Edmodo

Edmodo is a web based "Learning Commons" where students and teachers can join together virtually for their learning, and even evaluation of projects.  One day software like this may lead to a paperless classroom ... if desire.  Post-secondary institutions have been using software like this for some time (i.e Black Board Learning). Edmodo is similar to Facebook, so users "get it" quickly.  It's easy to set up (no private information needed), and very safe.  Students need to be invited to groups created by myself (teacher-librarian) or participating teachers; thus, no outsiders can enter these learning groups. 

Any posts are public to that particular group.  For example, I created groups for both division 1 and 2 today; posts to each of these groups stay just in the specified division.  Thus, Div. 1 students cannot post to Div. 2 students for the groups created today.  Students are requesting for such a group to be created, but they need to understand and accept that Edmodo is a learning tool and not being offered to them for social networking. 

Myself, their teachers, and Ms. Chafe are all members of these groups and monitoring the activity. 

Div. 1 & 2 students see if you can figure out how to send me your Kidspiration files you created last week through Edmodo.  Kaitlyn and Tyler already know how to and kindly have offered to teach others.  May the force be with you!  Happy Learning, Ms. M.

April 15th, 100 Years After the Sinking of the Titanic

Yes, April 15th marks 100 years since the maiden voyage and sinking of the luxury liner, the Titanic.  For historical pictures as well as other Titanic news items see today's online Globe and Mail

And for a local connection and story to the Titanic, see this Salmon Arm Observer article.

There are 26 listings on Nettrekker from the Discovery Channel, to Postal Workers on the Titanic, to Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution which assists you in looking at the Titanic 25 years after its first discovery in the ocean depths!  To see the other nettrekker suggested web links use Parkview School's nettrekker user name and password to log in (inside cover of your agenda).  Wondrous reading to you all.  Ms. M.

Red Cedar Book Voting Happening Soon

April 23rd-May 5th is when BC students vote for their top fiction and/or non-fiction picks from the Red Cedar nominee list for 2011-12.  Thus, soon our Parkview participants from Ms. Milton's class will be finished with the twenty plus books and begin sharing them with the rest of the students for some great reads.  Check out the bookshelf for titles.  Thank you to Ms. Milton's class for participating!

Okanagan Science Centre

Draven and his uncle enjoyed the same planetarium show, space exhibit, and science centre magic as my family and I, Easter Weekend.  It was great to see you there Draven!

"Space Inventions" - a team-style guessing game about which inventions were made possible by space program technology happens Sat., April 21st.  Check it out!  Link for the Science Centre to the right under "Upcoming Events."

Work Before Play!

Gage reminded us of the above old expression today, and it was our theme during Intermediate library classes.  We discussed how there is approximately 12 weeks left of school (!) and that even though Spring has sprung and energy is in the air, we must do our jobs first (learn, learn, learn) and then reward ourselves with play.  One easy inexpensive way is through string games.  Try out the YouTube links for teacup, Jacob's ladder and more.  Remember to be mindful of the every changing side-bar options on YouTube.  Often what was appropriate one day can be innapropriate another.  Happy Easter! 

Origami @ Parkview Library

Thank you Malcolm for kick starting fun with origami. Participants made paper boxes, butterflies, rabbits & more. Thank you Ivy & Myles for being such great helpers too! Check out the 736 & 745 non-fiction section for more origami and craft type books.

636's, Domestic Pets in the library!

Thanks daughter Kieran for your amazing artistry in making Dewey flash cards. Your animal drawings were so popular, Parkview students requested photocopies. Completed colouring pages are displayed on the bulletin board by the 700-900's section.

I'm trying a post from my cell phone!

Goodness, right or wrong, technology is making it so easy for us to communicate. I hope we remember to have some good old fashioned down time and power down technology daily. In fact give yourself a challenge to survive "Screen-Free Week" April 30th-May 6th. Considering Canadian kids spend an average of 6 hrs a day in front of screens, I think some Parkview students will struggle that week! For more information & the screen time debate read the April, 2012 Owl issue. Andrew Sykes, Revelstoke school district psychologist, is interviewed!

Also, Let's set you up with a pile of reading options for Screen-Free week ... and every day!

Did you know "On average, Canadian kids spend 8.6 hours a day being inactive"? (Owl: 10).

How do I get you to "Follow"?

So have I confused you with the blog background change or was it refreshing?  What information do you like to check on the blog and what do you tend to ignore?  I created this blog to find yet another rich way for us to learn, but is it working for you? 

We're at Parkview (early morning to late afternoon) learning and sharing, but why does our learning have to potentially stop there?  The world is our oyster either through print materials (books) or non-print material: the internet, on-line databases, e-readers, etc..  Well, let's make the Parkview Library blog a place to continue our learning at any time.  Students, teachers, support staff, and parents let me know about themes you want to explore; suggest some WOW books and websites (see Ms. Murrells for templates), and sign up to be a follower to this site.

To follow this blog/site scroll down the bottom right to "Join this Site."  Note, however, that you must have one of the following accounts to join (& that may not be everyone's cup of tea): Google, Twitter, Yahoo, Aim, Netlog, or OpenID.

Spring has finally arrived - hence the Spring background and look to the blog!  See you Wed.!  Ms. M.