My First Digital Breakout!

This summer I attended EdCamp Library in Frisco, TX. While there, I attended a very interesting session about library orientations. I loved hearing all of the awesome ideas shared, and I came home knowing I would try something new out this year to familiarize students with the library once again.

My "something new" would be a digital breakout. I wanted to try this because I'd been hearing and reading so much about them. Right from the start, I made it a bit easier on myself by not using boxes or locks the boxes this first time -- although I do eventually want to try them.

I started out by connecting with my digital learning coach. She gave me the idea to create my breakout using Google Forms. We talked through a couple of the questions, and she showed me how to use "Response Validation" on each question to have students enter a code. With "response validation", the form replies with a "custom error text" when the answer is incorrect.

I first drew up the questions, each of them leading to a spot in the library that they needed to know:

1.) Book return
2.) Fiction
3.) Graphic novels
4.) Texas Bluebonnet Books
5.) Nonfiction
6.) Diary of a Wimpy Kid books
7.) Research station

I decided that I wouldn't connect the questions to another one, but instead give students the option of completing them out of order if they wanted. It is possible to connect them by placing the link on the Google Form, but because this was my first one, I decided to do it this way.

To connect with our back-to-school theme, I gave each a question a bit of a "camping" flavor, serving up the breakout on a picnic-style table cloth.

Here is a screenshot of my first question:

My custom error text was "No, please try again".

For some of the questions, I did not have to come up with a random code. The answer was clear cut!

On the lower right hand corner of each form, you will find the "Response Validation" option. That is how the form checks the answer. This part is a bit tricky because you have to make sure it is not set to "greater than" or "less than" instead of "Equal to"; if you don't do this, the answer will be wrong.  Also, It took me a few tries to get this right.

I added Question 6 because I do get asked this question often! Do you???

Next, I housed all of the questions (7) on a Google Site. It was relatively easy to embed each of the forms.

I then created a QR Code for the Google Site and printed a few of them for my first class.

The teacher and I divided the class in groups of 4 and equipped with an iPad, they were off!

As I did the activity with a few classes,  I realized that seven questions takes awhile - and didn't give as much time as I wanted for checkout, so I decided to make it a challenge instead, encouraging the students to complete as many as possible within our time frame. Learning is all about being flexible, right?

The students enjoyed it, and I was glad I was able to adjust as needed. For my first try, I think it went fairly well, and I know the next one will be even better!

The Beginning of a New Year: Writing Our Story

(Last Friday, 8/18)
I am sitting in my seat, ready for my district's convocation. There's lively music playing as we enter, and between the beats of the songs, I hear the laughter and enthusiastic greetings of my fellow educators as they take their seats for the event. We are united in our joy and excitement!

And I am excited as well (in particular) about our theme: #CISDOurstory. It couldn't be more perfect for this librarian! I believe in stories! I read them almost nonstop (novels, fiction, biographies, etc.) I celebrate them, buy them, promote them, and study them. Along with my fellow librarians, I share stories daily and bring them to our readers with enthusiasm and hope. Newbery-winning author Kate DiCamillo often speaks of the power of story, and when I hear the word, I always think of her. (Read her 2014 Newbery acceptance speech here. )

But we are not only consumers of story, we are also creators of them. Every teacher writes their story in his/her classroom, narrated in student voice, authentic and rich. Every school writes their story, woven through a collection of days, challenges, and successes.

And the most important story is that of our learners. Each day is a different page! How wonderful that we play a part in helping them write their interesting and amazing chapters!

Today (8/21)

I end this post with the first day of school behind me, I know that my 2017-2018 story already has a lovely beginning. The library is filled once more with learners and educators.

Speaking of stories, here are two picture books I have enjoyed recently:

Summer's End: Sharing a Few Books

Today is my last day of summer vacation. It's been a busy summer for me (as it usually is), and my blog has not received as much attention from me as it deserves. I've used it to chronicle some highlights of my summer, though, and for me those posts were my way of remembering this time in my librarian life. I know I will read those posts next summer fondly. 

But one of the reasons I am blogging today is to share two nonfiction books that were part of my summer reading list:

This is a very visually appealing picture book with a surprise each time you turn the page. Susan Stockdale highlights several real flowers with vibrant illustrations, celebrating them with poetic text that points out their likenesses to objects and animals: trumpets, ice cream, spoons, bats, snakes, etc. Readers are invited to find the resemblance, and when they do, it is a delight! At the end, Stockdale provides backmatter which includes information about pollination and flowers, as well as real-life photographs of the actual flowers featured in the book. With each photograph, Stockdale adds the scientific and common name. One flower that brought back childhood memories for me was the Mexican Hat. I used to play with those when I was a child and place the petals on my fingernails! That page made me smile. Make sure to check out the endpapers! They are lovely! 

