Kit Hadley is the Director of the St. Paul Public Library, and she recently wrote a really wonderful piece about libraries that everyone should take the time to read. It seems the debate often centers on print books, but taking the time to think more deeply, no matter what kind of library you consider, it is indeed about learning. Read the article in the Star Tribune.
Recently, a question appeared on a Minnesota listserv, and it was fun to see the engagement and excitement of the list participants. I do believe a librarian’s mission is life is to entice a non-reader to read! And, the quest for just the right material to make that happen is ongoing! The question posed is included below along with a compiled list of all of the great suggestions….all of which happened within about a one-hour time frame! Pure fun….continue the excitement by listing your suggestions in the comments field! Or, more fun yet, search for Central Minnesota Libraries Exchange on Facebook, like our page, and add your suggestions there!
Question: I’m looking for new authors for our teen boys grades 7 – 12. Other than Gary Paulson, John Flanagan, Rick Riordan, what are some others that you can recommend. I’m asked often for books about hunting; wilderness anything outdoorsy that also has an AR quiz.
Author
(The following authors were enthusiastically endorsed, no matter what they write)
John Flanagan, Margaret Haddix, Mary Downing Hahn, Will Hobbs, Gordon Korman, Jim Kjelgaard, Walter Dean Myers, Gary Paulson, Wilson Rawls, Rick Riordan, Will Weaver, Pam Withers
Titles and Authors
(Subjects are in Italics)
Wild Life: Cynthia DeFelice
Weasel: Cynthia DeFelice
Various teen topics: Paul Volponi’s
Alex Rider series: Anthony Horowitz
Vampires and werewolves: Darren Shan
Sports books: Mike Lupica
Series of Chris D’Lacey
Chronicles of Vladimir Tod (series): Heather Brewer
Sports, &the Sports Heroes & Legends biographies: Mike Lupica and Tim Green
Sci-Fi: Scott Westerfeld, Roderick Gordon, Pittacus Lore
Adventure: Will Hobbs, Anthony Horowitz, Gordon Korman
Humor: James Patterson’s “Middle School” books, Jordan Sonnenblick
War stories: Chris Lynch (Vietnam series and now WW II), Tim O’Brien, Walter Dean Myers
Relationships : John Green
“Secrets” series: Pseudonymous Bosch
“Michael Vey” series: Richard Paul Evans
Outdoors: Gordon Korman, Mary Casanova
Any title (High school boys): John Sandford, Tim O’Brien, William Krueger,
Grade 7-12 boys, any titles: John Flanagan, Joseph Delaney, Stephen King, Chris Lynch,
Additional suggestion: I also ordered smaller books from Follett on hunting and fishing, they are average level and smaller books worth one to two points, but the boys seem to like them.
This message was sent by Marc Johnson, Executive Director of ECMECC
Marc says….” This message is sent on behalf of ISD 15 – St. Francis, please forgive any cross-posting. St. Francis is looking to hire a district technology coordinator. Below is the description as seen on the ISD 15 website and EdPost. Feel free to pass this on to anyone you know who may be looking for this kind of opportunity. They are looking to hire the right candidate as soon as possible, so be sure to let people know to use the link at the bottom of the message to put in their application as quickly as possible. Let me know if you have any questions!”
Date of Availability: ASAP upon hire
Date Closing: Open Until Filled
Application Procedure: To be considered for this vacancy, applicant must complete the on-line application process and indicate interest in this specific job number.
Duty Days Per Year: 261
Hours Per Day: 8
Type of Position: (X) Continuing ( ) Temporary
Salary: Range of $72,000 to $85,000 depending on experience
Supervisor of Position: Director of Curriculum & Instruction
Qualifications:
Required: Bachelor’s degree in technology, business management/administration, education, or related field; previous supervisory experience in an educational or technology-focused environment; a proven ability to lead and develop projects; experience in building and managing budgets; technical knowledge in the use of technology systems in education; outstanding customer service and communication skills.
Preferred: Previous experience in technology planning in an educational setting; previous experience with student information systems; teacher license and/or previous teaching experience.
Summary of Duties: Supervise technology department staff; coordinate the implementation and integration of technology across the school district; work with site leaders to ensure that educational technology needs are met; assist with site and district technology planning; coordinate the development and implementation of initiatives to meet educational goals with site leaders; develop and manage the technology department budget; review all technology hardware and software purchases to ensure that items purchased will work with existing technology; coordinate the day-to-day operation of the district’s infrastructure to meet the goals and objectives of the district.
To apply, go to: http://tinyurl.com/nvc3dk6 (Note the orange Apply button on the right side of the page)
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Although it sounds a bit violent, if app smashing is going well, it is anything but violent. Edudemic wrote a great piece about apps that do some things really well, but don’t offer everything needed for a student to complete a project. There are some “swiss army knife” apps, but often not! The real beauty of app smashing is that higher level problem solving and collaboration often takes place in order to pick up where one app leaves off, and complete a project. In fact, app smashing has been called exhilarating! Edudemic says it much better than I can, read the full post How to Use “App Smashing” in Education
