Alkali Creek Library

Internet Safety

2011-01-09T12:06:00.001-07:00

Federal law now requires all schools receiving federal funding for internet access must conduct safety classes. Our school PTA had a parent and child Internet Safety night earlier this year. It was followed up with a parent only night.
During the end of January and into February, the classes in grades 4-6 will be learning more about staying safe online. There is more to staying safe than scaring kids. It is really important to remind students why personal information doesn't go out where anyone can see it. But, there is also the need to teach kids what is required according to our district Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) so they can see what their responsibilities are as well. The most important thing students need to understand is at school computers are a privilege, not a right. Like all privileges, misuse or abuse results in losing access to the computers.
We will be using several very good resources for the lessons, including our district AUP, NetSmartz and the FBI internet safety site. The idea will be to keep them safe and smart, not just afraid. Fear is not their friend in staying safe online. Smart use is the friend they need and want.

Tilt digital portfolio

2010-05-05T21:28:00.001-06:00

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

Tilt digital portfolio

View more presentations from Andrea Meyer.

Spring Fever

2010-04-03T07:22:00.000-06:00

It is getting to be that time of year. The days are longer. Kids are out later in the evening. Little League and Youth Soccer have started. Bicycles are dusted off and made ready. There is more school behind us than before us. It is winding down to the last weeks before summer. This is the time of year that reading takes a big hit. Kids often stop reading for pleasure because there is so much else to do outside. It is sometimes good to take a short break from reading. Let the mind rest and enjoy the natural world around for a little while. Soak up the sun, when it does shine in the Montana springtime. Enjoy the sound of birds and little frogs as they remind us of how life's circles continue through the years. Watch the geese as they return to their nesting grounds. Fly a kite. Walk on the grass as it begins to turn green. See the little crocus and daffodils poke their way to the sun. Refresh the senses with a new beginning. But, when the evening falls, don't forget to pick up a book every now and then.

Nonfiction Reading

2010-03-10T07:36:00.000-07:00

With so much emphasis on reading for information, the nonfiction section must be filled with exciting and interesting books. Everything from ghosts to religions of the world, art to government, cats and dogs to glaciers is covered in the nonficition section. There are so many subjects, it is hard to find a place for each one in an elementary library. So, like all librarians, I must be selective. What interests students today? Drawing books are always a big hit. So are current biographies. Animals, whether wild or domestic are always sought after for fun and interesting reading. But there are more serious subjects. When 6th graders are studying World War II, they cannot avoid all the history that is contained in that short period of time. Both the terrible and the exciting stories must be available for them to read. 9/11 has a place as do books about world religions and global economy.
Nonfiction is far reaching. It is enlightening, delightful, thought-provoking and readable. Nonfiction is more than just facts. It is an opening to the world around the reader. Once opened, like a genie, the facts in a book are not easy to ignore. Open a book with the knowledge that you will never look on the world quite the same way.

More to Learn

2010-03-02T14:31:00.000-07:00

There are so many things to teach in the elementary library. Students need to learn to find books of course. But there is so much more. Students need to know how to find information. They need to learn to research. Each student must become more familiar with all the products the school uses. We have worldbookonline.com, the WebCat library catalog, YouTube, TeacherTube, Skype, Oovoo, Google and all of its components, VoiceThread, Wiki, Blogs, and so many more.

These are things the digital generation understands and without question they will use to the fullest extent. Students will find Flickr, Facebook, Twitter, and all other social networking mediums the way to share what they do on a daily basis. Telephones are no longer just on the wall; they are everywhere.

Teaching students to use the library today is not just the difference between nonfiction and fiction. It is so much more than that. The library today is the one place all the students use. It must reflect the students today, not those of my generation. It must reflect the digital world.

Wiki World

2010-02-10T17:39:00.002-07:00

During the next few weeks, the fourth and fifth graders will begin to use a wiki for their class projects. We will have enough computers for them to get on and answer the weekly question. They also will be able to access it from home if they have internet access
This week, we have talked about Wiki Etiquette, where students learned the importance of being thoughtful and careful with their words. It will be interesting to see what kids think of books and biographies.

