Thoughts From The Book Diva....

I chose this video because it breaks 21st century learning into three easy steps. I really like the author's ideas for creating a 21st century learning classroom. It would be so awesome if we could share this with administrators and have them "buy in" to this idea. Then, as a year-long theme we could focus on moving each classroom and the entire school towards this 21st century learning style!

I think the video is dead on about teaching. Our world is changing and we as teachers must change with it. The old way of teaching, standing in front of students and writing on a board or overhead, is not reaching kids. The new generation of students is more connected to their world and they have adapted to a completely hands-on form of learning. This, of course, means that we are going to have to adapt to how they learn. I believe it affects my teaching tremendously. Each time we sit down to create lesson plans, hands-on, technology-integration MUST be at the forefront of our minds. Our students need to be actively engaged, not just to keep their attention, but to also prepare them for the world that lies ahead. Of all the verbs listed in the video I think I can identify most with the word, advocate. I have felt so much pressure over the past year to be an advocate for the library program. Interestingly, I feel this pressure from ALL angles. I have felt like I need to advocate to stud...

This year I have been slow getting my Pre K group of kids to check out. This has been a challenging year for me and I was not sure I was ready to take another challenge on. Well, last week I bit the bullet and allowed both Pre K classes to check out for the first time. I am not sure why I was so nervous. They were wonderful! It is so amazing to see their eyes light up when they hear that they will get to check out a book and take it home! Then to see them struggle with the tough decision of which book to take home, it's just so precious! Times like this remind me of why I became a librarian!

Thanks to author, Chris Espinosa for visiting Ney today! The kids had a super time and learned a lot! I am always amazed at how the authors that make school visits are able to maintain such a high energy level throughout the whole day. For any fellow librarians....if you are looking for an educational, entertaining and affordable author...Chris Espinosa is your man!

Congratulations to Katelyn in third grade at Ney! She was our top Bluebonnet reader for this year! She read twelve Bluebonnet books! As a reward, she and I (Mrs. Roland) went to lunch at Chick-fil-A! We had a wonderful time! She even got to miss some of her school day! Wouldn't that be cool if you were a part of this???? Well, you can be!! Just start getting ready for Bluebonnet reading club for next year. All third and fourth grade will be eligible to read books from the list and earn prizes like this! I am already looking for to it! My Ney friends need to post comments below and let me know what other prizes you would like to see given for Library contests. I want to hear your ideas!!

Wow! Time has flown by! I have not been very active on this blog site. I am hoping that I will be able to catch up on it and stay that way for the rest of the year. Here are some highlights of what the kids at Ney can look forward to in the coming weeks: *Author Visit- Author Chris Espinosa aka Uncle Chris is coming on February 16th *Ice Cream Social- February 18th *Spring Break (wooo hoo)- March 14th- 18th *Book Fair- March 28th- April 1st

I really can't believe that it is already November! This year has really flown by. I think the years go faster as I get older. :) School is off and running. I even have all my responsibilities and programs in place. The Knightly News is off to a great start, the Bluebonnet Reading Program has been kicked off for third and fourth grade, AND Kinder kids are already checking out books! I am proud to announce that we had an amazing Book Fair! Thank you first of all to all of the wonderful volunteers who showed up to help me. I am CERTAIN that I would not have made it without each of you! Thanks also to all of the students and parents who came and shopped at the Book Fair. Thanks to you, our school will be able to afford a wonderful author visit this year (more details coming). Well, I guess everyone needs to hang on tight because it looks like Christmas is right around the corner! I better start saving money!