Spaulding High School Library

 
The Library of Congress (LOC), unveiled it's new Teacher Resources module for the American Memory Project.  History teachers and librarians have been huge fans of the American Memory Project since 1995, but we've always grumbled about being overwhelmed by the content and how to use it.  With over 15 million digital files including manuscripts, maps, photos, sound, and video, how do you begin to create a meaningful lesson plan? 

The answer is (drum roll please!) the new Teachers Page (http://loc.gov/teachers) which offers collections of digital resources on topics and included lesson plans, rubrics, assessment ideas, correlations to standards, and even extension activities.  In addition there's information about using primary sources in the classroom,  about critically analyzing historical resources, and about relating the past to current events--history in the making.  Here's a link to a sample lesson plan about the Dust Bowl and The Grapes of Wrath.

The American Memory Project  digital content has always been magnificent in it's depth and breadth--truly a national treasure.  Now the LOC has made it magnificently accessible to students and educators.

If last year was the year of the wiki at Spaulding, this year is shaping up to be the year of the blog. We've got  student project wikis and teacher wikis.  I think a lot of us 'get wikis.'  But based on my conversations with teachers this year,  bloging seems to be gaining in popularity.  Blogging  is an  engaging way to encourage student writing.  Did I use 'writing' and 'engaging' in the same sentence?  Yes!  Because blogging raises the stakes for students.  They aren't just writing and getting feedback from one person (the teacher).  Suddenly what they say could be available to their peers, their parents, yes even the world depending upon how the blog is configured.

So check out the library's Blogging Pathfinder on our toolbox page.  Also check out the Young Writers Project as an example of student blogging in Vermont.

Lots!  First, check out our new website at http://spauldinglibrary.org   There's lots of familiar content, but also a couple big changes:

• On the Internet Resources page, you'll see a couple new databases and some 'widgets.'  We've added a great history resource, called History Resource Center, and another product English teachers will love called NoveList.  Both are available in school without a password or from home with a password. Check out our new widgets also!  Gale PowerSearch, Opposing Viewpoints, and a few other databases have search widgets right on our website.  So try a sample search on 'health care' in a widget search box and it will run your search right in the database.  Slick.
• Want to recommend a book or DVD for purchase? There's an email form right on the library's home page, type in your request and we'll receive it!
• We're also trying out something new with scheduling library and digital classroom space.  The Calendar link on our website will take you directly to the SHS Library Google calendar.  We will be entering your requests for library and digital classroom time directly in the calendar so you can view it from your classroom or home.  We hope that will be helpful in your lesson planning.  So check the calendar on our website, then email or call Marilyn to reserve space. 
  
• You'll notice a 'photos' tab on our website.  We will be posting school activity photos there (with no student names of course!).
• And finally, the Library Blog is new!  In an effort to save a tree, I'll be posting new library information to the blog.  You can 'subscribe' to it by clicking on the small orange rss feed icon.  Once you subscribe, you'll automatically receive all of our updates.  Easy.

We've also developed a new student equipment loan policy, more on that in another post.  Looking forward to a great school year!  Linda

 I had the amazing opportunity of chaperoning the Vermont Youth Orchestra's concert tour of Quebec City and France.  Amazing music, incredible food, and very little sleep! 

Back in Vermont,  I cleaned out closets, attended a Moodle course, traded in a 'clunker,' soaked in a little sun at Sand Bar State Park,   and spent many rainy days remodeling the library's website with Weebly.com.    

Although summer is a great time to recharge personally and professionally, I can honestly say I am ready for the school year to begin!