Technology Boost in the Library!

The Smart Board is finally working.  Thank you district technician Tom Hilton for your patience and determination in installing our first Smart Board and then patiently trouble shooting when it wouldn't work! Points West Audio Visual Ltd. (Kelowna) eventually decided we needed a new one, so by mid October I was finally able to test drive this amazing technology.

It works like a smart phone.  The board on the wall is like a computer monitor. It communicates with the main library computer but instead of using a keyboard, the user can use her hand or the provided smart board pens.  It's very similar to a computer projector, but has many more capabilities.

While I've known about Smart Boards for years, I'm new to using it, so still lots to learn.  Drop by and I'll take you for a test run.  See above for library hours.

Fall Action in the Library

Hmm, it's been a long time since my last post action of Sept., 24th, but today, Nov. 16th I'm determined to get a couple done.  It's been busy, busy, busy in library land!  Students have been learning about the difference between fiction and non-fiction, how to take care of books, and where these genres"live."  Parents ask your kids where the dinosaur books live and if those are "not fake" non-fiction books, or "fake" fiction books!  Further we've been exploring popular "easy" picture book authors, Canadian authors, child activists and humanitarians (Me to We is going strong in our school) Fall, Salmon, Remembrance Day and War, and we're just shifting into Winter themes.  Lastly, ask them to show you their moves for "Dewey Rap"! 

I must go pull those winter books ...

Wonderful Author Visit at the ORL

The author visit to the new Sicamous Okanagan Regional library with Ms. Hooper and Peel's class was a great success.  Author Irene Morck shared with us her book writing experience for Tiger's New Cowboy Boots.  She actually went on a cattle drive to learn about the experience and then, in turn, write about it.  Her publisher told her, however, that her story had to be related to a cattle drive, but not about an actual start to finish one!  Irene found this request challenging at first, but after being on horseback and experiencing her own challenges of "driving cattle," a story began to form for her.  She said the main character Tiger acts out some of her challenges in the cattle drive and at other times her husband's.  To find out more about the book, drop by and sign out Tiger's New Cowboy Boots and other books by Canadian author Irene Morck.  Thank you to Ms. Peel & Hooper for sharing class time to visit our beautiful library and to Mrs. Viedeman for organizing the event.

Welcome Back!

Greetings all & welcome back to Parkview and our school library.  I "weeded" close to 2000 books this past spring & summer to lighten the shelves of older 70's, 80's, & 90's books.  The non-fiction collection is finally all together (rather than partly in the fiction section) & there is more room on the shelves for NEW books: in fact, close to 200 new books are itching to be signed out!

Primary classes began today, reviewing parts of the library & practicing routines and expectations.  Book sign outs will start next Wed. & hopefully tomorrow for intermediates if computer data input goes smoothly in the morning. 

Primary library day is Wed. while Thur is the intermediate library time.  See "Upcoming Events" re the Okanagan Regional Library (ORL) primary library tour and author visit - Irene Morck.

Best wishes, Ms. M.

What is Alexandria and Nettrekker?

The world wide web continues to offer us more resources & information, but which are the good ones?  Here are two for you to try: Alexandria & Nettrekker.  Over Spring Break, most of the library computers across School District 83 got an upgrade of their library software to Alexandria 6.0.  With this upgrade, students, staff, and parents can check Parkviews' library resources from the comfort of their home computers or from any computer with internet access.  Go to the library blog (from the Parkview Home Page page or directly to the  Parkview Library Blog ), scroll down to "Web Links, Reference" and click on Alexandria & Nettrekker.  The Parkview library search window will load & begin your search for books (& other resources our library has) on the top line.

For educational type web sites, scroll down the Alexandria page until you see the Nettrekker icon (bottom left); click on that & try some search terms; tsunami, lacrosse, soccer, black widow spiders, etc. and check out the web sites.  See Ms. Murrells if you need any help and please offer your feedback on this cool resource. 

Nettrekker has recently signed on with Canada's Nelson company to add more Canadian content to this American database, so let me know if you have success in researching Canadian type topics: British Columbia, David Suzuki, Canada Goose, Shania Twain, Thomas Edison, hockey, baskteball, Laura Secord, Norman Bethune, Canadian athletes, and so, so, so, so much more!

Happy researching, Ms Murrells.

Author Spotlight, Jan., 2011

Great authors come from current day, "yesterday," and from all over the world.  See the "Author Spotlight" on the right column to read about four primary level authors I shared with students in January: Jan Brett, Bill Peet, Barbara Reid, and H.A. Rey.  Share your favourites with me and we'll see if we have them in the Parkview library and also find out more about these strong authors.  Hmmmmm, just what makes a great author?

Three New World Book Online Databases

In addition to the existing EBSCO and World Book online databases, three new World Book virtual resources are up and running: World Book Discover (grd 6-12, for students reading below grade level), Dramatic Learning (k-12)and Early World of Learning (preschool-2).  Find these quality resources at “District Library Links” http://drc.sd83.bc.ca/  and also located on the right tool bar “Web Links, "Reference.”  While these info. sources load automatically at school, once “offsite” you will need user names and passwords: see student quick reference stickers in their agendas, Ms. Murrells, or Parkview staff for this information.  Ms. M is currently teaching students and staff about these virtual resources, and will gladly show family members too.  Phone or drop by (Tue/Thu/Alternate Weds) if you need some assistance.  I could also do group sessions, so contact your PAC to make the request or Ms M, 250-836-2871

Blog update and Removed Web Links.

As of Feb. 23rd, 2011, I removed the Ancient Civilization links & put up some Canadian "Black History Month" web sites.  I will remove resources/themes as classes finish projects & then put up new themes as new ones start.  Let me know if you need prior resources, and, of course, let me know of current topics that you are working on.  Enjoyable, and fascinating learning journey to you, Ms. M

Feb 18th Pro-D Motivates Me!

Thank you to Starleigh Grass, secondary teacher in Lilooet, B.C., for offering her workshop entitled "Blogoshpere: The New Staffroom."  I still have lots to learn, and finding the time to update this blog is even harder, but I believe it could become a powerful tool for students, staff, and parents.  Off I go to try and update this page a little more.  Ms. M