Copyright and Fair Use

2010-01-31T07:50:00.000-07:00

This week, the newspaper is "put to bed" and the 6th graders will begin a new unit. We will be learning about Copyright and Fair Use. They are words the students have heard, but most really do not understand what they mean. Anyone who has downloaded a song from a friend's CD has violated copyright. Students who turn in a paper that has verbatim paragraphs from a source without citing it are breaking the copyright law and guilty of plagiarism. Most students are very unaware of these as all around them copyright is being infringed upon by students and adults alike.
It is a serious subject, but we will try to create a fun way for kids to explore the ins and outs of using good copyright and fair use etiquette.

Who's Who in our Library?

2010-01-29T09:10:00.000-07:00

Grade 5 will be working on biographies in the coming weeks. Each student will read a biography from our library. They will write on a wiki about their person and some of the things they have learned. Other students will be able to go in and comment on the information they read from other students' postings. Before the students check out a book, they will have a lesson on wiki ettiquette and writing. Students who do not follow those rules will have to create their posting on paper. I am confident all the students will be working on the computer!

Animals went 2 by 2

2010-01-24T18:34:00.000-07:00

The fourth grade classes presented their animals. I was quite impressed at how hard they worked to create their projects. Some students did a written assignment. Others did a clay sculpture, most did a poster. And there were some students who did two or three projects. They were wonderful. A great deal of thought went into many of the projects. When it came time to present to the class, each student took their turn going up and teaching us all they had learned. They did a wonderful job. I am very proud of these kids.

5th Grade Montana Report

2010-01-06T21:46:00.000-07:00

The fifth graders are almost done with their research about Montana. Next, they will use VoiceThread to present their facts. Each group will record their short bit of information and it will be saved online. Once complete, we will go in and watch the entire presentation. The project will take most of the month of January. Once done, the students will be able to learn things about Montana they had not known before. Ask your fifth grader in the next week or two something they learned about Montana.

Semester Lessons coming due

2010-01-02T23:52:00.000-07:00

All of the intermediate classes will be completing their assignments in the next few weeks. The fourth grade classes will be working on their poster or model of an animal. Those turned in so far are fabulous! The Montana unit will begin working with voice thread in two weeks. We hope to finish by the end of the semester, but it may take one more week. Sixth grade classes will complete their newspaper project and will have a newspaper to read when all is done. Next semester will come soon enough and a new group of lessons will start. Until then, work hard to finish what is before you, but keep your eyes on what is ahead.

Crocodile Tears by Anthony Horowitz

2010-01-01T15:14:00.047-07:00

The latest Alex Rider adventure opens with Alex, his friend Sabina Pleasure, and Sabina's father attending a lavish party given by the head of a nonprofit group called First Aid. Alex meets the charismatic leader, Desmond McCain, who has gone from poverty to riches, to jail and back to riches again. His organization, First Aid, is always on the scene of natural catastrophes and some that may not be so natural. Desmond McCain may be a great man or he may be a criminal mastermind.
Trouble always seems to find Alex, even in the most innocent of circumstances. Alex, Sabina and her father are suddenly propelled into the depths of a freezing loch in Scotland. A school field trip to a plant research facility almost proves fatal. Alex is shot at, kidnapped, almost caught in a terrible warehouse blaze and barely escapes the jaws of a very hungry crocodile. Using his wits, helpful inventions, and help from a few good people, Alex once again saves the world from destruction - all before his fifteenth birthday.
This may very well be the final book in the Alex Rider series. It will not disappoint fans of the series.

Book Reviews and other thoughts

2009-12-21T21:08:00.003-07:00

After the beginning of the new year, I will try something new. I will be adding a few book reviews to the blog - giving both kids and parents some ideas of books we have in the Alkali Library. I will include both new and older books and some nonfiction as well. Remember to use the library online card catalog at http://library.billings.k12.mt.us to see the books we have as well as those at all the other schools in town. Keep in mind that parents can also check out books. You can find a copy of a book you want here or at another school. If you request books from another library, they will come to Alkali. You can return it to the Alkali library and I'll send it back to the loaning library. You don't even have to pay for parking. : >)

Holiday!

