February 20, 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 Quotes

·         Host a Family Reading Night to promote reading

·         Common Core help from Galileo!

·         Shameless Plug  

Library Quote/Smile –

“You should never read just for “enjoyment.” Read to make yourself smarter! Less judgmental. More apt to understand your friends’ insane behavior, or better yet, your own. Pick “hard books.” Ones you have to concentrate on while reading. And for god’s sake, don’t let me ever hear you say, “I can’t read fiction. I only have time for the truth.” Fiction is the truth! Ever hear of “literature”? That means fiction, too.”

-John Waters, author of Role Models

“Be awesome! Be a book nut!”

-Dr. Seuss

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

19. Host a Family Reading Night. I have seen this done a variety of ways. Sometimes it is called Family Literacy Night, but I like Reading better. (I’m more likely to go to a Reading Night than I am a Literacy Night. We LOVE reading, but we are already literate at my house.)

You can set up stations for genres, age groups, independent reading or read-alouds. Keep in mind your theme for the year and decorate/promote accordingly. For example, if you are doing a Reading Round Up, all reading stations could be like cowboy campsites and the stories would be about life on the range, excerpts from Hank the Cowdog books, folk tales like Pecos Bill and biographies of Annie Oakley and Wild Bill Hickok. You could even invite a motivational reading show performer (see www.tommyjohnspresents.com for more info!).

Common Core Help

(This tip is for GA media specialists only. There may be a statewide database in Alabama or Florida that does some of the same things. If so, I’d LOVE to hear from you!)

I attended a media specialist training session in January and Karen Minton (not the WSB meteorologist, but the GALILEO expert) shared some of the hidden treasures you can find in Georgia’s statewide education database, GALILEO. GALILEO stands for GeorgiA LIbrary LEarning Online, an initiative of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. GALILEO is an online library portal to authoritative, subscription-only information that isn’t available through free search engines or Web directories. Participating institutions may access over 100 databases indexing thousands of periodicals and scholarly journals. Over 10,000 journal titles are provided in full-text. Other resources include encyclopedias, business directories, and government publications.

Here’s one super cool feature – Go to SIRS Discoverer. You’ll need to go to http://www.galileo.usg.edu/kids, login and click on SIRS Discoverer. Here you can find “Common Core Standards Correlations” and find resources for lesson plans, suggested reading and a LOT more! Learn more at http://www.proquest.com/assets/downloads/services/commoncorestds_sirs.pdf.

Also at http://www.proquestk12.com/demo/10/k12videos/2Min_Menu.shtml, there are a lot of short videos that can help you when planning collaboration and teaching research. At the top of the video box, there is a drop down menu where you can select videos by Grade Level, by Subject or by Product. Take a few minutes and see what SIRS Discoverer has to offer!

Next time – hundreds of unlimited access DK informational full color e-books that are tablet formatted and ready for use by your students and teachers!

And don’t forget to check out www.CurriculumDivas.org for lots of resources for your school!

Shameless Plug

It’s the time of year to start thinking about those end of the year reading rewards. You COULD place an order with Oriental Trading and buy a bunch of plastic stuff that nobody really wants OR you could give your students an experience that will remind them to read all summer long! Look over the many programs offered at www.tommyjohnspresents.com/programs.htm and choose one that fits your theme and needs. Give me a call or send me an e-mail and let’s book a visit to your school!

Here’s what one of your colleagues has to say about the shows we offer:

“Tommy’s shows are an amazing combination of fun and learning - and what better way to learn than to have so much fun doing so that you don't even realize you are! Students gain vocabulary, thinking skills, questioning skills, AND excitement about magnifying those skills by using the library for fun reading and independent research.

“The fact that you care about learning more than anything else is evident - you don't find that in many "entertainment" programs. Fantastic!”

Elizabeth Foster, Carnesville, 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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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

February 6, 2014

February 6, 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!

I hope you were able to stay safe and warm in the ice and snow last week. And then that groundhog says we have 6 more weeks of winter! I never did like that little rodent!

In this issue:

• Library quotes/funnies
• Promote reading with Family Reading Night
• Contest winners announced!
• Common Core Idea – AASL Best Websites
• Shameless Self Promotion – Best Science Night Ever!

Library Quotes/Funnies

“For something that doesn’t make a sound, a book speaks loud enough for its message to be etched on our hearts forever.”

Thoughts from a Bookworm #126 – from www.darwingeek.tumblr.com

“Any book you haven’t read is a new book!”

Seen on a T-shirt at COMO 2012

Promote (from the Theme/Event section of “45 Ideas in 45 Minutes!”

19. Host a Family Reading Night. I have seen this done a variety of ways. Sometimes it is called Family Literacy Night, but I like Reading better. (As a parent I was more likely to go to a Reading Night than a Literacy Night. We LOVE reading, but we are already literate at my house.)

You can set up stations for genres, age groups, independent reading or read alouds. Keep in mind your theme for the year and decorate/promote accordingly. For example, if you are doing a Reading Round Up, all reading stations could be like cowboy campsites and the stories would be about life on the range, excerpts from Hank the Cowdog books, folk tales like Pecos Bill and biographies of Annie Oakley and Wild Bill Hickok. You could even invite a motivational reading show performer (see www.tommyjohnspresents.com for more info!).

