes, music videos, bubble parties, bouncy houses, and all kinds of creative ideas used to get kids excited about reading. Of course there are some great special guests you can invite in to speak to your students who can teach, encourage and motivate your readers to explore the library and its resources, including yours truly. An exciting, well executed kickoff event can really make a difference in boosting participation in your program!

To make it easier for you to do this, I am offering special pricing for August and September. Full Days (up to 6 assemblies) and Half Days (up to 2 assemblies) are usually $875 and $550, unless 2 schools schedule on the same day, in which case they split the full day fee ($437.50 each). The reading kickoff special pricing is just $650 for a full day and $400 for a half day (with 2 schools on the same day paying only $325 each!). And be sure to check the updated website for new reading shows about career awareness and the genre study! Call or e-mail me for availability.

Common Core Connection

In addition to being THE source for your teachers and staff when it comes to Common Core resources, you can help parents become more informed and involved in supporting their children in this curriculum. One EXCELLENT resource can be found at http://www.scholastic.com/commoncore/common-core-for-parents.htm. Spend a few minutes browsing the material here and you’ll find things you can use!

You can point your parents to this resource or use bite sized pieces of it in a Reading for Common Core section in each issue of the school newsletter. And it should come as no surprise that when the author Patrick Daley lists “Five tips to help you support the Common Core at home” three of the five tips are about reading, one is about writing and one is about math. Reading is HUGE in Common Core, and that makes our jobs even more important to student and school success.

Shameless Plug

Speaking of your importance to your school’s success, I am excited to be presenting a training session at the Liberty County Media & Technology Showcase on Friday, September 27. The title of my session is Becoming Indispensable: Convincing the rest of the world that a well-stocked media center and a well-trained media staff are essential for student (and school) success! The workshop will cover 12 things that you can and should do to convince decision makers about the indispensable nature of what you do.

This is my 4^th year to lead a session at this event and I hope you will consider attending! It’s free and Jaime Rearley and the crew always do such a great job with this event! Plus the snacks are always amazing! For more information, go to http://mediamatterslcss.blogspot.com/. This showcase has grown every year and I’d love to see you there!

If you can’t make it to Hinesville, I would love to come to your area and do an in-service workshop for you and your colleagues. I have presented these for as few as 5 and as many as 100 at COMO. To see the list of the workshops I offer, go to http://tommyjohnspresents.com/teachers.htm. You would be surprised at how affordable this can be. Ask about how to get a workshop for FREE when you contact me (not a contest – any system in the state can get this at no cost. Ask me how!)

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