2009-12-14T21:11:00.000-07:00

May you have a happy and restful break from school and a joyous time with family and friends!

Animals Went Two by Two

2009-12-03T07:30:00.001-07:00

The fourth grade clsses are working on an animal unit. They each drew a card with an animal name and information. Students in Mr. Wien's class have animals of the world. Mr. Miller's class has animals of North America. This year, the fourth grade classes will be using the internet for their research. They have a number of good sites with great information. This will keep them from having to do a "google search" which can take more time than the hour they are alloted in class. They will be researching their subject and creating a final project which will be a choice of about seven choices. Students can make a booklet, write a short story, create a poster, and several other options. Animals are a great source of interest. The library has many books to support the research. Enjoy the final project. Students will have plenty to talk about when they finish.

Read! Read! Read!

2009-11-21T21:05:00.000-07:00

I have heard many kids say they hate to read. It is not surprising. Reading is such a huge part of elementary education. Students read textbooks for science, social studies, language arts, and much more. Students tend to approach all reading the same way. Reading for information is a different skill than for pleasure. Reading for pleasure is just that - a pleasure. Students will become better readers with practice, just like a musician playing an instrument. Reading should never be perceived as a chore, a dull requirement. It should be viewed as something more. It is a window that left closed will never allow us to see beyond the glass. Too many kids end up with windows closed, painted shut, never to open again when they become old enough to "not have to read anymore". Encourage them to open a window, get some fresh air. Try a new view, a new genre. Try a new author, a new setting. Try sitting in a new spot with a good book. Don't give up. Even people who hate to read can pick up a book and find a new joy in the adventure.

Montana!

2009-11-13T09:13:00.001-07:00

Fifth graders at Alkali will get some practice in research over then next few weeks. We are going to encounter the state of Montana before exploring other states. There are so many interesting facts about our great state. Even people who have lived their entire lives in Montana are always surprised by some of the new things they discover.
Next week, students will receive a particular piece of information on part of the shape of the state. As each person does their part, the state will take shape. Hopefully, all the information will create an interest in discovering this great state's history and geography.

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

2009-11-08T08:12:00.003-07:00

In the sixth grade classes, we are studying newspapers and journalistic writing. During the first week, students will be learning newspaper jargon and vocabulary. They will then go on to learn the types of newspaper stories found in the Billings Gazette. We will also look at other newspapers from around the state and the region via the internet.
The students will then learn the different types of jobs at a newspaper. Not everyone can be a reporter, but each person will have a hand in creating a class newspaper.
My hope is that by creating their own paper students will be more aware of the school community. They will become more skillful when writing in class.

Thank you for our new books!

2009-10-25T19:53:00.000-06:00

There is something so wonderful about a new book. Knowing you are the first person to hold it, open it, and read it is a wonderful experience. The crisp pages and the fresh smell of the print, the story inside - brand new to excited eyes. We are fortunate at Alkali to have a wonderful group of people who like new books as much as the kids do. Tom and Donald Crawford and Cynthia Eggert been providing a new hardback book each month. They receive a suggested title and present it to the library. Some of the titles come from the teachers. Some are from the library. But, each month they bring a wonderful new book for the kids at school to enjoy. Believe me when I say they do not stay on the shelves for long.
Every month the target of the book changes. It will be a fun chapter book one month, a great science nonfiction book the next, and a delightful picture book the month after that.
I cannot say thank you enough to these wonderful people. The Crawford Insurance Agency purchases books for several Heights area elementary libraries. We are fortunate to be one of them.

Book Fair soon

2009-10-20T13:44:00.000-06:00

November 2, 2009 will be an exciting day at Alkali Creek Library. Brand new books, never read before, will adorn the library, just waiting for a reader! During the MEA/MFT convention, I had the opportunity to see many of the books that will be in this book fair. Excitement is truly the word for what is coming this year!
There will be books for boys who love sports and adventure, books for girls who love mysteries and adventure, books for younger kids just learning to read and books for adults to cherish or give as gifts. I can hardly wait to see all the titles! Hope to see you there!