In this picture book, Melissa Stewart teaches readers about droughts, explaining what they are, where they occur, and their progression. She also explains the dangers, effects and ways scientist study and monitor drought conditions. Sidebars provide additional information. I especially appreciated the back matter with a brief glossary, and the "How You Can Save Water" page. André Ceolin's bright illustrations are energy-filled and very engaging, pairing nicely with the text. This is another installment in the Let's Read and Find Out Series. I have a personal connection to this book as well, having grown up in an area that is usually hot, near cotton fields that experience droughts. 

Speaking of the summer's end, I am closing out mine today with just the right book (by a Texas author Jennifer Ziegler). I so enjoyed the first two installments in the Brewster Triplets series:

This one reminds of Girl Scout Day Camp!! 

If your summer is still happening, enjoy it! If it is not, I hope it left you with sweet memories! 

Scholastic Reading Summit: Houston Highlights!

My summer is coming to a close, and as I look back on it, I can see it was not a traditional summer in the way that others picture: no swimming, no camping, and I didn't get my toes in the sand once! Instead, I had a great time learning about libraries, books, and connecting with members of my PLN, just as I did last week at the Scholastic Reading Summit.

I have attended four Reading Summits now, attending two and then presenting last year in San Antonio and this year in Houston. I was there to present a session on picture books (a topic for an upcoming blog post!), and had a great time doing so. (Many thanks to Anne Lee and the entire Scholastic team for all of their kindness and for making my Summit experience so wonderful!)

I enjoyed chatting with our amazing Scholastic hosts for the summit, friends John Schu and Donalyn Miller - - (it is ALWAYS great to see them!) and it was also great connecting with Todd Nesloney and Becky Calzada,  (fellow presenters, friends, and valued members of my PLN.

Kylene Beers and Bob Probst were keynote speakers. Of course, their work in literacy is legendary, and I always learn something valuable about reading when I hear them present.

I brought back a copy of their latest book Disrupting Thinking (Scholastic, 2017), and I am reading this now. I think it's a great read for school librarians. I have highlighted and underlined many sections!

Here is one of the slides from their presentation. It was one of my biggest takeaways of the day:

Our closing speaker was Jarrett K. Krosoczka, author of the ever popular Lunch Lady series. He was energetic, enthusiastic, and entirely inspirational! His childhood journey story of how he came to illustrate and write graphic novels was fascinating! His speech reminded me of the time I heard Kadir Nelson speak at NCTE, where he also spoke about pursuing his passion for art as a child and how that led him to the work he does today. 

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Krosoczka also writes/illustrates #4 and #5 installments of the Jedi Academy series. 

Here are a few of the many slides that scrolled through during the day. I appreciated these two in particular:

Of course, another wonderful part of the Scholastic Reading Summit is being able to shop the Book Fair that is set up! I spotted some of my very favorite picture books. I didn't get a picture of all of them, but here are a few:

As I blog about this memory now, I realize what an utterly ovely day it was! I gained so much, both in the way of learning and connections made. How energizing it was to be around other educators who love reading and understand its power as much as I do! 

Perhaps next year I will have the kind of summers others have -- nostalgic s'mores by the campfire, peaceful walks down the beach, days by the lake, etc. But even if I don't, I know that this summer I was right where I was supposed to be! 

The Newbery-Caldecott Wilder Banquet: 2017 Highlight

The Newbery Caldecott Wilder Banquet was several weeks ago, and I should have blogged about it earlier! But it has been a busy summer and I am trying to get a lot of reading done. I am aslo attempting to redecorate my school office AGAIN. But even though this event has passed, it's already shaping up to be one of my very best library - and lifetime -- memories.

My program for the night 

The Newbery Caldecott Wilder Banquet feels like a celebration of the entire year in books -- and it is!  The Newbery, Caldecott, and Wilder Medals are awarded here (announced in January at MidWinter), and everyone is in a celebratory and jovial mood. As it is usually my last night at ALA, it is the culmination of the conference for me and a last chance to see friends before the next conference.

My view

Caldecott Medal Winner Javaka Steptoe 

What I enjoy about the Banquet:

1.) Seeing friends 
The conference is busy for everyone as well all have our own sessions and meetings, so it is not always possible to see everyone during conference days. But just about everyone goes to the Banquet, and I love gathering with them and chatting with them -- if only briefly. I also have a great tradition of meeting up with two friends in particular both before and after the Banquet. And we are all dressed up!

2.) Hearing the award speeches:
They either make me cry or laugh or both. And they are SO well-written! After all, the winners are book creators! They share from the heart, and they share their process. I am always grateful to hear their words.

3.) Remembering the books
With each winner, I have a memory -- the first time I saw the book, the time I received a copy, the first time I shared it with someone. I can remember when I first read them or heard about them. And to think of the full cycle they have come through is astounding! For example, I can still remember getting ARC of THE GIRL WHO DRANK THE MOON by Kelly Barnhill in the summer of 2016! And now, it is the winner of the 2017 Newbery Medal.

