Category Archives: School Media Specialist

Academic, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Time for spring cleaning yet? Let’s weed!

Weeding the lettuce (798138529)

I follow a bunch of library-related listserves, and it’s a great way to keep up with the discussions happening all across the profession. Recently, there was an extended discussion from a newbie library person about weeding a collection in a small library.

This seemed like an issue that would apply to many of our libraries here in CMLE; so as we start to think about spring and cleaning (or “still stuck inside to escape the cold for a few more weeks” and cleaning), it seemed like a good time for us to also talk about weeding!

Continue reading Time for spring cleaning yet? Let’s weed! →

General, Public, Resources, School Media Specialist

Read 1,000 books before kindergarten!

Early literacy and love of reading is so important, and has lifelong benefits for young readers. In order to encourage this, libraries and parents can participate in the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program! Reading 1,000 books sounds impressive, and it definitely is! But as their website explains, it’s completely achievable:

“Read a book (any book) to your newborn, infant, and/or toddler. The goal is to have read 1,000 books (yes you can repeat books) before your precious one starts kindergarten. Does it sound hard? Not really if you think about it. If you read just 1 book a night, you will have read about 365 books in a year. That is 730 books in two years and 1,095 books in three years. If you consider that most children start kindergarten at around 5 years of age, you have more time than you think (so get started).”

Continue reading Read 1,000 books before kindergarten! →

General, School Media Specialist

AASL Recommended App: Books: The Voyages of Aladdin and Sinbad

voyages of Aladdin and SinbadIn June 2016, the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) announced their 25 Best Apps for Teaching and Learning. The apps encourage qualities such as innovation and active participation, and are user-friendly.

This interactive app allows readers to choose their own adventure by using non-linear storytelling. Readers search for a magic lamp while moving around a map of the stories of Aladdin and Sinbad. The app features detailed collage illustrations, sound effects, and music. This app is recommended for ELL students or as part of a unit on traditional literature.

This post from Capstone includes a few short reviews, while this article from Teachers with Apps goes into more detail about the app and lists several of its features.

Cost: $3.99
Level: Upper Elementary and Middle School
Platforms: iOS

Get a feel for the story by watching this video:

General, School Media Specialist

AASL Recommended Apps: STEM: Attributes by Math Doodles

attributes by math doodlesIn June 2016, the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) announced their 25 Best Apps for Teaching and Learning. The apps encourage qualities such as innovation and active participation, and are user-friendly.

The app Attributes by Math Doodles shows students that math is more than just numbers. The app uses seven illustrated games to help students understand patterns, combinations, and more. Some of the engaging games involve comparing using Venn diagrams, sorting, and using if/else logic. Students are able to adjust the challenge level as well.

To learn more about the app, check out this Educational App Review. The app is also included in this article from School Library Journal that lists of helpful apps for learning math concepts and skills.

Cost: $2.99
Level: Upper Elementary
Platforms: iOS

Watch the video here:

Academic, CMLE, Public, Resources, School Media Specialist, Special

We want to give you money!!

Exchange Money Conversion to Foreign CurrencyYou heard that right! Here in January, with the Monthly Topic of Grants, we want to be sure you are able to explore all your options.

We all know that working in a library is a fast-paced, ever-changing, and exciting job! It does not matter what you are doing there, libraries are there to serve their communities and patrons and that takes all kinds of service and skills that most people would not suspect.

Keeping on top of all the new services, materials, and possibilities available in a library is hard; but CMLE wants to help you in your own professional development!

We have scholarship money available to all our members, no matter where you work and what you are doing in your library. When you find a class, a seminar, a conference, or any other kind of professional opportunity – apply to us for money! We can help you defray up to $200 in costs of your event, so be sure you take advantage of this money. Continue reading We want to give you money!! →