Cold and Wet

2009-10-09T18:01:00.000-06:00

Today was one of those days where you really just want to cuddle under a blanket and share a good book or an old movie with a loved one. Cold can bring out some other things as well. With cool weather, there are more things to store in a backpack. There are more clothing items to remember - boots, mittens, hats, scarves, and so on. One thing to remember is those things can get wet. And wet clothes mean wet contents in a backpack.
Try to keep things dry. If possible, put books and papers into gallon size plastic baggies. That will keep both textbooks and library books, as well as personal books, safe and dry. A wet book is nobody's favorite thing to hold. Let's keep stuff dry and safe for the next reader.

Book Fair Coming

2009-10-02T22:05:00.000-06:00

It is amazing how fast this year is passing into the past! Only a few short weeks ago, kids entered the building ready (or not) to learn. A few weeks ago, the book fair was just a blip on the radar somewhere down the road. It is only three weeks away.
Like every year, a few good volunteers make the book fair a success! This fall, Great Northern Books is conducting the fair. They have a great selection of paperback books and some hardcover fiction. The selection is always good and never dull.
If you would like to help out, please leave a note for the PTA or drop by the library and leave your name. I appreciate your help in advance!

Seems Trivial, But it is not

2009-09-20T18:48:00.000-06:00

How fast can the average house cat run?
What is the highest waterfall in Europe?
What is the mountain range that divides Europe and Asia?
Who was the first baseball player in history to hit 700 home runs?
What are the two main ingredients in chocolate and who invented chocolate sauce?

All of these may seem like trivial questions, but they serve an important purpose. Fifth grade students are beginning a lesson about locating information. They will use a variety of sources, both print and electronic. One of the things students at this level need to understand is determining the accuracy of their facts. That will also be part of their lesson. By the way, the students will be finding answers to all of the questions above and many more. Let them amaze you with their knowledge!

Kindergarten on Tuesday

2009-09-13T22:53:00.000-06:00

The three kindergarten classes came to the library on Tuesday to check out their first book. It was very exciting! We talked about how to check out a book and how long they can keep it. Tuesday will always be their library day. If for some reason a student forgets to bring their book to school on library day, they can look at books until class is over. Students are encouraged to bring their books to school the following day so they can check out a new book.

Labor Day and other holidays

2009-09-06T15:02:00.003-06:00

Occasionally students seem to miss quite a few library days due to holidays and special PIR schedules. When a class misses library due to an assembly or speaker, I will often work with that teacher to reschedule their class. If the class is missed due to a scheduled day off or early out, classes are not rescheduled, but I do try to have students come in for checkout time. It assures that they will have at least one book to read over a holiday or long weekend.

Author Birthday Club

2009-09-01T18:26:00.018-06:00

Well, our school year is in full swing. Monday, the first grade classes were able to check out one book each. This month, author birthday club begins. Every month, Tamara pulled the books for the authors and famous illustrators celebrating birthdays in September and placed them on the Author Birthday Club cart. Students in grades one through four are able to check out books from that special cart. When they complete their reading (each grade has a different amount to read) the kids turn their forms in at the library. Early in October, they will receive an invitation to attend the birthday celebration for the September authors. Kids can participate every month or just a few during the year. It is a great way for kids to continue practicing their reading skills and enjoy a good book at the same time. And, they get to see what famous author shares their birthday month!

First day

2009-08-26T15:41:00.000-06:00

Well, our first day has finished. It was wonderful! Today, 4th grade reveiewed a few procedures. Next week, we will start working on how the library is set up and how to find a book. We'll begin to try our hands at WebCat. If you are interested in seeing what books we have in our library or across the district, click the BPS Online Library Catalog link to the right.

Welcome

2009-08-25T20:28:00.004-06:00

This year I am trying something new; a blog to communicate with parents, students and staff about the Alkali Creek Library. I hope you will enjoy reading it from time to time. Each week, you will learn what we are doing in the library. Special events will be highlighted.

Many new types of technology are now available. We will be exploring some of them in the library. I'll try to do a tech-tip every so often. Some of them may be new to you, but others will just be reminders of things you already know. Intermediate grades will be using some of the tech-tips in their library classes. Later this fall, I hope to begin a Wiki with book reviews by students and some staff.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at the email address posted with the "About Me" information.