It makes my librarian heart happy to see authors and illustrators get celebrated because they deserve to be!  They write books for young readers that help them become lifetime readers, and they bring beautiful stories to all of us!

ALA 2017: 1st Blog Post

I just returned from the ALA Annual Conference (in Chicago this year), an experience that is always the highlight of my summer.  Though it can be exhausting (in a wonderful way), it is also exhilarating!

As I do at conferences, I snap pictures of books and moments, taking notes on my phone and even on paper! There is so much I want to remember and take back with me -- and so much I want to carry with me into the library this year. In my first attempt here, I capsulize my learning in two sections:

1.) Books!

One of my main reasons for attending is to hear about and see upcoming children's books for the young readers in our library. They deserve the best, and that is what I want to bring them! I love walking around the booths and browsing through the galleys, although there is always something I miss. (Many thanks to all of the publishers who entertain my questions and always greet me with kindness.)  It would be impossible for me to list all the books here, but this is a gathering of a few of the titles on my to-read list. (There are many more on Goodreads!)

2. Authors

Katherine Paterson talking about My Brigadista Year (Candlewick, 2017) 

Two events at ALA provided me with memories that will remain with me for my lifetime.  At a Candlewick breakfast, I met THE Katherine Paterson for the very first time, and she shared about her upcoming book My Brigradista Year. She spoke of how she came to write this book, and as I listened to her, I thought about how fortunate we are to have Paterson's work. She is truly a treasured icon in children's literature -- and she is so very authentic, kind, and inspirational.

Kate DiCamillo talking about La La La (Candlewick, 2017) 

THE Kate DiCamillo spoke at the same event, and it is ALWAYS a treat to hear her speak. (What a great way to start the day and this was also my first event at ALA 2017!) Make sure to watch out for her upcoming book La La La with talented debut illustrator Jaime Kim. I loved hearing about their collaboration on this book. 

A blurry photo of Allen Say! So sorry! 

At a Scholastic event, I had the opportunity to hear Allen Say (Grandfather's Journey, Caldecott Winner 1994). His upcoming book Silent Days, Silent Dreams (Arthur A. Levine Books, 2017) is a biography of artist James Castle.

Say explained how he came to write this book and his connection with Castle as a fellow artist, sharing technique and process. Castle's life and work are truly fascinating! And it was my first time to hear Allen Say speak at an event. Needless to say, I hung on his every word!

(I also attended the Newbery-Caldecott-Wilder Banquet, but that will be its own blog post!) 

I've learned that when I attend a conference, I can process my learning by organizing my experiences and reflecting upon them individually. In this way, I am sure to apply the knowledge directly towards my work in the library in ways that will benefit both teachers and students in our building.

Three Books I Couldn't Stop Reading

"I couldn't put that book down!"

I rarely say that about a book, but when I find one that makes me exclaim this, I tell others about it. Here are novels that I read recently that made me say just that:

Cartaya, P. The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora. New York: Viking, 2017. Print. 

Arturo has plans for a great summer, but he'll have to do a few things first-- like save his Abuela's restaurant from a greedy land developer! Along the way, he'll reconnect with his family, and appreciate poetry, too. This one is a family story that I could relate to because it made me think of my own abuela and how special she was, too! Don't we love when we can connect with a character? Kids do! Arturo's voice is endearing and you will be rooting for him the entire time. I read the ARC of this book, but need to get the final copy because it has recipes in the back. When I read this book, it made me think about the importance of tradition in families, and how much value they add to our lives. 

Snyder, L. Orphan Island. New York: Walden Pond Press, 2017. Print. 

I really couldn't put this one down. I found myself turning pages as if I were taking breath after being underwater for a long time. Completely mysterious and though-provoking! There is an island, and on it live nine orphans. A green boat appears periodically and takes one orphan away, while delivering another. Sound like an interesting premise? It IS! Though it is a mystery, I never wondered why I enjoyed it. The writing here is authentic and heart-grabbing. And I thought it was the perfect book to read for the summer because Snyder's descriptions of the island made me want to be there to explore it. I am still thinking about Jinny, the main character. Note: I also loved Snyder's Swan: The Life and Dance of Anna Pavlova (Chronicle, 2015). If you haven't read this one, you should! 

Baptiste, T. Rise of the Jumbies. New York: Algonquin Young Readers, 2017. Print.

At some point in the year, I will be asked for folktale books. So I'm always looking for new ones to share because I want to add to my list and also because I enjoy the storytelling. And that is just one of the reasons why I am blogging about this book today. Baptiste is a skilled storyteller and this book is proof. Compelling characters, unexpected humor and page-turning suspense: they are all here in this book. And mixed in, of course, is a coming-of-age story in a tropical setting with glorious descriptions. This is the second book after the series The Jumbies (Algonquin, 2015).

These three novels helped me jumpstart my summer reading and kept my attention. I hope the books that follow these do the same!