COLLECT + CONNECT

The Belle Fourche Middle School Library is making!  Utilizing a  Classroom Innovation Grant from the SD Dept. of Education, teacher- librarian Karen Schlekeway  has  transformed the library with a makerspace bringing more innovation to the school.  L ibrary staff teach STEAM encore classes to 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grades.   The classes have been a big hit with the students increasing their desire to learn.  Students use critical thinking to navigate through units of coding, engineering & design, circuitry, videography and different forms of energy.  They also research and develop art projects that spark creativity.  8th graders even get to solder their very own DIY drones!  Grant dollars funded a classroom set of iPads, two sets of Spheros and Ozobots, four 3D printers, seven sewing machines, and loads of STEM kits. 

Photo by  Raka Rachgo  on  Unsplash - a smattering of two random reads about libraries, education & growth -

cultofpedagogy.com I really enjoy the practical, here's-what-you-really-need-to-know content of  The Cult of Pedagogy and so much of it is very applicable to the school library world. After all, school librarians are teachers and a school library is a classroom. In Teaching Students How to Legally Use Online Images you'll learn loads about how to teach students to locate and incorporate online images. Hello, digital citizenship! This is definitely a must in terms of digital literacy skills for students. In the meantime, I will share the nuggets of goodness I took away from the read: LICENSE YOUR IMAGES If students create their own images, then they own the copyright and can license it through Creative Commons . This licensing process not only teaches kids about the importance of copyright and fair use, it also validates their own sense of independence and ownership. USE OPEN LICENSE IMAGES My favorite sites for free, open license images are Pixabay...

census.gov/schools There's been a lot of talk in the news and on social media about the upcoming 2020 census and here's a powerful teaching and learning resource. What a great way to link what students are hearing in the news to real life! The  Statistics in Schools  program of the U.S. Census Bureau provides data, tools, and activities that educators can incorporate into their lessons to help teach statistics concepts and data analysis skills to students. The U.S. Census Bureau is the leading source of statistical information about the nation’s people, places, and economy. It provides snapshots of the nation’s population size, growth, and changing characteristics. Highlights of the Statistics in Schools program: Classroom-ready Activities sorted by grade level and subjects such as state facts, math, geography, history, ELA, and sociology Video Gallery Fun Facts with Teacher's Guides Historical Documents & Images Warm-up Activities Census Bureau 101 fo...

There's some seriously cool programming happening at the Harrisburg High School Library! Librarian Eve Langerock is a second-year librarian and she's diving deep to support literacy, build connection, and inspire enthusiasm. Prior to moving into the library, Eve was an English teacher for 13 years. Eve is supported by a wonderful full-time library assistant whose presence allows Eve the flexibility to plan and co-teach with staff. This support system helps to ensure that school library standards are integrated throughout the school-wide curriculum.   BOOK TASTING In their English classes, prior to coming to the library, students select the specific genres they enjoy reading. The library staff then sets up the library like a restaurant and assigns students to tables based on their genre. Students get the opportunity to “taste” 12 different books in the courses of an appetizer, main course, and dessert. Their menu allows them to take notes on each book and...