Don’t you love YALSA, the Young Adult Library Services Association of ALA? They are always up to something interesting, and have some great ideas for all librarians. How about teen videos to market what the library has to offer? We know that legislators and most adults prefer to hear from kids, so why not? One of our most powerful arguments for funding is that we improve the academic performance of students.
The contest called for creative video entries that compellingly demonstrated how teens make use of library services, programs, and staff in order to succeed in school and prepare for college, careers, and life.
A playlist of the winning videos, along with all the submissions, can be found on YALSA’s YouTube channel. Do you have any budding videographers in your setting who could create a video specific to your library?
Following the month of April, which was National Poetry Month, we are coming up on summer! A time when teens may have more time available to read and write their own content. Looking for a way to encourage a teen writer or poet? Check out this booklist!
They feature several different categories, including one titled “Nonfiction: Writers on Writing” featuring familiar names like Stephan King and Stan Lee. Reading about the obstacles and challenges that faced famous writers may be just the encouragement a young writer needs.
Finally, for anyone struggling to encourage young readers to become interested in poetry, this may be the answer you need. You’ve probably heard of the musical Hamilton by now. The book Hamilton: The Revolution includes a behind-the-scenes look at the hip-hop musical about the life of Alexander Hamilton. The book also includes the hip-hop poetry of rapper and composer Lin-Manuel Miranda. Maybe putting poetry in a different context will make it more accessible and appealing to teens, and maybe even inspire them to write their own?
Happy writing!
Image credit: http://unsplash.com/(Jazmin Quaynor) licensed under CC0 1.0
Attention Central MN! This FREE conference is a haven for students who love to read and write. Maria Burnham, Sauk-Rapids Rice High School Media Specialist, is hoping that if a few different schools get together and share a bus, they could share the cost of transportation along with CMLE who has agreed to pay for a portion of the bus fee. Please contact Maria if you’re interested in attending with students and she will work with you to coordinate details. Or, please pass this information along to any others you think would be interested. Maria is willing to do the organizing if you can get the kids! Call Maria at 320.258.1625, email her at maria.burnham@isd47.org, or find her on Twitter @MariaBurnham4.
Maria Burnham with Author Steve Brezenoff
Not sure? Read Maria’s account of Teen Lit Con last year….
Looking Back at TeenLitCon 2015!
Let’s face it. In the K-12 world, everyone loves spring. Our students have grown and changed since the fall, and the warmer weather has us all dreaming of summer days to come. For me, one of the reasons I so look forward to the spring is attending the TeenLitCon at Henry Sibley High School.
Last year was the first year I attended the event. I brought six students with me in a school van, and we made the hour-and-a-half long trek to the southern Metro on a beautiful Saturday morning in May to immerse ourselves in books, writing, and a love of reading.
Upon our arrival, the energy of the place was magnetic! The Henry Sibley gym was full of enthusiastic teenagers waiting to meet their favorite authors. The day started with a Q & A panel with E. Lockhart, Matt de la Pena, Gene Luen Yang,
“Next read” predictions gurus!
and Gayle Forman. The rest of the day was a “build your own schedule” of breakout sessions: book signings, keynote speeches by the four featured authors, writing workshops, button-making, poetry writing, “your next read” predictions, illustration tips, and book talks. I walked away from the day with a bag full of signed books and a renewed energy for teen literature. My favorite of the day? Joining in a dance party with Gayle Forman and about a hundred other students.
I’m looking forward to attending the event this year, once again held at Henry Sibley High School on Saturday, May 7th. Giving up a Saturday isn’t always easy (especially one in May), but this event is worth it! The van ride home last year was completely quiet as my students were engrossed in their new books. Some of my aspiring authors left the day with a few writing tips and opportunities for summer writing camps. Others were so excited to receive an advanced copy of a book by an author they just met. No matter the take-away moment for the student, all enjoyed the event and left with memories that will stay with them forever.
Thank you to the metro public libraries for sponsoring such a wonderful, FREE event to teenagers! Hope you’ll join me in attending TeenLitCon this year!
Reading aloud is usually associated with young children, although recently, new efforts to read aloud to adults have surfaced too. But, what about teens?
With many story-time programs at schools and public libraries we create an environment where children hear, engage, and appreciate the stories that are being read to them. But can teens also benefit from being read to? A recent article in the School Library Journal (SLJ) says yes!
“Young people often listen at a higher comprehension level than they read,” says Jim Trelease, author of The Read-Aloud Handbook. This fact allows teens to advance their reading skills just by listening. “While some educators may view reading aloud as a step backward pedagogically, or not the most productive use of class time, reading aloud can advance teens’ listening and literacy skills by piquing their interest in new and/or rigorous material.” The SLJ article continues, “It also builds what Trelease calls the “pleasure connection” between the young person and the book and the person reading aloud.”
And isn’t a pleasure in reading what we ultimately want?
Check out the whole SLJ article now for more details on how reading to teens can help them learn.
Image credit: http://tinyurl.com/kh96ovf, licensed under CC BY 2.0
Can teens find quiet spaces for reading and studying in your library and vibrant spaces for hanging out, socializing, and creative activities?
Do you avoid charging fines and other penalties that can keep teens away from the library?
Do teens help you decide what you stock in the library?
Are you fighting against the stereotype of libraries as just book providers?
Are you going to where the teens are (outside of the library) to market your services?
Are you working to ensure that all library staff exhibit positive, welcoming attitudes toward teens?
Are your policies framed in positive language?
Are you matching your services to your teen community’s unique needs?
Do you provide opportunities for teens to demonstrate their knowledge and accomplishments, such as avenues for displaying teen fiction, teen photography, teen computer game designs, teen music compositions and performances, etc.?
Do you work hard to bring the teens in your community together at your library, either face-to-face or online?
Don’t you love YALSA, the Young Adult Library Services Association of ALA? They are always up to something interesting, and have some great ideas for all librarians. How about teen videos to market what the library has to offer? We know that legislators and most adults prefer to hear from kids, so why not? One of our most powerful arguments for funding is that we improve the academic performance of students.