Contest winners announced!

I am no good at choosing winners based on anything besides drawing a name out of a bucket. We had 5 people enter and all were fun, creative or desperate, indicating that they should get the free one year subscription to www.curriculumdivas.org! So all 5 are winners! I will send your e-mail addresses to the Divas and they will get in touch with you soon about setting this up. Our winners are:

1. Elizabeth Foster, Media Specialist, Royston Elementary School, Royston, GA
2. Kelley Johnston, Media Specialist, New Hope Elementary, Whitfield County, GA
3. Cheryl Fletcher, Media Specialist, Americus Sumter High South, Americus, GA
4. Natalie Lett, Media Specialist – Statham Elementary School, Statham, GA
5. Ruthie Hite, Teacher-Librarian/Media Specialist, Reese Road Leadership Academy, Columbus, GA 31907

Congratulations Media Champs! Enjoy your subscription!

Common Core Idea – AASL Best Websites

I led a breakout session at the Dougherty County Schools Media Specialists Training in January (for the 4^th year in a row!) and had a great time. The best information I got (and there was a LOT of good stuff shared) was something that Marie Salter shared. The AASL reviews hundreds of free educational websites and chooses the top 125 each year to share with us, even if you are not a member of AASL. Take a few minutes and peruse http://www.ala.org/aasl/standards-guidelines/best-websites/2013 for some great resources that will help you do your work as a teacher/librarian! For the rest of the year, I will be selecting 2 websites from this page to highlight in EOT.

Shameless Self Promotion – Best Science Night Ever!

If your school is having a science night and they want to have the best attendance ever, tell your PTA or science teacher to give me a call. I have two science programs for elementary students that are Common Core aligned and are a lot of fun! And they both promote READING!

 
Go Wild! is all about the scientific process and life science and Work Smarter, Not Harder! is all about the 6 simple machines. Both programs were developed with input from the folks at the National Science Center in Augusta, GA.

Here’s how to have the Best Science Night EVER! Bring me in to do a half or full day of one of the science programs during the day for your students and the other that evening. At the daytime program, I’ll encourage the kids to come back for a completely different show in the evening and they will drag their parents back to have more fun! The reason I know it works is that it always does! Whenever a school books a literacy/reading night or science night using this format, we have record attendance at the evening program. I offer a discount for booking programs like this, so get your science person to call or e-mail today!

Here’s what one of your colleagues had to say about our science shows:

“Very motivating for the kids and the staff! The thing I liked most about “Go Wild!” was the way you related fun, science, reading and geography into a show that was both very educational AND entertaining!

JoLayne Rentzel, Educational Programs Director

National Science Center, Augusta, 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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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.

 

 

 

 

 

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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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.

PS – Don’t forget to enter the contest!

December 5, 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:

• Survey Says!
• Library Smiles
• Promote Reading over the break
• Common Core Idea and CONTEST!
• Shameless Plug  

Survey Says!

I want this newsletter to be a valuable resource for you. Please take 3 minutes to fill out this survey and let me know how I am doing and what I can do to make EOT an even more effective resource. You can get to the survey by going to https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/YRCPGJF. Thanks!

Library Quote/Smile –

“What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet or excite you. Books help us understand who we are and how we are to behave. They show us what community and friendship mean; they show us how to live and die.”

Anne Lamott, American novelist and nonfiction writer

This one has NOTHING to do with reading (except that Dave Barry is a writer) but it made me laugh and I had to share!

“In the old days, it was not called the Holiday Season; the Christians called it 'Christmas' and went to church; the Jews called it 'Hanukkah' and went to synagogue; the atheists went to parties and drank. People passing each other on the street would say 'Merry Christmas!' or 'Happy Hanukkah!' or (to the atheists) 'Look out for the wall!”

Dave Barry, author and syndicated columnist

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

Encourage kids to read a “new” book over the holiday break by hosting a book swap on the last week before you get out of school. A book swap can be as easy or as complicated as you’d like for it to be, but here’s a simple way to do it.

1. You’ll need age appropriate “seed books,” equal to about 20% of your student population. For example, if you have 500 students, you need 100 seed books to get started. Places to get these include asking teachers to bring some from home, going to your local Friends of the Public Library and explaining what you are doing and ask for a deep discount, or approaching a used bookstore and asking for the same thing. Or you may have a bunch of books that you have collected over the year from Bookfairs, donations, etc.

2. Announce the book swap this Monday, and encourage students to bring in age appropriate books this week, for which they will receive a “Book Swap Ticket.” A generic sample book swap ticket can be found by clicking here.

3. The next week, host the book swap, where the students can come in to the media center and redeem their ticket for a “new” used book to enjoy over the holidays.

Common Core Connection

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

 

PS – Don’t forget to enter the contest!

PPS – Have a WONDER-Filled Holiday season, whatever holidays you celebrate!

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.

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.